Comments for Yoga Wisdom http://www.yogawisdom.org Self-realization · Planetary Enlightenment · Spiritual Freedom · Soul Bliss Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:43:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Yoga Sutras II.31 by Ryan http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/yoga-sutras-ii31/#comment-15 Ryan Tue, 25 Jul 2006 16:52:38 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/yoga-sutras-ii31/#comment-15 It is often recomended in these ancient texts to look to nature to learn about the processes of life. All authentic enlightenment traditions share the same core truths, couched in different languages and symbolism. It is often recomended in these ancient texts to look to nature to learn about the processes of life. All authentic enlightenment traditions share the same core truths, couched in different languages and symbolism.

]]> Comment on The Power of Thought: Calming the mind while putting it to proper use by Ryan http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/the-power-of-thought-calming-the-mind-while-putting-it-to-proper-use/#comment-14 Ryan Tue, 25 Jul 2006 16:50:26 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/the-power-of-thought-calming-the-mind-while-putting-it-to-proper-use/#comment-14 If your restlessness was really quieted you wouldn't have the anxiety. Three things come to mind to help. 1) Find out what you underlying anxiety is caused by and resolve it. This may take some self reflection. 2) Before practicing your meditation technique, simply close your eyes and invite the presence of God to be revealed to you, then even if you can't feel it right away, trust it is within and all around you. Then start talking to God. Tell him everything that makes you anxious or scared. Bear your soul to him. Keep talking until there is nothing left to talk about, and really mean what you say too. Then when there is nothing left, know you were heard and move on to your practice. 3) Be more attentive to your technique. Really get into it and if distracting thoughts or feelings arise, disregard them and renew your attention on your meditation technique. Even if all you do is practice a technique for 20-30 minutes that will be enough to eventually train your mind to be still during meditation. If your restlessness was really quieted you wouldn’t have the anxiety. Three things come to mind to help. 1) Find out what you underlying anxiety is caused by and resolve it. This may take some self reflection. 2) Before practicing your meditation technique, simply close your eyes and invite the presence of God to be revealed to you, then even if you can’t feel it right away, trust it is within and all around you. Then start talking to God. Tell him everything that makes you anxious or scared. Bear your soul to him. Keep talking until there is nothing left to talk about, and really mean what you say too. Then when there is nothing left, know you were heard and move on to your practice. 3) Be more attentive to your technique. Really get into it and if distracting thoughts or feelings arise, disregard them and renew your attention on your meditation technique. Even if all you do is practice a technique for 20-30 minutes that will be enough to eventually train your mind to be still during meditation.

]]> Comment on Yoga Sutras II.31 by Micah http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/yoga-sutras-ii31/#comment-13 Micah Mon, 24 Jul 2006 21:02:49 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/yoga-sutras-ii31/#comment-13 "The quality of life can be improved through living in harmony with the natural laws of the universe." It is interesting because this is, perhaps, the most pervasive theme in all of the ancient wisdom texts. The Stoics certainly realized it. I actually wrote a paper on how the wisdom literature of the Old Testament scriptures commonly admonish the reader to look towards nature to identify rules for living well. In any case, I tend to be of the view that one can learn most of the important things in life by paying attention to the themes that recurred throughout the ancient wisdom literatures. And this point about living in harmony with nature has knocked me over the head more than once (of course during those moments when I'm least living in harmony with nature - read: spending my days writing texts in front of a computer screen). “The quality of life can be improved through living in harmony with the natural laws of the universe.”

It is interesting because this is, perhaps, the most pervasive theme in all of the ancient wisdom texts. The Stoics certainly realized it. I actually wrote a paper on how the wisdom literature of the Old Testament scriptures commonly admonish the reader to look towards nature to identify rules for living well.

In any case, I tend to be of the view that one can learn most of the important things in life by paying attention to the themes that recurred throughout the ancient wisdom literatures. And this point about living in harmony with nature has knocked me over the head more than once (of course during those moments when I’m least living in harmony with nature - read: spending my days writing texts in front of a computer screen).

]]> Comment on The Power of Thought: Calming the mind while putting it to proper use by Stephanie http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/the-power-of-thought-calming-the-mind-while-putting-it-to-proper-use/#comment-12 Stephanie Sat, 22 Jul 2006 22:22:32 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/the-power-of-thought-calming-the-mind-while-putting-it-to-proper-use/#comment-12 I understand the benefits of regular meditation, but I find myself neglecting to meditate because it is uncomfortable to face the anxiety that often arises when I quiet the "restlessness" of my mind. I assume that this becomes easier with practice and the anxiety decreases, yet have not achieved the discipline required to reach this point. Any tips for a beginner struggling to work through this discomfort? I understand the benefits of regular meditation, but I find myself neglecting to meditate because it is uncomfortable to face the anxiety that often arises when I quiet the “restlessness” of my mind. I assume that this becomes easier with practice and the anxiety decreases, yet have not achieved the discipline required to reach this point. Any tips for a beginner struggling to work through this discomfort?

