Sutra Squad

This week we explore a foundational concept for many modern yoga ãsana practices and the third of the Niyamas - tapas. The root word in Sanskrit is tap meaning to burn, make hot, shine (as the sun), or to practice austerity. Tapas, as presented in the Niyamas, is the practice of cultivating that heat or consuming by heat, and it can also mean austerity, self-discipline, penance, intense meditation, excellence of devotion or even causing pain or trouble, distressing, and purification. In the methodology of Baptiste Power Yoga, Tapas is one of the “Five Pillars of Baptiste Yoga” (Dristi / Ujjayi / Bandhas / Tapas / Vinyasa). Tapas is both the literal heat we generate in challenging vinyasa ãsana practice, and the burning desire of devotional love that draws us to deeper study and practice. Tapas is the heat that arises from friction when we “disrupt the drift” - when we explore uncomfortable truth, challenge our assumptions and cultural entrainment, and take the challenging path of the sadhaka or spiritual seeker. While sometimes uncomfortable, tapas is the practice of challenging ourselves to our highest self.

Our journey through the limbs of yoga continues this week with the second principle of niyama - samtoṣa or contentment. The verse teaches that by contentment the flow of supreme joy is achieved. Many modern commentaries do not expand much on this straightforward teaching, yet living in a world where we are barraged with relentless messages of how and where we should want more, be better, and strive to “achieve” it feels worthy of taking some space to consider how this yogic principle can inform our immediate lived experience here and now. First and foremost, contentment is not complacent, and contentment is not “neutral”. Yogic contentment does not mean we forgo our discernment - pratipaksha bhavanam - that informs what is and is not aligned to the principles of yama and niyama. Instead it means we greet the world as it is, not as we want or wish it to be. It means that we cultivate clarity and let go of the pernicious myth that so often starts with “I’ll be happy when…”. Happy or sad are fleeting states, ephemeral and temporary. The true joy of contentment is within, and inherent to our very essence. It is like the effulgent inner light within each of us, unaffected by the worldly winds of temporary sensation. Samtoṣa is the principle that lets us release the “not enoughness” to welcome the joyous nature of the truth, the light, the spark of divine, within each and every one of us.

This week we climb the limbs of the path of yoga to the Niyamas, the personal practices of the yogi. The first niyama is sauca (pronounced like “shaucha”) which translates to cleanliness or purity. Interestingly there are two verses dedicated to this one principle, both require close examination to reveal their true meaning. There is a literal translation that when we practice purification we develop distaste for the body, and for bodily contact with others. The second verse literally translates that practices of sauca develop sattva, cheerfulness of mind, mastery of the senses, and fitness for yoga. But deeper study reveals a more subtle understanding of this principle - similar to how when we detoxify our physical form we come to see how much toxic substance and energy we have been holding. We see with new clarity, and our discernment focuses the mind toward the clarity that arises with yogic practice. When we cultivate a cleanliness of body and mind, our tastes and preferences shift away from old self-destructive and limiting practices. The clarity of a “clean” perspective feels illuminating and radiant, and the body and mind are fully prepared to receive the full benefits of Truth that arise with time.

This week we study the 5th yama, aparigraha, and complete our journey through the yamas - the first limb on the 8-limbed path of Yoga. Aparigraha is often translated as non-greed, non-covetousness. or non-possessiveness. The verse teaches us that when we are established in this practice - also sometimes referred to as freedom from sense cravings - the meaning and purpose of our life becomes clear. Greed arises from a scarcity mindset, a “zero-sum” or “win / lose” approach to life, firmly anchored in the material plane and deeply connected to the kleśas of raga (attraction to pleasure) and dveśa (repulsion from displeasure or pain). We often begin a physical practice of asana from a place of wanting something we see in others - maybe a beautiful physical form, or a perfect handstand, or maybe sense of peaceful ease in another’s way of being. When our practice deepens and we turn that attention from the external wanting to internal curiosity, a clarity arises that illuminates our individual dharma or purpose. When we let go of grabbing for what is outside our reach we can truly receive the deep wisdom that arises from within, listen to the inner voice of our highest self, and our hands are free to receive the wisdom of the True Self.

