Guest guest Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 Namaste: today at the request of some devotees, Swami gave an class on yoga postures which will help one improve their ability to sit longer in an asan so they can worship for longer periods of time. He defines an asan as a sitting position with legs crossed, both knees on the floor, back, head, and neck straight. One sits in an asan while performing worship, puja or homa, chanting, singing, etc. The goal is to sit without lifting the knees off the floor for the duration of the vow of worship, i.e., for the 2+ hours of group Chandi chanting at the homa fire Sunday morning. A question asked: " after 1+ hour, my knees get very sore. Is it better to move the knees so my mind is no longer thinking about the pain, rather than the mantra, or, continue to sit in that position where I feel pain? " Swami replied, " we take a sankalpa, make a commitment, to sit still for the duration of the worship, and we ask the Diety to sit still as long as we sit still, and to accept our worship. In order to keep our commitment to the Diety, we must sit still in that position. Do not change position to become comfortable. Instead, pray to the Diety, and offer our pain and discomfort to the Diety. Say to the Diety: " I am offering you this pain, this is all I have to offer. I have performed many sins, and now, as I sit here in pain, unable to think the mantra, I offer this to you. It is the best I can do, I will try to think the mantras. Please help me. " As Swami said this, I thought of the many times I wanted to left my knees off the floor due to pain, but kept thinking: I must, I made the sankalpa. I realized that the sankalpa was a very important part of the process. Whenever I begin worship, I make that sankalpa, that, no matter what, I will sit until I have finished my vow of worship. This prayer to offer the Diety the pain is a new idea, and one I will use next time I worship. It is certainly better than just sitting and squirming, knees hurting, and wishing the worship was complete. Everyone should consider and process this data based on their situation. Swami wants us all to sit as long as possiblein an ideal asan, and worship with all of our capacity, in order that we receive God's darshan. That is the goal: receiving God's darshan. If the body is unable to sit " perfectly srtaight and still " , one should do one's best. For example, one devotee asked: " What can I do, my knees will not bend without pain? I am so out of shape I cannot sit this way for more than 30 minutes. " Swami replied: " do the best you can. Perform the exercises to loosen the body, then start your worship, and when the pain increases, straighten your legs for a short time, then cross them again. If in the Temple, do not point your feet towards any altar, or the homa, or the Gurus. Do you best, and try to sit longer, maybe add 5 minutes per month. " Each of us received advice perfect to our circumstances. Each of us completed the class committed to trying our best to prepare our bodies for worship and sit as long as possible during worship. Prep exercises: Swami had us perform Sun Salute, with a mantra. He stated that this is called " Mantra Yoga " . In His opinion, yoga exercises with the mantra are much more powerful and effective than without. One moves into each position, then perform the mantra. Then move to the next, and repeat the mantra. In this way it took us about 15 minutes to do a full Sun Salute. We used the Gayatri Mantra. The practice was slow and deliberate. Very focused. No rush. One can see that series of postures on many web sites. It is a common set of postures. Chanting the mantra really give it the power. Also, in order to stretch the inner thigh muscles, He had us sit upright on the floor, and bring our feet together, and pull them as close to our groin as possible, while keeping both knees on the floor. Do not bounce the knees, just keep them on the floor while sitting upright. He suggested to sit this way as much as possible, for example, while watching TV, so that one stretches those muscles. It will really help one sit in an ideal asan. Each of us will know stretches and exercises which will increase flexibility. If one chants the mantra during practice, it will be a form of Mantra Yoga. As Swami said, " this is Yoga leading us to God, and God's Darshan. It is not about making a great body. It is preparing the body to sit in the asan, in order to perform worship, to meet with God. " Jai Maa Jai Swami vishweshwar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Namaste Vish once again, thank you for passing on Swamiji's teachings to us. I wish I knew when these impromptu teachings were happening so I could tune in on the webcam. But of course, that is impossible, so I (we) have come to rely on all the information that is so generously shared here. Thank you to everyone for that. This info is great. I love the sun salutation, and in fact, am building up to a pseudo-marathon next summer, when a group of us have committed to doing 108 of them! Not sure we will do that many with the mantra, but I will add the Gayatri mantra to my personal practice. As someone who has arthritis, and a new bout of it starting in my left knee, I am happy to hear Swamiji's teachings on how to improve my sitting time. Again, thank you for sharing the wealth of information. love w , " inspectionconnection108 " <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste: today at the request of some devotees, Swami gave an class > on yoga postures which will help one improve their ability to sit > longer in an asan so they can worship for longer periods of time. > He defines an asan as a sitting position with legs crossed, both knees > on the floor, back, head, and neck straight. One sits in an asan while > performing worship, puja or homa, chanting, singing, etc. The goal is > to sit without lifting the knees off the floor for the duration of the > vow of worship, i.e., for the 2+ hours of group Chandi chanting at the > homa fire Sunday morning. > A question asked: " after 1+ hour, my knees get very sore. Is it > better to move the knees so my mind is no longer thinking about the > pain, rather than the