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Introduction to Yoga Philosophy

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy

Introduction to

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Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 1 Puruṣa and Prakṛti the dualist “dvaita” theory of everything

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Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 2 Puruṣa and Prakṛti the dualist “dvaita” theory of everything

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There is a universal, unchanging, pure awareness called Puruṣa that is coupled in an eternal dance with the manifest universe called Prakṛti.

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 3 Puruṣa translation: “Person”

Pure Awareness / the “Seer” / Universal Consciousness / Spirit

No attributes or actions, no time or space, no existence Just eternal “awaring”

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 4 Prakṛti translation: “lead creation”

Nature / the “Seen” / Matter / Unconcious

Everything that “is” or could be: The manifest and the potential

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 5 yoga vritti nirodha - Yoga of Patañjali 1.2

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 6 yoga citta vritti nirodha - Yoga Sutra of Patañjali 1.2

Yoga is the stillness of fluctuations in the field of consciousness.

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 7 yoga citta vritti nirodha - Yoga Sutra of Patañjali 1.2

What is citta?

(pronounced: chitta)

“field of consciousness” or “heart/mind”

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 8 The citta is part of Prakṛti ()

It is our lens and instrument to perceive the world.

The citta has 3 aspects:

1. buddhi – wisdom

2. – ego

3. manas – lower mind

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 9 Manas “lower or outer mind”

Accepts: processes and integrates sensory input (smell, sights, tastes, physical feelings, sounds) or memory

Reacts: thoughts, speech and actions

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 10 Ahamkara “ego” or “I-maker”

Forms our sense of individuality and personality The voice in our head Experiences desires and dislikes Makes judgements based on attraction and aversion Feels separation

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 11 Buddhi “intellect”

The seat of wisdom, intellect and intuition Abstracts reality and forms mental objects: perception Discerns (discriminates) and makes decisions

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 12 Yoga citta vritti nirodha - Yoga Sutra of Patañjali 1.2

What is a vritti?

“turning” or “fluctuation”

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 13 Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 14 Yoga citta vritti nirodha - Yoga Sutra of Patañjali 1.2

What is nirodha?

“stillness” or “cessation”

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 15 http://theslenderthread.creativeguide.com

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 16 How Do We Reach Stillness in the Mind?

“Stillness develops through practice and non-attachment” - Yoga of Patañjali 1.12

Abhyasa = diligent practice Vairāgya = non-attachment/non-identification/non-reaction

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 17 Vairāgya = “without colour”

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 18 What Happens When the Mind is Still? Tada drashtahu svarupe avasanum

- Yoga Sutras of Patañjali 1.3

The Seer can then abide in Itself (Self-realization)

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 19 What Happens When the Mind Is Not Still?

Vritti sarupyan itaratra - Yoga Sutras of Patañjali 1.4

“...otherwise the movements of the mind are regarded as the Seer”

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 20

Breathing techniques to stimulate, Withdrawal of the senses, direct and free the the flow of turning from external stimulus within the body. to internal awareness.

Dharana Concentration: A steady and comfortable seat focused attention on an for object of perception.

Niyama 8-Limbs of Dhyana Inward observances: purity, Absorption: sustained concentration contentment, where the boundary discipline, Classical Yoga between the observer and self-study, the object of perception and self-surrender. begins to dissolve.

Yama Outward observances: non-violence, Integration: Continuous stream of truthfulness, sustained concentration where non-stealing, the observer and the object of perception wise use of energy, are united (yoga) and non-possessiveness. revealing pure awareness.

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 21 1st limb Yama

Ethics: External restraint Sutras 2.30, 2.31

Non-violence (ahimsa) Honesty () Non-stealing (asteya) Wise use of sexual and creative energy (brahmacharya) Non-possessiveness (aparigraha)

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 22 2nd limb

Ethics: Internal restraint Sutra 2.32

Purity (saucha) Contentment () Discipline () Self-study (svadyaya) Surrender ( pranidana)

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 23 3rd limb Asana

“a steady and comfortable seat” Sutras 2.46-2.48

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 24 4th limb Pranayama

Release of vital energy through the breath.

Breathing techniques to stimulate and direct the the flow of prana within the body.

Sutras 2.49-2.53

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 25 5th limb Pratyahara

Turning the senses away from external distraction towards internal awareness.

Sutras 2.54-2.55

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 26 6th limb Dharana

Concentration meditation

Focused attention on an object of perception Sutra 3.1

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 27 7th limb Dhyana

Absorption

Sustained concentration.

Sutra 3.2

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 28 8th limb Samadhi

Integration, ecstasy Continuous stream of sustained concentration where the observer and the object of perception are united (yoga) revealing pure awareness. Sutra 3.2

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 29 Traditional Practices of

Asana Postures to strengthen and purifythe body; and balance opposing Shat and dynamic forces.

6 purification practices including (nasal wash), trataka (candle gazing), etc.

Pranayama Breath control techniques to harness and stimulate the flow of prana &

Seals and locks to concentrate prana and direct it to rise up the central spinal channel. Meditation

Sustained and focused absorption Samadhi with an object of perception producing calmnessof mind. Continuous stream of awareness where thought and thinker, subject and object become oneresulting in state of bliss.

Just as salt becomes identical with water through union with it, so the identity of mind and Self is named Samadhi. ~

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy 30

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