Volume XXII, No. 1, February 2013 At a Certain Level You Can See Both Sides By Sri Swami Satchidananda

Question: Everything comes from God, and thus everything is God. Therefore, how can it be said that there is a true Self and not true Self; or that, “I am not the body, not the mind.” It’s like saying, “God is everything except the body, mind, etc.”

Sri Gurudev: Very true. When you know that everything is God and when you are experiencing everything as God, then you don’t even say, “I am not the body, I am not the mind.” The person who says, “I am not the body, I am not the mind,” is not experiencing everything as God. So, there are different levels. When you are at the lower level you say, “This is Self and this is non-Self.” The duality comes. That’s how you begin. But as you go further and further, everything becomes the Self including body and mind, right and wrong. There is no wrong then. Even the so-called “wrong” is also right.

In one of his prayers the great sage Acharya Shankara praises God in this way: There is a Hindu form of worship called archana in which you offer flowers and repeat the name of God and God’s attributes. At one point he says, “O God, in the form of anger, my salutations to You. O God, in the form of lust, I am saluting You.” How could that be? One should not have lust. At the same time he is saying, “God, in the form of lust, my salutations to You.” It looks like a contradiction, does it not?

(Continued on Page 3) Inside

You Can See Both Sides by Sri Swami Satchidananda p. 1 Teachers’ Notebook: Tips for Teaching Classes p. 10 Letter from the Editor by Bharata Wingham p. 2 Yoga in Society: Police Yoga & World’s Oldest Teacher p. 11 Hints for the Modern Man by Sri Swami Sivananda p. 3 Introduction to To Know Your Self by P. Mandelkorn p. 12 Bhagavad Gita Study by Swami Asokananda p. 4 Life Currents by Kalyani Neuman p. 14 My Faith Journey by Swami Ramananda p. 4 Yoga as a Universal Science by Swami Krishnananda p. 15 The Mandala of Time—Part 2 by Bharata Wingham p. 6 The IYTA Column by Brahmi Milliman p. 17 Accessible Yoga by Rev. Jivana Heyman p. 8 Senior Speakers’ Schedules p. 18 Giving the Gift of Our Attention by Jnani Chapman p. 9 Calendar of Upcoming Programs at Yogaville p. 19 The Goal of Integral Yoga® Integral Yoga Teachers Association

The goal of Integral Yoga, and the birthright of every The Integral Yoga Teachers Association is a membership individual is to realize the spiritual unity behind all the association open to all Integral Yoga teachers. Its mission is diversities in the entire creation and to live harmoniously as to provide mutual support and spiritual fellowship, to share members of one universal family. information, to provide inspiration, and to conduct ongoing training and guidance. This goal is achieved by maintaining our natural condition of a body of optimum health and strength, senses under Director: Gopal Watkins total control, a mind well-disciplined, clear and calm, an Newsletter Editor: Bharata Wingham intellect as sharp as a razor, a will as strong and pliable as Graphic Design: Anand Shiva Hervé steel, a heart full of unconditional love and compassion, Photos: Madhavan Aubert an ego as pure as a crystal, and a life filled with Supreme Archives Peace and Joy. Copy Editors:  Lilavati Eberle, Jeff Curry, Brahmi Milliman Membership Coordinator: Brahmi Milliman Attain this through asanas, pranayama, chanting of Holy Names, self-discipline, selfless action, mantra japa, Integral Yoga Teachers Association meditation, study and reflection. Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921 USA Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Tel: 434.969.3121, ext. 177 Fax: 434.969.1303 Ever yours in Yoga, E-mail (Newsletter): [email protected] E-mail (Membership): [email protected] E-mail (Director): [email protected] Website: www.iyta.org

Letter From The Editor

Namaste and Greetings from Yogaville! To my mind, Jnani Chapman’s article about “attention” goes to the core of spiritual Once in a while a book will so engross me that I have to find life and living. It seems to me more and a way to share it with others. One such book is, To Know more that our attention is possibly the Yourself by Swami Satchidanada. It is so rich with practical most valuable gift we have. And as the teachings and examples that it really stands out for me in the digital revolution speeds on at its ever-accelerating pace, growing constellation of printed material that He has written our attention may become the world’s newest “scarce has or been transcribed over the years. In this issue you will commodity.” find an excerpt from the book. In our Teacher’s Notebook the topic of anxiety is discussed, It begins with an Introduction by Prahaladan Mandelkorn, with some tips on overcoming it. The agreements in Don and is itself an example of the inspiration that can be found Ruiz Miguel’s book, The Four Agreements give us a working in this book. I hope you will add it to your library of spiritual structure for easing our concerns and being prepared for classics if you don’t already have it. And to find the time to whatever may arise in our classes. read the entire book as well. Often, I am intrigued at the impact that Yoga has on our Swami Sivananda has written hundreds of “hints” for our society. We have included a couple of short reports on the spiritual development and some of which we have highlighted way Yoga shows up in our world with, Yoga Police?, and The in this issue. And be sure to check out: http://www.dlshq. World’s Oldest Yoga Teacher. org/bookdes.htm to download his books for free. Yoga as a Universal Science by Swami Krishnananda, gives us Swami Asokananda continues with his illuminating a compact summary of the scientific aspects of Yoga. This is commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, “We practice samatva— a useful article for giving someone a very clear and succinct keepin our mind steady throughout the ups and downs of overview of why mind control is essential in living a happy life. our life—to achieve samatva—the unshakeable steadiness of mind that is established in the state of Yoga.” Thank you for your membership in the Integral Yoga Teachers Association and for taking the time to look over this issue of Swami Ramananda shares with us how we answered his the Newsletter. “call” to the path of Yoga, and some major decision points on the way. In Peace and Joy, Bharata IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 2 Continued From Page 1: It is not a contradiction if you put them all. At that point you say “O lust, my salutations. O jealousy, all on the same level. On one level even lust becomes God. my salutations, because you’re a quality of God. There’s But at another level, when you don’t know how to use it, nothing other than God. Without God, nothing is possible.” it becomes a terrible thing. When you don’t understand it, So it depends upon your level of growth. Both are correct at when you are looking at it in the wrong way it becomes their levels. We should not condemn any philosophy; people something undesirable. After all, there is only God. At a look at things from various sides. To them, it’s right. If you put certain level you are able to see it from both sides. Then you yourself in their position, you will know they are right. Allow see that they are one and the same. There’s no difference at them to continue that way.

Hints for the Modern Man By Sri Swami Sivananda

82. Raja Yoga is the king of all Yogas. Concentration is one of the limbs. The other limbs of this Yoga have to be practiced before you can successfully concentrate. Till then, you may have small failures. Taking into consideration the several difficulties that are in your way of doing rigorous sadhana, I wish to suggest to you the easiest way. Do japa. Take any name of the Lord. Repeat it mentally or verbally. Write it in a note book. This is likhita japa. Sing it slowly. This is kirtan.

83. Jiva is independent. He gets himself bound by the meshes of past samskaras; he does wrong actions. Old samskaras are the cause of such actions. That is why the shastras prevail upon man to cut down the samskaras through Vichara. It is intelligence that rules buddhi or mind. When the subtle, pure, intellect penetrates through the veil of ignorance and understands the good from the evil, the right from the wrong, and acts according to the promptings of pure intellect, then the Jiva shines in his pristine glory of independence unruffled by the waves of buddhi or samskaras or thoughts.

84. Sit less. Serve more. Hate none. Love all. Clothe less. Bathe more. Take less. Give more. Talk less. Think more. Eat It is a temple of awakened silence in the shrine of the soul. less. Masticate more. Preach less, practice more. Worry less, Realize God first in the temple of your heart. Then realize laugh more. Indulge less, restrain more. Rest less, work more. Him in the temple of universe. Sleep less, meditate more. You will enjoy wonderful health and inner peace of the soul. 88. Lift your life above a humdrum existence. Do japa and meditation regularly in the early morning 85. Of what avail is knowledge of universities hours. This is a divine balm to heal the wounds and titles, of what avail is life, of what avail is Sit less. Serve more. Hate and hurts of the ego. This will help you to go Japa or meditation or enquiry of ‘who am I?’ none. Love all. Clothe through life with a smiling face, scattering if you become a slave of lust or [the opposite less. Bathe more. Take flowers of love, truth, unity and peace. sex]? Control this mischievous indriya first by less. Give more. Talk rigorous tapas before you take to rigorous less. Think more. Eat less. 89. A great army of locusts attacked the meditation. Become a strict brahmachari, Masticate more. Preach fields of a big atheistic zamindar1. He tried at least physical brahmachari first. Then less. Practice more. Worry all measures to drive them away, but all endeavor to have mental brahmachari. less, laugh more. proved futile. A shower came in and the locusts vanished at once. He felt the help 86. The secret of sannyasa is renouncing of of the invisible hands of the Lord. From that egoism, vasanas, deha adhyasa, selfishness, cravings, bheda moment he became a theist. He is doing japa and charity buddhi, dehatma buddhi and kartritva abhimana (agency, now. His mind is changed now. the idea that “I am the doer”). Color your heart with orange color of gerua. Excerpt from Precepts For Practice by Sri Swami Sivananda

