This blog aims to share, inspire and encourage thoughts on the bigger questions surrounding Yoga and Reality, plus some ramblings along the path of life.
THE YOGA PHILOSOPY BLOG
In a world (Kali Yuga) which is getting increasingly immersed in Maya, materialism, superficiality and the gross, even the ancient science of Yoga is being diluted to accommodate the superficial.
This space acts as a humble attempt to lead sincere seekers of truth and reality back to the roots of Yoga, where the great Yoga Masters provide guidance and light on their path. If just one of you out there find inspiration from this website to help you along the path, then all this has been worthwhile.
Om
Asato Maa Sadgamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Maa Amrtam Gamaya
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih
Lead me from the unreal to the real.
Lead me from darkness to light
Lead me from death to immortality.
May there be peace, peace and perfect peace.
“Now you can choose an individual asana” the yoga teacher said “Oh thats great” giggled one of the students “its shavasana for me!” The class laughed. This student was always looking for the easy way out and asking for a quick fix! “Why shavasana?” enquired the teacher “Because its the easiest asana of course” smiled… Read more »
Q. What really is Meditation? A. There is so much talk of meditation, and there are so many variations and perspectives. This my favourite answer by Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, as it says an enormous amount in few words… “Meditation is thinking more and more on less and less ,and becoming no thing and no… Read more »
(as predicted by the late great Dr Swami Gitananda Giri, from Guru to this chela!) MAYA ALL is not what it seems! The Sanskrit word ‘MAYA’ is most often translated as ILLUSION. Maya also means MAGIC and implies extraordinary WISDOM and POWER. It is also known as ‘the MEASURER’ and imposes restrictions, limitations, contraction and… Read more »
To celebrate Swamiji’s Jyanthi at Janita’s place in France, I thought I would give a talk, based on a quote from Swamiji and finishing with a quote from Swamiji too. 30 years ago, Swami Gitananda told me: “PHYSICS and YOGA are on a crash course!” He did not mean that they would wipe each… Read more »
The wonderful science of yoga! It is amazing that every aspect or part of yoga can lead us into a state of meditation, even the cleansing and clearing of the Nadis (channels in the subtle body) will lead us there! For example, in Patanjali’s yoga sutras , there are described 8 limbs of yoga Yamas –… Read more »
“Give me another term for Samadhi!” I asked my small advanced Yoga class. The answers came fast and furious: “Bliss / Right Knowledge / Peace / Self Awareness / Nirvana / Total Contentment / Illumination, etc / Oneness”. Keep going”, I said, “There is a particular word I want from you”. Well, we continued until… Read more »
As I look out of my kitchen window into the gravelled corner of my Japanese garden, I can see some green weeds growing on the gravel! Although I have put a black membrane down beneath the stone, so nothing could grow up there, it appears that something has! It must be that the wind has… Read more »
“Welcome”, said the Yoga Teacher to the new student; “What style of Yoga have you practiced before?”. “Only the exercise Yoga, 8 years – I am quite flexible”, replied the student, “I have been practicing the movements only, but not with much breathing”. “Exercise is good”, commented the teacher, “but it is a long way… Read more »