Inner Peace Connection

We’ve recently discussed Bhakti Yoga (devotion) and Karma Yoga (action) as two of three paths that lead us to Moksha (liberation). This week we discuss the third: Jnana Yoga (knowledge).

Sanskrit for "knowledge" or "wisdom," Jnana is the intellectual path of scriptures and self-study. It is considered to be one of the most direct and yet challenging means of spiritual development as it requires us to move towards Self-realization by asking ourselves: 'Who am I?’

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna describes Jnana as understanding the difference between the body and the knower of the body – the soul. Jnana yoga teaches us that our true self is not the body (the senses, the cognitive organs, or the thinking mind), but rather that we are pure awareness. We can achieve this when we look at our experiences that are ever changing while noting that our behavior remains constant.

The process of Jnana yoga is: Listening, Contemplation, Meditation

A little analysis will reveal that anything you can observe is not you. If the mind gets disturbed, question the thoughts:

Where did these thoughts come from? How did they come? Who is disturbed? How do I know this? Who am I then? This technique is called Self-inquiry. It helps you to transcend the changing mind and attunes you to the eternal Witness within.

Jnana Yoga is an intense practice, and one that I am personally drawn to. It is a lot to think about, and in my opinion it is very worthwhile to explore the ideas within it. I hope you find value in learning about it and will consider practicing some of the ideas shared here.

This week we look at one of the three paths that classical Hinduism says leads to Moksha (liberation): Bhakti (loving attachment or devotion).

A beautiful thing about Bhakti yoga is that it is loving devotion toward your personal deity. Hinduism is not a religion but more like a way of life. So it is “yogi’s choice” also with Bhakti. Being loving is the only requirement.

Bhakti, is also interpreted as "devotional service." It is wanting to give without wanting anything back in return. When one expresses true devotion, he/she is selfless in his/her desire to please their beloved. It is thought that by loving and serving a god or deity, one will also love and serve the Divine in everything, thus finding salvation.

It seems slightly paradoxical that Bhakti comes from the word "Bhaj" which means 'to be attached or devoted to.' When so much of yoga is about letting go, about detaching, it is hard to think this is the root of one of the major paths of yoga. However, Bhakti is pure unselfish love mixed with reverence – a very different concept than being attached to something.

This week’s reflection question is to consider in what/to whom you are in loving devotion. And then how do you express that love? Is there more you can give? What is holding you back?

Little by little... you are getting better. Why? Because you care enough about yourself to ask yourself the tough questions. You take the time to reflect on you are, what you are experiencing, and the actions you are taking.

Keep getting better, my friend!

In the Vedic tradition, the path to freedom and happiness lies in letting go of attachment. This doesn’t mean renouncing your desires or living the life of an ascetic. Instead, you set an intention then relinquish your attachment to the outcome. Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita states,

Yoga is perfect evenness of mind. Seek refuge in the attitude of detachment and you will amass the wealth of spiritual awareness. Those who are motivated only by desire for the fruits of action are miserable, for they are constantly anxious about the results of what they do. When consciousness is unified, however, all vain anxiety is left behind. There is no cause for worry, whether things go well or ill. Therefore, devote yourself to the disciplines of yoga, for yoga is skill in action.

Deep down, attachment is based on fear and insecurity. When you forget your true Self – which is pure consciousness, pure potentiality – you begin to believe that you need something outside of yourself to make you happy.

It’s easy to think, “I’ll feel better/happier/at ease after I lose 15 pounds, get through this medical situation, pay off my bills, or (insert your current desire here).” You’ve probably experienced that getting what you've wanted didn’t bring the happiness you expected. At a deep level, you know that whatever is bringing you happiness can be lost and therefore has the potential to bring you pain.

The only way out of this dilemma, according to Yoga, is releasing your attachment to the outcome.

The search for security is actually an attachment to the known, and the only thing that is known is your past. The known is simply the prison of your past conditioning. The unknown, on the other hand, is the fertile ground of pure creativity and freedom.

Embrace the unknown and watch how creative solutions to problems spontaneously emerge. Realize that the more uncertain things seem to be, the more secure you will feel, because uncertainty is the path to freedom.

Step into the field of all possibilities by staying open to an infinity of choices.

As you move through your physical postures in our yoga class – or as you move through anything in your life – you can also practice the mantra that resonates with this Yogic principle of Detachment, reminding you to release the need to control:

- Om Anandham Namah (meaning: My actions are blissfully free from attachment to outcome.)

Listen to your heart. That will help your balance.

See, we have to practice staying on track, staying in balance regarding being/living our truth.

When we tip over a little, it is ok. Remember that. It is ok to get a little off balance. When you do, try to see what you are going through rather than get so caught up in it that you simply fall over.

If you keep your attention on the idea that you want to stay steady on your right path, it is easier to get back on when you veer off center.

Perhaps close your eyes now for a moment, and feel your heart. Feel your center. Remember that is the place you can go when things outside of you cause a disturbance.

Trust that you will find your way! 🙏

Last week's newsletter focused on the important second “thread” of the 196-long Yoga Sutras (threads of Yoga), which states that Yoga is the steading of the fluctuation of the mind stuff (thoughts).

First of all, how is this even possible? Seriously! How is it possible to steady the constantly firing thoughts that seemingly cease to percolate in our mind?!

It takes a dedicated effort over a sustained period of time to achieve this, along with an intentional, steady practice. I am inspired to see you, each week, showing up for our asana (poses) class(es). THIS is dedicated effort. Not just to improve your balance, your strength, and your stamina, but also to find your steady breath.

You’ve heard me guide you to make your inhalations as long as your exhalations. This is all in an effort to find balance within your own body. To bring that balance to your mind and on into your thoughts. Your breathing is a form of meditation.