87. Every living being is a moving temple of God. The Note: 1An official in pre-colonial India assigned to collect the supreme Self builds Its temple in the heart of one and all. land taxes of his district. IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 3 Bhagavad Gita Study Commentary by Swami Asokananda

Chapter Two/Verse 48: Whatever actions you do, Arjuna, This verse is especially important for the remain steadfast in Yoga and let go of all attachments. leaders and dedicated people working Thus you’ll enjoy a balanced, undisturbed mind in success to improve some of the earth’s most or failure. This equanimity of mind is called Yoga. intractable problems. Ending poverty, disease, social inequality, religious fanaticism, etc., is not going to happen Yogasthah means “steadfast in Yoga.” This starts out as being overnight. The obstacles are formidable and major changes steadfast in our yoga practices. Gradually this leads us to the like these will require an awakening of consciousness and next level: being steadfast in the state of yoga, where we strong will to action on a universal level. So, as sincere draw our nourishment from our own inner Self. This allows us activists slug through a few inches of progress, they will to follow the next direction of “letting go of all attachments,” undoubtedly face many yards of “failure.” Without the that is, not looking for nourishment outside of ourselves. teaching of this verse—if their happiness is only derived from outer “success”—they may not have the resilience to face set- Sri Swami Sivanandaji used to sing, “Detach. Attach. back after setback. Detach. Attach. Detach the mind from the world (let go of all attachments) and attach it to the Lord (remain steadfast “Success and failure in the world will come and go.” The in Yoga).” In the Yoga Sutras, Sri Patanjali refers to this main message of this verse is–if we can keep the mind in as abhyasa and vairagya—practice and non-attachment. peace in the present moment, we can enjoy unending Our spiritual progress flows much more smoothly when we spiritual success. approach it from both these angles; We practice (abhyasa) feeling our connection to the Whole, while remaining non- attached (vairagya) to the ego and world it has created. Swami Chidbhavananda: “The nature of the mind is to be elated in success and dejected in failure. But by remaining There is the happiness that comes from the feeling that unperturbed by either, the mind gains in clarity and firmness. our action was a success. And there is the happiness that It is like the surface of water that has become placid and fit comes from keeping the mind balanced in whatever is the to reflect objects clearly. He is a yogi who keeps the mind in outcome. Krishna calls this latter happiness “Yoga.” He this poised state under all circumstances.” defines Yoga as samatva—evenness of mind. It is both the means and the goal. We practice samatva—keeping our Swami Satchidananda: “You can love, but don’t be attached. mind steady throughout the ups and downs of our life— Possessive love is attachment. Non-possessive attachment is to achieve samatva—the unshakeable steadiness of mind love. Attachment brings all the problems. And the problems that is established in the state of Yoga. The amount of ego bring lessons. Books and advice from others are not the best involved in an action will determine the level of our even- way to learn lessons. Those lessons often don’t last. The real mindedness. To test the level of ego involvement, see how lesson that brings true vairagya, non-attachment, comes from much samatva we can retain throughout an action. our own experience--when we really get burnt.” My Faith Journey How a Catholic Kid in Kentucky Became a San Francisco Swami By Swami Ramananda

Looking back now, I guess my life is another testimony to “Ask and ye shall receive.”

I was serious about religion as a child and, in one way I purposely befriended the unpopular kids on the lunchtime or another, always tried to find the truth and do the right playground in an effort to practice the words of Jesus. I also thing. It was questioning and seeking that gradually led remember thinking that those who lived when Jesus was me step by step to become a sannyasi, or monk, in the alive had an unfair advantage over the rest of us, since they tradition of Yoga. could be inspired by him in person.

I grew up Catholic in Kentucky in the 1950s and 60s, which In high school, I gradually lost faith in Christianity altogether. exposed me to a rather narrow spiritual path. I did well in The teachings felt like meaningless platitudes that we school and was crazy about baseball, though I was completely accepted purely on faith, without any personal experience. inept at it. In our religious studies and in church, I aspired to I had no vision to compel me in choosing a university and be holy. I learned the Latin prayers and became an altar boy, ended up in a small liberal arts college, where I initially helping the priests at mass. became more interested in getting high than going to heaven. IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 4 Without consciously planning it, I gravitated to the one take over running the Integral Yoga Center, a small affiliate place where I felt like I was getting closer to ultimate truths of the ashram. So there I was at 23, teaching three Yoga — literature. I read all the “beat” poets who gave voice to the classes a week in the evenings and trying to establish myself dissatisfaction of my generation with the American dream in the teachings and practices of Yoga. I never went back and the cookie-cutter life it represented to us. The most to school. valuable thing I found was the writing of Thomas Merton, who, as a Catholic monk, found in the depths of his faith a For the next three years, I continued to teach and visit the connection to the Eastern spiritual traditions. ashram in the summers. I had a girlfriend who became a Yoga student as well, and we supported each other in practicing. On the Road Both of us found our experience of Yoga deepening, After two years in college and inspired by Jack Kerouac’s quieting the normally incessant internal dialogue and On the Road, I dropped out and hitchhiked my way around revealing glimpses of inner peace. the U.S., looking for new experiences. I visited a cousin in Oregon, who took me to a Buddhist center where I first A Major Decision learned to meditate. I found work as a construction laborer in Colorado and saved up enough money to finance more I gradually became convinced that if I really wanted to fully travel. I spent a year in Europe, meeting people as I traveled embrace Yoga and pursue its ultimate goal of realizing the and going whichever way the wind blew. Spiritual Self, I would need to devote myself to it full time. In 1979, I made the biggest decision of my life. Giving up One contact led me to Israel where I lived and worked the idea of marriage and family, I applied to make the initial on a kibbutz. During this time in Jerusalem, I took my first commitment that would lead to permanent monastic vows. Yoga class in French. I was intrigued and tried to practice I moved into the Connecticut Ashram and eventually took Yoga from a book. I began to search more consciously my final vows in 1984. for answers to the confusing mix of spiritual ideas and the ache in my heart. On my way out of Israel, I placed Yoga had changed the course of my life. What I learned a small note in the Western Wall of Jerusalem asking for began a process that completely altered my understanding a teacher. of who I am and what true happiness is. I see myself as part of an interconnected web of life joined by an underlying When I returned to Louisville in August of 1975, I began to spiritual consciousness that is the essence of all creation. take classes from one of the Yoga teachers in town, who was I experience happiness when I disengage from the old running a small Integral Yoga Center. My first class brought habitual thought patterns that guide me to look out only a profound experience of inner stillness I had never tasted. for myself, and I allow the deeper voice of the Spirit within It was energizing and calming, healing and freeing. It felt to open my heart and think of the well-being of all. like the first time I really experienced something beyond the body-mind. I remember not wanting to talk afterwards For the next 10 years, I lived in the ashram in Connecticut for fear of losing that precious feeling. where Swami Satchidananda lived when he wasn’t traveling and teaching. He taught us to see all the faiths as equally I continued taking classes for another eight months until valid expressions of the same truth. I have come to see Yoga my teacher told me that he and his family were moving to as one method of uncovering the Spirit that dwells in all of live at an ashram, or spiritual community. I was eager to us and can be understood and approached in myriad ways. continue learning, and he convinced me that I could take a Yoga teacher training program at that same ashram. He His teachings have enabled me to feel a oneness with all assured me that this one month intensive would be a great peoples, and to now see the beauty in the Christian faith I way to develop my own practice, even if I did not teach. once rejected.

