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PocketLady



Registered: 01/18/10
Posts: 1,773
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Misconceptions about Yoga 1
#26449927 - 01/24/20 12:31 PM (4 years, 5 days ago) |
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In this short video, my teacher Daishi shares the true purpose of yoga on the spiritual path, and how we might be missing the point
-------------------- Love is from the infinite, and will remain until eternity. The seeker of love escapes the chains of birth and death. Tomorrow, when resurrection comes, The heart that is not in love will fail the test. ~ Rumi The day we start giving Love instead of seeking Love, we will have re-written our whole destiny. ~ Swami Chinmayanada Saraswatir
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feldman114
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: PocketLady]
#26449942 - 01/24/20 12:39 PM (4 years, 5 days ago) |
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“Yoga” has been stolen by hipsters and hippie-wannabes. We should cut our losses and accept that. “Integral Yoga” is nice and specific and “IY” isn’t taken by any other term that I know of.
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feldman114
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: feldman114]
#26449945 - 01/24/20 12:40 PM (4 years, 5 days ago) |
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Oh wait, I guess it’s “integrated”, not integral. Translation mishap
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DividedQuantum
Outer Head


Registered: 12/06/13
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: PocketLady] 1
#26449976 - 01/24/20 12:58 PM (4 years, 5 days ago) |
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Yoga means union. Any time we are experiencing oneness, we are engaged in yoga. In the most general sense.
-------------------- Vi Veri Universum Vivus Vici
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PocketLady



Registered: 01/18/10
Posts: 1,773
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Yeah I agree DQ. The height of what most people believe to be 'union' is the state of Samadhi. That is supposed to be the pinnacle of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. However, in the Yoga Sutras, Pantanjali briefly mentions something beyond Samadhi called Samyama, of which a true working understanding seems to be almost completely lost today. It seems like we might be missing a very important piece of the puzzle.
-------------------- Love is from the infinite, and will remain until eternity. The seeker of love escapes the chains of birth and death. Tomorrow, when resurrection comes, The heart that is not in love will fail the test. ~ Rumi The day we start giving Love instead of seeking Love, we will have re-written our whole destiny. ~ Swami Chinmayanada Saraswatir
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PocketLady



Registered: 01/18/10
Posts: 1,773
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: feldman114]
#26450011 - 01/24/20 01:14 PM (4 years, 5 days ago) |
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Quote:
feldman114 said: “Yoga” has been stolen by hipsters and hippie-wannabes. We should cut our losses and accept that. “Integral Yoga” is nice and specific and “IY” isn’t taken by any other term that I know of.
It's true that when most people talk about 'Yoga' these days, what they are actually talking about are 'Asanas' (postures), which is only one of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. But even in people who understand there is more to it than just postures, there still seem to be a lot of misconceptions about the true purpose, and in this situation I think it goes beyond whatever name we choose to give it.
Edited by PocketLady (01/24/20 01:35 PM)
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feldman114
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: PocketLady]
#26450050 - 01/24/20 01:40 PM (4 years, 5 days ago) |
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Quote:
PocketLady said: Yeah I agree DQ. The height of what most people believe to be 'union' is the state of Samadhi. That is supposed to be the pinnacle of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. However, in the Yoga Sutras, Pantanjali briefly mentions something beyond Samadhi called Samyama, of which a true working understanding seems to be almost completely lost today. It seems like we might be missing a very important piece of the puzzle.
First off, I agree - we’re definitely missing a whole lot of lost knowledge. To me, Yoga is the road to rediscovering it. And it’s purpose is to take us even farther...evolve into a higher state of existence, together.
Pantanjali’s work (like everything else written in Sunskrit) has been expanded on and, if you ask me, improved on by Sri Aurobindo. Reading Pantanjali is ridiculously difficult too, while Aurobindo actually has some stylistic grace. Idk how else to put it except that you “feel” the truth of his words as you’re processing them. Aurobindo wrote most of his stuff in English as well, so nothing is lost in translation. Plus, he references modern history, science and western philosophy, in addition to Eastern spiritual texts. Way easier to understand.
“The Human Cycle” & “Life Divine” - is anyone’s interested, this is where you start.
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feldman114
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: feldman114]
#26450062 - 01/24/20 01:46 PM (4 years, 5 days ago) |
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They’re not even doing actual Asanas though. Just stretching and 5-10 fundamental poses. I’ve fallen off now, but I did Asanas for months without noticeable effects, until I added a Pronoyama session. That was eye-opening, just to stand up after some “stretching” and “breathing” and feel like I did a line of coke. Like “Fuck yes, let’s do this! I’m ready for anything today”. Also, during the 2+ years when I did daily Asanas, I got sick 0 times - no flu, no cold, no headaches.
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PocketLady