Now it is time to understand that balanced concept within our own minds.

How can you let go of the anxieties that keep you from taking the next step?

How can you let go of the judgments that keep you from accepting others?

How can you let go of the power that emotions have on your actions?

As you move through this week, I hope you will reflect on how you may find more balance in your mind. Perhaps you will take a few minutes each day to simply shut your eyes, count the rhythm of your breath, and FEEL the steadiness amongst the constant distractions your mind brings to you.

Yoga is not just Down Dog and Warrior 2 poses. True Yoga is comprised of 8 limbs, one of which is the physical poses (asanas). Other limbs teach us to balance our mind along with our actions by getting to know ourselves. That is the golden key... self realization... that unlocks the doors to ALL the wonderful elements of life.

YOGA SUTRA 1:2

The foundational text of Yoga, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, was compiled around 200 B.C.E. as a sort of manual of how to practice Yoga. It is composed of 196 short verses (sutra means thread) for easy memorization. This is the book that provides us with the Yamas and Niyamas – Yoga’s Ethics – that I like to write about.

This week let us reflect on the second verse of the book:
1:2 Yogas citta vritti nirodhah
Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind.

Of course as many translators there are of the original text, there are as many different translations. As well as the interpretations that follow.
What is most evident to me in this statement is that Yoga is not (just) the physical practice of holding your arms and legs in a certain position. Rather, it is learning to control our constantly fluctuating mind.

With practice and good habits, we are able to control our actions; however, the moment we stop wanting something, bad/unproductive habits come back, or take over. This is why it is important, for example, to attend our Yoga sessions (or use the practice videos) weekly, so we remain in that “control” of our physical body.

“Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility and joy.”
~B.K.S. Iyengar

My teacher Edwin Bryant (the translation from Sanskrit used above is his) likens our brain to the ocean… When we look at the ocean, we don’t actually see the ocean, we see the waves at the top. This phrase “Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind” encourages us to focus not just on the surface thoughts that arise in our minds, but to steady the fluctuations from the depths of our consciousness. That means practice and good habits daily. In fact, the more times throughout the day that we are focusing on this calmness of mind, the deeper the calm will be.

It is wonderful when we are able to not let the little things bother us, because not only are we calming the exterior waves of our mind, we are bringing that calm to the deeper parts of our mind. Again: practice, practice, practice. Funny how we humans continue to forget this simple concept.

I encourage you this week to see where you are able to still the fluctuations of your mind. To see how even your thoughts/reactions/interpretations can be to what happens around you.

This is yoga!

I love you.
I’m sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.

These are the words of the Ho'oponopono meditation, a traditional Hawaiian practice of forgiveness.

I love this practice as it can be applied to so many things. You can say/think it about any one, any action, any thing – even though it is traditionally used for healing through loving oneself.

Taking personal responsibility means living up to our past actions. When we take "wrong action" and cannot admit we did so, or want to forget it, we build up resentment – usually towards ourselves, but sometimes to others.

Appreciating what we have also helps us to take "right action." In general, we take for granted even the simplest things. When we put our attention on appreciation and being more humble, our actions become more "right," so that we take fewer actions that require an apology later.

Ho'oponopono also reminds us to love unconditionally. Let us even like unconditionally. What another does in their lives should have no impact on us personally. Allow another to be who they are and unconditionally becomes so simple. And yes, that goes for ourselves! We are who we are. Why wouldn’t we embrace that? You, me, them, us, we are all the most perfect rendition of ourselves at this moment in time.

If there is something within you that you want to make even better, you already know what actions to take to achieve this. Take the actions necessary to get there OR allow yourself to let go of this needed “improvement” at this particular time. In other words, stress less about being something other than what you are right now. Take personal responsibility, appreciate all things – including yourself, and forgive yourself as you forgive others.

🙏
Namaste,

One by one, each question helps you find yourself.

It is all up to you and how much intention you put into each answer.

Are you quick to reply, or are you ready to sit and deeply consider the query as it relates to your TRUE self?

See, only YOU can really answer the difficult questions. Only you can unlock your heart.

Please take some moments and consider these questions.

Namaste.

The posts have come and gone and as we've moved through the basics of Yoga’s ethics… the Yamas and Niyamas... we arrive at the last of them all: Ishvara Pranidhana, translated as surrender.

This is the ultimate letting go, not just of objects and unresolved thought patterns, but to expectations and judgments and anything else that doesn’t serve our best interest.

It is a true devotion or dedication to the ideal of pure awareness, of true sense of self. When you see yourself as part of the whole scheme of things, as connected to the divine oneness that connects us all, surrendering negative thoughts or ill will becomes easy.

None of us can change overnight. Though when we work each day to let go of the smaller things, it becomes easier to let go of things to which we are deeply attached to (and yet do nothing to support our personal growth – such as gripping on tightly to a toxic relationship just because we’ve been in friendship for years).

I invite you this week to surrender. That can come in so many forms. One way is to let go of the need to control the outcome of a situation. Find something small. Like having a conversation with a friend. You each may have your own desire to express something on your mind, to have the discussion go a particular way. How can you support your friend and yourself by letting go of how you want the conversation to unfold? Can you have faith that the conversation will go in the direction that will serve you both in that moment?

Please stop scrolling for just 20 seconds. Close your eyes, take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, think of what you are grateful for in this moment.

It might be the fact that you have the ability to take that nice, slow breath. It might be that you are in a warm house in the middle of an ice storm. It might be that the dishes in the kitchen are clean.

See, there's no one-size-fits-all form of gratitude. It is whatever makes you feel connected, or relaxed, or at ease.

The more you are grateful, the more you will see things to be grateful for. It is a WONDERFUL cycle.

Focus on your gratitude today.