Questions about samskaras

[Guest guest]

Hi,<br><br>I have been thinking a lot lately

about samskaras. In Stephen Cope’s recent book, Yoga

and the Quest for the True Self, he describes

samskaras as “energy cysts” in the body. Though these knots

seem to find their original cause in psychological

trauma, the way they evolve in the body requires that

they be approached through Hatha Yoga in order to

release them and their psychological content.<br><br>I

also have studied some Vipassana Meditation (as taught

by S. N. Goenka), and in that tradition samskaras

(or sankharas in Pali) are described as reactions of

craving or aversion to any stimulus and the resulting

conditioning of those reactions (producing more reactions,

etc). Though the arising of a sankhara is accompanied

by sensation in the body, they seem to be primarily

mental entities that are approached through the

techniques of sitting meditation.<br><br>I’m curious to know

if these traditions are really talking about the

same type of phenomena. Does every samskara/sankhara

have both mental and physical properties or are there

different types oriented towards different aspects of our

beings? Can any samskara/sankhara be approached through

either sitting mediation or yoga or are there different

types that require the different approaches for them to

be released? Or am I just perceiving an artificial

distinction (though there at least seems to be a difference

in orientation in the disciplines I am referring

to).<br><br>I appreciate any insights and opinions, thanks.

[Guest guest]

perhaps if you allow your practice of asana to

become a meditation (the bandhas will serve you

immeasurably here, yama and niyama being indispensable too),

and your sitting meditation to follow and be based

upon the principles of asana your question will be

answered in the practice.<br><br>patanjali says that asana

is joyful steadiness in the body free from tension

manifesting the infinite beyond duality. again the bandhas

will serve you immeasurably here, yama&niyama

required. <br><br>and then he says that within asana

pranayama is the release of inhalation, exhalation and

transition by interpenetrating all their characteristics

until they become unhindered and subtle transcending

the duality of the breath, uncovering the inner light

and readying the mind for meditation. yama&niyama

still guiding your way.<br><br>then, he says, the

unravelling of and release from samskaras can begin until all

hindrances and karma are burned up in the quintessential dew

of samadhi.<br><br>yama&niyama according to my

personal prejudice: sensitivity, honesty, openness,

presence, generosity, comittment, contentment, passion,

selfawareness and devotion.<br><br>patanjali he also say, the

practice of yoga has eight (ashta) limbs (anga). that

includes yama&niyama as part of the practice. not

something separate, though it may be separable.

[Guest guest]

Check out: A RE-APPRAISAL OF PATANJALI'S YOGA-SUTRAS IN THE LIGHT OF THE

BUDDHA'S TEACHING by S.N. Tandon <br><br>This can be ordered through the

Vipassana Research Institute (the Goenka camp).

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered it from www.pariyatti.com. This

looks fascinating, thanks!

[Guest guest]

A really good book on the subject of samskaras

is;<br><br>"Regression Past-Life Therapy for Here and Now Freedom"<br>By

Dr. Samuel Sagan<br><br>It goes right into the topic

giving his insights and those of the Indian

Tradition.<br>: )