The History of Yoga – part II
Continued on the History of Yoga. Follow below.
- Samkhya – A philosophy originating approximately 3,000 years ago that influenced all other Yoga traditions that came after. Jnana Yoga.
Spiritual path as a science of describing the nature of the universe and mind
- This philosophy sees itself as the mother of science;
- The concepts of avidya, hope and suffering and kaivalya, enlightenment as salvation appear for the first time;
The aim was to describe all components of the Universe with spirit as the most fundamental; - The original Samkhya makes no reference to God because the aim is scientific and not religious investigation;
- Samkhya declares that the Universe is a school where we can discover our true nature with spirit;
- Pure spirit, purusha, is seen as distinct from matter, prakriti;
- Every Yoga that came after is based on this philosophy in one way or another;
- The methodology of Samkhya is contemplation on the spirit and discernment between matter and spirit.
What keeps a person attached to matter is the activity of the three gunas – rajas, tamas and sattva.
Recognition of the real Being as the purpose of life / The personality as a matrix of conditioning that produces suffering / reincarnation as the destiny of those who do not recognize the real being
- Within samkhya philosophy, the world exists as a school for recognizing the Real Self;
- Personality, and all the likes and dislikes associated with it, are considered conditionings that do not reflect the real Self;
- Suffering serves to warn us that we are moving away from our true nature;
- Experiences, peace and harmony that bloom from the inside out, indicate to us that we are approaching the real Being;
- As long as the purusha is not recognized, we continue in a cycle of endless births.
The Nature of the world under the influence of the gunas
- Because of the polarity of the gunas, the material world by itself does not offer happiness, but creates suffering and limitation.
- Rajas is an energy of desire and expansion related to the search for happiness and satisfaction in the present and future;
- Rajas have value when channeled to the spiritual path;
- Tamas is an energy of inertia, conservatism and stagnation that tends to focus on the past;
- Tamas energy is needed to create ground for the spiritual journey;
- Sattva is an energy of balance that focuses on the present moment. Associated with positive emotions such as love and compassion, lightness and openness of heart, Sattva is a gateway to the experience of enlightenment;
- Because it’s a rollercoaster of ups and downs, the only way to avoid getting sick is to get out of the game of trying to find happiness in matter and find it within yourself.
The Art and Science of Yoga Therapy and the Five Koshas
On February 26th, Joseph Le Page will be presenting the twelve-week course, the Art and Science of Yoga Therapy, for Inner Peace Yoga Therapy.
“Within this course, we use the model of the Five Koshas, the five dimensions of our being as a framework for the theory and practice of Yoga Therapy. The objective of the model of the Five Koshas is essentially spiritual; to provide a clear path to union with our true Being.
Along this journey however, as we traverse each of the koshas, we gain an in-depth awareness of each of the dimensions of our being, allowing us to cultivate integration and harmony which supports our overall health and the process of healing. Along this journey of awareness, we also cultivate health and healing which both support our journey and reflect our growing approximation to the source and essence of health.
Through an in depth understanding of the model of the Five Koshas, we create a foundation for the Art and Science of Yoga Therapy, serving three main functions:
- The Koshas form a framework for healing at each level of our being; each facet of our lives requires consciousness, care, and evolution cultivated through Yoga practices specifically designed for each person’s individual needs.
- Secondly, the koshas function as a framework for developing competencies at each level of being, allowing the Yoga Therapist to master an understanding of health at physical, energetic, psycho-emotional, intuitive, and spiritual levels.
- The third function of the koshas is to remind that that the purpose of all of Yoga, including Yoga Therapy is the recognition of our true Being, whose very nature is wholeness and peace, and that health and healing are ultimately reflections of our union with the one source energy.
On the video, we review each of the koshas briefly and meditate on them!
Get to know more about the Art and Science of Yogatherapy!
A Yoga New Year’s Resolution
Patanjali Yoga Sutras 1.1 is “atha yoga anuśāsanam”
Therefore, (when the student is prepared), instruction in Yoga (begins).
The decision to begin the Yoga journey is a crossroads where we choose consciously between ways of doing and being that cause limitation and suffering and the journey of Yoga that leads to greater joy, equanimity and clarity.
Along this journey, we also open to receive enhanced levels of health and vitality that are an essential support for our journey.
This crossroads is even more important as we enter the New Year which is traditionally a time for affirmations, resolutions and new beginnings.
In order to create positive affirmations for the new year, you will explore four different facets of daily living.
Within each one, you will reflect on your attitudes and tendencies before you begin practicing Yoga, and how they have evolved since Yoga practice began.
With this clarity, you will then create an intention for further growth and transformation in the new year.
Watch the video and let’s meditate together!
Happy 2023!
Joseph Le Page and Integrative Yoga Therapy Team
