{"id":14339,"date":"2017-07-01T01:10:54","date_gmt":"2017-07-01T06:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=14853"},"modified":"2017-06-27T12:09:12","modified_gmt":"2017-06-27T17:09:12","slug":"yoga-meditation-wisdom-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2017\/07\/01\/yoga-meditation-wisdom-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Yoga, Meditation, & Wisdom"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Eight Limbs of Yoga<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This month’s column will wrap up The Eight Limbs of Yoga, as we focus on Dhyana and Samadhi.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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(Photo Credit: anandashram.org<\/a>)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dhyana = worship. It is contemplation, focus and concentration; the ability to find the truth about something – an object, a thought – with perfect meditation. As our minds become clearer, our perceptions do as well. We can readily discern what is, and what is not, reality.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“Maya” is illusion. It is our perceptions, our judgements, our thoughts and feelings based on our lives, that color and filter all that we do and think.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“Moksha” is the freedom to see and perceive things clearly, as they really are and not what we judge them to be based on our own filters. This freedom exists in the now. It is having no ego, no attachments, no wants or needs. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To get one (Moksha), you must cast off the other (Maya). Using the power of meditation, we clear our minds to see beyond our illusions; we must be aware enough to “see” beyond what we see with our filters.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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(Photo Credit: <\/i><\/span><\/span>yogatrail.com<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u>)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The last limb is Samadhi, which means “to merge”. This is “the final and true state of Yoga” (from samadhiyoga.net)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Through utmost patience and years (and years) of diligent practice, we can reach that perfect place with a blissful and peaceful soul.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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(Photo Credit: <\/i><\/span><\/span>samadhiyoga.net<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u>)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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From the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As interpreted by Mukunda Stiles<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 1, Verses 15 – 18<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Non-attachment<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

is the mastery of consciousness,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

wherein one is free from craving<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

objects of enjoyment,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

whether they have been perceived<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

or imagined from promises in scriptures.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The ultimate state of non-attachment<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

arises from self-realization,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

in which there is indifference<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

to the primordial forces of desire,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

as everything<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and everyone<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

is experienced as one’s<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

own True Self<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thorough knowledge<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

is accompanied by inquiry<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

into its four forms<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

analytical thinking about an object,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

meditative insights on thoughts,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

reflections into the nature of bliss,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and inquiry into one’s essential purity.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Another form <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

of thorough knowledge<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

is preceded by resolute practice<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

to completely cease<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

identification with the contents of the mind.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a result,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

only subliminal impressions remain<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and their residue <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

has no impact on the mind.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Verse 43<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When the <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

storehouse of memories and impressions<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

is completely purified,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

perception is<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

empty of vacillations<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and only the object’s<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

true essence <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

shines forth in <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

thought-free perception.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Verse 51<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When the mind<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

becomes free from obstruction<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

all vacillations cease, <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and the mind becomes<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

absorbed into spirit<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

without producing future seeds.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thus a new mind is born<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

of this wisdom,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

free of ignorance<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

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(Photo Credits: Pinterest)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Eight Limbs of Yoga This month’s column will wrap up The Eight Limbs of Yoga, as we focus on Dhyana and Samadhi. (Photo Credit: anandashram.org) Dhyana = worship. It is contemplation, focus and concentration; the ability to find the truth about something – an object, a thought – with perfect meditation. As our minds become clearer, our perceptions do as well. We can readily discern what is, and what is not, reality. “Maya” is illusion. It is our perceptions, our judgements, our thoughts and feelings based on our lives, that color and filter all that we do and think. “Moksha” is the freedom to see and perceive things clearly, as they really are and not what we judge them to be based on our own filters. This freedom exists in the now. It is having no ego, no attachments, no wants or needs. To get one (Moksha), you must cast off the other (Maya). Using the power of meditation, we clear our minds to see beyond our illusions; we must be aware enough to “see” beyond what we see with our filters. (Photo Credit: yogatrail.com) The last limb is Samadhi, which means “to merge”. This is “the final and true state of Yoga” (from samadhiyoga.net) Through utmost patience and years (and years) of diligent practice, we can reach that perfect place with a blissful and peaceful soul. (Photo Credit: samadhiyoga.net) From the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali As interpreted by Mukunda Stiles Chapter 1, Verses 15 – 18 Non-attachment is the mastery of consciousness, wherein one is free from craving objects of enjoyment, whether they have been perceived or imagined from promises in scriptures. The ultimate state of non-attachment arises from self-realization, in which there is indifference to the primordial forces of desire, as everything and everyone is experienced as one’s own True Self Thorough knowledge is accompanied by inquiry into its four forms analytical thinking about an object, meditative insights on thoughts, reflections into the nature of bliss, and inquiry into one’s essential purity. Another form of thorough knowledge is preceded by resolute practice to completely cease identification with the contents of the mind. As a result, only subliminal impressions remain and their residue has no impact on the mind. Verse 43 When the storehouse of memories and impressions is completely purified, perception is empty of vacillations and only the object’s true essence shines forth in thought-free perception. Verse 51 When the mind becomes free from obstruction all vacillations cease, and the mind becomes absorbed into spirit without producing future seeds. Thus a new mind is born of this wisdom, free of ignorance (Photo Credits: Pinterest)<\/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-14339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14339","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=14339"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13671,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14339\/revisions\/13671"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}