Yoga is a state of deep peace and tranquility where thoughts reduce to the minimum and then stop. In this special state, one may become aware of one’s essential nature, which is nothing but pure consciousness and bliss, while at other times one feels totally one with the experiences mediated by the mind.
Read More“When the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not – then, say the wise, is reached the highest stage. This steady control of the senses and mind has been defined as Yoga. He who attains it is free from delusion.” - Kathopanishad
“In the state of yoga (samadhi), one is established in one’s true nature (Truth, Consciousness and Bliss), while at other times there is identification with the afflicted mutations of the mind, body and ego.” - Yoga Sutra I.3-4
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“The inner Self (consciousness) sees everything but is not seen by anything. It gives light to the intellect and ego but is not enlightened by them. It permeates and illuminates this entire insentient universe, but the universe does not affect or change it even to the slightest extent.”
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Around ten years ago, I had the great fortune to go on retreat with my teacher, Acharya. One aspect I was particularly looking forward to was a daily sitting meditation with him. At this point in time, after years’ long diversions via asana and pranayama practice, I was coming back to establishing a meditation practice. That would be strongly re-enforced by a daily sitting with my teacher over ten days.
But each evening as I sat, I was immediately and persistently distracted by a knot, a niggling tension, beneath my right shoulder-blade. And each evening my meditation was destroyed by this distraction. At this point, I had been practicing ashtanga yoga for around 20 years… and I discovered that I could still not sit comfortably for meditation!
Read MoreSelf-Realization through Ashtanga Yoga
We measure everything according to a very simple scale: does it cause pleasure or pain? Pleasure is good and attractive, while pain is something we wish to avoid if possible.
When we desire something, we feel pleasure when we attain it. This pleasure leads us to experience a sense of satisfaction, relaxation or peace for a time. But as the pleasure subsides, it is soon replaced by a craving to have that pleasure again, by a discomfort, stress, pain... an itch that has to scratched: pleasure turns to pain.
Why is this? If the object or pleasure is the real cause of our peace and happiness, why can we not sustain these good feelings once we have attained our desire? Why do we soon crave for more?
Does sensual pleasure or the acquiring of desirable objects actually engender peace and happiness or are these derived from something else?
And since the happiness derived from objects is only short lived and quickly turns again to pain, we are compelled to ask if there is a better way to attain what we desire.
Read MoreIntroduction by Ramana Maharshi
Since Brahman is the sole reality, according to advaita, how is it that Brahman is not apparent to us, whereas the prapancha (world, i.e., non-Brahman) is so vivid?
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