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Yoga Sutras Discussion Class

Yoga Sutras Discussion 
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm  
Location: Swami J's; Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Dates: Generally the first Friday of each month 
(See Calendar for exact dates)
(Contact me if you have any questions)

Ongoing class: This is an ongoing study of the practical philosophy and psychology of the Yoga Sutras, generally on the 1st Friday of each month (may change some months). The Yoga Sutras is one of the most profound and respected of the ancient texts on authentic Yoga. We systematically move through each of the sutras, picking up where we left off the previous time. We usually end with meditation. (There is also a monthly Yoga Sutras Practices Class that that focuses on the practical application of the studies from the first Friday gathering; it includes a longer guided meditation or contemplation.)

Everyone is welcome: There is no requirement for you to have any prior knowledge or preparation to come to this class. If there is anything resembling a requirement, it is that you are interested in this. Each time we get together we review the first four (of 196) sutras so that we stay grounded in the basics, as we also advance through the studies. In this way, you can join in at any time. We try to keep it light, lively, and humorous as well, which helps us go through these profound teachings without feeling intimidated.

Related articles: See also these articles for a greater understanding of authentic Yoga:

Foundation for the other yogas: The tradition of the Himalayan masters encompasses all of the yogas, including jnana, karma, bhakti, raja, laya, kundalini, kriya, and tantra yoga practices. However, the practices of raja yoga (royal yoga), codified in the Yoga Sutras, are the foundation for these other yoga practices. The theoretical discussions in the Yoga Sutras Discussion Class and the practical training in the Yoga Sutras Practices Class are companion classes, and are preparation for the other yoga practices.

Meditation before: You may want to come for the regular, daily meditation time, which is 6:00-6:30 pm, though it is not necessary. 

Tea and food: Between the 6:30 meditation and the start of the Yoga Sutras Discussion Class at 7:00, there is time for tea and/or snacks.

Daily meditations: Participants in the Yoga Sutras Classes are encouraged to visit the Daily Meditations from time to time, as your schedule permits. This is a great time (before and after) to talk about questions on the Yoga Sutras, or about your personal meditation practice.

Books: Here are recommendations on Yoga Sutras books.

Gist of the Yoga Sutras: In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes the art and science of Yoga in 196 pithy phrases or sutras (literally, threads). The gist of Yoga is summarized in the first few sutras of the Yoga Sutras: 

Sutra 1:

  • Sanskrit: Atha yoga anushasanam 

  • English: Now, at this auspicious time, and after having done previous preparation, begins the study and practice of yoga. 

Sutra 2: 

  • Sanskrit: Yogash chitta vritti nirodhah 

  • English: Yoga, or union is the mastery and integration of the activities of the mind-field. 

Sutra 3: 

  • Sanskrit: Tada drashtuh svarupe vasthanam 

  • English: Then, resulting from that mastery and integration, the seer, the Self rests in its true nature. 

Sutra 4: 

  • Sanskrit: Vritti sarupyam itaratra 

  • English: At other times, when that mastery and integration is not present, the seer or Self appears to take on the forms of the thought patterns in the mind-field.  

Sutra 5: 

  • Sanskrit: Vrittayah pancatayah klishta aklishta 

  • English: Those interfering thought patterns are one of five kinds (correct, incorrect, fantasy, sleep, or memory), and are either colored or not-colored (colored with five colorings: clouding over of truth, I-am-ness, attachment, aversion, and/or fear).  

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This site is devoted to presenting the ancient Self-Realization path of the Tradition of the Himalayan masters in simple, understandable and beneficial ways, while not compromising quality or depth. The goal of our sadhana or practices is the highest Joy that comes from the Realization in direct experience of the center of consciousness, the Self, the Atman or Purusha, which is one and the same with the Absolute Reality. This Self-Realization comes through Yoga meditation of the Yoga Sutras, the contemplative insight of Advaita Vedanta, and the intense devotion of Samaya Sri Vidya Tantra, the three of which complement one another like fingers on a hand. We employ the classical approaches of Raja, Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti Yoga, as well as Hatha, Kriya, Kundalini, Laya, Mantra, Nada, Siddha, and Tantra Yoga. Meditation, contemplation, mantra and prayer finally converge into a unified force directed towards the final stage, piercing the pearl of wisdom called bindu, leading to the Absolute.

 

 

 

 


Yoga Nidra CD
Swami Jnaneshvara