According to the traditions of Hinduism, out of which yoga took form, we exist in one of three states of consciousness at all times. The objective reality we all share and try to agree upon is the first state of awareness, its called jagrat. This waking state is identified with the limited concerns of the ego and its particular time and space. While in the jagrat state we are drowning in that which we seek...
According to the traditions of Hinduism, out of which
yoga took form, we exist in one of three states of
consciousness at all times. The objective reality we
all share and try to agree upon is the first state of
awareness, its called jagrat. This waking state is
identified with the limited concerns of the ego and
its particular time and space. While in the jagrat
state we are drowning in that which we seek, deluded
by the very fabric of experience. Once asleep we
begin to dream and enter the second state of
consciousness called swapa. In dreams we continue to
delude ourselves through attachments the ego has to
the world, however, our experience becomes ours
alone. The subjective nature of swapa can result in
time and space becoming vague or warped. Beyond
dreams we enter a deep state of awareness called
sushupti. As we pass into unconsciousness we loose
all identification with the ego and thus all
reference to time and space slips away. While in
sushupti, we flow into the eternal nature of the
universe...then the alarm goes off, we hit the snooze
button and the whole process starts anew. You might
liken yoga to the lenses in eyeglasses. Yoga focuses
or intensifies the energies of our life, thereby
clarifying our attachments. With sustained practice
yoga can take us to the fourth state of consciousness
called turiya. Here we wake up to the eternal nature
of the universe and begin to experience the bliss of
samadhi moving beyond attachment.
Interestingly,
the various states of awareness are part and parcel
of the symbol and sound of Om (AUM). A represents
jagrat, U invokes swapa, M symbolizes sushupti and
the resonating vibration turiya. By chanting Om we
make audible the very thing we seek.
Many of you have asked me about my experience with
Guruji while I was in San Francisco, so I thought I
would share some of my impressions with you.
Each morning I awoke at 4:45am and traveled into
downtown San Francisco. I stood in line outside the
Regency building waiting for a space for my
mat...
Many of you have asked me about my experience with
Guruji while I was in San Francisco, so I thought I
would share some of my impressions with you.
Each morning I awoke at 4:45am and traveled into
downtown San Francisco. I stood in line outside the
Regency building waiting for a space for my mat in
the crowded room within. I was one of more than 300
practioners in the first class. Space was at a
premium...we were told not to stagger our mats. I was
kicked as people rolled back in chakrasana and hit as
people reached up in Virabadrasana 1. The first day
was the hardest...it was easy to allow my mind to be
distracted by so many people and hard to understand
Guruji’s thick Indian accent. However, I had
tears of gratitude in my eyes after that first day.
I have practiced Ashtanga yoga nearly half of my life
and in that time worked with countless teachers.
Practicing with Guruji was like returning home after
a long trip...both familiar and soothingly
comfortable. He was tough! His approach while
confrontational was non-aggressive and reminded me a
great deal of my own teaching style. I was struck by
the direct nature of his teaching...unfettered by his
individuality, it harkened to a much greater
experience. For me the experience was like tuning a
guitar and Guruji was the perfect pitch.
Finally, I was grateful for having been taught such a
dynamic practice. Ashtanga yoga teaches us directly
that liberation does not come looking for us. We must
consistently make the effort to seek it out...it is
in the seeking that we find freedom from our
limitations.