Waheguru! In the before and after "chat" sessions of yesterday's class, we talked about the mudras, the elements, the fingers, and the differences in yoga systems. This is frustrating to me, which I see as the fire element being agitated in me. I intentionally stay away from details much of the time because of this. My heart is drawn towards self realization and spiritual liberation. But in looking at the differences and my frustration, I see that they came from different people, who had different experiences. Sivananada says one thing, Yogi Bhajan says another, Yogananda says another, Ayurveda says another, and on and on! All are true for them! But what is my truth, what is your truth? That's what I am interested in.
I've found that the deeper I go into the study anything, I find a lot of wisdom at first, but then soon enough - I find less and less, to the point where I see it's simply just all made up! But then I turn the deep looking inside myself. Take for example, yoga. Seems like there would be some real answers to life's questions in yoga! But I find the opposite - there is nothing in yoga. And then I find the wisdom in myself. I find the wisdom myself, by myself, for myself. And I see that it's similar but at the same time different for each and every person I know. So there I see all the different systems of yoga.
I keep practicing and teaching yoga even though I know it's an empty technique, because it leads me deeper into myself, or rather: it helps me lead myself deeper into myself, where I see that I am nothing! Haha!
Eastern, western, ancient, modern, each subdivided 100 times - it's all made up. But what leads me to real happiness? What leads me to liberation? Is it a system? Is it a technique? No. That is up to me.
Bless you 100,000 times on your journey!
i find i really react to the statement that yoga is an empty technique! for me it has been such an enriching path to help me find my way Home. different styles and types of yoga have been important for me at different times of my life. I don't think it was ever meant to provide set answers but just a means to explore and examine your own experiences. as you say,sopurkh, it leads you deeper into yourself...
i stayed at a what i call a hindu roman catholic ashram-Shantivanam- in tamil nadu started up by the benedictine monk Bede Griffiths who did indeed believe that ALL paths led to the same truth. (or mountain top as haripriya says.) apparently it is the anniversary of his death today in 1993.
thanks for your honesty and vulnerability sopurkh. it makes it easier to join the discussion!
peace to all, enjoy the journey.
I was not in the class on Tuesday, but that theme talks much to me. I feel like a spiritual seeker. I've been exploring many paths, always with an open and eager mind. Differences don't bring me frustrations. I acknowledge them, and I try to see what feels true to myself. I also see what reunites. I agree with you Sopurkh, wisdom is to be find into myself. I like what the Buddha said, that one shall listen to the teachings but don't follow them blindly, to not have direct faith in him, but to check in our experience whether that was true to us or not. The Dalai Lama is always saying at the end of his teachings: "If something was useful for you, I am happy. If you don't find anything relevent to your experience, then forget it". Self-realization, as you call it, (non-self realization rather to me ;-) ) is a journey where I feel I need some guidance and inspiration, but outside blessings are not enough; I need to make it my own, by reflecting, meditating, integrating,... within my own truth.
Self realization leads to spiritual liberation. There is also liberation front getting numb on alcohol but it’s attached to alcohol and has bad side affects. Being attached to spirit is healthy and has no side affects in its pure and humble expression. Yes I’m interested 🤣
Isn’t it that we are to to enjoy the journey? Not attach or expect a destination such as “liberation” or “joy”? Is there something to be found in the frustration and different systems ? If my truth is far far from yours - is it right? Is it wrong ? Do you still have interest 🤷♀️😉
There is a song and it says : „I did it my way“ but what is my way? The good news about that is it doesn‘t matter because everything brings me at the end to the same place, the stillness inside myself. So I do Yoga and meditation, sing Mantra and look for good food, sleep enough, listen to teachers like Sopurkh, Snatam, Mooji, Deva and Miten, Krishna Das....🥰 At least nobody is there who makes any mistakes or do good things, only my mind make the difference between good or not good. I often have „Blah- days“, so I named it, but what I know deep in my heart , god is in every single thing, and for that I am thankful. So I give up controlling anything, life takes care of life, how beautiful and relaxing. With love, gratitude, kindness, compassion and a lot of humor for me and all beings Yogini
This all reminds me of a saying Swami Devabhaktananda teachers “ There are many paths to the mountaintop” So choose the slow one that meanders, the one next to a stream, the rocky steep one..... all lead to the top if practiced with awareness and sincerity. Seems like you are finding this as well. We practice humility which leads to a certain bowing or obediance, which opens our hearts. Once our hearts are open, the peace comes in. That is what I notice about different methods. It all leads to peace eventually, and everyone wants peace. I have not found an exception.