Yoga philosophy is sublimely simple, profound, and livable. Yet it can be difficult to grasp because of its unfamiliar language and complex history.
My aim here is to capture the essence of Yoga philosophy in plain English, with a touch of fun. I hope beginners will be inspired to learn more and experienced Yoga practitioners will come away refreshed and energized.
Let’s begin by talking about the Six Big Ideas of Yoga Philosophy.
It took me awhile to fully appreciate the truth and depth of these six simple gems, but now I’ve kind of internalized them and they have made my life immeasurably richer.
- Each of us is already infinitely wondrous—miraculous, awe-inspiring, unfathomable. (This is well hidden beneath the distractions and emotions of everyday life.)
- Our wondrous nature is the same as the infinite wonder of the universe.
- The way to experience our wondrous self is to fully experience the present moment, since each moment of consciousness is infinitely wondrous in itself.
- The mind, body, and spirit are inseparable.
- Experiencing our wondrous self leads to an abundance of joy and goodness.
- The techniques of Yoga, leading to enhanced awareness, are one method for discovering our true wondrous nature.
Next week: The first big idea: Each Of Us Is Already Infinitely Wondrous!
Credit: This has been written by Bob Weisenberg. He is Editor of Best of Yoga Philosophy and former Yoga Editor & Assoc. Publisher of elephant journal. He is the author of Yoga Demystified and Bhagavad Gita in a Nutshell, as well as Co-editor of Yoga in America. For more details visit: http://bobweisenberg.wordpress.com/
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