At that point in my life, nothing interested me more. Swami Ramananda is the Executive Though wary of the idea of an ashram with a swami Director of the Integral Yoga® Institute living there as the guru, or spiritual teacher, I hitchhiked in San Francisco and has been travelling to Connecticut and took the training. While there, I met extensively offering the teachings of Yoga Swami Satchidananda, a Yogic monk from India, and found and is a greatly respected senior teacher in in his teachings answers to all my questions. I discovered the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been a whole lifestyle based on Yoga, which continues to act in practicing Yoga for over 35 years. my life now as an unfailing source of healing, learning and personal growth. I also noted with interest that some of the Join Swami Ramananda on May 3–5, 2013, in Yogaville, other students had taken monastic vows, devoting their Virginia for the workshop, “When the Going Gets Tough: lives to a life of celibacy and selfless service. Yoga Workshop for Difficult Times.” To register contact Ashram Reservations Center at 1.800.858.9642 or online When the training ended, my teacher from Louisville told at: http://www.yogaville.org/products/when-the-going- me that he had left everything there for me so that I could gets-tough-yoga-workshop-for-difficult-times-2013/ IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 5 The Mandala of Time—Part 2 By Bharata Wingham

The function of time is to dissolve it through forgiveness. and out, we can regain the forgotten ability we have for “living in two worlds,” the world of time and the timeless… Summarizing part one of this article we saw that time is an undifferentiated now. Our experience is wholeness, then something we don’t usually give much “time” to thinking using the clock as our “knife” we slice into this wholeness. about. But when we begin on our spiritual path, we may want to examine time and eternity more closely. Time itself is an invention, a consideration, an idea in our The conventional view of time, especially in our western, minds. That is why there are so many kinds of time. There is technological worldview, is seen as a line progressing from clock time, event time, biological time, work time, party time, past through the present to the future. However useful this baseball time, football time, astrological time, astronomical idea is for the highly efficient civilization we have developed, time, objective time, subjective time, time of the nano-second, it is a fantastic reduction of the multidimensional reality of light-years, winter time, summer time, seasons, periodicities, time and eternity that many spiritual masters have pointed time as a wave, time as a particle, past time, present time, out to us for thousands of years. future time, all kinds of time; to name only a few!

Some Buddhists view time and space as consisting of four In earlier days we measured time by the length of a burning Gates with a Guardian at each Gate. And then farther gates incense stick. Time, more and more, seems to have an elusive to be entered as we venture deeper in. This can be easily identity, hard to pin down. I guess that’s why it has always viewed as a mandala image. A mandala can be viewed as been declared an illusion by the perennial philosophy. a cosmographic representation of the inner, outer, and alternative dimensions of space, time and reality. So when we began to measure out eternity, we began to become like the sorcerer’s apprentice who lost control of his When time and space are viewed from a mandalic creation. It was possibly too much of a good thing, which all perspective, it is easier to understand the view of time of A technological inventions can become. Course in Miracles. “From a new perception of the world there comes a future very different from the past. The future now is The idea of measurement comes into play especially around recognized as but an extension of the present.” the idea of time. We can become so focused on the objective measurements and instruments of measurement, and we tend In the linear view of time there isn’t any real connection to overlook what it is we are measuring, which is eternity itself; between the past, present and future because they are the timeless background of all the units of time that we are perceived as different and separate time dimensions– with no measuring. connecting links aside from memory and anticipation. We tend to see only finite units of measure, not the immensity A mandalic view allows us to visualize time as extending out of what it is we are measuring. We fixate on the measurements of the NOW in 4 Dimensions, flowing out of the Central Still (time), losing the sensation of what’s being measured (eternity). Point of existence and life. Every NOW connected to all other And thus arises the sense of scarcity, lack of time and space. NOWS that have ever arisen, or will ever arise from the Still Central Point. Just as the petals of a flower arise from the There is also a subjective aspect to time and space, as central stem and are all connected by and through that stem, Einstein once pointed out, that being with a loved one time is so all moments in time arise out of the Central Still Point of experienced differently than with a stranger. And with space, NOW/ETERNITY and draw back into that NOW when the sitting with a loved one feels different than sitting next to a moment has past. But the karmic seeds are still in the NOW roaring, ravenous lion! and may be brought forth again at some point in the Eternal Unfolding of Life. Unless, of course, the seeds are “cooked” One Dimensionless Dimension in various spiritual practices that were developed by spiritual masters that then ends their ability to sprout again. In the original unity of creation, time and space are not separate, but all the One Dimensionless Dimension that we In our spiritual development there comes a time when we later split into two, an illusion of duality. Time is precisely realize that there is only One Still Point, and that is our True Space. And Space precisely Time. In science this is recognized Self, and everything moves relative to That. The True Self is as the “space-time continuum.” Wherever we find space we the One Eternal Constant, within and without. The One Fixed find time as well. They are only two parts of one unity.To Witness of All that Is. All time revolves around That, which is have something moving needs a space to move in and which Eternal Brahman, the One True Static. takes time for the movement. Space and time are a functional unit in experience. The Course gives a good example of how In the meantime, we can learn to move in and out of the round to sneak up on this illusion to see through it. “For time and of the daily clock, and live occasionally in the eternal, Golden space are one illusion, which takes different forms. If it has Present. By practicing that Presence daily, in meditation been projected beyond your mind you think of it as time. The IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 6 universe. All location is a limiting of a basically Unlimitedness, i.e., “I’ll meet you on Sunday, at 8 am in NYC, on the corner of Broadway and Vine.” That’s why we can’t determine an absolute location for subatomic particles. There isn’t any absolute location in time or space so we designate one and tend to forget we made it up.

When we practice seeing time and space as a mandala, with us at the center, and everything happening all at once all around us, this can act as a corrective to the more illusory idea of only moving along on a timeline. We can experience time kaleidoscopically, as interrelated patterns constantly changing around our central witnessing view.

Experiencing time as a flatline is one of the least interesting, and more anemic ways of looking at time. Studying skeletons for anatomy is useful in some fields, but for most of us a mere curiosity. We can say that it is a “horizontal” view of time, and concrete duration.

Seeing time as only an arrow moving from point a to point b, may be useful for some things, but I question if we really need Kalachakra Mandala (kala, “time;” chakra, “cycle.”) it for a wholesome day-to-day experience of life. nearer it is brought to where it [the mind] is, the more you Maybe it’s where the idea of “human doings” instead of think of it in terms of space.” human beings came into existence. Perhaps we can get stuck in the idea that only the rational, intellectual concept of time Space as we experience it is very similar to our experience is real. Good for technology, but for humans? Maybe for of time. But, in space our body comes more into play. You appointments. only believe you move around when you identify yourself as a body, or believe you are in a moving body of any kind. It could In Gulliver’s Travels, the Lilliputians thought Gulliver’s watch be a car, a plane, a bus, etc. was God, since he never did anything without consulting it!

By practicing sensing yourself not moving, it’s only your body Perhaps a great evolutionary leap will come where we trade that is moving, you can gradually in many cases, reconnect “the meter is running” concept of time and allow the full to your Motionless Self. That is the secret. To stop believing dimensional, all embracing sense of timeless now to pervade you are moving about just because your body is. Of course our experience. Paraphrasing T. S. Eliot, “…for [time] is a measuring distances, spaces, dimensions all arise as a result pattern of timeless moments.” of the bodies moving in space. Again, these conventions are useful, but not final, ultimate truth. The Way Out

“Are we almost there yet?!” asks the child, and we are at a loss There is no way out in flatline time. The only real movement is to explain it in terms of space or time. Their minds haven’t yet up or down the vertical, eternal now. You can go down, into developed the conceptual and operational skills to measure to the fear of all things. Or you can go up into the love through that degree. “Almost,” we say. the forgiveness of all things. Time as quality, this is the only real move possible to beings in order to escape from time’s endless Time is basically a locational idea. Like “I,” we use time as a cycle of birth and death. Otherwise, we’re just, “rearranging way to locate ourselves and things, in a basically location-less deck chairs on the Titanic.”

IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 7 Accessible Yoga: Training Special Needs Teachers By Rev. Jivana Heyman