This week our study brings us to the fourth of the yamas, and perhaps one of the most challenging to understand for western practitioners - brahmacarya - continence, intentional direction of life force energy, and sometimes translated as celibacy. The verse teaches that by practicing brahmacarya we will preserve our vitality and vigor. In some lineages this does translate directly into restriction or sometimes full abstinence from sexual practices. And if we look closely at the word brahmacarya we may come to understand its more subtle and deeper meanings. Brahman is the Absolute, the Infinite, and sometimes a placeholder term for the vastness of the Divine. Carya means to move with or remain with. So another way to consider the practice of brahamacarya is to move in alignment with the Divine, or to intentionally direct our attention and vital energies to Divine purpose. This can take many forms beyond the restriction of sexual activity, and invites us all to consider how every dynamic and aspect of our life can be brought into closer alignment to the Divine of our personal understanding.

This week we continue to explore the wisdom of the yamas with the principle of asteya or non-stealing, not taking what is not ours. There is a literal, surface understanding of this fundamental moral principle that appears across faith traditions (i.e. in the 10 Commandments - Thou Shalt Not Steal) and is entirely a valid understanding of the verse. Yet master Patañjali tells us more - that by being firmly established in the practice of non-stealing great gems of wealth come to the yogi. These are not necessarily literal gems, although they do symbolize powerful forces of natural energy and purity. These are the gems of our faith, realization of our true nature, and infinite love of the divine.

This week we continue our journey through the yamas to the foundational principle of Satya or truth / truthfulness. The verse teaches that when one is firmly established in the practice of truthfulness all they say and do manifests as truth. This can appear at the surface as an axiom of circular logic - when we have a firm foundation in Truth then all we say and do is Truth. Deeper study of this principle instead reveals the incredibly powerful action of alignment to Truth in both the spiritual and material planes of awareness. In the material plane the Truth is that all matter, experiences, emotions, and phenomena are changing, in flux, and temporary. Yet in the spiritual plane the Truth is that which is unchanged and unchanging, unconditioned by place, time, and context. One who is firmly established in the principle of Satya can hold this paradox with ease, in flow with both material and spiritual Truth. Once we align with the practice of Satya our words and actions are inherently Truthful because they are grounded in the wisdom of Truth. We don’t make or manifest truth, we surrender to Truth and allow it to infuse our body, mind, heart and soul.

This week we begin our exploration of the yamas with the first, most fundamental - the principle of ahimsa - not causing harm or nonviolence. The verse teaches that when the yogi is firmly established in the practice of nonviolence all violence and enmity ceases in their presence. This teaching is a profound message resonating through the ages reminding us that violence can never truly cease violence - or as said in the immortal teaching of a modern master, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

Hi Sutra Squad family - we're repubilshing this episode due to an audio issue, so while slightly out of order hopefully still meaningful! Thanks for listening!

We continue our exploration of suffering and how it can be avoided by reading this next verse closely - that the ultimate cause of that suffering is the confusion of the Seer, the observer, the true Self with that which is seen or experienced. The temporary phenomena of our sensations and possessions can be a very attractive placement of our attention and identity, yet when we loosen the grip and take the big step back away from the immediacy of sensation we can begin to see the bigger Truth.

We continue our deep exploration of the foundational frameworks of living yoga - now with the the niyamas, or the personal practices of the yogi - sauca (cleanliness), santosa (contentment), tapas (heat or austerity), svadhyaya (study of self and of scripture), and isvara pranidhana (surrender to the divine). To understand these practices more deeply we are called to cultivate pratipaksa bhavanam - the ability to intentionally cultivate discernment so as to act in accordance with the principles and practices of yama and niyama.

Now we begin our deep exploration of the foundational frameworks of living yoga - the yamas, or the moral observations of yoga - ahimsa (non-harming or nonviolence), satya (truth or truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacarya (continence or intentional direction of sexual energy), and aparigraha (non-coveting or non-reaching past our grasp). These moral observances represent a great universal vow, an “all-in” challenge to commit ourselves to living in alignment with yogic values.