mantra, or, continue to sit in that position > where I feel pain? " > Swami replied, " we take a sankalpa, make a commitment, to sit still > for the duration of the worship, and we ask the Diety to sit still as > long as we sit still, and to accept our worship. In order to keep our > commitment to the Diety, we must sit still in that position. Do not > change position to become comfortable. > Instead, pray to the Diety, and offer our pain and discomfort to the > Diety. Say to the Diety: " I am offering you this pain, this is all I > have to offer. I have performed many sins, and now, as I sit here in > pain, unable to think the mantra, I offer this to you. It is the best > I can do, I will try to think the mantras. Please help me. " > As Swami said this, I thought of the many times I wanted to left my > knees off the floor due to pain, but kept thinking: I must, I made > the sankalpa. I realized that the sankalpa was a very important part > of the process. Whenever I begin worship, I make that sankalpa, that, > no matter what, I will sit until I have finished my vow of worship. > This prayer to offer the Diety the pain is a new idea, and one I will > use next time I worship. It is certainly better than just sitting and > squirming, knees hurting, and wishing the worship was complete. > > Everyone should consider and process this data based on their > situation. Swami wants us all to sit as long as possiblein an ideal > asan, and worship with all of our capacity, in order that we receive > God's darshan. That is the goal: receiving God's darshan. > If the body is unable to sit " perfectly srtaight and still " , one > should do one's best. > For example, one devotee asked: " What can I do, my knees will not bend > without pain? I am so out of shape I cannot sit this way for more than > 30 minutes. " > Swami replied: " do the best you can. Perform the exercises to loosen > the body, then start your worship, and when the pain increases, > straighten your legs for a short time, then cross them again. If in > the Temple, do not point your feet towards any altar, or the homa, or > the Gurus. Do you best, and try to sit longer, maybe add 5 minutes > per month. " > Each of us received advice perfect to our circumstances. Each of us > completed the class committed to trying our best to prepare our bodies > for worship and sit as long as possible during worship. > > Prep exercises: Swami had us perform Sun Salute, with a mantra. He > stated that this is called " Mantra Yoga " . In His opinion, yoga > exercises with the mantra are much more powerful and effective than > without. > One moves into each position, then perform the mantra. Then move to > the next, and repeat the mantra. In this way it took us about 15 > minutes to do a full Sun Salute. > We used the Gayatri Mantra. The practice was slow and deliberate. > Very focused. No rush. One can see that series of postures on many > web sites. It is a common set of postures. Chanting the mantra > really give it the power. > Also, in order to stretch the inner thigh muscles, He had us sit > upright on the floor, and bring our feet together, and pull them as > close to our groin as possible, while keeping both knees on the floor. > Do not bounce the knees, just keep them on the floor while sitting > upright. He suggested to sit this way as much as possible, for > example, while watching TV, so that one stretches those muscles. It > will really help one sit in an ideal asan. > Each of us will know stretches and exercises which will increase > flexibility. If one chants the mantra during practice, it will be a > form of Mantra Yoga. > As Swami said, " this is Yoga leading us to God, and God's Darshan. It > is not about making a great body. It is preparing the body to sit in > the asan, in order to perform worship, to meet with God. " > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > vishweshwar > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 Peace to you Vishweshwar, Thank you so much for this information, I found many useful suggestions here that I will add to my practice. Also, a few questions: What is the significance of having the knees on the floor? And, is it still considered an 'ideal asan' if one is sitting on a cushion or meditation stool to attain knees on floor? And, can you say a little more about 'asking the Deity to sit still as long as we sit still'? Thank you for your patience with my questions! Jennifer , " inspectionconnection108 " <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste: today at the request of some devotees, Swami gave an class > on yoga postures which will help one improve their ability to sit > longer in an asan so they can worship for longer periods of time. > He defines an asan as a sitting position with legs crossed, both knees > on the floor, back, head, and neck straight. One sits in an asan while > performing worship, puja or homa, chanting, singing, etc. The goal is > to sit without lifting the knees off the floor for the duration of the > vow of worship, i.e., for the 2+ hours of group Chandi chanting at the > homa fire Sunday morning. > A question asked: " after 1+ hour, my knees get very sore. Is it > better to move the knees so my mind is no longer thinking about the > pain, rather than the mantra, or, continue to sit in that position > where I feel pain? " > Swami replied, " we take a sankalpa, make a commitment, to sit still > for the duration of the worship, and we ask the Diety to sit still as > long as we sit still, and to accept our worship. In order to keep our > commitment to the Diety, we must sit still in that position. Do not > change position to become comfortable. > Instead, pray to the Diety, and offer our pain and discomfort to the > Diety. Say to the Diety: " I am offering you this pain, this is all I > have to offer. I have performed many sins, and now, as I sit here in > pain, unable to think the mantra, I offer this to you. It is the best > I can do, I will try to think the mantras. Please help me. " > As Swami said this, I thought of the many times I wanted to left my > knees off the floor due to pain, but kept thinking: I must, I made > the sankalpa. I realized that the sankalpa was a very important part > of the