{"id":13776,"date":"2017-05-01T01:10:30","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T06:10:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=14453"},"modified":"2017-04-25T13:16:02","modified_gmt":"2017-04-25T18:16:02","slug":"yoga-meditation-wisdom-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2017\/05\/01\/yoga-meditation-wisdom-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Yoga, Meditation &#038; Wisdom"},"content":{"rendered":"<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t<!--\n\t\t@page { margin: 0.79in }\n\t\tP { margin-bottom: 0.08in }\n\t\tA:link { so-language: zxx }\n\t\tA.0:link { so-language: zxx }\n\t-->\n\t<\/style>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><u>The Eight Limbs of Yoga<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">This month we move on to the most recognizable of the Eight Limbs.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">The third limb is asana, which is Sanskirt for &#8220;abiding&#8221;, meaning the physical postures within yoga. Even if you have never taken a yoga class, you are most likely aware of some of the yoga postures. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\">\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-14454\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/meditation.jpg\" alt=\"meditation\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" \/> <\/span><\/span><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">(Graphic: food.ntv.com)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\">\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\">\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\">\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">The benefits of asana are balance, strength and flexibility. Flexibility is a necessity as we age; the more flexible we are, the better we will move and the younger we will feel.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">In asana, the body is challenged. With the physical challenge, your body grows stronger and the mind, through control and focus, becomes quiet, more focused. You will find a deeper sense of conscious awareness. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\">\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-14455\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/meditation2.jpg\" alt=\"meditation2\" width=\"273\" height=\"185\" \/><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><em>(Graphic: renewing all things.com)<\/em><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Asana is necessary to prepare for meditation. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">The control we have over our physical bodies during asana comes to us through control of our breath. The awareness that we strive for begins with the breath This is pranayama, which is the fourth limb. (Please see my Meditation article from 12\/2014: <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><span lang=\"zxx\"><u><a href=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2014\/12\/a-moment-for-meditation-4\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2014\/12\/a-moment-for-meditation-4\/<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Prana is your life force; it is energy. The breath can cleanse toxins from your body, strengthen the lungs, calm the nervous system. This energy, combined with asana creates a balance of mind, body and spirit. Breath control allows us to control the mind, and not the other way around. Self-control and discipline come from the breath. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\">\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-14456\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/meditation3.jpg\" alt=\"meditation3\" width=\"264\" height=\"191\" \/><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><em>(Graphic: <span lang=\"zxx\">genesisgym.com<\/span>)<\/em><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Using various breath techniques such as 4\/4 breath, breath of fire, long deep breathing will give you energy, release stress, strengthen your aura &#8211; your projection to and protection from, the world around you. When you begin to notice and focus on your breath, you can actually feel yourself transforming, it is that powerful.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">In some yoga traditions, like Kundalini Yoga, the breath is combined with moving asana, or a kriya (action) to bring about that transformation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\">\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-14457\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/meditation4.jpg\" alt=\"meditation4\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" \/><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"LEFT\">\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><u>From the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">As Interpreted by Mukunda Stiles<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">***<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Yoga pose<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">is a steady<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">and comfortable position<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">***<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Yoga pose is mastered<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">by relaxations of effort,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">lessening the tendency<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">for restless breathing,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">and promoting an identification<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">of oneself as living<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">within <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">the infinite breath of life.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">***<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">From that<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">perfection of yoga posture,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">duality<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">***<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">When this is acquired,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">pranayama naturally follow,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">with a cessation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">of the movments<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">of inspiration and expiration.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">***<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">***<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">As a result of this pranayama,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">the veil obscuring the radiant supreme<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">light of the Inner Self dissolves.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">***<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-14458\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/meditation5.jpg\" alt=\"meditation5\" width=\"219\" height=\"230\" \/><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">And as a result,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">the mind attains fitness<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">from the contemplation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">of the True Self<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en-US\" align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">NAMASTE<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Eight Limbs of Yoga This month we move on to the most recognizable of the Eight Limbs. The third limb is asana, which is Sanskirt for &#8220;abiding&#8221;, meaning the physical postures within yoga. Even if you have never taken a yoga class, you are most likely aware of some of the yoga postures. (Graphic: food.ntv.com) The benefits of asana are balance, strength and flexibility. Flexibility is a necessity as we age; the more flexible we are, the better we will move and the younger we will feel. In asana, the body is challenged. With the physical challenge, your body grows stronger and the mind, through control and focus, becomes quiet, more focused. You will find a deeper sense of conscious awareness. (Graphic: renewing all things.com) Asana is necessary to prepare for meditation. The control we have over our physical bodies during asana comes to us through control of our breath. The awareness that we strive for begins with the breath This is pranayama, which is the fourth limb. (Please see my Meditation article from 12\/2014: https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2014\/12\/a-moment-for-meditation-4\/ Prana is your life force; it is energy. The breath can cleanse toxins from your body, strengthen the lungs, calm the nervous system. This energy, combined with asana creates a balance of mind, body and spirit. Breath control allows us to control the mind, and not the other way around. Self-control and discipline come from the breath. (Graphic: genesisgym.com) Using various breath techniques such as 4\/4 breath, breath of fire, long deep breathing will give you energy, release stress, strengthen your aura &#8211; your projection to and protection from, the world around you. When you begin to notice and focus on your breath, you can actually feel yourself transforming, it is that powerful. In some yoga traditions, like Kundalini Yoga, the breath is combined with moving asana, or a kriya (action) to bring about that transformation. From the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali As Interpreted by Mukunda Stiles *** Yoga pose is a steady and comfortable position *** Yoga pose is mastered by relaxations of effort, lessening the tendency for restless breathing, and promoting an identification of oneself as living within the infinite breath of life. *** From that perfection of yoga posture, duality *** When this is acquired, pranayama naturally follow, with a cessation of the movments of inspiration and expiration. *** *** As a result of this pranayama, the veil obscuring the radiant supreme light of the Inner Self dissolves. *** And as a result, the mind attains fitness from the contemplation of the True Self NAMASTE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":212,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/212"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13776\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}