The Concept of Awareness – Part Two
Satguru Bodhinatha Veylaswami gives an Part 2 of his upadeshas on the concept of awareness from the yogic perspective.
6 Responses to “The Concept of Awareness – Part Two”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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January 15th, 2021 at 6:30 pm
“AUM”!.
January 16th, 2021 at 2:24 am
Om
January 16th, 2021 at 8:03 am
“Yoga -capitalized : a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation.” Bodhinatha’s introduction quoting this definition from Merriam Webster of Yoga was a “wow” experience. Not only in Bodhinatha pointing out their surprising recognition of the subtleties of Gurudeva’s teachings and the classical teachings of Pantanjali but also INCLUDING the phrase “Hindu THEISTIC” philosophy. I have a new respect for Merriam Webster – I am not sure there is a word more dismissed in the universal practice and teaching of any ancient mystical art than this one. Theism is a big problem with many “yoga teachers” today. They want to divorce themselves from religion and any relationship with “God”. They like to teach in “universal” terms – “scientific” terms and distance themselves as far as they can from any religious context. It is like saying that you can go to the moon without a spaceship.
January 16th, 2021 at 8:13 am
and I should have capitalized HINDU as well – HINDU THEISTIC !
January 16th, 2021 at 9:08 am
BTW: Here is the definition on my Mac OS dictionary just for contrast and showing how “modern influence” can eclipse & dilute scholarship:
Yoga: a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation: [as modifier]: yoga classes.
February 5th, 2021 at 6:20 am
Jai Swami Ji