The Practitioner of Non-Dual Yoga

The Adept Path

The term “sādhaka” means “skillful,” “adept,” or “practitioner,” depending on the context. Practice (sādhana) is essential in the beginning.  But the practical path (sādhanamārga) is the indirect route.  In contrast, the adept path (sādhakamārga) is the direct route.  Here, the practitioner (sādhaka) becomes the practice.  This is mastery.

The adept path is one-pointed surrender to the oversoul (ekagra īśvarapraṇidhāna). ¹  The oversoul (īśvara) is the individualized spirit (viśeṣa-puruṣa) untouched (aparamṛṣṭa) by the afflictions (kleśas). ²  It is the unsurpassed seed (niratiśaya bīja) of all knowledge (sarvajñāna). ³  Undivided by time (anavaccheda by kāla), it is the first teacher (ādiguru). ⁴

It is the reciter of om (vācaka of praṇava), which is the first instruction (ādiśāsana). ⁵  It is to be repeated (japya) with contemplation (bhāvana) of its meaning (artha). ⁶  From that comes the destruction (abhāva) of the obstacles (antarayas) to the attainment of inner consciousness (adhigama of pratyakcetana). ⁷  Thus, the sound-current (śabdasrotas) is entered (āpanna). ⁸  The ascent (udaya) through the stream (srotas) is the experience of “this, that” (anubhava of iti iti). ⁹

Equal vision is applied (samadṛṣṭi is viniyukta) to the material triad (prākṛta traya). ¹⁰  From that the deep sleep state (suṣupti avasthā) is awakened (buddha). ¹¹  And the dependent moments (pratiyogin kṣaṇas) of the wheel of time (kālacakra) have reached the final end of succession (prāpta aparānta of krama). ¹²  Thus, the silent current (niḥśabdasrotas) is entered. ¹³

Equal vision is applied to nature (prakṛti). ¹⁴  Thus, the great ocean of absolute unity (mahāsāgara of kaivalya) is entered. ¹⁵  Thou art that (tat tvam asi). ^{16 17}

Via Positiva

The term “kaivalya” means “isolation” or “absolute unity,” depending on the context.  Isolation is the experience of “not this, not that” (anubhava of neti neti) ¹⁸.  This is the apophatic way, or via negativa, of Sāṃkhya.  After which, absolute unity is the experience of “this, that” (anubhava of iti iti) ⁹.  This is the cataphatic way, or via positiva, of Yoga.  Through the former, we renounce the pairs of opposites (dvaṃdvas) ¹⁹; through the latter, we master them.

References

1. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.1.
2. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.2.
3. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.3.
4. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.4.
5. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.5.
6. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.6.
7. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.7.
8. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.8.
9. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.9.
10. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.10.
11. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.11.
12. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.12.
13. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.13.
14. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.14.
15. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.15.
16. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Yoga Sūtras 3.16.
17. Vyāsa. Sāma Veda: Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.8.7.
18. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 7.4.
19. Vyās, S. K. Advaita Sāṃkhya Sūtras 4.2.