A recap of the last 10 weeks is a mighty task to nutshell, but I’ll attempt it with the help of my trusty notes, & all your fantastic messages which I am really grateful for.. you know know who you are!
Yes, the newsletters continue, even in this Mediterranean heat, I can imagine quite clearly how people work remotely from their yachts now, although, still in my humble yet thriving garden, not a boat to be seen, nor water for that matter, except the suspiciously green looking water in the oak water butt, alive with mosquito larvae twiddling about.
I digress, the summer heat takes over and my mind turns to the wonder of the Yamas, the outer observances of our morals and ethics, and Niyamas, the inner.
So here they are:
Yamas: Ahimsa- Non Harm
Satya- Truthfulness
Asteya- To not steal
Brahmacharya- Non-excess/continence
Aparigraha- Not hoarding/non -possessiveness
Niyamas: Saucha- Cleansing/purifying
Santosha- Contentment/be with what is
Tapasya-Self discipline/discernment
Svadyaya- Self study/Identity
Ishvara Pranidhana- inner voice/Intention-Sankalpah/Surrender ego.
A lot of these “guidelines” are mysteriously similar to other ways of living, the 8 fold path of Buddhism, the 10 commandments, etc. However I like to think of these principles as something that links us together, a framework of sorts that helps us distinguish good from bad at its most basic level, and how and what we work on with ourselves, which is of course an ever changing and adjusting project.
What does it do?
Well, only you will know your version of that, and that expression, or question, “what are you working on with yourself” can seem vague and irritating sometimes, but if you have a set of guidelines like this to lean on and use as a point of reference to notice how updated you are with who you think you are, you’re doing that work. Perhaps “work” is too linked to employment to be comfortable? Then: exploring? Mapping? Or simply attempting to exist well in an ever changing body & environment is where you’ve got to..?
Mind, Nervous system & brain
At this point, having delved in to each of these observances in the past couple of months, and refreshed a concept with myself which has been hidden for a while, and it came up at a talk last week (in the Ishvara Pranidhana week):
The fact that my mind and brain exist side by side, and inform the nervous system how best to function with the conditions available.
So if I tell myself for example, that I have a condition of some kind, then my nervous system will back it up with adaptations to suit that perception of that condition.
Transformation is also available
Luckily, it works both ways, if I tell myself (my brain & NS) that I am fit & well and that ache will be soothed with a bit of pranayama & yoga, a good diet, and a bit more sleep, plus a decent dose of inner (& maybe outer) smile, then it will pass, or change as everything does.
I could linger and wallow in a sense of lack and pain, or I could be proactive and give myself less of a hard time, therefore easing my way through a potentially tricky patch, and my mind will have to tag along.
Sounds a bit like Yin yoga?
Yes it does! In Yin, the body gives the mind feedback on how it's doing and the mind has a set of principles which you have downloaded to figure out what to do with the signals from the body. The wonder of Yin is that these principles can be adapted and can change as we move through time... so it's worth having time to update yourself to check you are still who you thought you were!
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The Sutras (commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda) are peppered with threads which back up these considerations, one of my favourites is this one:
" "Mana eva Manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoho"
-As the mind so the man, to feel bound or liberated are in your own mind. If you feel bound, you are bound, if you feel liberated, you are liberated." commentary on the second sutra. "Yogas Citta Vrtti Nirodhah" 1.2
What about the Ashtanga asana sequence?
I cant get very far without this sequence being mentioned! it's an intriguing puzzle for us all to ponder if this is coming up.
The traditional teachers will have been quite strict and expect much from our bodies, the sequence is often thought of as a hard and dynamic activity for the body to endure, and often practitioners will hurl themselves at postures that will inevitably give them a hard time later.
Could it be that perhaps with a more gentle approach this sequence could reveal a different kind of "efforting" a sense that kindness and, dare I suggest "fun" might be more of a priority for us?
I love the sequence, and have a relationship with each of the asanas, some I need to be careful with, some I can dive into with wild abandon! but we are all so different, and with the Yamas & Niyamas lingering at the forefront of my mind I think we can tailor the primary series to fit our bodies, and why not?
..Lets move on to our quotes & inspirations!
