We are beginning our study of the philosophies with Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Any translation/commentary is fine, the diversity of interpretations can only add depth and dimension to our shared experience.
Our first meeting, which was Sunday, January 30th at the Centennial Tower in Seattle, was an inspiring and thought-provoking experience. Below, please find a sampling of what we discussed, along with more thought-provoking words.
"Why are you here, what brings us together, what are we searching for?"
Some answers:
"To discuss our practice."
"To learn more about the postures, their energies and benefits."
"Searching for the Self/ a Path."
"To go deeper in to the philosophies."
"To make connections on every level."
"To put faces to the names online."
"On this path, effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear. [my comment: fear of death?]
-Sri Krisna (Bhagavad Gita)
The smallest effort is not lost,
Each wavelet on the ocean tost
Aids in the ebb-tide or the flow;
Each rain-drop makes some floweret blow;
Each struggle lessens human woe.
-Charles Mackay
On the spiritual path, no effort goes to waste. Even if we meditate only 30 minutes ( Debra says, "only 30 minutes?!!!) every morning, and try to practice the allied spiritual disciplines to a small extent during the day, this can go a long way toward guarding us against many dangers, known and unknown. To be truly secure, we must begin to find a source of security within ourselves.
We must make every effort to move forward even if it is little by little, even if every day we keep making mistakes. Sometimes we are so insensitive and preoccupied with ourselves that when we try to put others first we simply are not aware of their needs. Our mistakes begin to haunt us; but rather than sitting in a corner and crying over the day's errors, or developing a guilt complex (at some point during our meeting it was mentioned that guilt is the lowest form of energy- good point!), we should repeat the mantram and make sure we do not repeat the same mistakes the next day. -Words to Live By; Eknath Easwaran
Inquiry: To be truly secure, we must begin to find a source of security within ourselves.
How can we utilize the Sutras as a way to look inward for security and contentment?
(I would answer, by putting them in to practice, taking action!)
What is the difference in having an outward sense of security and an inward sense of security?
(For my thoughts on this, see my face book notes for today 2/1)
Debra remarked afterward that part of building our spiritual practice is to look within for strength, rather than searching for it externally, which always proves unreliable.
(My note: everything in the world, of the world, is in a constant state of flux, nothing outside of the 'still center within' can withstand change, so that center is our only reliable source of security.)
What are your thoughts on this?
I then asked for clarification: "What is security?"
Some answers:
"Support in times of hardship."
"Equanimity- immunity to life's ups and downs."
"Self confidence."
"To be grounded/ have discipline."
"To be detached."
"To find the quiet space within."
I then read a quote by B.K.S. Iyengar, from his book "Light on Life":
"To a Yogi, freedom implies not being battered by the dualities of life, its ups and downs, its pleasures and its suffering. It implies equanimity and ultimately that there is an inner core of one's being that is never out of touch with the unchanging, eternal infinite."
Our first meeting, which was Sunday, January 30th at the Centennial Tower in Seattle, was an inspiring and thought-provoking experience. Below, please find a sampling of what we discussed, along with more thought-provoking words.
"Why are you here, what brings us together, what are we searching for?"
Some answers:
"To discuss our practice."
"To learn more about the postures, their energies and benefits."
"Searching for the Self/ a Path."
"To go deeper in to the philosophies."
"To make connections on every level."
"To put faces to the names online."
"On this path, effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear. [my comment: fear of death?]
-Sri Krisna (Bhagavad Gita)
The smallest effort is not lost,
Each wavelet on the ocean tost
Aids in the ebb-tide or the flow;
Each rain-drop makes some floweret blow;
Each struggle lessens human woe.
-Charles Mackay
On the spiritual path, no effort goes to waste. Even if we meditate only 30 minutes ( Debra says, "only 30 minutes?!!!) every morning, and try to practice the allied spiritual disciplines to a small extent during the day, this can go a long way toward guarding us against many dangers, known and unknown. To be truly secure, we must begin to find a source of security within ourselves.
We must make every effort to move forward even if it is little by little, even if every day we keep making mistakes. Sometimes we are so insensitive and preoccupied with ourselves that when we try to put others first we simply are not aware of their needs. Our mistakes begin to haunt us; but rather than sitting in a corner and crying over the day's errors, or developing a guilt complex (at some point during our meeting it was mentioned that guilt is the lowest form of energy- good point!), we should repeat the mantram and make sure we do not repeat the same mistakes the next day. -Words to Live By; Eknath Easwaran
Inquiry: To be truly secure, we must begin to find a source of security within ourselves.
How can we utilize the Sutras as a way to look inward for security and contentment?
(I would answer, by putting them in to practice, taking action!)
What is the difference in having an outward sense of security and an inward sense of security?
(For my thoughts on this, see my face book notes for today 2/1)
Debra remarked afterward that part of building our spiritual practice is to look within for strength, rather than searching for it externally, which always proves unreliable.
(My note: everything in the world, of the world, is in a constant state of flux, nothing outside of the 'still center within' can withstand change, so that center is our only reliable source of security.)
What are your thoughts on this?
I then asked for clarification: "What is security?"
Some answers:
"Support in times of hardship."
"Equanimity- immunity to life's ups and downs."
"Self confidence."
"To be grounded/ have discipline."
"To be detached."
"To find the quiet space within."
I then read a quote by B.K.S. Iyengar, from his book "Light on Life":
"To a Yogi, freedom implies not being battered by the dualities of life, its ups and downs, its pleasures and its suffering. It implies equanimity and ultimately that there is an inner core of one's being that is never out of touch with the unchanging, eternal infinite."
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