process. Whenever I begin worship, I make that sankalpa, that, > no matter what, I will sit until I have finished my vow of worship. > This prayer to offer the Diety the pain is a new idea, and one I will > use next time I worship. It is certainly better than just sitting and > squirming, knees hurting, and wishing the worship was complete. > > Everyone should consider and process this data based on their > situation. Swami wants us all to sit as long as possiblein an ideal > asan, and worship with all of our capacity, in order that we receive > God's darshan. That is the goal: receiving God's darshan. > If the body is unable to sit " perfectly srtaight and still " , one > should do one's best. > For example, one devotee asked: " What can I do, my knees will not bend > without pain? I am so out of shape I cannot sit this way for more than > 30 minutes. " > Swami replied: " do the best you can. Perform the exercises to loosen > the body, then start your worship, and when the pain increases, > straighten your legs for a short time, then cross them again. If in > the Temple, do not point your feet towards any altar, or the homa, or > the Gurus. Do you best, and try to sit longer, maybe add 5 minutes > per month. " > Each of us received advice perfect to our circumstances. Each of us > completed the class committed to trying our best to prepare our bodies > for worship and sit as long as possible during worship. > > Prep exercises: Swami had us perform Sun Salute, with a mantra. He > stated that this is called " Mantra Yoga " . In His opinion, yoga > exercises with the mantra are much more powerful and effective than > without. > One moves into each position, then perform the mantra. Then move to > the next, and repeat the mantra. In this way it took us about 15 > minutes to do a full Sun Salute. > We used the Gayatri Mantra. The practice was slow and deliberate. > Very focused. No rush. One can see that series of postures on many > web sites. It is a common set of postures. Chanting the mantra > really give it the power. > Also, in order to stretch the inner thigh muscles, He had us sit > upright on the floor, and bring our feet together, and pull them as > close to our groin as possible, while keeping both knees on the floor. > Do not bounce the knees, just keep them on the floor while sitting > upright. He suggested to sit this way as much as possible, for > example, while watching TV, so that one stretches those muscles. It > will really help one sit in an ideal asan. > Each of us will know stretches and exercises which will increase > flexibility. If one chants the mantra during practice, it will be a > form of Mantra Yoga. > As Swami said, " this is Yoga leading us to God, and God's Darshan. It > is not about making a great body. It is preparing the body to sit in > the asan, in order to perform worship, to meet with God. " > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > vishweshwar > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 Namaste: When one sits in an asan, the goal is a straight spine, and knees on the floor. The straight spine allows the energy to flow more easily up the spine as opposed to a slumped forward position. Having the knees on the floor balances the upper torso. The lower body becomes a triangle, on which the upper body rests. In an ideal asan, Swami prefers that one only sit upon a cloth or skin laid flat. Nothing under the butt to elevate it. The classic seated posture for meditation or chanting, or puja, is a full lotus or 1/2 lotus. That is an example of an ideal asan. However, each of us has to work with our bodies as they are. For example, my ankle hurts after 1 hour. No matter how I sit, it hurts. During the group Chandi, I just pray and chant thru the pain, and offer it to Mother. I do not break my asan until the end of the sadhana. That is my personal sankalpa. After the Chandi, I work on stretching my body and foot / ankle in order to extend the time I can sit without moving my ankle or lifting my knees off the floor. My friend used a chair for many months. Finally Swami said that she should sit on the floor. He said that if you wish to become a sadhu, you must develop an asan, in order that you can sit for extended periods of time without regard for the body. A established asan allows you to go beyond the body, to transcend, more easily than sitting is a chair. A chair is not conducive to the fullest flowering of the highest experience. Your posture in a chair inhibits the flow of energy up the spline. So, my friend vowed to sit on the floor the next Chandi. And when her knees became too painful, she straightened her legs for a minute or two, then folded them again. She was able to sit upon the floor the entire Chandi. She was so happy. While her asan is not ideal yet, she is working towards the ideal. The effort, pushing one's limits, being uncomfortable, that is the sadhana. Who are we making the effort for? Mother and ourselves. We have to discipline ourselves. In every puja there are mantras one recites asking the Diety of that puja, to sit still. Swami explains our relationship with the Diety this way: " Because I love you, I will make every effort to sit still. I have invited you here, prepared a sacred place for you, washed your feet, given you flowers, food, water, etc. In return, please remain sitting still, and accept my worship. As long as I make the effort to sit still, to control myself, to remain with one-pointed focus, worshiping you, please stay here and accept my worship, and, please give me your darshan " The exact translation from the Advanced Shiva puja text, Page 175 is: " Oh God, please accept my worship. Oh God, remove all pain from your devotees. For as long as I worship you, please remain sitting still. " So, Swami and Maa are teaching us the fundamentals of worship. We have to make the worship our own, suited to time, place, psychology, physiology, and our internal tendencies. Worship is an individual practice, and each of us develops our own unique and perfect relationship with the Divine. Use Swami's instruction as a guideline, and make the worship your own. And, as you progress, the worship will grow, expand, deepen, and flower. That is the beauty of