Guest guest Posted November 7, 2009 Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 I don't want to say anything controversial or annoy anyone, because I understand that many people find meditation - and religions such as Buddhism - very beneficial and meaningful and important. However, I think it's underestimating the benefits of the ashtanga practice to say that it must only be considered as a preparation for meditation. Many positive discoveries were made before we had the scientific knowledge to understand why they worked, and so they were attributed to divine powers. Spring. The sun. Reproduction... the list is endless. For non religious types such as myself, the practice would be useless if it was only a preparation for finding some special state of being that I don't believe in... and yet I love ashtanga, it has changed my life in every way. I don't believe in a higher power or that there are energies in the body that transcend science. However, I do believe than ashtanga is excellent for body and mind, giving physical and mental well being, and would promote it and recommend it to everyone I know. For me, it makes you a better person by making you better in health and mind. It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? Daenelle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 It needs only what you need from it to be worthwhile, Daenelle. I'd only like to add that meditation is a perfectly healthy secular practice akin to fitness. Exercise for the mind. It is often included in spiritual practice, but is a spiritual goal is not required, and certainly not a religious one. D On Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 6:36 AM, A <alice wrote: > > > I don't want to say anything controversial or annoy anyone, because I > understand that many people find meditation - and religions such as Buddhism > - very beneficial and meaningful and important. > > However, I think it's underestimating the benefits of the ashtanga practice > to say that it must only be considered as a preparation for meditation. Many > positive discoveries were made before we had the scientific knowledge to > understand why they worked, and so they were attributed to divine powers. > Spring. The sun. Reproduction... the list is endless. For non religious > types such as myself, the practice would be useless if it was only a > preparation for finding some special state of being that I don't believe > in... and yet I love ashtanga, it has changed my life in every way. > > I don't believe in a higher power or that there are energies in the body > that transcend science. However, I do believe than ashtanga is excellent for > body and mind, giving physical and mental well being, and would promote it > and recommend it to everyone I know. For me, it makes you a better person by > making you better in health and mind. > > It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself > and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? > > Daenelle. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 No, I do not think that we underestimate asanas. Ashtanga-practice is very powerfull and positive in all aspects. But I think that it make a difference in why you practice. You do it for your well being, I do it to gain enlightment and someone else do it for other reasons. All reasons are great, everybody can benefit from yoga, yet in different ways. But nobody underestimates Ashtanga though. ashtangayoga alice Sat, 7 Nov 2009 11:36:51 +0000 ashtanga yoga Well, asana can be a preparation for meditation... I don't want to say anything controversial or annoy anyone, because I understand that many people find meditation - and religions such as Buddhism - very beneficial and meaningful and important. However, I think it's underestimating the benefits of the ashtanga practice to say that it must only be considered as a preparation for meditation. Many positive discoveries were made before we had the scientific knowledge to understand why they worked, and so they were attributed to divine powers. Spring. The sun. Reproduction... the list is endless. For non religious types such as myself, the practice would be useless if it was only a preparation for finding some special state of being that I don't believe in... and yet I love ashtanga, it has changed my life in every way. I don't believe in a higher power or that there are energies in the body that transcend science. However, I do believe than ashtanga is excellent for body and mind, giving physical and mental well being, and would promote it and recommend it to everyone I know. For me, it makes you a better person by making you better in health and mind. It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? Daenelle. _______________ Nya Windows 7 gör allt lite enklare. Hitta en dator som passar dig! http://windows.microsoft.com/shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Hi Daenelle, Controversy... too funny. There are some rather sensitive folks out there. I respect your views. Q = " It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? " A = No it doesn't... For You... I will take a moment and explain how I feel about this subject. The Ashtanga Yoga Practice is truely a transformative science. We tend to forget that this system was a " Perscription " Given to a Man. From a man. Krishnamacharya, A Sage with much wisdom, Gave this practice to Pattahbis Jois. This Sage also perscribed, for Iyengar, a totally different " Perscription " one that was suitable for for him, and his dosha. It was like going to the doctor, the doctor would take your pulse. Listen to your complaints or problems. He would then give you a perscription, Kriya, Diet and Mantra's were all part of your system reaching an equalibrium. Yes, faith also had alot to do with your recovery. One of the reasons that Meditation is the goal, is overall wellbeing. Mental wellbeing. I can't even begin to tell you how