What is Yoga Philosophy?
Limb or Principle 1, part 1
Yoga philosophy is about many things but to me it is mostly about a way of life. Let’s explore how Yoga Philosophy can enhance not only our physical practice of yoga but also our whole life.
There are 8 Limbs to yoga.
In the Western world, most people know Yoga as the Asanas or poses they do or see. Some purpose that Asanas is “y”oga while the whole system is “Y”oga.
The first limb of yoga, or the first way of living in yoga, is to practice Self-Restraints (The Yamas). The first Yama is non-harming or non-violence (Ahimsa in sanskrit). There are five self-restraints, or things not to do.
I like to turn “non” statements into “pro” statements. the prefix "A' means "The opposite of." So what would the opposite of non-harming be? Sometimes Ahimsa is translated as compassion. Loving Kindness is another way of putting it.
If I were to contemplate practicing non-violence my ego would say I am already non-violent. I would think I am done with this principle even though I know this is not always the case. I am sure I do harming things. Because violence seems pretty extreme, especially with all the images of violence we see and hear every day, I may let myself off the hook. I am not violent like that.
If I am to contemplate practicing compassion and loving kindness, I feel I have a further path to follow. What about you? Compassion is the next level beyond non-violence. Ahimsa could lead me to just be neutral in my thoughts and deeds without this next level.
It is interesting to see where this comes up in our other Yoga practises. What thoughts go through our mind? This non harming includes all actions not just physical but also thoughts.
Often there are two types of violence, external and internal. Ahimsa includes both.
In Asana, harming can come up in thoughts and deeds.
Thoughts-- “I stink at this!” “I hate this pose!” “Stupid Wrist!” “I’ll never be able to do that!” "I can't concentrate in mediations, what's wrong with me" "He's better at this than me."
What about you?
Deeds -- Pushing too far. Ignoring Pain. Maybe even holding back because of fear or laziness (speaking from my own experience here).
What about you?
It is interesting to see what comes up on the mat. What comes up on the mat often shows us patterns of what comes up in the rest of our life too. When we work with Ahimsa in our Asana practice we can work on Ahimsa in our life too.
On the mat, what if we when we notice harming in thought or deed coming up, we move to non-harming and even beyond to compassion? What would my practice look like if I had compassion toward my (insert body part or mindset here).
What would our life look like if we concentrated on this level of Ahimsa as compassion, starting with our self, then others, society, and the interdependent web of which we are a part?
Please share your thoughts.
Next time Limb 1, part 2 . . .
Quote from Swami Muktibodhananda
"Ahimsa means not acting with the will to violate anything, even the atmosphere. Harmony and serenity have to be maintained. There is no need to place any religious connotation on the word ‘ahimsa.’ It is a process of self-control, self-awareness and awareness of everything that is around you. If you harm another person intentionally, and you lose control of your mind and actions, you are creating an imbalance in yourself. Violence means moving away from your true nature; ahimsa means coming closer to the pure spirit. Mahatma Gandhi was a living example of this doctrine."
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