this experience. It is always changing and growing. That is its charm and what keeps us coming back, again and again. Jai Ma Jai Swami vishweshwar , " jrholm1007 " <jrholm1007 wrote: > > Peace to you Vishweshwar, Thank you so much for this information, I > found many useful suggestions here that I will add to my practice. > > Also, a few questions: What is the significance of having the knees > on the floor? And, is it still considered an 'ideal asan' if one is > sitting on a cushion or meditation stool to attain knees on floor? > And, can you say a little more about 'asking the Deity to sit still > as long as we sit still'? > > Thank you for your patience with my questions! Jennifer > > , " inspectionconnection108 " > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > Namaste: today at the request of some devotees, Swami gave an class > > on yoga postures which will help one improve their ability to sit > > longer in an asan so they can worship for longer periods of time. > > He defines an asan as a sitting position with legs crossed, both > knees > > on the floor, back, head, and neck straight. One sits in an asan > while > > performing worship, puja or homa, chanting, singing, etc. The goal > is > > to sit without lifting the knees off the floor for the duration of > the > > vow of worship, i.e., for the 2+ hours of group Chandi chanting at > the > > homa fire Sunday morning. > > A question asked: " after 1+ hour, my knees get very sore. Is it > > better to move the knees so my mind is no longer thinking about the > > pain, rather than the mantra, or, continue to sit in that position > > where I feel pain? " > > Swami replied, " we take a sankalpa, make a commitment, to sit still > > for the duration of the worship, and we ask the Diety to sit still > as > > long as we sit still, and to accept our worship. In order to keep > our > > commitment to the Diety, we must sit still in that position. Do not > > change position to become comfortable. > > Instead, pray to the Diety, and offer our pain and discomfort to the > > Diety. Say to the Diety: " I am offering you this pain, this is all > I > > have to offer. I have performed many sins, and now, as I sit here in > > pain, unable to think the mantra, I offer this to you. It is the > best > > I can do, I will try to think the mantras. Please help me. " > > As Swami said this, I thought of the many times I wanted to left my > > knees off the floor due to pain, but kept thinking: I must, I made > > the sankalpa. I realized that the sankalpa was a very important > part > > of the process. Whenever I begin worship, I make that sankalpa, > that, > > no matter what, I will sit until I have finished my vow of worship. > > This prayer to offer the Diety the pain is a new idea, and one I > will > > use next time I worship. It is certainly better than just sitting > and > > squirming, knees hurting, and wishing the worship was complete. > > > > Everyone should consider and process this data based on their > > situation. Swami wants us all to sit as long as possiblein an ideal > > asan, and worship with all of our capacity, in order that we receive > > God's darshan. That is the goal: receiving God's darshan. > > If the body is unable to sit " perfectly srtaight and still " , one > > should do one's best. > > For example, one devotee asked: " What can I do, my knees will not > bend > > without pain? I am so out of shape I cannot sit this way for more > than > > 30 minutes. " > > Swami replied: " do the best you can. Perform the exercises to > loosen > > the body, then start your worship, and when the pain increases, > > straighten your legs for a short time, then cross them again. If in > > the Temple, do not point your feet towards any altar, or the homa, > or > > the Gurus. Do you best, and try to sit longer, maybe add 5 minutes > > per month. " > > Each of us received advice perfect to our circumstances. Each of us > > completed the class committed to trying our best to prepare our > bodies > > for worship and sit as long as possible during worship. > > > > Prep exercises: Swami had us perform Sun Salute, with a mantra. He > > stated that this is called " Mantra Yoga " . In His opinion, yoga > > exercises with the mantra are much more powerful and effective than > > without. > > One moves into each position, then perform the mantra. Then move to > > the next, and repeat the mantra. In this way it took us about 15 > > minutes to do a full Sun Salute. > > We used the Gayatri Mantra. The practice was slow and deliberate. > > Very focused. No rush. One can see that series of postures on many > > web sites. It is a common set of postures. Chanting the mantra > > really give it the power. > > Also, in order to stretch the inner thigh muscles, He had us sit > > upright on the floor, and bring our feet together, and pull them as > > close to our groin as possible, while keeping both knees on the > floor. > > Do not bounce the knees, just keep them on the floor while sitting > > upright. He suggested to sit this way as much as possible, for > > example, while watching TV, so that one stretches those muscles. It > > will really help one sit in an ideal asan. > > Each of us will know stretches and exercises which will increase > > flexibility. If one chants the mantra during practice, it will be > a > > form of Mantra Yoga. > > As Swami said, " this is Yoga leading us to God, and God's Darshan. > It > > is not about making a great body. It is preparing the body to sit in > > the asan, in order to perform worship, to meet with God. " > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > vishweshwar > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 Vish, I am so glad that I'm not the only brother that has achy, breaky ankles after and hour. I feel vindicated, and feel proud that I can do it for a full hour...I can feel the energy raise to my head. Anywho, my two cents worth...Brother Edward, AKA: Plain old Edwardinspectionconnection108 <inspectionconnection108 Sent: Tuesday, September 4, 2007 10:32:56 PM[www.ShreeMaa.org] Re: Swami's Yoga class, prepping for a good asan Namaste: When one sits in an asan, the goal is a straight spine, and knees on the floor. The straight spine allows the