What does it really mean to be a Yoga teacher? Does it mean The gift of a good teacher training program is a community that you have perfected the asanas? Could someone with a that supports you through the pain and growth of physical limitation be a Yoga teacher? These are the questions transformation. People with physical limitations already I had to ask myself when one of my long-time students, Eric know about transformation and growth, and the wisdom Fine, was getting more and more serious about Yoga. Eric has that they have learned can be a great asset to a Yoga Multiple Sclerosis, but his symptoms are relatively mild—he has teacher. It can lead to a deep compassion for future some cognitive problems, fatigue, weakness in his legs and students and a willingness and ability to look at someone balance problems. But despite this I knew that he would enjoy and see potential rather than limitation. What better person immersing himself in the study of Yoga, and I recommended to become a Yoga teacher than someone full of compassion that he enroll in a Yoga teacher training program. and understanding for our physical weaknesses, and yet also aware of our hidden potential? I had been leading teacher trainings for some time, and I recognized that Eric could be a great teacher and an inspiration I’m dedicated to helping Eric achieve his goal of becoming to students. He followed my advice but found the program a certified Yoga teacher. I know he already has whatit very difficult. “Keeping up with fully able-bodied, non-ill takes to be a great teacher. I’m also hopeful that this new people who don’t have any cognitive problems, and have accessible training will allow other people with physical vastly more energy, was just impossible for me,” he explained. limitations to reach a goal that they may not otherwise have Eric attended all the classes, but the certification eluded him. In been able to achieve. the end, he was very disappointed. But, Eric hadn’t failed, the training had failed him. Over the past twelve years of teaching Since its inception in 2007, the Accessible Yoga Teacher Yoga, I’ve learned that it’s my love of Yoga and my faith in Training program has continued to provide an opportunity the power of these practices that inspires my teaching. My for people with different abilities to participate in a Yoga physical ability is not the essential ingredient. After all, Yoga is teacher training program. This has been challenging and about calming the mind. Being a Yoga teacher is about being extremely gratifying at the same time. The experience a living example of the teachings—putting Yoga into practice. of Yoga teacher training is transformational, and it’s the main way for Integral Yoga students to deepen their According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, that means learning from understanding of the Yoga teachings and to incorporate pain (tapas), study and reflection svadhyaya( ) and dedicating them in their lives. the fruits of your actions to God or to humanity (Ishwara pranidhana). I began to imagine a teacher training that begins Join Rev. Jivana in Yogaville for the next Accessible Yoga with the idea that anyone who loves Yoga can share it, and that Teacher Training: June 16–23, 2013. This will be an intensive a physical limitation does not limit spiritual growth. Instead, it version of our graduate-level program. is up to me to find ways of making the program accessible to anyone who has the motivation to take it on. With patience Reverend Jivana Heyman, eRYT500, is an and creativity, all of the material can be presented in a more Integral Yoga Minister and Manager of the digestible way, while maintaining a commitment to the highest San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute. Jivana of standards. has been teaching Yoga since 1995, and has focused on training Yoga teachers, teaching Eric explained to me that with more support he could have Yoga philosophy, and teaching Yoga for done it. “I think the real difference for me would have been people with disabilities. He has taught at to have fellow students work with me at my pace; to have a California Pacific Medical Center’s Institute for Health and group of students who understand each other, to work around Healing, UCSF’s Dean Ornish Heart Disease Reversal Program, issues, energetic or cognitive, and to help each other work the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and St. Mary’s College past various obstacles. Yes, I have limitations, but I also think in Moraga, CA. In 2007 he created the Accessible Yoga Teacher I have a lot to offer. If I had been part of a group committed Training program to train people with disabilities to become to making up for the different shortcomings in each other and Yoga teachers. This innovative program is the first training that supporting everyone in the group, I would have been able to is specifically designed to increase access to Yoga teacher ultimately do what I needed to in order to become a teacher.” training. For more information visit www.accessibleyoga.org

A group of bats, hanging from the ceiling of a cave, discover a single bat standing upright below them on the floor of the cave. Surprised by this unusual behavior, they ask, “What’s wrong with you? What are you doing down there?” The standing bat answers, “Yoga!”

IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 8 Giving the Gift of Our Attention: Active Listening & Presence By Jnani Chapman, RN YCat (Yoga Therapy in Cancer & Chronic Illness Training Program)

THE GIFT OF OUR ATTENTION may be the greatest offering really receiving the communication: We are in react mode not we can give our students who are dealing with cancer or receive mode. When we do not receive a communication, it chronic illness. leaves the delivery person stuck with the whole package.

As we progress in teaching we gain experience. We learn In the YCat training, faculty use a simple demonstration to what works and does not work for different students: exemplify this fact: While other trainees are not aware of the Each subsequent student gains benefit from the things we cue, someone on the YCat faculty cues a trainee NOT to learned from our previous students. We gain knowledge accept a small item like a pen. The faculty member then tries of how to express things to communicate better, how to verbally to coax that trainee into taking that item over and over. suggest adaptations that allows each individual to progress It is visually clear to everyone that the person holding that item without inducing tension or strain. Generally, as our teaching is stuck with it. Unfortunately, when our communications are experience grows it tends to become a deeply intuitive not received we can all become like stuck records instead of process which we trust with a deepening enthusiasm. First and release things. But, when someone truly hears us, truly receives foremost in this developing, educational process is for us to us, we can move to the next note and sing the next song. give the gift of our attention to every client in our practice, to be present to each person respecting exactly where they are This brings me to the model of the wounded healer so eloquently at each moment in their ongoing development. described by Rachel Remen, MD who is the medical director of Commonweal (see commonweal.org), and the author A diagnosis of cancer can mean a rush of well-meaning friends of two books, Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather’s with advice about what to do: See this doctor, read this book, Blessings. I have been on staff for the Commonweal cancer try this supplement, go to this special practitioner. A cancer help program for 25 years. The wounded healer model diagnosis is overwhelming enough: It puts most receivers into suggests that it is my personal wounds that allow me to see, a state of anxiety and stress. To be swamped by well-meaning to recognize and to be present for other people and for their advice and suggestions can add insult to injury, trauma to wounds. This model levels the playing field: I don’t stand trauma. In the early days of a diagnosis people are often above as an expert; I stand beside as an equal – another raw and vulnerable. What is needed most is for the person human being who has known suffering and has wounds. This to be allowed to express their fears and feelings and to have distinction is very clear to anybody who has or has had cancer those fears and feelings received by another—simply received. or other life-threatening illness. However, in addition to being innundated by well-meaning friends who offer advice and suggestion, the newly diagnosed From their experience in the trenches of medical treatment person often feels isolated and alone because family, friends people develop very strong perceptors to recognize when and colleagues often pull back and avoid communicating. It is condescension, ingratiation or pity is present or when people natural to feel discomfort when hearing news of a diagnosis are hiding behind the initials that follow their names (MD, RN, delivered to someone we care about. PhD, LCSW, RYT-500, etc.). Healing is possible when people’s fears and feelings are validated by being listened to and People tend to avoid uncomfortable situations in general received. I often tell people that feelings are not right or wrong, because of not knowing what to say or how to respond they just ARE and to the extent that we can be present to our appropriately. This is a sad fact that adds injury, when just feeling, validate them and accept them, those feelings are free being present to another human being with the gift of our to move and change. But, when we resist things as they are by attention is enough. To be present to the feelings and needs trying to push them away or change them prematurely, we are of another person is the start of a therapeutic relationship: We solidifying them in place and preventing that movement that choose in that moment to leave our fears and feelings aside will naturally allow things to change. and to create a container of support that receives another person’s fears and feelings. The degree to which we can be present to our own inadequacies and insufficiencies becomes a part of the What are some of the components of being present, of active container that allows us to be present for the fears and feelings listening? in our clients. Our awareness of our own limits can protect our clients from doing something harmful to them in practice and When we are actively listening, the mind is on hold in some in life. We are much more attentive and careful in our words way. It is not actively concocting a response. It is not busy and actions, when there is a little bit of apprehension present. with planning what to say next. It is in receive mode. As it Too much and we are stifled, none and we are reckless. Being receives each word, each phrase from another it underlines present to ourselves and listening to our own needs, our own and highlights the particulars of what it is hearing. When our fears, our own feelings is the first essential step in being able minds are busy preparing what we are going to say, we are not to be there in truly healing ways for others by offering the gifts really listening. When we are not really listening, we are not of presence and attention. IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 9 Jnani Chapman, R.N., E-RYT 500, founded Join Jnani in Yogaville on March 31 – April 7, 2013 for the and directs YCat Yoga therapy to train Yoga next Yoga Therapy for People with Cancer & Chronic Illness teachers and health professionals to adapt Training (YCaT) – Level I & Level III – 2013. the practices of Yoga for people with cancer and other chronic or life-threatening illness. For more information go to: http://www.yogaville.org/ Her website is: products/yoga-therapy-for-people-with-cancer-chronic-illness- www.yogaforpeoplewithcancer.com training-ycat-part-i-part-iii/ or call 1.800.858.9642.

