APRIL 3 – Yoga Sutra Sangha

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In our last meeting of The Yoga Sutra Sangha on March 6, we discussed the following:

  • Kriya Yoga (The Yoga of Action) and its three parts, Tapas (self discipline), Svadhyaya (Self study) and Isvara Pranidhanani (surrender to a higher power)
  • Klesas : the major obstacles that we might encounter on our path of yoga – Avidya (spiritual Ignorance), Asmita (Egoism), Raga (attachment to pleasure), Dvesa (avoidance of pain), and Abhinivesa (fear of death)
  • Karma : the universal law of cause and effect

In our quest to “still the fluctuations of our consciousness” (Sutra I.2), we must become aware of what we face in life and on our path of yoga. Knowledge is power, and in yoga, knowledge of our Self is the most powerful. Our discussion covered ways the above obstacles show up in our practice on the mat and off. We contemplated what we deem “permanent” or “temporary” in regards to our own image of Self and who we think we are. Within the laws of Karma, the acts of life have potential to cause suffering and pain for us, leading toward future experiences or lives. 

We face these obstacles head on in the study of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and in the next Yoga Sutra Sangha discussion we will begin with the hopeful sutra that “the pains yet to come can be and are to be avoided by the practice of yoga” (Sutra II.16). On April 3, we will delve deeper into the eternal relationship of purusa and Prakrti along with the elements and energies of Nature. These are all integral to understanding how to approach and reflect on each step of the eight limbs of yoga. 

READ YOGA SUTRAS II.16-27 – Second Chapter, Sadhana Pada

Questions for Contemplation and Discussion:

  • In Yoga Sutra II.15 we are reminded that “pleasant experiences are also tinged with sorrow”. Do you have examples that might make this clear to you? What do you consider “pain” or “suffering” and can you discern the obstacles that might be their cause?
  • The three Gunas (energies of Nature) play a role in steering us toward yoga or away from yoga. How do you observe or discern the energies of creativity/hyperactivity (rajas), steadiness/inertia (tamas), and pure light/balance (sattva) within your yoga practice or within your Nature?
  • Discriminating between what is permanent and what is impermanent, what is you and not you, is the process of yoga. Given the relationship of the eternal seer (purusa) and the temporary seen (Prakrti), how has yoga helped you “see” your Nature more clearly on the layers of body, mind, emotion, and/or constitution? 
  • Does an increased awareness of the layers of your Self and Nature bring more clarity and ease in your consciousness? How do you deal with encountering difficult truths about yourself, whether seen by you or brought out through others?

Join us for the next Yoga Sutra Sangha to dig in deeper to the cosmology of our inner Self and our outer Nature. Friday, April 3 from 4:30-6pm CST.

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Jennie Williford CIYT

Jennie Williford (CIYT Level 3) is a transplant to LaCrosse via Montana, Illinois, and originally Texas. Throughout her life moves and 5 trips to India, Jennie has acquired a well-rounded and multi-faceted approach to Iyengar Yoga since her start in 1998. Jennie loves the experimental and explorative nature of yoga in accessing deeper knowledge of the Self on every level. The practice of yoga can be intense and introspective, however as practitioners we can be light-hearted and open-minded in our discipline. Jennie is intrigued by the philosophy of yoga and hopes to share this depth of subject while teaching the physical and mental benefits that come from the practice of posture.