energy to flow more easily up the spine as opposed to a slumped forward position. Having the knees on the floor balances the upper torso. The lower body becomes a triangle, on which the upper body rests. In an ideal asan, Swami prefers that one only sit upon a cloth or skin laid flat. Nothing under the butt to elevate it. The classic seated posture for meditation or chanting, or puja, is a full lotus or 1/2 lotus. That is an example of an ideal asan. However, each of us has to work with our bodies as they are. For example, my ankle hurts after 1 hour. No matter how I sit, it hurts. During the group Chandi, I just pray and chant thru the pain, and offer it to Mother. I do not break my asan until the end of the sadhana. That is my personal sankalpa. After the Chandi, I work on stretching my body and foot / ankle in order to extend the time I can sit without moving my ankle or lifting my knees off the floor. My friend used a chair for many months. Finally Swami said that she should sit on the floor. He said that if you wish to become a sadhu, you must develop an asan, in order that you can sit for extended periods of time without regard for the body. A established asan allows you to go beyond the body, to transcend, more easily than sitting is a chair. A chair is not conducive to the fullest flowering of the highest experience. Your posture in a chair inhibits the flow of energy up the spline. So, my friend vowed to sit on the floor the next Chandi. And when her knees became too painful, she straightened her legs for a minute or two, then folded them again. She was able to sit upon the floor the entire Chandi. She was so happy. While her asan is not ideal yet, she is working towards the ideal. The effort, pushing one's limits, being uncomfortable, that is the sadhana. Who are we making the effort for? Mother and ourselves. We have to discipline ourselves. In every puja there are mantras one recites asking the Diety of that puja, to sit still. Swami explains our relationship with the Diety this way: "Because I love you, I will make every effort to sit still. I have invited you here, prepared a sacred place for you, washed your feet, given you flowers, food, water, etc. In return, please remain sitting still, and accept my worship. As long as I make the effort to sit still, to control myself, to remain with one-pointed focus, worshiping you, please stay here and accept my worship, and, please give me your darshan" The exact translation from the Advanced Shiva puja text, Page 175 is: "Oh God, please accept my worship. Oh God, remove all pain from your devotees. For as long as I worship you, please remain sitting still." So, Swami and Maa are teaching us the fundamentals of worship. We have to make the worship our own, suited to time, place, psychology, physiology, and our internal tendencies. Worship is an individual practice, and each of us develops our own unique and perfect relationship with the Divine. Use Swami's instruction as a guideline, and make the worship your own. And, as you progress, the worship will grow, expand, deepen, and flower. That is the beauty of this experience. It is always changing and growing. That is its charm and what keeps us coming back, again and again. Jai Ma Jai Swami vishweshwar , "jrholm1007" <jrholm1007@ ...> wrote: > > Peace to you Vishweshwar, Thank you so much for this information, I > found many useful suggestions here that I will add to my practice. > > Also, a few questions: What is the significance of having the knees > on the floor? And, is it still considered an 'ideal asan' if one is > sitting on a cushion or meditation stool to attain knees on floor? > And, can you say a little more about 'asking the Deity to sit still > as long as we sit still'? > > Thank you for your patience with my questions! Jennifer > > , "inspectionconnecti on108" > <inspectionconnecti on108@> wrote: > > > > Namaste: today at the request of some devotees, Swami gave an class > > on yoga postures which will help one improve their ability to sit > > longer in an asan so they can worship for longer periods of time. > > He defines an asan as a sitting position with legs crossed, both > knees > > on the floor, back, head, and neck straight. One sits in an asan > while > > performing worship, puja or homa, chanting, singing, etc. The goal > is > > to sit without lifting the knees off the floor for the duration of > the > > vow of worship, i.e., for the 2+ hours of group Chandi chanting at > the > > homa fire Sunday morning. > > A question asked: "after 1+ hour, my knees get very sore. Is it > > better to move the knees so my mind is no longer thinking about the > > pain, rather than the mantra, or, continue to sit in that position > > where I feel pain?" > > Swami replied, "we take a sankalpa, make a commitment, to sit still > > for the duration of the worship, and we ask the Diety to sit still > as > > long as we sit still, and to accept our worship. In order to keep > our > > commitment to the Diety, we must sit still in that position. Do not > > change position to become comfortable. > > Instead, pray to the Diety, and offer our pain and discomfort to the > > Diety. Say to the Diety: " I am offering you this pain, this is all > I > > have to offer. I have performed many sins, and now, as I sit here in > > pain, unable to think the mantra, I offer this to you. It is the > best > > I can do, I will try to think the mantras. Please help me." > > As Swami said this, I thought of the many times I wanted to left my > > knees off the floor due to pain, but kept thinking: I must, I made > > the sankalpa. I realized that the sankalpa was a very important > part > > of the process. Whenever I begin worship, I make that sankalpa, > that, > > no matter what, I will sit until I have finished my vow of worship. > > This prayer to offer the Diety the pain is a new idea, and one I > will > > use next time I worship. It is certainly better than just sitting > and > > squirming, knees hurting, and wishing the worship was complete. > > > > Everyone should consider and process this data based on their > > situation. Swami wants us all to sit as long as possiblein an ideal > > asan, and worship with all of our capacity, in order that we