]]> Comment on Asteya and the Yamas of Yoga by Ryan Kurczak http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/asteya-and-the-yamas-of-yoga/#comment-11 Ryan Kurczak Sat, 08 Jul 2006 23:26:23 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/asteya-and-the-yamas-of-yoga/#comment-11 Hi Micah: I didn\'t mean to imply stealing = a consciousness of lack. According to the dictionary, and the way I meant to use it, stealing is defined as: v. stole, (stl) sto·len, (stln) steal·ing, steals v. tr. 1) To take (the property of another) without right or permission.  It is the act of stealing that creates and sustains a consciousness in which the experience of lack will occur. One steals because they do not understand the less karmically binding route to prosperity. When one can imagine and see to be real for them abundance and always having what is needed, the universe will respond by providing opportunities for the lawful acquisition of goods. When one imagines that in order to get what one needs in life they have to take it with out regard for another, they strengthen this experience in their life. One can act without stealing. For example, when I grow a pepper plant, eat the fruit of the pepper and discard the seeds I am sustaining my body, and if the seeds fell in fertile soil it would also \"help\" the pepper plant. No stealing is involved, and life carries on as intended. Hi Micah: I didn\’t mean to imply stealing = a consciousness of lack. According to the dictionary, and the way I meant to use it, stealing is defined as:

v. stole, (stl) sto·len, (stln) steal·ing, steals v. tr.
1) To take (the property of another) without right or permission.

 It is the act of stealing that creates and sustains a consciousness in which the experience of lack will occur.

One steals because they do not understand the less karmically binding route to prosperity. When one can imagine and see to be real for them abundance and always having what is needed, the universe will respond by providing opportunities for the lawful acquisition of goods. When one imagines that in order to get what one needs in life they have to take it with out regard for another, they strengthen this experience in their life.

One can act without stealing. For example, when I grow a pepper plant, eat the fruit of the pepper and discard the seeds I am sustaining my body, and if the seeds fell in fertile soil it would also \”help\” the pepper plant. No stealing is involved, and life carries on as intended.

]]> Comment on Asteya and the Yamas of Yoga by Micah http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/asteya-and-the-yamas-of-yoga/#comment-10 Micah Thu, 06 Jul 2006 19:43:21 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/asteya-and-the-yamas-of-yoga/#comment-10 Ryan, How does one distinguish between stealing and eating if stealing is understood as "a consciousness of lack." When I prepare for dinner, I'm aware of my lack and take actions to fill that lack. If I were to steal, I may indeed have a lack comparable to my lack of food. What I'm trying to say is that everyday I perform actions to satisfy needs. While the universe may have an abundance, one must *act* to realize the abundance. In so acting, one is recognizing his current lack and taking action to collect from the universe's resources. How is stealing not just one among many ways to take part in the universe's abundant resources? Ryan,
How does one distinguish between stealing and eating if stealing is understood as “a consciousness of lack.” When I prepare for dinner, I’m aware of my lack and take actions to fill that lack. If I were to steal, I may indeed have a lack comparable to my lack of food.

What I’m trying to say is that everyday I perform actions to satisfy needs. While the universe may have an abundance, one must *act* to realize the abundance. In so acting, one is recognizing his current lack and taking action to collect from the universe’s resources.

How is stealing not just one among many ways to take part in the universe’s abundant resources?

]]> Comment on Truth and the First Limb of Yoga by Ryan http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/truth-and-the-first-limb-of-yoga/#comment-9 Ryan Mon, 03 Jul 2006 15:42:00 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/truth-and-the-first-limb-of-yoga/#comment-9 Well, this goes back to the question that asks, "whether our truthfulness is for our own ends to make us feel better by making someone else feel worse or if it is actually for the higher good." In regards to being in a relationship with an abusive person we may want to be good to ourselves and make an effort to be removed from the situation. Then when safe, we can reflect on what it is inside us that attracts us to such a relationship. Once we know we can make the internal changes to attract more positive relationships. Well, this goes back to the question that asks, “whether our truthfulness is for our own ends to make us feel better by making someone else feel worse or if it is actually for the higher good.” In regards to being in a relationship with an abusive person we may want to be good to ourselves and make an effort to be removed from the situation. Then when safe, we can reflect on what it is inside us that attracts us to such a relationship. Once we know we can make the internal changes to attract more positive relationships.

]]> Comment on The First Limb of Yoga by Ryan http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/the-first-limb-of-yoga/#comment-8 Ryan Mon, 03 Jul 2006 15:37:46 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/the-first-limb-of-yoga/#comment-8 Being forceful may be helpful on some level. Even then, after the restraint, replacing the behavior with a positive one will work better. In time, when the force of the impulse to act in a certain way is diminished it will be easier to simply make a conscious choice to respond in a different way. This also depends on the extent of damage a behavior may have on the self and other. Being forceful may be helpful on some level. Even then, after the restraint, replacing the behavior with a positive one will work better. In time, when the force of the impulse to act in a certain way is diminished it will be easier to simply make a conscious choice to respond in a different way. This also depends on the extent of damage a behavior may have on the self and other.

]]> Comment on The First Limb of Yoga by Micah http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/the-first-limb-of-yoga/#comment-7 Micah Sun, 02 Jul 2006 23:32:27 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/the-first-limb-of-yoga/#comment-7 Do you think that forceful restraint never works, or just that it is better to replace bad behaviors with good behaviors as opposed to simply cutting out bad behaviors? Do you think that forceful restraint never works, or just that it is better to replace bad behaviors with good behaviors as opposed to simply cutting out bad behaviors?

]]> Comment on Truth and the First Limb of Yoga by Micah http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/truth-and-the-first-limb-of-yoga/#comment-6 Micah Sun, 02 Jul 2006 23:26:26 +0000 http://www.yogawisdom.org/2006/truth-and-the-first-limb-of-yoga/#comment-6 Doesn't the truth have to hurt sometimes? Like when a friend needs to be told that he's got an addiction problem? Or when a husband needs to be told that he's an abuser? Doesn’t the truth have to hurt sometimes? Like when a friend needs to be told that he’s got an addiction problem? Or when a husband needs to be told that he’s an abuser?

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