Looking Into the deeper Dimension
There is one of my favorite routine now, join yoga’s class every twice a week after office hour. The reasons I had joined this class are breath practicing and also trying to train the balance between mind and body. In one day, I had
spent 8 hours or more in office, doing my tasks and surely facing many problems. And almost every night I couldn’t sleep well, always have a”heavy” dream. I mean ‘heavy’ here is the dream which is so clear until sometimes I couldn’t differ between the real world and the dream world. (Huff…)
So that, in mention above becomes my majority reason, why I had chosen yoga class, I would like to know more about what is the philosophy of YOGA?
Based on Timoty Burgin on his book “Yoga Basic” states that the main philosophy of yoga is simple: mind, body and spirit are all one and cannot be clearly separated. Yet there is a multitude of philosophical ideas developed by looking into the deeper dimensions of the body, mind and spirit.
There are eight-fold path of yoga lays the Yamas, the beginning is Patanjali, the moral, ethical and societal guidelines for the practising yogi, all express in the positive, and thus become emphatic descriptions of how a yogi behaves and relates to her world when truly immersed in the unitive sate of yoga. Patanjali considered the Yamas the great, mighty and universal vows. He instructs us that they should be practiced on all levels (actions, words, and thoughts) and that are not confined to class, place, and time or concept of duty (YS 2.31).
Ahimsa is the practice of non-violence, which includes physical, mental, and emotional violence towards others and the self. Compassion is the ability to accept events as they are with an open and loving heart. It is a letting go of reacting to a situation in a conditional and negative way, and replaces those thoughts or feelings with kindness, acceptance and love. At first practicing compassion is hard, frustrating and not fun. But the key is to have compassion for oneself for not having compassion, and to smile at this contradiction.
Satya (truthfulness) urges us to live and speak our truth at all times. Living in your truth not only creates respect, honor and integrity but also provides the vision to clearly see the higher truths of the yogic path.
Asteya (non-stealing) is best defined as not taking what is not freely given. On a personal level the practice of Asteya entails not committing theft physically and/or not causing or approving of anyone else doing so--in mind, word, or action. While not easy, practicing Asteya encourages generosity and overcomes Lobha (greed). And as Patanjali tells us, “when Asteya is firmly established in a yogi, all jewels will become present to him/her.” (YS 2.37).
Brahmacharya (continence) states that when we have control over our physical impulses of excess, we attain knowledge, vigor, and increased energy. To break the bonds that attach us to our excesses and addictions, we need both courage and will. And each time we overcome these impulses of excess we become stronger, healthier and wiser. One of the main goals in yoga is to create and maintain balance. And the simplest method for achieving balance is by practicing Brahmacharya, creating moderation in all of our activities.
Aparigraha (non-coveting) urges us to let go of everything that we do not need, possessing only as much as necessary. The yogis tell us that worldly objects cannot be possessed at all, as they are all subject to change and will be ultimately destroyed. When we become greedy and covetous we lose the ability to see our one eternal possession, the Atman, our true Self. And when we cling to what we have we lose the ability to be open to receive what we need.
So that, in our full activities, I think it is a good idea to spend our precious time to join yoga's class. For a moment to forget everything, problems and enter a new dimension in getting a new spirit to face to next day.
Namaste...