Registered: 01/18/10
Posts: 1,773
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: feldman114]
#26450074 - 01/24/20 01:51 PM (4 years, 5 days ago) |
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Quote:
feldman114 said:
First off, I agree - we’re definitely missing a whole lot of lost knowledge. To me, Yoga is the road to rediscovering it. And it’s purpose is to take us even farther...evolve into a higher state of existence, together.
Pantanjali’s work (like everything else written in Sunskrit) has been expanded on and, if you ask me, improved on by Sri Aurobindo. Reading Pantanjali is ridiculously difficult too, while Aurobindo actually has some stylistic grace. Idk how else to put it except that you “feel” the truth of his words as you’re processing them. Aurobindo wrote most of his stuff in English as well, so nothing is lost in translation. Plus, he references modern history, science and western philosophy, in addition to Eastern spiritual texts. Way easier to understand.
“The Human Cycle” & “Life Divine” - is anyone’s interested, this is where you start.
It was Pantanjali that originally laid it out Yoga for us in this format, and I agree that there are definitely easier sources to learn it from in this day age. Thanks for sharing some of your favourite sources. Personally I am of the opinion that it's virtually impossible to grasp the true essence of Yoga without a teacher who can guide you in a direct and personalised way. Sure, you can probably learn about Yama, Niyama, or even some basic techniques to use in meditation like Pratyahara on your own. However I don't think you can just read a book and gain the skills required to master very advanced states such as Samyama. That requires direct guidance from someone who has attained it themselves.
-------------------- Love is from the infinite, and will remain until eternity. The seeker of love escapes the chains of birth and death. Tomorrow, when resurrection comes, The heart that is not in love will fail the test. ~ Rumi The day we start giving Love instead of seeking Love, we will have re-written our whole destiny. ~ Swami Chinmayanada Saraswatir
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PocketLady



Registered: 01/18/10
Posts: 1,773
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: feldman114]
#26450097 - 01/24/20 02:02 PM (4 years, 5 days ago) |
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And I hear what you are saying about asanas. Even that doesn't seem to be practiced the way it was intended in your average yoga class these days. Personally I notice the difference from just doing 15-20 mins before I sit each day, but that is along with pranayama.
-------------------- Love is from the infinite, and will remain until eternity. The seeker of love escapes the chains of birth and death. Tomorrow, when resurrection comes, The heart that is not in love will fail the test. ~ Rumi The day we start giving Love instead of seeking Love, we will have re-written our whole destiny. ~ Swami Chinmayanada Saraswatir
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BrendanFlock
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: PocketLady]
#26459505 - 01/30/20 03:32 AM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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How does Yoga relate to relaxing through things?
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Citizen X
Call me Pepper,,

Registered: 01/19/14
Posts: 7,787
Loc: Djibouti
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I am avoiding these talks for the moment and doing yoga with an open mind. just enjoying the experience I follow the yoga with a guided meditation
Things have been going good. I really like the thread topic but I’m just avoiding it for now and enjoying the journey without preconceived notions
--------------------
Rate me here
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feldman114
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: Citizen X]
#26459802 - 01/30/20 08:13 AM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Citizen X said: I am avoiding these talks for the moment and doing yoga with an open mind. just enjoying the experience I follow the yoga with a guided meditation
Things have been going good. I really like the thread topic but I’m just avoiding it for now and enjoying the journey without preconceived notions
That’s the beauty of Yoga though - there are no preconceptions. Yogi don’t claim to know what happens after we die. They don’t want to “convert” anyone. They just try to record, preserve, and pass on their own trial-and-error experience, so someday we can evolve into something better than humans.
Glad to hear you’re trying to pave your own way though, much respect. There’s more to learn inside ourselves than in any books.
Can I ask exactly what you mean by “guided meditation”? Sounds interesting. You don’t meditate alone?
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banquet
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: PocketLady]
#26460256 - 01/30/20 01:17 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
PocketLady said:
Quote:
feldman114 said:
It's true that when most people talk about 'Yoga' these days, what they are actually talking about are 'Asanas' (postures), which is only one of the Eight Limbs of Yoga.
I thought that was 5 years ago...
people still think like that...
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dk-1

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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: feldman114]
#26460434 - 01/30/20 02:55 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
feldman114 said: “Yoga” has been stolen by hipsters and hippie-wannabes. We should cut our losses and accept that. “Integral Yoga” is nice and specific and “IY” isn’t taken by any other term that I know of.
Stolen from who? Isn't that the same crowd that has always been interested in Eastern philosophy and religious practices in the Western world?
Edited by dk-1 (01/30/20 02:56 PM)
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feldman114
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: dk-1]
#26460449 - 01/30/20 03:03 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
dk-1 said:
Quote:
feldman114 said: “Yoga” has been stolen by hipsters and hippie-wannabes. We should cut our losses and accept that. “Integral Yoga” is nice and specific and “IY” isn’t taken by any other term that I know of.
Stolen from who? Isn't that the same crowd that has always been interested in Eastern philosophy and religious practices in the Western world?
No, that’d be actual hippies
Not poser-ass “look how weird I am” hipsters. Who borrowed a pair of pants from their sisters, And grew their mustaches till they had whiskers.
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dk-1