TEACHER’S NOTEBOOK: TIPS FOR TEACHING CLASSES From an Integral Yoga Teacher

Teacher Anxiety the corner to observe me. But somehow, I didn’t. And after one or two more classes I started to relax. I’d like to share some of the ways in which I have worked with my own anxiety which may be helpful. Before class, After a while I began to get positive comments from students I pray to be a channel for the teachings to come through. after class, telling me how much benefit they’d received, or Realize that you are not the teacher; the teachings are. how something about my voice was just right for them. Now, Yoga has been taught for thousands of year. You are only after 33 years, the anxiety is still there sometimes when I lead here for a little time. When I thought that “I” was teaching, chants, but by using my own gentle breathing to be calm, I I was paralyzed with my fear, but when I realized that I was can keep it at bay. just a channel, I was able to teach. If you have a spiritual teacher, ask him/her to come through you to teach the I do my own practice with one of the Hatha Yoga recordings class. Meditate on being an extension of him/her so s/ the day before and have the voice of that teacher in my he can reach more students. Think about how the class head which gives me further confidence. Also, I use the is for the benefit of the students. We don’t Integral Yoga Hatha DVD, Yoga with a Master know what will benefit them most. Instead of with Sri Gurudev teaching and that helps. thinking about yourself, think of your students. Realize that you are Trust is the key word. In The Golden Present, See how Yoga is impacting their lives. Meditate Gurudev says to have one key word in mind on what a joy it is to be able to be of service not the teacher; for sustenance and strength and to call upon in this way. that word. I’ve been trying that. I am a high the teachings are. school teacher and can say that the anxiety is Know that, over time, the feeling of anxiety part of the territory. will pass. For now stay with it. This is a phase. The more you teach, the sooner you will begin to feel The key is to be prepared. I have difficulty leading the sun comfortable. worship pose and feel I am not instructing correctly, but they seem to be getting it. I think these things improve little by Keep up your own practice by reading Yoga books and going little. I am reminded of the book, The Four Agreements by to Yoga classes. Learn from other teachers. Meditate deeply Don Miguel: on your own body when practicing. What you learn from your own practice will become integral to your teaching. 1. Be impeccable with your word Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” Meditate on how you feel after you finish teaching a class and remember that 2. Don’t take it personally feeling when you get nervous. 3. Don’t make assumptions You can think of this time as an opportunity to overcome your nervous tendency. I was so tired of being nervous in 4. Always do your best front of people, I allowed myself to be angry about it. I then used this anger to overcome the nervousness. Over time, The strong desire to share the wonders of Yoga helped I developed ease being in front of people. I can’t say that me push through my anxieties. One of the best ways to I’ve totally conquered it, but I am much less a slave to my overcome fear is to maintain a strong private practice; this fear. Meditate on the source of your fears. You can learn will bring the confidence that you have something to offer. a lot about yourself. Think about what could be the worst We can only teach what we know. Sit quietly before class thing that would happen if your fears were realized. You will and say a little prayer asking for right action to flow through see that there is not really that much to be worried about. I you. Remind yourself that you are serving. It’s not about us. remember the very first time I taught a class. I was just 16 years old and my anxiety was so bad that halfway through I So if we keep our intention to serve, then the fear of being considered handing it over to the senior teacher who sat in judged can disappear. I also went through a confidence crisis IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 10 at one time because I couldn’t do every asana in Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar. Not even close. But the realization YOGA IN SOCIETY finally sunk in that even without the skill to do the most advanced asanas, Yoga had transformed my life—so why As seen on the Internet by the Editor not others?

Touching Students Police Yoga?

If I am going to touch a student in any way, I always I saw an article on Yoga training for a Police Academy ASK first. I think that should be an unwritten rule among in Ohio recently. It is an attempt to provide them with teachers. Forcing someone into an asana and correcting an advantage for the task and eventual retirement. The someone with a proper touch are two different things. Police Academy in Dayton, Ohio has started giving I believe the latter should be done as needed and with sessions on financial designing and Yoga for recruits. confidence since it is our job as Yoga teachers to direct and instruct asanas properly. It is unlikely recruits fall asleep throughout the sessions taught by the commander of the Central Patrol There are times when a teacher’s touch can add clarity Operations District, the other by the chief. (Oh, there’s where my lower back is; I can feel it expand against her hand), but at the same time that touch can get “It’s another factor for their tool belt,” Chief Richard Biehl in the way of the student discovering her own lower back. said. “If you’re on the job for 25 years—or five years— I also touch my students at the appropriate time—helping you better have more in your tool belt than your service with adjustments or a hug or touch on the arm after class. weapon, Taser, pepper spray. Traditionally we tend to have done a poor job of preparing them for the human Even though the adjustment is gentle and nurturing (I tragedy and suffering they can face.” Biehl exposes the hope), I think it’s a much greater accomplishment for the recruits to Yoga as a method to handle that stress and student to make the connection to her body without the also the physical and emotional pain that comes with help of my touch. One thing I find useful in using touch their duties. with my students is to give them permission to refuse touch, and to give them words with which to do so. He also believes Yoga will assist in managing a police officer’s stress. Biehl said researchers are studying Yoga This makes it easier for someone who does not feel like as a therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. “It can be being touched at any point to share his or her preference a tool for recovery, a way out,” he said. “We want them with me. It saves the student mental fuss over wondering to retire and have a good life without a tragic crisis,” the if it will offend me to ask not to be touched, and of chief said. wondering how to tell me. I try to choose neutral phrases so that people feel comfortable using them. I often say something like, “I will be moving about the room helping World’s Oldest Yoga Teacher folks with their alignment throughout the class. Please feel free to ask for my attention.” Another article I “stumbled upon” was about Tao Porchon-Lynch who is known as the world’s oldest Yoga I may use touch in helping students with their alignment teacher by Guinness World Records. if I see that it is needed; if I approach you and you would prefer not to be spoken to or touched at that time for any At 93 years old, age isn’t keeping Tao Porchon-Lynch reason, just say ‘No thanks.’ from striking a perfect asana. The Yoga instructor and dance competitor is vibrant as ever. Yoga Voyeurs For her, age really is “just a number.” She has lived a full At the IY center there is a firm policy that individuals may life with acting, modeling, performing burlesque and not observe classes. When students or potential students even marching with Gandhi – twice! ask to observe a class, it is simply stated that it is our policy not to allow this. If the person insists, we persist. And she has no plans to quit The only explanation offered is that it is not fair to the anytime soon. other students. You need not apologize for enforcing a policy that is designed to ensure that your students have a “I’m going to teach Yoga until I comfortable, safe place to practice. can’t breathe anymore then I’ll just fly away to the next planet ... I feel that the students may not feel as comfortable and I just love Yoga, it brightens my relaxed when they know they are being watched. To me, day and makes everybody smile,” it’s about my students. So I don’t have non-participants in Porchon-Lynch said. my classes. IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 11 Introduction to the Book To Know Yourself By Prahaladan Mandelkorn

