20th April 2008
P: Why have you come into this mission of Yoga?
S:We know that without the inner calmness, no amount of material evolution can keep us happy.So how can we reach that happiness?The answer, once you find it is so much simpler than the question itself!!First, let's take a look around...the nature is always in action...whether it is creation..operation or destruction.Remember all actions that we do or that goes on in nature come under these three categories. In India we related these three actions to the three GUNAS (qualities)of nature, Rajo, Sattva and Tamas; again to the three beautiful personifications of BRAHMA, VISHNU and SHIVA. But for a seeker of liberation even these are finite! ( *Will talk about their finite nature later).Where ever we look we see kind of order and harmony..as in a chain reaction ..an equation of cause and effect.. governed by Karma*.As we talk about the material evolution we come across the discoveries and inventions ... great people who have the perseverance unveiling some secrets of the nature.All these material knowledge and spiritual wisdom is there right within you..within everyone of us! But with the noise of our thinking..without the silence from within..we cannot hear it! How to commune with this silence..harmony?Start the practice of YOGA.
April21st 2008
P: Who is eligible to be teaching yoga?
S:Yoga is all about the science of union.Practice of yoga is the scientific method..a step by step approach towards cosmic union..a sadhana beyond any objective divisions of place,time or class.A yogi who has attained liberation may rightly teach others about these steps..and he who is a 'jeevanmukta '
P: But nowadays people are looking for registered yoga teachers and organisations.Are all these yoga teachers eligible?
Chechi is Smiling!
S: Are you trying to contradict something or to prove something? Prasanna... you have still not completely accepted the definition on karma. Smiling! All people are eligible in their own rights and levels of spiritual evolution. Yoga has been and will be practised and taught for thousands of years.
April 24th 2008
P: We see many people in saffron posing to be sanyasis yet not.Why is it so?
S:Detachment..renunciation. Renunciation is not just about doning the ochre robe,it is the renunciation of desires,passions and attachments. One whose mind is totally renounced becomes dissloved in the cosmic consciousness that he embraces the whole in cosmic love and oneness. If a particular color of clothing helps an aspirant to keep away the fluctuations let it be so.
P:How would you want us to understand and practice yoga?
S:The realization is there in every atom of existence. But the waves of delusions ….waves of emotions makes the ocean of mind turbulent that we can’t hear the whisperings of the truth! ....pulling us deeper into the depths of this enticing world for that’s the reason and cause of the duality…. the feeling of existence .Letting the thoughts pass through… when the mind is still and calm we start to listen or to hear the truth like a beautiful music…..or the divine dance of a self forgotten dancer….that it never stops !!! the silence !!! it’s high and deep it’s the silence of totality….the enjoyment ..the smile of being!!!
This is the path of Chanting ….this is where it’ll lead to!!!
To live in sadness or happiness…is a relative choice….. what so may be, enjoy it totally!!! Yes, it takes courage to enjoy and this is where all needs a helping hand …a trusting heart ….. a comfortable path. SILENCE! PEACE.. HARMONY…THE SILENCE! That’s Sanyas.. it’s yoga.
P:It is difficult ..very difficult to stay without the thoughts straying in the wild!
S:As it's said to err is human.We are a part of the animal kingdom..the species homosapiens!!! so it's natural ..but again we have to be aware that we are different in a way from other animals with our( DISCRIMINATIVE )power of 'vivecha'.So as you move on in the path with yoga your energy has to be directed for the journey into the self..so slowly and consciously keep watching yourself.Needs do arise ..they are very very dominant so what?you are aware of the emotion NEED..it can hurt..so watch it like a thorn in the rose.Try to channel this NEED don't let it spread ..the reins in your hands it's difficult..just enjoy the feel of the reins of your wild mind ...safe in your hands.It's simple!!You do have the courage to do it!Let your eyes twinkle with enjoyment, holding the reins of that wild mind. Its difficult...but then it means possible!!
P:Even with all this there is still a feeling of voidness...far away from the calm you say!
S: You are with your calmness.. if you indulge in it without awareness you might feel to be alone.. that's fine.. but we are in a world and we have work and live.. so dear float on your calmness but not drown in it.. that's the way to be in it. There is loneliness in everybody.. there is a state of longing.. yearning.. in everybody.. this we recognize as sadness.. we try projecting the loneliness and longing to the very objective level, we try to identify this with somebody or something in the material world.. we think if we find it everything would be fine. If that was true ,the world wouldn't be what it is now.. the families wouldn't fight.. the lovers would never separate.. people wouldn't be so strained and irritated. So you have know that if you identify it in the material level.. work to take it to the level of divinity or you'll be back where you started.. still lonely and longing! There is an option.. a beautiful way to handle it! Take your Patanjali text.. you opened it?? ok now see the 23rd line in the 1st chapter.. "Isvara pranidhanat va" it means, Or surrender to the Supreme Self. There are two words Isvara and Surrender. If you get to realize these two words you become a YOGI, a very happy Yogi!!!Now let me try to explain it.. in India it's easier.. like I told we have a very romantic personification KRISHNA.. at the very beginning of practice the longing, the yearning is identified with this personified SELF.. he is your COSMIC Lover the perfect one who will never go away from you.. is always there for you.. unless or until you wish otherwise.. your longing for him is the CHANT.. you are conscious of him in you always.. like you say the yearning is so deep that it feels so vacant.. empty.. helpless without him.. you cry for him.. you dress for him. Your love for him.. is your energy.. is your beauty.. is the secret on your smiling lips.. the glow in your eyes.. everything you do is a worship unto him.. every thought is for him.. every moment is there so that you can love him.. the world is beautiful.. you live to love him.. live in the SWEETNESS of the AGONY of loving HIM the SELF.. this is SURRENDER.. total surrender to the SELF.At first the calmness by surrender will isolate you ..but look around you with the love you feel for HIM and my!! it's wonderful! Totally!! I tell you.. it's wonderful.. enjoy to love the SELF.. he's your perfect lover and let the world enjoy it through you my beautiful Sishu!! This is a stage in the practice to LIBERATION..SAMADHI .. love and surrender is your beautiful practice.. so just move over this stage of voidness.. transcend it.. you can do it.. I'm there for you.. hold to my hands trustingly and let's move on.. it's beautiful!!! really!!