Registered: 06/04/18
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: feldman114]
#26460731 - 01/30/20 06:08 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
feldman114 said:
Quote:
dk-1 said:
Quote:
feldman114 said: “Yoga” has been stolen by hipsters and hippie-wannabes. We should cut our losses and accept that. “Integral Yoga” is nice and specific and “IY” isn’t taken by any other term that I know of.
Stolen from who? Isn't that the same crowd that has always been interested in Eastern philosophy and religious practices in the Western world?
No, that’d be actual hippies
Not poser-ass “look how weird I am” hipsters. Who borrowed a pair of pants from their sisters, And grew their mustaches till they had whiskers.
I don't think most hippies were very authentic in their convictions/dedication to Eastern philosophy either. As far as I know, it was the Beat (who were the original hipsters) generation who really popularised that stuff in America.
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Citizen X
Call me Pepper,,

Registered: 01/19/14
Posts: 7,787
Loc: Djibouti
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: feldman114] 1
#26460976 - 01/30/20 08:18 PM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
feldman114 said:
Quote:
Citizen X said: I am avoiding these talks for the moment and doing yoga with an open mind. just enjoying the experience I follow the yoga with a guided meditation
Things have been going good. I really like the thread topic but I’m just avoiding it for now and enjoying the journey without preconceived notions
That’s the beauty of Yoga though - there are no preconceptions. Yogi don’t claim to know what happens after we die. They don’t want to “convert” anyone. They just try to record, preserve, and pass on their own trial-and-error experience, so someday we can evolve into something better than humans.
Glad to hear you’re trying to pave your own way though, much respect. There’s more to learn inside ourselves than in any books.
Can I ask exactly what you mean by “guided meditation”? Sounds interesting. You don’t meditate alone?
Yes I use an app that has real people talking you through something like a breathing meditation, or a body scan, mantras are real common
Before bed yoga and meditation. My mat is by my bed so there’s no excuses. I been doing it several months now and it’s been life changing. I’m back to feeling like my old self. I encourage anybody and everybody to start now
--------------------
Rate me here
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feldman114
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: Citizen X]
#26461670 - 01/31/20 07:21 AM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Citizen X said:
Quote:
feldman114 said:
Quote:
Citizen X said: I am avoiding these talks for the moment and doing yoga with an open mind. just enjoying the experience I follow the yoga with a guided meditation
Things have been going good. I really like the thread topic but I’m just avoiding it for now and enjoying the journey without preconceived notions
That’s the beauty of Yoga though - there are no preconceptions. Yogi don’t claim to know what happens after we die. They don’t want to “convert” anyone. They just try to record, preserve, and pass on their own trial-and-error experience, so someday we can evolve into something better than humans.
Glad to hear you’re trying to pave your own way though, much respect. There’s more to learn inside ourselves than in any books.
Can I ask exactly what you mean by “guided meditation”? Sounds interesting. You don’t meditate alone?
Yes I use an app that has real people talking you through something like a breathing meditation, or a body scan, mantras are real common
Before bed yoga and meditation. My mat is by my bed so there’s no excuses. I been doing it several months now and it’s been life changing. I’m back to feeling like my old self. I encourage anybody and everybody to start now
Huh, so there’s an app for that too? Gotta look into this...
How long did it take you to get used to sleeping on a mat? I tried a few times (back problems) but couldn’t fall asleep.
Glad to hear you’re reaping the benefits already. Makes me want to stop slacking too lol
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feldman114
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Re: Misconceptions about Yoga [Re: dk-1]
#26461680 - 01/31/20 07:28 AM (3 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
dk-1 said:
Quote:
feldman114 said:
Quote:
dk-1 said:
Quote:
feldman114 said: “Yoga” has been stolen by hipsters and hippie-wannabes. We should cut our losses and accept that. “Integral Yoga” is nice and specific and “IY” isn’t taken by any other term that I know of.
Stolen from who? Isn't that the same crowd that has always been interested in Eastern philosophy and religious practices in the Western world?
No, that’d be actual hippies
Not poser-ass “look how weird I am” hipsters. Who borrowed a pair of pants from their sisters, And grew their mustaches till they had whiskers.
I don't think most hippies were very authentic in their convictions/dedication to Eastern philosophy either. As far as I know, it was the Beat (who were the original hipsters) generation who really popularised that stuff in America.
Okay, you might be right. Guess I’m just getting old and the “new wave” seems super fake... Plus I’m in NYC so every 3rd person I see on the street looks like a time traveling Mouseketeer. I listen to their “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual” conversations at work and it kinda makes me want to scalp a baby.
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