The Practice of Non-Dual Yoga

The Essence of Practice

[Essence of Practice]
Figure 52: The Three Remedies

The practical path (sādhanamārga) is the repetition (abhyāsa) of threefold wisdom (vidyā traya). 1  Widsom (vidyā) is the right view (samyagdṛṣṭi), which is equal vision (samadṛṣṭi) of the seen (dṛśya). 2  It’s the field (kṣetra) of the other remedies (uttara bheṣajas). 3  Discernment (viveka) is distinguishing (vicchedana) one’s true nature (svarūpa) from egotism (asmitā). 4  Non-attachment (vairāgya) is lack of desire (vaitṛṣṇya) for attachment and aversion (rāgadveṣa). 5  Seeking liberation (mumukṣutva) is overcoming inertia (jayana abhiniveśa).  6  And repetition is steady effort (sthita yatna). 7  When followed (āsevita) for a long time (dīrgha kāla) without interruption and with reverence (nairantarya and satkāra), there is a stable foundation (dṛḍha bhūmi). 8

The Eight Limbs of Practice

[Eight Limbs]
Figure 53: The Eight Limbs

The eight limbs (aṣṭāṅga) are the restraints (yamas), the observances (niyamas), sitting (āsana), energy extension (prāṇāyāma), withdrawal (pratyāhāra), concentration (dhāraṇā), meditation (dhyāna), and absorption (samādhi). 9 10

Performance Yoga: Limbs 1-5

The first five limbs (pañcāṅga) are the restraints, the observances, sitting, energy extension, and withdrawal.  They’re the outer limbs (bahiraṅgas).  Together, they are performance yoga (kriyāyoga), which is outer practice (bahiḥsādhana). 11   In other words, it’s the Yoga of personal effort.

1) The Restraints

The restraints are fivefold and consist of non-harming (ahiṃsā), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), non-wasting (brahmacarya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha). 12  They’re the moral injunctions, or “don’ts,” of Yoga.  Non-harming is the path of least harm (patha of avara hiṃsā). 13  Non-lying is verifiable speech (prameya vāc). 14  Non-stealing is taking only (ādāna eva) what is freely given (svairam datta). 15  Non-wasting is preservation of energy (rakṣaṇa of prāṇa). 16  Non-possessiveness is renunciation of unnecessary objects (tyāga of niṣkāraṇa arthas). 17

2) The Observances

The observances are also fivefold and consist of purification (śauca), contentment (saṃtoṣa), self-discipline (tapas), self-study (svādhyāya), and surrender to the oversoul (īśvarapraṇidhāna). 18  They’re the moral recommendations, or “do’s,” of Yoga.  Purification is clearing the elements (bhūtaśuddhi). 19  Contentment is unwavering inner peace (avyathya antaḥśānti). 20  Self-discipline is reining in the senses (pragrahaṇa the indriyas). 21  Self-study is self-inquiry (ātmavicāra). 22  Surrender to the oversoul is emulating it (anuvṛtti īśvara). 23

3) Sitting

Sitting for meditation (dhyāna) is still and comfortable (sthira and sukha). 22  Its purpose is to position the body so that it remains comfortably alert during meditation.  The spine must be erect in the upright position.  The legs should be crossed at the knees or ankles if possible.  The hands should rest upon the knees or be clasped together if possible.  One may sit in a chair or upon the ground.  Extraneous movements should be kept to a minimum.  From the relaxation of effort (śaithilya of prayatna), comes absorption in the energy sheath (prāṇamayakośa). 25  Then one is untroubled (anabhighāta) by the gross body (sthūlaśarīra). 26  Then one is ready for energy extension (prāṇāyāma).