receive > > God's darshan. That is the goal: receiving God's darshan. > > If the body is unable to sit "perfectly srtaight and still", one > > should do one's best. > > For example, one devotee asked: "What can I do, my knees will not > bend > > without pain? I am so out of shape I cannot sit this way for more > than > > 30 minutes." > > Swami replied: "do the best you can. Perform the exercises to > loosen > > the body, then start your worship, and when the pain increases, > > straighten your legs for a short time, then cross them again. If in > > the Temple, do not point your feet towards any altar, or the homa, > or > > the Gurus. Do you best, and try to sit longer, maybe add 5 minutes > > per month." > > Each of us received advice perfect to our circumstances. Each of us > > completed the class committed to trying our best to prepare our > bodies > > for worship and sit as long as possible during worship. > > > > Prep exercises: Swami had us perform Sun Salute, with a mantra. He > > stated that this is called "Mantra Yoga". In His opinion, yoga > > exercises with the mantra are much more powerful and effective than > > without. > > One moves into each position, then perform the mantra. Then move to > > the next, and repeat the mantra. In this way it took us about 15 > > minutes to do a full Sun Salute. > > We used the Gayatri Mantra. The practice was slow and deliberate. > > Very focused. No rush. One can see that series of postures on many > > web sites. It is a common set of postures. Chanting the mantra > > really give it the power. > > Also, in order to stretch the inner thigh muscles, He had us sit > > upright on the floor, and bring our feet together, and pull them as > > close to our groin as possible, while keeping both knees on the > floor. > > Do not bounce the knees, just keep them on the floor while sitting > > upright. He suggested to sit this way as much as possible, for > > example, while watching TV, so that one stretches those muscles. It > > will really help one sit in an ideal asan. > > Each of us will know stretches and exercises which will increase > > flexibility. If one chants the mantra during practice, it will be > a > > form of Mantra Yoga. > > As Swami said, "this is Yoga leading us to God, and God's Darshan. > It > > is not about making a great body. It is preparing the body to sit in > > the asan, in order to perform worship, to meet with God." > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > vishweshwar > > > Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 Dear Vishweshwar, thank you for the thoughtful and thorough response. I especially appreciate the balance that you highlighted between following Swami's guidelines and making worship one's own. I remember the one time that I was able to observe Swami's teachings via video, and I was struck, at the time, by his posture/asan. The double triangle is the perfect analogy. I remember wondering if I would ever be able to sit like that in this lifetime! I have had hip and lower back issues, and so have to go slowly and be kind to the limitations that my body presents me with. When I do not heed the warning of pain in those regions of my body, a chain reaction is sometimes started that can leave me incapacitated. For me personally, this is all just a part of how Divine Mother is working with me to bring me closer to Her, and pain is another tool that She uses to guide me where She wants me to go. It has been a journey of learning how to attend to myself with mindfulness, compassion and kindness, and using the tools of attention, touch and prayer to invite and witness Her healing within the temple of the body. I have never been able to sit with my knees touching the floor (unless using a meditation cushion) and so that is my starting point, working with stretching and core strenthening to move in that direction. Thanks for helping to clarify the goal! Jennifer , " inspectionconnection108 " <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste: When one sits in an asan, the goal is a straight spine, and > knees on the floor. The straight spine allows the energy to flow more > easily up the spine as opposed to a slumped forward position. Having > the knees on the floor balances the upper torso. The lower body > becomes a triangle, on which the upper body rests. > In an ideal asan, Swami prefers that one only sit upon a cloth or skin > laid flat. Nothing under the butt to elevate it. The classic seated > posture for meditation or chanting, or puja, is a full lotus or 1/2 > lotus. That is an example of an ideal asan. > However, each of us has to work with our bodies as they are. For > example, my ankle hurts after 1 hour. No matter how I sit, it hurts. > During the group Chandi, I just pray and chant thru the pain, and > offer it to Mother. I do not break my asan until the end of the > sadhana. That is my personal sankalpa. After the Chandi, I work on > stretching my body and foot / ankle in order to extend the time I can > sit without moving my ankle or lifting my knees off the floor. > My friend used a chair for many months. Finally Swami said that she > should sit on the floor. He said that if you wish to become a sadhu, > you must develop an asan, in order that you can sit for extended > periods of time without regard for the body. A established asan > allows you to go beyond the body, to transcend, more easily than > sitting is a chair. A chair is not conducive to the fullest flowering > of the highest experience. Your posture in a chair inhibits the flow > of energy up the spline. > So, my friend vowed to sit on the floor the next Chandi. And when her > knees became too painful, she straightened her legs for a minute or > two, then folded them again. She was able to sit upon the floor the > entire Chandi. She was so happy. While her asan is not ideal yet, > she is working towards the ideal. The effort, pushing one's limits, > being uncomfortable, that is the sadhana. Who are we making the > effort for? Mother and ourselves. We have to discipline ourselves. > > In every puja there are mantras one recites asking the Diety of that > puja, to sit still. > Swami explains our relationship with the Diety this way: " Because I > love you, I will