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.  We can continue to follow it, or we can take the adept path (sādhakamārga). ¹

The oversoul (īśvara) is the individualized spirit (viśeṣapuruṣa) untouched by the afflictions (aparamṛṣṭa by kleśas). ²  It is the unsurpassed seed omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence (niratiśaya bīja of sarvajña, sarvaśakti, and sarvavyāpin). ³  Undivided by time (anavaccheda by kāla), it is the first teacher (ādiguru). ⁴  It’s recitation (vacana) is om (praṇava), which is the first instruction of Yoga (ādiśāsana of Yoga). ⁵  It is to be repeated with contemplation of its meaning (japya sabhāvana of artha). ⁶  From that comes the destruction of the obstacles to stream-entry (abhāva of antarayas to srotāpatti). ⁷  Thus, the sound-current of transmigration (śabdasrotas of saṃsāra) is entered (āpanna). ⁸  The ascent through the stream (udaya through 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 transmigration (saṃsāra) has reached the final end of succession (prāpta aparānta of krama) and is comprehensible (nirgrāhya). ¹¹  And the deep sleep state (suṣupti avasthā) is awakened (buddha). ¹²  Thus, the silent current of cessation (niḥśabdasrotas of nirvāṇa) 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.