Philosophy

Dusting Off the Word According to Patanjali

Dusting Off the Word According to Patanjali

by | Feb 10, 2013 | Philosophy, Wisdom, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Yoga teaching 

Yesterday I kicked off the first of six sessions in which 9 students and I will look at least the philosophy of Patanjali. The format is a discussion in which we will tease out the aphorisms called the Yoga Sutras.
It’s a privilege to give our time to considering big questions, like what is yoga? We do yoga practices daily or once a week in classes, but we seldom give much thought to why we’re doing it.
In designing this course, I’ve been able to take a fresh look at Sutra I:2. […]

A Sutra a Day: IV-25 – Finding Your Way Home

by | Feb 8, 2013 | Dhyana, Healing, Health, Philosophy, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Wisdom, XSutras, Yoga practices, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Yoga teaching 

Source: carkart.com via Carkart.com on Pinterest

 
Over the years I’ve developed a deep love and appreciation for yoga. Sometimes I joke and say that it’s the longest relationship I’ve ever had.
In the beginning I did yoga to help me lose weight after a pregnancy and to keep fit. I discovered I was good at doing the asanas so that gave me an ego boost and led me to do yoga teacher training. […]

A Sutra a Day: IV-24 – The Best Part of Ourselves

A Sutra a Day: IV-24 – The Best Part of Ourselves

by | Feb 7, 2013 | Community, Healing, Philosophy, Wisdom, XSutras, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

In the early part of my life, I alternated between being a very good girl and a bit of a hell-raiser. I do have a few regrets, but I did manage to create some vivid memories along the way, as well as some great accomplishments.
I would say that the thing that tempered my tempestuous side was partly the discovery of yoga, but even more so becoming part of a wholesome community.
There has been a kind of evolution in my involvement with various communities. […]

A Sutra a Day: IV-20 – Finding Serenity Against the Odds

A Sutra a Day: IV-20 – Finding Serenity Against the Odds

by | Feb 3, 2013 | Being a writer, Healing, Philosophy, Wisdom, XSutras, Yoga practices, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Do you keep diaries? I did for many years. I filled up many of those blank page books; they were like my portable and private therapists, a written record of ruminations and attempts to sort feelings. I suppose you could say blogging is a modern day, more focussed way of diarising.
I came across one of my old books by accident today. (I burned a lot of the old diaries because I sorely needed to move on from past traumas.) This particular book is special. […]

A Sutra a Day: IV-19 – Blinded by Science

by | Feb 2, 2013 | Philosophy, Science/Skepticism/Technology, XSutras, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Source: Uploaded by user via Sam on Pinterest

 
In studying today’s message from Patanjali (as below), it seemed to lend itself well to a phenomenon to which we all fall prey – even esteemed and supposedly detached scientists – so I decided to ask my husband in as a guest blogger to describe it. So here’s Daniel:
I found this definition of science on a website:

“Science is a way of understanding the world, not a mountain of facts. Before anyone can truly understand scientific information, they must know how science works. […]

A Sutra a Day: IV-17 – Indulging Perspectives

by | Jan 29, 2013 | Philosophy, Wisdom, XSutras, Yoga practices, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Source: tumblr.com via Madison on Pinterest

 
One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is that my reality is real only for me. Assuming that others should agree with my world view, and perhaps even adopt it, has been the cause of suffering for me in the past.
When I started teaching yoga 30-plus years ago, I was gung-ho in my interpretation of the Iyengar method. I learned from a tough teacher and I tried to be one. […]

A Sutra a Day: IV-15 – Would You Rather be Right or Be in Love?

by | Jan 28, 2013 | Community, Healing, Philosophy, Wisdom, XSutras, Yoga practices, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Source: Uploaded by user via Câro on Pinterest

 
Shortly before I went away on a several week break recently, I had an argument with one of my housemates. You know how it is when you’re rushing around getting ready to go, stressed by packing, and completing those pesky chores. I was not at all in the space of anticipatory delight.
I won’t bore you with the details of the dust-up; let’s just say there was a display of anger, hurt feelings and cross words. My lower self was clearly on display. […]