This week brings us to the beating heart of embodied yoga practice - the sūtra that outlines the Ashtanga system, the 8 limbs or steps in the path of Yoga: yama (moral observances) / niyama (personal observances) / ãsana (seat or physical practice) / pranayama (breath control) / pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) / dhãrana (concentration) / dhyãna (sustained concentration or meditation) / samãdhi (bilss, total absorption, yoga!). We’ll look at these as an integrated practice, and set up our exploration of each of these limbs in the coming weeks.

This week we examine a short, simple, profound statement that the suffering that can be avoided should be avoided. It is a fundamental tenet that we all face obstacles, the root of our obstacles (as we learned in Sūtra 2.3) is the same as the root of our suffering - avidya - misunderstanding ignorance, or lack of spiritual understanding. Pain, difficulty, challenges, and obstacles are all real - yet when we bring ourselves fully into the present moment, we can examine our experience in a way that can hopefully help us to avoid the optional suffering of our misunderstanding and attachment.

This week we explore the fundamental obstacles to yoga, as defined in this verse - ignorance or misunderstanding, egoism or “I-am” ness, pleasure, pain or discomfort, and clinging to life. The sequence of these obstacles is key to their understanding - beginning with the fundamental mis-knowing that gives rise to the rest.

On this week’s episode we begin our exploration of the second chapter of the Yoga Sūtra, the Sādhana Pāda - the chapter on Practice. The first verse in this chapter gives us a very practical, yet challenging, prescription for the yoga practice in action or Kriya Yoga. These three essential elements - tapas, svadhayaya, isvara pranidhana - heat or austerity, study of self, surrender to divine - are the building blocks from which we can truly build a practice of Yoga.

This week we look at one of the suggested points of focused attention that can bring clarity & peace of mind - the effulgent inner light within each & every one of us. The Yoga Sūtra reference “light” throughout the text, and in this case it refers to the light within that we can perceive when we cultivate stillness and our attention to inner, subtle experience. The light within each of us is described here as beyond sorrow, and reminds us that we are part of something much much bigger than our individual experience.

This week we come home to exploring the “Locks & Keys”, the attributes that we cultivate to preserve the innate or natural serenity of the yogi’s mind in the face of the worldly winds of material life. These attributes are also known as the brahmaviharas in Buddhist lineages, the divine abodes or sublime attitudes of the Buddha. We will discuss how we can seek to expand our capacity for each these attitudes - maitri (friendliness or loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), mudito (sympathetic joy), upekshanam (equinimity) as a path toward finding our true self & serenity of mind.

This week we explore the nature and meaning of OM, the sacred sound of sound. OM is spoken, chanted, or recited in many contexts - yoga ãsana classes, meditation practices, and rituals across Eastern lineages spanning Hinduism or Sonatan Dharma, Buddhism, Jainism, and even in forms across Abrahamic lineages (ShalOM, Amen, Amin). OM is the sound of creation, the evolution of consciousness, and our shared uniting eternal lineage. OM is beyond space and time, and connects profoundly to our highest selves and our fundamental interconnectedness.

This week we explore the only “shortcut” offered in the Yoga Sūtra - that by offering full surrender to the divine of our understanding we may accelerate or even reach enlightenment, bliss, and samādhi. We will spend a moment to discern the difference between “religion” and “spirituality”, and how yoga itself is not a religion (while certainly having roots in religious tradition) and instead explore yoga as a spiritual practice of devotion. We will explore the qualities of divine presence, the personal journey to this awareness and understanding, and look for paths to deepen this practice of surrender in our lifelong journey toward Truth.

This week we explore the other side of the “formula” by which we achieve yoga & look at the second component - vairagya - detachment. We explore what it means to discover the nature of our physical desires in an effort to transcend them, and deepen that transcendence to the point at which we can perceive divine spiritual energy & presence. The journey within to examine the seeds of our worldly desires is an immortal practice of self-study, and while challenging at times, is crucial to our journey toward Truth and Freedom.