His Holiness Sri Swami He preached and practiced an interfaith approach, Integral Satchidananda is a spiritual Yoga. He respected every faith and he always taught unity in teacher with a wide following diversity. When I arrived there it was almost as though he was of devoted disciples, students waiting for me. He said, ‘You have come to the right place. and friends around the globe. Your troubles are over. Stop wandering. Stick to this place.’ His thousands of followers Within a couple of months he ordained me into monkhood.” come from all faiths, creeds, and races and treat him as Under Master Sivananda’s guidance and through their spiritual teacher and perseverance in his spiritual practices, Gurudev realized his guide. own true nature and attained the state of sahaja samadhi— absorbed in Superconsciousness at all times, day and night, “The real teacher is the whether walking, talking, eating, or resting. With his identity teachings,” says Sri Gurudev, well-settled in samadhi and his life dedicated to the service of as many of his devoted all, Gurudev was soon called to serve ever-wider circles around friends and students the world. At first he traveled around India passing on the affectionately call him. “The wisdom of Yoga, and then he was invited to Sri Lanka where Sat-Chid-Ananda exists within every human being.” He he served for fourteen years sharing his master’s universal teaches that Sat- Chid-Ananda or Existence-Knowledge-Bliss message and Yoga teachings. He frequently made visits to the is the essential nature of everyone. As a world-loved Yoga Far East, and was invited to Europe, and then to the United master, Gurudev gently guides his many students to realize States. His manner and humility made him beloved by people this ever joyous, peaceful nature of their own Selves. In everywhere, and his simple, humorous way of conveying the 1949, when Gurudev’s revered master, Sri Swami Sivananda, ancient Yoga wisdom was particularly attractive to newly- initiated his disciple into a life of dedication for service to awakening generations of Western seekers. humanity, that great Himalayan sage named the new monk Swami Satchidananda, the one who is the bliss of Absolute He arrived in the United States in 1966 for what was supposed Existence and Knowledge. But Gurudev’s path to that point to have been a two-day visit, but was urged to stay and had begun long before, even in his childhood. continue his teachings here. Less than a year after his arrival in the United States his American students had organized Born into an Indian family of pious, wealthy landowners, into the Integral Yoga Institute, where they practiced Yoga Gurudev was raised in a devotional setting. His parents together. As Gurudev traveled across the land ever more often hosted spiritual seekers and wandering sadhus or people became drawn to learn from him. To date there are monks, and he became acquainted with them. As a young more than thirty Integral Yoga Institute branches across the man, he entered the busy marketplace, operated machine North American continent including two larger communities shops, supervised factories, and worked as a successful of disciples called Satchidananda Ashrams. [As of this 2008 businessman both in the automobile and motion picture updated and expanded edition of the book, there are more businesses. “I seemed to put my hand into everything,” he than fifty Integral Yoga centers and thousands of Integral remembers, “but slowly one thing after another seemed to Yoga teachers worldwide. Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville push me to a life dedicated to humanity and to the pursuit of in Virginia, is now the headquarters for Integral Yoga peace and God within.” International.]Although he travelled widely, visiting devotees around the glove, became a U.S. citizen in 1976. When his wife died suddenly, Gurudev no longer resisted the call of spiritual life. He began years of determined The simple, yet profoundly subtle teachings of this wise and spiritual practices. loving master have already shown many people a way to improve their lives and find themselves. He sometimes used “I stayed with many great sadhus,” recalls Gurudev. “The very parables or stories to show the way. “Keep the story,” he says, first was Sri Sadhu Swamigal at the holy Palani Temple in South “because behind it lies the truth. It’s like a sugar-coated pill.” India where the Swami was more or less our family guru, the Gurudev was a gifted speaker and a master of consciousness. one who initiated my mother before I was born. Then I moved Wherever he went, he uplifted and enlightened his listeners. into Ramakrishna Mission, from there to Aurobindo Ashram, He spoke extemporaneously, sometimes waiting until and from there to Ramana Maharshi’s Ashram. Finally I went someone asked a question to begin. to Rishikesh where Master Sivananda lived. And probably that culminated my travels—visiting ashrams and staying in each “I never plan my talks,” he said. “I just come to the talk for a while--because there with Master Sivananda I found like everyone else. I know that Something or Someone is everything I was looking for. His teaching was plain, open, handling me, and I’m just an instrument. There is a Force in and his outlook was very modern, suitable for everybody. me whom you can call the image of God. It’s directing my IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 12 intelligence and my ego. Don’t think I have no ego or I’m so is and why we are out of touch with that, and shows the humble. I have, but I have given it into God’s hands. God way to realize this again. The second section deals with the is taking good care of it and using it. So, I’m never doubtful mind and consciousness, showing how it functions and what of anything. Many times I’m asked to answer questions on disturbs it. Gurudev gives the means of calming the mind subjects I’ve never thought about before. But as soon as I see through various concentration and meditation techniques. the question I begin to answer. While I’m answering, way in The third part focuses on the human body, explaining back of everything I just watch what is happening and say to which diet leads to peace of mind and showing how to use myself, ‘Where are you getting these ideas?’ Some people breathing practices and Hatha Yoga postures to cleanse the may say, ‘Oh, what a wonderful answer,’ but I’m thinking, physical and subtle systems. The fourth part shows how to ‘My goodness, where is it coming from?’ Literally to the use these teachings in the world. Here Gurudev reveals the very letter I am only a speaker. The person who speaks is art of living a dedicated life while on the job and mixing with different. I am just God’s speaker. Somebody is playing the family and friends. In the final section he gives the essence tape. That’s why I never prepare my talks. I can’t even say behind all religions, explains what or who God is, and shows ‘my’ talks. God talks, why should I prepare?” how to use devotion and build faith. In this section Gurudev shows how the various religious traditions use different paths The person speaking to you in this book is Swami to approach the same great truth. Satchidananda himself. As the compiler and editor, I have simply woven together sections from different talks he has Many people helped bring this book to fruition, including given over the years and around the world. I have been numbers of Karma Yogis who over the years selflessly taped recording quotes of Gurudev’s talks since I970. When and typed Gurudev’s words, anonymously offering their he spoke at the “Meeting of the Ways” in San Francisco, efforts for the sake of others. As I began my part, several I recorded his remarks and later noted his comments to people came forward graciously offering to help bring out students during informal talks at Integral Yoga branches these teachings. Among them may I mention particularly around the United States. During Yoga retreats in the Rev. Vidya Vonne whose invaluable advice in organization countryside and initiations of students I noted what he said and editing cannot be measured, and Rev. Paraman Barsel and also drew from his letters to disciples and personal whose overall encouragement throughout the entire conversations with me. But almost all the contents of this undertaking was a great support. Others who appeared at book are Gurudev’s words verbatim, from tapes of him just the right moments as the draft was nearing completion, speaking to various groups of people, radio and television who willingly typed the manuscript without asking any pay or interviews in Hawaii or in Europe, interfaith gatherings in expecting any thanks for their efforts were Sil Read, Val Bruce, the United States, talks to prisoners and to psychotherapists, Donna Pollock, and Diana Brinckman. From beginning to messages to his students on holidays, during Yoga classes he end, Anchor Book editor William Strachan guided the book conducted himself, and from many, many other occasions. toward publication and added the final polish that helps make the oral teaching easier to read. Finally, I thank Aaron From the great range of information and advice he offered I Priest for recognizing the merit in this work and quickly have tried to draw out what I believe are Gurudev’s essential guiding it to the marketplace. teachings. I chose subjects he most often spoke about and have also added responses to the questions frequently asked Concerning these teachings, Gurudev says simply, “If it suits of him during retreats and at informal gatherings. Thus, the you, take it. If it doesn’t suit you just throw it away.” Over the book includes such practical advice as how to stop smoking years some of us have been taking more and still a little more or control bursts of anger, alongside discussions on the because we find he is leading us home. meaning of God and spiritual awakening. I am so grateful to Swami Satchidananda, my beloved spiritual Between the lines I have tried to retain his style, wit, and father and guru, for giving me this opportunity to serve with personality, for without the man himself, the teachings him. The energy of my part I dedicate to him that this work might sound lifeless. Once during an interfaith gathering in may continue many, many years his delightful, enlightening Florida, a Zen teacher sat with eyes closed as Gurudev was service to all humanity. speaking. Asked if she were listening or not, she said, “Swami Satchidananda is like a great waterfall. The words are the Prahaladan (Philip) Mandelkorn spray from that waterfall.” There is something very refreshing Pomfret, Connecticut in that spray which I hope to pass along in this book. November 1, 1977

Gurudev’s teachings are basically simple: In reality each of us Prahaladan (Philip) Mandelkorn has is peaceful and happy. This is our true nature. Since we are served as Director of Teacher Training not usually in touch with this, he offers various methods for at Satchidananda Asham-Yogaville clearing away the toxins and other disturbances that made us and collaborated on books with Rabbi ill-at-ease so we can again realize our true Self. Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Sri Swami Satchidananda. He gives workshops on I have organized the material into five sections that naturally Kabbalah and the Yoga Teachings, the follow one another. The first part explains what the true Self Bhagavad Gita and Bhakti Yoga. IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 13 Life Currents How many roads have I traveled? By Kalyani Neuman By Tina Soucie

How many roads have I traveled? One of the most helpful things I’ve learned from Sometimes it was so hard to see Gurudev is that Who it was that I really could be things are supposed But no matter where I found myself to be as they are. As a child, this was I could always feel Him leading me. readily apparent; Knowing that He loved me dearly. it never occurred to me that there could or should be any life situation Lord, bless me as I walk this path other than the one I had. My parents, brother and sister, home, friends were Show me where is my rightful place. never negotiable. Trading them for So many roads to travel, Lord others would have been unthinkable. If I can just manage to live and walk in truth I can see that grace is always surrounding me. It was only through what is called the “maturing process” that I learned, mostly from my peers, to have desires If I can just take the time for grace to show itself for something else. This became Calling out in its sweetest tone to me, more and more confusing as I grew I can learn to trust in my blessings in life older, went out into the world, and found out how many options there And all will flow free from heaven are. I also discovered how many All will always flow free! people there are to tell you what you should be doing with your life. AND I WILL sing to the Universe After a suitable university education, one should pursue a good job (but Just WHO I AM. only for a little while in the case of a woman), then marriage, children, Because, Lord: house, two cars, etc.

My own life didn’t fit the pattern; I AM all my mother’s dreams and, worse yet, whenever I tried I AM my father’s hope to direct it in any major way, things I AM my grandmother’s secrets went wrong and I felt miserable. And I AM the breath of God Then, the goal-setters came along and told me I should have a five-year I AM the spirit of courage plan and so forth. It never worked; I LIVE in the brother-ship of love life carried me along, and I seemed to And I AM a seeker of truth do pretty well by simply not resisting I AM a builder of mercy the currents. Still the questions kept assailing me: Should I be doing I AM a lover of life something else? Something more? I AM the keeper of faith What was my destiny? I AM a maker of peace And I hold the wisdom of generations Finally I met Gurudev and his Yogic Teachings. Through these teachings In my clearest of thoughts. I do indeed see that I can do much more by developing and directing the Because, Lord: energy available to us all. But I’m also beginning to understand the meaning of karma (action and reaction) and feel I AM STILL ONE! much more comfortable right where I am. For this I am constantly grateful. IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 14 Yoga as a Universal Science By Swami Krishnananda