4) Energy Extension

Thus seated (asita), energy extension begins with the interruption of the procession (viccheda of the gati) of the inhalation and exhalation (śvāsa and praśvāsa). 27  The term “prāṇāyāma” consists of “prāṇa” + “āyāma.”  Exoterically, it means “breath control,” but esoterically it means “energy extension.”  The three activities (vṛtti traya) of energy extension are external, internal, and the pause between (bāhya, ābhyantara, and stambha). 28  They are slowly and subtly directed (dīrgham and sukṣmam paridṛṣṭa) by place, time, and number (deśa, kāla, and sāṃkhya).  The fourth activity (caturtha vṛtti) is offering (juhvāna) the upward inhalation to the downward exhalation (prāṇa to apāna) and the downward exhalation to the upward inhalation. 29  From that the veil (āvaraṇa) over the light (prakāśa) is destroyed (kṣīna). 30  In other words, the fear of death (abhiniveśa) is removed.

5) Withdrawal

Withdrawal is the dissociation of the senses (asamprayoga of the indriyas) from their corresponding objects (anukāra viṣayas) back to their mental nature (sattvika svarūpa). 31  Specifically, it’s the withdrawal of the senses from the subtle elements and gross elements (tanmātras and mahābhūtas).  This doesn’t mean turning the senses off but turning them within rather.  From that comes the highest control (parama vaśyatā) of the senses. 32  And there is fitness of mind (yogyatā of manas) for concentration (dhāraṇā). 33

Restraint Yoga: Limbs 6-8

The final three limbs (tryaṅga) are concentration, meditation, and absorption.  They’re the inner limbs (antaraṅgas).  Together, they are restraint yoga (saṃyamayoga), which is inner practice (antaḥsādhana). 34  It’s still an activity (vṛtti), though.  But it’s impersonal and effortless.

6) Concentration

Concentration is the binding of the conscious body (bandha of the cittaśarīra) on one modification (eka vṛtti). 35  This isn’t fighting or suppressing stray thoughts.  That’s distraction, which is the opposite of concentration.  Instead, it’s focussing on one point and allowing the others fade to the background.  Concentration occurs in the witness state (sākṣī avasthā) 36, which is beyond the mind.  In this state, the seer (draṣṭṛ) slightly predominates over the seen (dṛśya).  Yet there remains a clear distinction between them.

7) Meditation

Meditation is the binding of the inner body (antaḥśarīra) on the same modification. 37  Meditation occurs in the superconscious divine state (daiva avasthā), and is associated with bliss (ānanda). 36  In this state, the seer further predominates over the seen.  Here, the seen reflects the seer, like a transparent crystal reflects the colors and shapes of its environment.  So, meditation is more internal (antar) than concentration.

8) Absorption

Absorption is the binding of the causal body (kāraṇaśarīra) on the same modification. 38  Absorption occurs in the superconscious fourth state (turīya avasthā). 36  This is the subtlest level of manifested existence.  In this state, the seer fully predominates over the seen.  Here, the seen disappears into the seer.  So, absorption is more internal than meditation.

Royal Yoga: Limbs 1-8

It’s common for yogis to favor either outer practice or inner practice (bahiḥsādhana or antaḥsādhana) according to their temperament.  But we must overcome that instinct because the essence of Yoga is the fusion of the inner and the outer.  We can’t be exclusively fixated on some of the eight limbs (aṣṭāṇga) yet expect the results of them all.  Instead, we must approach practice (sādhana) just like any other activity that we’ve mastered.  In order to master an activity, we must become completely proficient in all its aspects.  Hence, the importance of royal yoga (rājayoga) 39, which is complete practice (samyaksādhana).  From that comes complete results (samyaksiddhi). 40

References

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  2. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.2.
  3. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.3.
  4. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.4.
  5. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.5.
  6. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.6.
  7. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.7.
  8. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.8.
  9. Patañjali. Yoga Sūtras 2.29.
  10. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.9.
  11. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.34.
  12. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.10.
  13. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.14.
  14. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.15.
  15. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.16.
  16. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.17.
  17. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.18.
  18. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.11.
  19. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.19.
  20. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.20.
  21. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.21.
  22. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.22.
  23. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.23.
  24. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.24.
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  26. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.26.
  27. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.27.
  28. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.28.
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  30. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.30.
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  32. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.32.
  33. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.33.
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  35. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.35.
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  39. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.39.
  40. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 2.40.