I’m at a Yoga Therapy training right now with Gary Kraftsow. Yesterday was our first full day and all I can say is WOW!
WOW! WOW! WOW!
Many of the ideas and perspectives I’ve learned from my previous trainings are being confirmed. I feel really good about that. Then on top of that I am learning to see things slightly differently – about asanas and practice and breath and the purpose of yoga.
Last night we had a yoga philosophy discussion that focused mostly on the Vedas. Here are some of the core insights from the Vedas that are generally consistent across the various lineages of yoga:
- The true nature of the essence of what we are as human begins: we are both the Seer and the Seen. We get caught up in identifying with the Seen (Prakriti), things like our job/body/spouse/friends/etc. and we forget that we are really Pure Awareness (Purusa).
- This fundamental misconception is the root of our suffering (suffering being any source of unhappiness or distress).
- Intelligence (from Purusa) can influence the direction of change. For example, if you have back pain you can take steps to heal your back. You not only CAN, but it’s your RESPONSIBILITY to influence the direction of your LIFE.
- The role of YOGA is to refine your relationships – with your mind, society, your body, your family, your breath. You are NONE of these things but you are in a relationship with them. (It’s not about the asana!)
I know it’s not the same to read these four key insights vs having a discussion about them and learning about them from a true master like Gary Kraftsow. But perhaps they can be simply “food for thought” for now?
Have a great day 