The Mind and Its Functions which it asserts that the world is outside. This assertion takes the form of an individual, localized existence, called the It is often said that Yoga is control of the mind, and people personality, whose center of affirmation is called the mind. struggle to restrain their minds in the name of Yoga meditation, We may call the mind, also by some other name, such as the and find that it is a difficult task, if not an impossible one. The psychic organ. The word ‘mind,’especially in the psychology reason behind this difficulty is that the mind is inseparable of the West, is used to signify a general operation of the from the meditator. psyche inside, including understanding, willing and feeling. The word ‘mind’ is a general term in Western psychology, And it will not yield to any threat or admonition, if it cannot but in the psychology of Yoga, a more detailed analysis has appreciate, or understand, the significance behind the been made. ‘Mind’ is not a proper English translation of what teaching that it is worthwhile restraining oneself. The mind the Yoga Sutras calls ‘Chitta,’ especially in the system of is not easily convinced that it is good to restrain itself. Why Patanjali. The entire mind-stuff is called Chitta. It is better to should the mind be controlled at all? Where comes the use the word ‘psyche’ instead of the word ‘mind,’ because the necessity and why should people struggle to restrain the former denotes a larger composite structure than the single functions of the mind? Why should Yoga be equated with function indicated by the word ‘mind.’ Mind is that which control of the mind? Why should Yoga not be something thinks in an indeterminate manner; the intellect is that which else? Unless this point is made clear, the effort at mind- thinks in a determinate manner; the ego is that which asserts control will not be successful. Without clear thinking, any the individuality of one’s own self. There are other functions effort in any direction will be a failure in the end. of the psyche such as memory, often associated with the subconscious level. It is impossible for anyone to be aware Why should we control the mind? Let us put this question to that something is outside, unless there is an isolated thinking or our own selves. We will not easily get an answer. The answer an individualizing principle, known in the Vedanta psychology will come forth if we study the structure of the universe, the as the Antahkarana, and in the Yoga psychology of Patanjali nature of things. The universe is not merely a vast expanse as Chitta. ‘Antahkarana’ is a Sanskrit term, which literally of interrelated particulars, but a completeness in itself, from translated into English, would mean, ‘the internal organ.’ That which we, as individuals, cannot isolate ourselves. Yet, we is perhaps the best way we can put it in English. The internal see the world as something outside us, though the world organ, by which we cognize or perceive things outside, is not really outside us. The universe, so-called, is not an is the Antahkarana. The same thing is called Chitta in Yoga external object. Yet, we persist and contend that the universe psychology. We need not pay much attention to the peculiar is outside us. This contention, this persistence, this self- distinguishing factors or features or connotations associated affirmation in us, which vehemently persuades us to believe with these words in the different schools of thought. But, it is that the world is outside, is called the mind. The mind is not important to remember that a psychic function inwardly as an a substance. It is not a particle. It is not like a sand particle individualizing principle is necessary in order to assert that the inside the body, it is not even a jot of any visible substance. world is outside or that anything is outside. It is nothing but a process of self-affirmation. The mind is therefore difficult to understand. The reason why we cannot Why Should the Mind Be Controlled? understand it is that all processes of our understanding are connected with objects external to our understanding. We have seen before that really things are not outside. As Whenever we exercise our understanding, it is in respect such, our persistence that things are outside poses a big of something external to understanding. We do not try to mystery. Obviously, the functions of the mind are a blunder. understand understanding itself. That is not our attempt, and What we call the mind is clearly a miscalculated affirmation. that is beyond even our imagination. Thus, mind cannot be A terrible catastrophe has befallen us in the shape of our known by the mind, because the mind knows only that which persisting in an error that is contrary to the truths of the is outside the mind. So, the effort to know one’s own mind universe. If the universe or the world is not really outside becomes a failure, because the subject that knows requires us, and if we are not seeing anything but seeing externality, an object that is outside it, in order that knowledge may be we are surely in a world of blunders. We are perpetually possible. There is no such thing as the subject knowing itself. committing mistakes after mistakes, with the result that We have never come across a situation where the subject our entire life may be regarded as a heap or a mountain of knows itself as its own object of study. This is the cause mistakes, all mistakes being the consequences of our original behind our inability to know our own selves. self-affirmation called variously as the mind, the Chitta, and the Antahkarana. It is easy enough to appreciate why What Is the Mind? the mind is to be controlled. The mind is to be controlled, because it is the essence of mischief-making, because it Our insistence that the world or the universe is outside us is is the root cause of all the troubles in life. The mind is the called the mind. It is a kind of conscious insistence. It cannot central mischief in the individual personality. It is the great be called a thing. It is a procedure of the consciousness by dacoit, as Acharya Sankara calls it, the thief who robs us of IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 15 all wealth and makes us paupers, looking beggarly in the The science of Yoga, therefore, is a psychology of a eyes of all people. Why should the mind be controlled? Why philosophical nature. The very introduction of the system of should there be a need felt to restrain the Antahkarana? Yoga by Patanjali is by way of an instruction that the mind has Because the mind is the principle of mistakenly asserting to be controlled – Yogas chitta-vritti-nirodhah. Patanjali does the existence of an externality, which is really not there. The not go into the details of the philosophical background of the nature of things is such that the mind’s functions, as they are necessity to control the mind, the background that comes in being carried on now, are uncalled for, unwarranted, and Samkhya and Vedanta. Yoga is control of the mind, restraint of thoroughly erroneous. We do not see things as they are, and the mind-stuff. Yoga is Chitta-vritti-nirodhah. The moment we therefore, we cannot act also correctly, inasmuch as action is hear this, we begin to get excited. Yoga is control of the mind. preceded by thought, and thought is a mistaken movement Therefore, we have to control ourselves. We begin to close of ourselves. our eyes, hold our nose, and become nervous and tense in our system! That is an unfortunate result that often follows from an Here comes Yoga with a great message to us. Our life being overenthusiasm, emotionally aroused in ourselves by hearing a movement in the wrong direction, landing us in repeated the very word Yoga. We should not be stirred up into an problems and rebirths, it is necessary to station ourselves in emotion, just because we listen to the word Yoga mentioned the true position in which we essentially are, and not lose by somebody. A calm and sober understanding is Yoga. Yoga our own selves. Loss of self is the greatest of losses. We have is not emotion. It is not stirring oneself into any kind of made- lost ourselves in imagining that we are not the thing that we up or artificial individuality. A calm Chief Justice in a court actually are in relation to the nature of the universe. We have does not get roused up into an emotion; rather, he begins to lost ourselves in imagining that we are isolated persons – men, understand the circumstances. Emotion is not possible where women and children and many other things – in relation to wisdom prevails. The mind has to be controlled. It has to be the nature of the universe. In order that we may be freed from done intelligently. Emotion has no part in it. this turmoil or sorrow called Samsara, or life in this empirical world, Yoga comes as a rescue, as a message of hope and Yoga is Chitta-vritti-nirodhah, and Yoga is indispensable and solace, telling us that there is no hope for humanity, that there unavoidable for every person, because everyone is in the is no chance of peace prevailing anywhere, if self-restraint is same condition. Everyone is a part of the vast creation. Even not going to be the law of life. those who do not know what Yoga is, and do not practice it, and have no idea about it, are essentially intended for this Self-restraint, in a way, is the same as mind restraint, because great movement called Yoga, towards the goal that is the we are practically the same as the mind. We do not make much goal of everyone. Yoga is control of the mind, and mind is to of a difference between self-restraint and restraint of the mind. be controlled because it is the principle of isolation in a false Because, for us Jivas, empirical individuals, the mind itself is manner. It is the mind, it is the Chitta, it is the Antahkarana or the source of sorrow. What we are, as we appear now, is just the internal organ, which makes us falsely believe that we are the mind operating. The need for self-control or control of the individuals, with a physical independence of our own, isolated mind arises on account of the need for perfection, which is from the vast structure of creation. Therefore, control of the the goal of everyone. We do not wish to be suffering like this. mind is necessary; it is unavoidable under the circumstances. Our final ambition, aspiration or desire is redress of grief and attainment of freedom that we have not seen with our eyes If one understands one’s position and knows where one in this world. None has seen really what freedom is. Everyone stands, he must also know what is the step that he has to take is bound in one way or the other. When we imagine that we to place himself in the correct position under the system of have got out of a bondage and entered a state of freedom, the universe. Having known something about the nature of actually we have entered into another kind of bondage in the things and the structure of the world, and having come to name of freedom, a fact which we will realize sometime later. know consequently that the mind is the mischief-maker and There is no such thing as real freedom in this world, because the isolating principle in our own so-called individualities, we freedom is the same as attunement with the state of ultimate come to a conclusion that it is absolutely essential to tune perfection, or at least, a degree of perfection. If we are far the mind back to the structure of things, and abolish this away from even the least percentage of what perfection can isolatedness of ourselves as individuals, and that union of the be, and our ideals and ideologies in life pursue a phantasm, so-called isolated finitude has to be effected with the original we cannot hope to have peace in this world by any amount infinitude. This union is called Yoga. of technological progress. People today are carried away by gadgets and instruments, and researches in the field of Swami Krishnananda is a highly respected externalized technology. This is not an achievement. If by philosophical writer, especially on science is meant the logical knowledge of the nature of things, metaphysics, psychology and sociology. science is wonderful: it is unavoidable in life. But, if by science Swamiji’s books are known the world over is meant technological inventions, setting up of factories and as excellent presentations of answers to industrial organization, science is a bane on human life. It will the daily questions that arise in the day- not help us, because it carries us further away from the center to-day confrontations of a human being. of reality, and compels us to affirm more and more that the Swami Krishnananda was the General world is outside us, rather than the fact that we are inseparable Secretary of The Divine Life Society from 1961 until 2001. from the world. http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/ IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 16 The IYTA News By Brahmi Milliman

