I was hoping that you would include a discussion on the"verify the traditional teachings for yourself" admonition. Honest practitioners at time get insights, revelations that are confirmed by the Sutras,Gita and other texts, but in modern terms. We still are the same humans with the same capacities as the ancient Rishis and experience the same insights. We are lucky to have the ancient texts to check our experience against them. I don't disagree with your on going rant against the Slop in yoga- someone should be fighting the good fight, but it might be helpful to include some light on the authentic aspects of practice.
'Gloubi-boulga' needs to be added to everyone's vocabulary.
On a more serious note, one of the biggest lessons I learnt in yoga was 'follow your heart.' Not in the conventional sense. My Guru, a Gurukula educated, gold-winning asana medalist, and PhD Yoga Science holder was dealing with a life changing decision that went against the grain of his tradition that meant ostracisation from his yoga community. I won't disclose specifics here because it is his story to tell. His attitude was 'I must follow my heart. That is what the teachings say. And my heart says take the risk.' His strict discipline in the traditional yogic system gave him the courage to do that. That is where yoga evolves from truth.
Thanks for sharing! In one sense, that’s where yoga began - in that early Upaniṣads locate the true self (whether labelled ātman or puruṣa) in the heart as opposed to the head. But it’s not always easy to discern the difference between the mind’s rationales and wiser instincts - hence the problems of being a person that yoga addresses… 🙃
I was hoping that you would include a discussion on the"verify the traditional teachings for yourself" admonition. Honest practitioners at time get insights, revelations that are confirmed by the Sutras,Gita and other texts, but in modern terms. We still are the same humans with the same capacities as the ancient Rishis and experience the same insights. We are lucky to have the ancient texts to check our experience against them. I don't disagree with your on going rant against the Slop in yoga- someone should be fighting the good fight, but it might be helpful to include some light on the authentic aspects of practice.
Thanks, Lauren - good point about the value of highlighting what works (and ideally why and how) 🙌
'Gloubi-boulga' needs to be added to everyone's vocabulary.
On a more serious note, one of the biggest lessons I learnt in yoga was 'follow your heart.' Not in the conventional sense. My Guru, a Gurukula educated, gold-winning asana medalist, and PhD Yoga Science holder was dealing with a life changing decision that went against the grain of his tradition that meant ostracisation from his yoga community. I won't disclose specifics here because it is his story to tell. His attitude was 'I must follow my heart. That is what the teachings say. And my heart says take the risk.' His strict discipline in the traditional yogic system gave him the courage to do that. That is where yoga evolves from truth.
Thanks for sharing! In one sense, that’s where yoga began - in that early Upaniṣads locate the true self (whether labelled ātman or puruṣa) in the heart as opposed to the head. But it’s not always easy to discern the difference between the mind’s rationales and wiser instincts - hence the problems of being a person that yoga addresses… 🙃