much my life has been transformed because of this beautiful practice. Faith or religion may not be the original reason people start a Yoga Practice. However, more often than not, if faith is there to begin with, the Yoga seems to spring forth those feelings of faith and devotion. Kind of like a surprise bonus. Just because that is there for some, but not for you, is perfectly fine. Just don't be surprised if you start to feel this begin to stir within you. I can't, for the life of me, think that Pattahbis would frown upon an agnostic doing Ashtanga. I know I don't. I don't think that it is diminishing or underestimating to say that the ultimate goal of ashtanga is meditation. I still want to practice when I am old. When I can't physically perform the Asanas. I will then be in a higher stage of the Niyamas. Not physically practicing but still practicing just the same. If you must really know the ultimate reason for practicing Yoga. It is to prepare you. So that you will be able to " Die " properly. That is the real goal. I know that sounds depressing. I also know what I just wrote is way more controversial than what you said in your post... lol " Breath into your Heart " Steven ashtangayoga , " A " <alice wrote: > > I don't want to say anything controversial or annoy anyone, because I understand that many people find meditation - and religions such as Buddhism - very beneficial and meaningful and important. > > However, I think it's underestimating the benefits of the ashtanga practice to say that it must only be considered as a preparation for meditation. Many positive discoveries were made before we had the scientific knowledge to understand why they worked, and so they were attributed to divine powers. Spring. The sun. Reproduction... the list is endless. For non religious types such as myself, the practice would be useless if it was only a preparation for finding some special state of being that I don't believe in... and yet I love ashtanga, it has changed my life in every way. > > I don't believe in a higher power or that there are energies in the body that transcend science. However, I do believe than ashtanga is excellent for body and mind, giving physical and mental well being, and would promote it and recommend it to everyone I know. For me, it makes you a better person by making you better in health and mind. > > It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? > > Daenelle. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 First of all, yoga has nothing to do with religion. About the higher energies; I think everybody is sceptical at first, but once you get deep in you meditation practise you experience these energies and it's a wonderful experience. Be open for it! ________________________________ A <alice ashtangayoga Sat, 7 November, 2009 11:36:51 ashtanga yoga Well, asana can be a preparation for meditation... I don't want to say anything controversial or annoy anyone, because I understand that many people find meditation - and religions such as Buddhism - very beneficial and meaningful and important. However, I think it's underestimating the benefits of the ashtanga practice to say that it must only be considered as a preparation for meditation. Many positive discoveries were made before we had the scientific knowledge to understand why they worked, and so they were attributed to divine powers. Spring. The sun. Reproduction. .. the list is endless. For non religious types such as myself, the practice would be useless if it was only a preparation for finding some special state of being that I don't believe in... and yet I love ashtanga, it has changed my life in every way. I don't believe in a higher power or that there are energies in the body that transcend science. However, I do believe than ashtanga is excellent for body and mind, giving physical and mental well being, and would promote it and recommend it to everyone I know. For me, it makes you a better person by making you better in health and mind. It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? Daenelle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Alice, I think you've misunderstood the discussion here. No one has ever said ASHTANGA is only a preparation for meditation. Asana is. Like what Guruji said, Asana is important in our practice to help flush impurities out of our bodies, to help control our mind. Then there are the Yamas, Niyamas and the rest of the Eight Limbs. Ashtanga IS the system itself that when practiced correctly only then we could gain benefit from it. ashtangayoga , " A " <alice wrote: > > I don't want to say anything controversial or annoy anyone, because I understand that many people find meditation - and religions such as Buddhism - very beneficial and meaningful and important. > > However, I think it's underestimating the benefits of the ashtanga practice to say that it must only be considered as a preparation for meditation. Many positive discoveries were made before we had the scientific knowledge to understand why they worked, and so they were attributed to divine powers. Spring. The sun. Reproduction... the list is endless. For non religious types such as myself, the practice would be useless if it was only a preparation for finding some special state of being that I don't believe in... and yet I love ashtanga, it has changed my life in every way. > > I don't believe in a higher power or that there are energies in the body that transcend science. However, I do believe than ashtanga is excellent for body and mind, giving physical and mental well being, and would promote it and recommend it to everyone I know. For me, it makes you a better person by making you better in health and mind. > > It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? > > Daenelle. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 My teacher said the same. Whatever reason you choose to practise is a good one. ________________________________ Jörgen Jönsson <jubbe063 ashtangayoga <ashtangayoga > Mon, 9 November, 2009 10:04:57 RE: ashtanga yoga Well, asana can be a preparation for meditation... No, I do not think that we underestimate asanas. Ashtanga-practice is very powerfull and positive in all aspects. But I think that it make a difference in why you practice. You do it for your well being, I do it to gain enlightment and someone else do it for other reasons. All reasons are great, everybody can benefit from yoga, yet in different ways. But nobody underestimates Ashtanga though. ashtangayoga alice Sat, 7 Nov 2009 11:36:51 +0000 ashtanga yoga Well, asana can be a preparation for meditation... I don't want to say anything controversial or annoy anyone, because I understand that many people find meditation - and religions such as Buddhism - very beneficial and meaningful and important. However, I think it's underestimating the benefits of the ashtanga practice to say that it must only be considered as a preparation for meditation. Many positive discoveries were made before we had the scientific knowledge to understand why they worked, and so they were attributed to divine powers. Spring. The sun. Reproduction... the list is endless. For non religious types such as myself, the practice would be useless if it was only a preparation for finding some special state of being that I don't believe in... and yet I love ashtanga, it has changed my life in every way. I don't believe in a higher power or that there are energies in the body that transcend science. However, I do believe than ashtanga is excellent for body and mind, giving physical and mental well being, and would promote it and recommend it to everyone I know. For me, it makes you a better person by making you better in health and mind. It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? Daenelle. _______________ Nya Windows 7 gör allt lite enklare. Hitta en dator som passar dig! http://windows.microsoft.com/shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Steve...very nicely said...I totally agree with all of your comments.Your right it may be depressing but the preparation is to aide us in death.... Linda ________________________________ Steven <stevenlarock ashtangayoga Mon, November 9, 2009 9:31:21 AM ashtanga yoga Re: Well, asana can be a preparation for meditation...  Hi Daenelle, Controversy. .. too funny. There are some rather sensitive folks out there. I respect your views. Q = " It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? " A = No it doesn't... For You... I will take a moment and explain how I feel about this subject. The Ashtanga Yoga Practice is truely a transformative science. We tend to forget that this system was a " Perscription " Given to a Man. From a man. Krishnamacharya, A Sage with much wisdom, Gave this practice to Pattahbis Jois. This Sage also perscribed, for Iyengar, a totally different " Perscription " one that was suitable for for him, and his dosha. It was like going to the doctor, the doctor would take your pulse. Listen to your complaints or problems. He would then give you a perscription, Kriya, Diet and Mantra's were all part of your system reaching an equalibrium. Yes, faith also had alot to do with your recovery. One of the reasons that Meditation is the goal, is overall wellbeing. Mental wellbeing. I can't even begin to tell you how much my life has been transformed because of this beautiful practice. Faith or religion may not be the original reason people start a Yoga Practice. However, more often than not, if faith is there to begin with, the Yoga seems to spring forth those feelings of faith and devotion. Kind of like a surprise bonus. Just because that is there for some, but not for you, is perfectly fine. Just don't be surprised if you start to feel this begin to stir within you. I can't, for the life of me, think that Pattahbis would frown upon an agnostic doing Ashtanga. I know I don't. I don't think that it is diminishing or underestimating to say that the ultimate goal of ashtanga is meditation. I still want to practice when I am old. When I can't physically perform the Asanas. I will then be in a higher stage of the Niyamas. Not physically practicing but still practicing just the same. If you must really know the ultimate reason for practicing Yoga. It is to prepare you. So that you will be able to " Die " properly. That is the real goal. I know that sounds depressing. I also know what I just wrote is way more controversial than what you said in your post... lol " Breath into your Heart " Steven ashtangayoga, " A " <alice wrote: > > I don't want to say anything controversial or annoy anyone, because I understand that many people find meditation - and religions such as Buddhism - very beneficial and meaningful and important. > > However, I think it's underestimating the benefits of the ashtanga practice to say that it must only be considered as a preparation for meditation. Many positive discoveries were made before we had the scientific knowledge to understand why they worked, and so they were attributed to divine powers. Spring. The sun. Reproduction. .. the list is endless. For non religious types such as myself, the practice would be useless if it was only a preparation for finding some special state of being that I don't believe in... and yet I love ashtanga, it has changed my life in every way. > > I don't believe in a higher power or that there are energies in the body that transcend science. However, I do believe than ashtanga is excellent for body and mind, giving physical and mental well being, and would promote it and recommend it to everyone I know. For me, it makes you a better person by making you better in health and mind. > > It gives me the physical and mental energy to be a better person to myself and to those around me. Does it need to be more to be worthwhile? > > Daenelle. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.