As the winter and the holiday season approached we were There was no talk of setting intentions, no awareness of very busy here at the ashram. Earlier in December, several the deeper meaning to the holiday. Now, living here at the ashram residents participated in the annual Christmas in ashram, immersed in the teachings, I am beginning to wake Buckingham project. Each year volunteers dress as elves and up just a bit and to question. Why am I here? Is it random or spread holiday cheer by singing carols and giving gift boxes purposeful, or both? Is there something I should be doing or to elderly residents in Buckingham County. am I doing exactly what I meant to be doing? Maybe I should stop thinking so much and just relax and breathe! On December 22nd, we celebrated Jayanthi, the birth of Swami Satchidananda. There was a morning program with It’s also been a busy quarter here in the IYTA, particularly puja and guru chanting, a special Indian meal, and an evening with preparing the 2013 Teacher’s Directory. As you may Satsang centered on the life and teachings of Gurudev. For recall I have been collecting contact information updates those of you who were unable to join us, the live-stream is since September. As a result of that many of you have still available on our web-site at http://new.livestream.com/ made visits to the website at www.iyta.org to edit directory yogaville/jayanthi-of-sri-gurudev-2012. information, to search for teachers, to update biographies, and to add photographs. After a review of all this activity, We are also very excited as ground has just been broken improvements to the website were made. Now, when you in preparation for building an addition to Sivananda Hall, search for a teacher you can search specifically by first name, where our kitchen, dining area, and gift shop is located. This last name, city, state, zip or country. Try it and you will agree is the place where ashram residents, community members, that is much easier to find what you need. and guests come together as Sangha to eat, to socialize, to celebrate, and to attend Satsang on Saturday nights. It’s been a learning process for me, having started this position one year ago this month. I love organization and am Also at the end of December, we held the New Year’s Silent happy to see how things have become more efficient and Retreat, with about 70 participants in attendance. To support streamlined as I really begin to know what’s going on. our guests the entire ashram was in silence. The theme of the retreat was “moving into the new year with vision and focus.” And … Drum roll please… The IYTA 2013 Teacher’s Directory has been available since January. Please let us know if you My childhood memory of New Year’s Eve is of staying up to haven’t received it or need another copy. watch the ball drop and eating special treats with my family. Blessing and Light

Enjoy fresh air and a serene country setting. Winter/Spring 2013 Programs Transforming Lives

Hip, Pelvis, Low Back: Anatomy Awareness in Asana Julie Gudmestad March 29–31, 2013

Osteoporosis, Yoga & Bone Building Julie Gudmestad Kay Hawkins & Nirmala Limaye, M.D. April 5-7, 2013

LifeForce Yoga® Practitioner Training for Depression & Anxiety: Level 1 Amy Weintraub, M.F.A., E-RYT500 & Robin Carnes, MBA, E-RYT500 April 7–14, 2013 Amy Weintraub Circus Yoga Class CircusYoga Community Retreat—The Human Art of Play Erin Maile O’Keefe & Kevin O’Keefe April 26–28, 2013

Remembering the Joy: A Women’s Retreat Nischala Joy Devi May 2–5, 2013

1-800-858-9642 [email protected] www.yogaville.org

IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 17 Integral Yoga Senior Speakers’ Schedules

Please contact local representatives for times, costs, pre-enrollment requirements, schedule changes, etc. Swami Asokananda Contact

Jan 29–Feb 12 ITT and various workshops at the San Francisco IYI [email protected] (see website for description) 415-821-1117

February 15–17 Programs in Virginia Beach Arjuna: [email protected] www.atmabodhayoga.com

April 26–28 Integral Yoga Retreat at Peace Ranch, Ohio Arjuna: [email protected] Swami Ramananda

Feb. 16, 10–5pm Healing The Heart—A Daylong Immersion In Bhakti Yoga [email protected] with Jai Uttal, Sw.Ramananda & Nubia Teixeira at the San Francisco IYI 415-821-1117

Mar. 29–Apr.1 Easter Holiday: Awakening the Inner Light for Renewal & Liberation at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm www.sivanandayogafarm.org/course.php?course_id=791

April 4–7 San Francisco Spring Retreat: In Stillness and Silence: Renewing Our Spiritual Vision at Commonweal Retreat Center, Bolinas, CA http://www.integralyogasf.org/silent-retreat.html

April 19–30 Various Workshops at at New York IYI [email protected] 212-929-0585

April 27–28 Meditation Intensive with Swami Ramananda and Kali Morse [email protected] 212-929-0585 Swami Karunananda

Jan. 24–Feb. 28 Exploration of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali at Yogaville [email protected] 800-858-9642

Jan 20–Feb. 17 Pranayama Workshops for Basic TT at Yogaville [email protected] 800-858-9642

Mar. 8–10 “Power of Pranayama” Workshop at Yogaville [email protected] 800-858-9642 Swami Divyananda

Feb.14–28 Sacred India Spiritual Tour in South India and Rishikesh Divyananda 917-500-3306 March 15–17 Clarify, Simplify, Magnify Workshop at Yogaville [email protected] 800-858-9642 Satya Greenstone

Apr.14–May 12 Basic Hatha Yoga Teacher Training [email protected] 434-969-3121, ext. 153 IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 18 Upcoming January–April 2013 Programs at Yogaville February

9–15 Yoga Vacation in Nicaragua with Swami Ramananda and Ram Wiener 15–17 Partners’ Yoga Valentines Retreat: Gateway to a Deeper Bond with your Beloved with Renata Gregori and Muktan Sullivan, D.Ay., D.C. 22–24 To Know Yourself with Revs. Bhagavan and Bhavani Metro 22–Mar. 3 Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training with Beth Donnelly Caban, RPYT, C.C.E. and Kali Morse RPYT, E-RYT500 March

1–3 Laugha Yoga Certification Programwith Bharata Wingham 1–3 Meditation is the Key to Everything with Revs. Paraman and Lakshmi Barsel 8–10 Adventures in Sound Play with Paul Winter 8–10 Power of Pranayama with Swami Karunananda, E-RYT500 9 Mahasivaratri 15–17 Clarify, Simplify, Magnify—Find Your Life’s Purpose with Swami Divyananda 15–17 Graceful Alignment: Yoga Asana Flowing into Dance with Vimala Devi 22–24 Yoga to Establish a New Identity After Loss with Antonio Sausys 22–24 Pilgrimage: Preparing to Walk “the Camino” to Santiago de Compostela, Spain with Mercedes Villaman 29–31 Retreat with A Course in Miracles: Yoga of Forgiveness with Bharata Wingham 29–31 Hip, Pelvis, Low Back: Anatomy Awareness in Asana with Julie Gudmestad 31–April 7 Yoga Therapy for People with Cancer & Chronic Illness Training (YCaT ) Level I with Jnani Chapman, RN, BSN, E-RYT500, Lisa Prema Schneider, M.S., L.CP.C., RYT, Sandra Gilbert, RYT500 April

5–7 The Blessings of Aging: Wisdom, Purpose, Simplicity with Swami Vidyananda & Rabbinic Chaplain Kate Shulamit Fagan 5–7 Osteoporosis, Yoga & Bone Building with Kay Hawkins & Nirmala Limaye, M.D. 7–14 Level I: Life Force® Yoga Practitioner Training for Depression and Anxiety with Amy Weintraub. M.F.A., E-RYT500, with Guest Facilty, Robin Carnes, MBA, E-RYT500 9–14 Yoga Therapy for People with Cancer & Chronic Illness Training (YCaT ) Level III with Jnani Chapman, RN, BSN, E-RYT500, Lisa Prema Schneider, M.S., L.CP.C., RYT, Sandra Gilbert, RYT500 12–14 Experience the Art of Living: Learning How to Journey Through Life with Skill and Grace with Cathy Woods, E-RYT500 12–14 Restoring Balance After Trauma: Using Yoga Methodology to Help in the Treatment of PTSD with Beryl Bender Birch 14–May 12 Basic Hatha Yoga Teacher Training with Satya Greenstone, E-RYT500 18–21 Spring Silent Retreat: Tap into your Inner Strength with Rev. Prakasha Shakti Capen as Retreat Director 26–28 Relieving Anxiety with Bhagavan Pisman, M.S., N.C.C. 26–28 CircusYoga Community Retreat—The Human Art of Play with Erin Maile O’Keefe and Kevin O’Keefe

IYTA Newsletter • February 2013 • Page 19 ® U.S. Postage Integral Yoga Teachers Association PAID 108 Yogaville Way Permit No. 3 Buckingham, VA 23921 Nonprofit Organization Dillwyn, VA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 23936