by Ravi Ravindra
A Reflection…
What a wonderful treasure to have found within one hundred and fifty seven pages. A compilation of essays are arranged within four distinct chapters all dancing as one to provide the reader and student with extensive insight into the traditions and origin of yoga.
Although a glossary of the Sanskrit and Pali words used throughout accompanied the book, I found it a challenge to remember the meanings of these terms as I read and would have preferred a translation within the text to provide a smoother interpretation.
Woven within each article are wonderful lessons and inspiring words referenced from the two great texts of yoga in India, Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s, the Yoga Sutra. Amongst the vast array of powerful words, there were a handful of phrases that I felt represented the chapter and resonated with me the most; I have shared these special quotes as you read on.
1 – Yoga & Religion
The author was very skilled in his exploration and clear definition of religion and the integration with yoga. He dedicated time to describe the idea of yoga as religion and how it encompasses psychotherapy as a merging of physiology and psychology. Ravindra effectively described the universal God and how the title given by various religious groups is irrelevant. He further described how yoga accompanied this concept of God and a higher power.
“An awakening to the real, to the realization that the person within is one
with Brahman or with God, brings a freedom from death, or from death and re-death, the endless cycle of birth and death, as is classically said in India. This is the principle concern of yoga and of spiritual disciplines everywhere.” pg 30-31
“A person for whom the ego-identity, which claims “I am this” or “I am
that,” is no longer the central motivating force of life, but who is cleansed in the supreme identity of oneness with Brahman or God or Suchness,
can say simply “I AM.” pg 43
2 – Yoga in the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita
Extracting from two of the most integral writings; the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita, this chapter included extensive lessons on all aspects of “what is yoga” and its encompassing components (i.e. limbs, types, ethical principles etc…). Ravindra eloquently interlaced the term “Royal yoga” throughout the essays. He effectively touched on yoga and its position with respect to concepts of power and spirituality. Furthermore, to raise the awareness of self, self consciousness and self realization Ravi introduced the Teaching of Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita.
As Krishna says: “Renouncing all action on me, mindful of your inner self
without expectation, and without self-occupation, struggle without agitation.” (BG 3:30) pg 89
“We can not be right with respect to external nature
unless we are right with respect to our internal nature.”pg 99
3 – Yoga & Other Paths
This section explored yoga and its position within different religions such as Christianity and Sikh tradition. Ravindra displayed sensitivity and care as he conveyed how each spiritual path currently practiced on our earth are all integrated and seek the same ultimate goal. Yoga resides in the shadows of each of all paths.
“When we are emptied of our own self, we can be filled
with God and become one with the source.” pg 107
“…almost all of us – whether we label ourselves as Hindus, Sikhs,
Buddhists, Christians, or whatever, are being driven by forces other than the
wish to connect with the highest or deepest insights; we are driven by egotism, fear and desire.” pg 112-113
4 – Yoga off of the mat
This chapter spoke to me to a great extent as it simplified and created a true sense of how to live a yogic life. It reminded the reader how important living yoga in daily life but to not live as though you are above others.
“It is the lack of a love affair with life that makes
everything stale, dull and uninteresting.” pg 149
“We become aware that deep down in ourselves there is a
contradiction, there is a part that searches for the truth.” pg 151
“Involved, they seem like onlookers, The various forces of nature do not
disturb them.
They know that this is all a play of forces. They are firm, unshaken.”(BG
14:22) pg 157
“Daily life is not only the place of spiritual practice,
it is the goal of all spiritual practice.” pg 156
A true example of a gem, this is a resource that I will pick up time and time again – each experience and learning different from the last.
Laura, teacher and forever student of yoga
