Abstract
In Yoga the main obstacle to for improving our self is the thinking habits that we tend to stick to. The Yoga meditation knows two ways of penetrating these habits. For one thing the concentration on one thought, for other the method of exact examination (Vichara).
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What has a fundamentally different meaning to other people, joy and pain, is all the same for the Yogi, a diversion from his task, that he tries to fulfil through meditation (Dhyana), which means the concentration on just one single thought by exclusion of all other thoughts[1] or also through examination (Vichara). The difference of these two paths is, that the meditating person forgets its self while the examining person is continuously asking "Who am I?"[2] The main obstacle to for improving our self is the thinking habits that we tend to stick to.[3]
Patanjali mentions five classes of causes that might lead the mind to reduce its concentration because the Yogi feels joy or pain. These are:
- Pramana, which means an ideal concept or standard to judge things or human beings which is accepted by people whether through direct personal perception (Pratyaksa), by reasoning (Anumana) or through the influnce of a source that is considered an authority (Agama);
- Viparya, which is a false concept that could never survive a thorough scientific examination;
- Vikalpa, which is a lunatic idea having no real basis at all;
- Nidra, which is the sleep, being understood as the absence of ideas and experience and possibly being severely disturbed if encumbering thoughts are ruling the mind while we try to fall asleep;
- Smrti, the memory, which leads some humans to life their live only in the past.[4]
The following causes, according to Patanjali, result only in pain (Klesa):
- Avidya, the non-knowing and ignorance;
- Asmita, the feeling of individuality that separates a person form everybody else and excludes it from every group;
- Raga, the attachment and passion;
- Dvesa, the rejection and
- Abhinivesa, the lust for life, the instinctive longing for worldly and bodily joy.[5]
About the best sitting position (Asana) Patanjali only said, that it should be firm and comfortable but still the Yogis know numerous different Asanas.[6]
© 2006 Thailin Thai Massage Berlin- Cf. Maharshi (2001), p. 143
- Cf. Maharshi (2001), p. 143
- Cf. Maharshi (2001), p. 40
- Cf. Iyengar (1966), p. 5
- Cf. Iyengar (1966), p. 5f
- Cf. Christmann (1992), p. 46
Bibliography
Christmann, V. (1992): Das Yoga-Buch. Philosophie und Praxis des Yoga. München 1992.
Iyengar, B. K. S. (1966): The Illustrated Light on Yoga. New Delhi 1966.
Maharshi, R. (2001): Sei, was du bist! o. O. 2001.
