Some of my
readers have pointed out my ‘wrong’ usage of the word ‘steps’ while referring
to Patanjali’s Ashtänga Yoga as ‘Patanjali’s
8 step Yoga process’.
Yes. The
word Ashtänga literally means 8 limbs
and not 8 steps. But if you have carefully observed these 8
– there is an order among them, there is succession, there is progression, gradual uplift, and above all, there is an ultimate destination.
– there is an order among them, there is succession, there is progression, gradual uplift, and above all, there is an ultimate destination.
(1) Yama and (2) Niyama are meant to minimize mental
stress and help in calming down the mind;
(3) Asana is
supposed to give a steady posture for later practices;
(4) Pränäyäma is
supposed to develop mental focus, sitting in a steady/comfortable Asana;
A focused mind is supposed to result in a state of withdrawal
– (5)Pratyähära;
(6) Dhärana is to
prepare for meditation with a focused mind;
(7) Dhyäna is
prolonged dhärana leading to (8) Samädhi
– a stage where the mind is completely calm.
These are
the eight ‘limbs’ of Yoga. Don’t you see order, succession, progression,
gradual uplift and an ultimate destination? What are ‘steps’ in a ladder? They
are just that.
Even if you
consider Hatayoga, Asana is supposed
to strengthen the spine ; Pränäyäma is supposed clear impurities in the spinal pathway; Bandha’s, Mudra’s and the like are meant to stimulate the Kundalini, which in turn is the
precursor to raising the Kundalini through the spinal pathway previously
cleared. Raised Kundalini is the ultimate goal. Don’t you see them as steps?
So, in
addition to seeing literal meaning with a narrow vision, one has to see beyond,
taking the complete context in view.
Well, I
have seen many renowned ‘Yoga’ Gurus trying to justify their approach to Yoga taken
in a piecemeal fashion – focus only on Asana, or only on Pränäyäma, or only on
meditation. They often stress that Ashtänga is not 8 steps but 8 limbs and each
limb can be taken up independent of the other, as if they are disjoint! I hope
Patanjali is listening 😄
The viewpoint is not about the technicalities of whether it is folds or steps. We see many "advanced" individuals discarding the principles, in essence kicking the ladder they used to climb the spiritual path.
ReplyDeleteYou are right in pointing out an altogether different issue.
DeleteIt is very unfortunate that what you are pointing out is really the case. But Yoga is not to be blamed for that. It just means that the people who do that have not really practiced it the way it should have been. It is not as if whoever follows the Yama Niyama finally kick it off once they have reached the destination. It simply does not happen that way. It is only those half baked ones who do that.
In this ontext, I am reminded by what Buddha said - all rules are a must till you reach the destination. After that rules do not matter. He says once you cross the river, you don't carry the boat on your head. You just leave it behind. But what is happening in the cases you have mentioned are the cases of people who have never reached the other bank at all, but only claim to have done it. So, there is a distinction.
I just want to make it clear that I don't fully agree with Buddha. Even when a person has reached the destination, he has to abide by the rules just to set an example for others.
DeleteIn that I am with Sri Krishna (in Bhadavadgeetha) who said - people follow whatever I do, so I always have to do right things irrespective of whether I am bound by rules or not!