make every effort to sit still. I have invited you > here, prepared a sacred place for you, washed your feet, given you > flowers, food, water, etc. In return, please remain sitting still, > and accept my worship. As long as I make the effort to sit still, to > control myself, to remain with one-pointed focus, worshiping you, > please stay here and accept my worship, and, please give me your darshan " > The exact translation from the Advanced Shiva puja text, Page 175 is: > " Oh God, please accept my worship. Oh God, remove all pain from your > devotees. For as long as I worship you, please remain sitting still. " > > So, Swami and Maa are teaching us the fundamentals of worship. We > have to make the worship our own, suited to time, place, psychology, > physiology, and our internal tendencies. Worship is an individual > practice, and each of us develops our own unique and perfect > relationship with the Divine. > Use Swami's instruction as a guideline, and make the worship your own. > And, as you progress, the worship will grow, expand, deepen, and > flower. That is the beauty of this experience. It is always changing > and growing. That is its charm and what keeps us coming back, again > and again. > > Jai Ma Jai Swami > > vishweshwar > > > > , " jrholm1007 " <jrholm1007@> wrote: > > > > Peace to you Vishweshwar, Thank you so much for this information, I > > found many useful suggestions here that I will add to my practice. > > > > Also, a few questions: What is the significance of having the knees > > on the floor? And, is it still considered an 'ideal asan' if one is > > sitting on a cushion or meditation stool to attain knees on floor? > > And, can you say a little more about 'asking the Deity to sit still > > as long as we sit still'? > > > > Thank you for your patience with my questions! Jennifer > > > > , " inspectionconnection108 " > > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > > > Namaste: today at the request of some devotees, Swami gave an class > > > on yoga postures which will help one improve their ability to sit > > > longer in an asan so they can worship for longer periods of time. > > > He defines an asan as a sitting position with legs crossed, both > > knees > > > on the floor, back, head, and neck straight. One sits in an asan > > while > > > performing worship, puja or homa, chanting, singing, etc. The goal > > is > > > to sit without lifting the knees off the floor for the duration of > > the > > > vow of worship, i.e., for the 2+ hours of group Chandi chanting at > > the > > > homa fire Sunday morning. > > > A question asked: " after 1+ hour, my knees get very sore. Is it > > > better to move the knees so my mind is no longer thinking about the > > > pain, rather than the mantra, or, continue to sit in that position > > > where I feel pain? " > > > Swami replied, " we take a sankalpa, make a commitment, to sit still > > > for the duration of the worship, and we ask the Diety to sit still > > as > > > long as we sit still, and to accept our worship. In order to keep > > our > > > commitment to the Diety, we must sit still in that position. Do not > > > change position to become comfortable. > > > Instead, pray to the Diety, and offer our pain and discomfort to the > > > Diety. Say to the Diety: " I am offering you this pain, this is all > > I > > > have to offer. I have performed many sins, and now, as I sit here in > > > pain, unable to think the mantra, I offer this to you. It is the > > best > > > I can do, I will try to think the mantras. Please help me. " > > > As Swami said this, I thought of the many times I wanted to left my > > > knees off the floor due to pain, but kept thinking: I must, I made > > > the sankalpa. I realized that the sankalpa was a very important > > part > > > of the process. Whenever I begin worship, I make that sankalpa, > > that, > > > no matter what, I will sit until I have finished my vow of worship. > > > This prayer to offer the Diety the pain is a new idea, and one I > > will > > > use next time I worship. It is certainly better than just sitting > > and > > > squirming, knees hurting, and wishing the worship was complete. > > > > > > Everyone should consider and process this data based on their > > > situation. Swami wants us all to sit as long as possiblein an ideal > > > asan, and worship with all of our capacity, in order that we receive > > > God's darshan. That is the goal: receiving God's darshan. > > > If the body is unable to sit " perfectly srtaight and still " , one > > > should do one's best. > > > For example, one devotee asked: " What can I do, my knees will not > > bend > > > without pain? I am so out of shape I cannot sit this way for more > > than > > > 30 minutes. " > > > Swami replied: " do the best you can. Perform the exercises to > > loosen > > > the body, then start your worship, and when the pain increases, > > > straighten your legs for a short time, then cross them again. If in > > > the Temple, do not point your feet towards any altar, or the homa, > > or > > > the Gurus. Do you best, and try to sit longer, maybe add 5 minutes > > > per month. " > > > Each of us received advice perfect to our circumstances. Each of us > > > completed the class committed to trying our best to prepare our > > bodies > > > for worship and sit as long as possible during worship. > > > > > > Prep exercises: Swami had us perform Sun Salute, with a mantra. He > > > stated that this is called " Mantra Yoga " . In His opinion, yoga > > > exercises with the mantra are much more powerful and effective than > > > without. > > > One moves into each position, then perform the mantra. Then move to > > > the next, and repeat the mantra. In this way it took us about 15 > > > minutes to do a full Sun Salute. > > > We used the Gayatri Mantra. The practice was slow and deliberate. > > > Very focused. No rush. One can see that series of postures on many > > > web sites. It is a common set of postures. Chanting the mantra > > > really give it the power. > > > Also, in order to stretch the inner thigh muscles, He had us sit > > > upright on the floor, and bring our feet together, and pull them as > > > close to our groin as possible, while keeping both knees on the > > floor. > > > Do not bounce the knees, just keep them on the floor while sitting > > > upright. He suggested to sit this way as much as possible, for > > > example, while watching TV, so that one stretches those muscles. It > > > will really help one sit in an ideal asan. > > > Each of us will know stretches and exercises which will increase > > > flexibility. If one chants the mantra during practice, it will be > > a > > > form of Mantra Yoga. > > > As Swami said, " this is Yoga leading us to God, and God's Darshan. > > It > > > is not about making a great body. It is preparing the body to sit in > > > the asan, in order to perform worship, to meet with God. " > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2007 Report Share Posted September 8, 2007 Namaste: You are welcome. I am glad the information helped. I too watch Swami and think that His every action, His speech, His purity, and His efficiency in action are the highest ideals for me to ascribe to. Then, on Sunday morning at 9:25, I settle in my asan, and the ego and his army of thoughts and emotions take over, and it is all I can do to keep up with the chanting, and breathing, and keep my knees on the floor. But, wonder of wonders, week after week, I can see slow but steady improvement in every area. By Maa and Swami's Grace, the body behaves, and the mind and ego surrender a portion of their control for those precious hours as we chant. Monday comes, I go to work, and the effects of Chandi propel me into action, like a surfer riding the perfect wave, I ride Maa's tidal wave of Bliss and Shakti. So, we have to give up something precious to us, in order to get something beyond words: Her Grace. Thanks to Maa and Swami for giving us their love, attention, endless patience, and pure knowledge. Jai Ma Jai Swami vishweshwar , " jrholm1007 " <jrholm1007 wrote: > > Dear Vishweshwar, thank you for the thoughtful and thorough > response. I especially appreciate the balance that you highlighted > between following Swami's guidelines and making worship one's own. I > remember the one time that I was able to observe Swami's teachings > via video, and I was struck, at the time, by his posture/asan. The > double triangle is the perfect analogy. I remember wondering if I > would ever be able to sit like that in this lifetime! > > I have had hip and lower back issues, and so have to go slowly and be > kind to the limitations that my body presents me with. When I do not > heed the warning of pain in those regions of my body, a chain > reaction is sometimes started that can leave me incapacitated. For > me personally, this is all just a part of how Divine Mother is > working with me to bring me closer to Her, and pain is another tool > that She uses to guide me where She wants me to go. It has been a > journey of learning how to attend to myself with mindfulness, > compassion and kindness, and using the tools of attention, touch and > prayer to invite and witness Her healing within the temple of the > body. > > I have never been able to sit with my knees touching the floor > (unless using a meditation cushion) and so that is my starting point, > working with stretching and core strenthening to move in that > direction. > > Thanks for helping to clarify the goal! Jennifer > > , " inspectionconnection108 " > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > Namaste: When one sits in an asan, the goal is a straight spine, > and > > knees on the floor. The straight spine allows the energy to flow > more > > easily up the spine as opposed to a slumped forward position. > Having > > the knees on the floor balances the upper torso. The lower body > > becomes a triangle, on which the upper body rests. > > In an ideal asan, Swami prefers that one only sit upon a cloth or > skin > > laid flat. Nothing under the butt to elevate it. The classic > seated > > posture for meditation or chanting, or puja, is a full lotus or 1/2 > > lotus. That is an example of an ideal asan. > > However, each of us has to work with our bodies as they are. For > > example, my ankle hurts after 1 hour. No matter how I sit, it > hurts. > > During the group Chandi, I just pray and chant thru the pain, and > > offer it to Mother. I do not break my asan until the end of the > > sadhana. That is my personal sankalpa. After the Chandi, I work on > > stretching my body and foot / ankle in order to extend the time I > can > > sit without moving my ankle or lifting my knees off the floor. > > My friend used a chair for many months. Finally Swami said that she > > should sit on the floor. He said that if you wish to become a > sadhu, > > you must develop an asan, in order that you can sit for extended > > periods of time without regard for the body. A established asan > > allows you to go beyond the body, to transcend, more easily than > > sitting is a chair. A chair is not conducive to the fullest > flowering > > of the highest experience. Your posture in a chair inhibits the flow > > of energy up the spline. > > So, my friend vowed to sit on the floor the next Chandi. And when > her > > knees became too painful, she straightened her legs for a minute or > > two, then folded them again. She was able to sit upon the floor the > > entire Chandi. She was so happy. While her asan is not ideal yet, > > she is working towards the ideal. The effort, pushing one's limits, > > being uncomfortable, that is the sadhana. Who are we making the > > effort for? Mother and ourselves. We have to discipline > ourselves. > > > > In every puja there are mantras one recites asking the Diety of that > > puja, to sit still. > > Swami explains our relationship with the Diety this way: " Because I > > love you, I will make every effort to sit still. I have invited you > > here, prepared a sacred place for you, washed your feet, given you > > flowers, food, water, etc. In return, please remain sitting still, > > and accept my worship. As long as I make the effort to sit still, to > > control myself, to remain with one-pointed focus, worshiping you, > > please stay here and accept my worship, and, please give me your > darshan " > > The exact translation from the Advanced Shiva puja text, Page 175 > is: > > " Oh God, please accept my worship. Oh God, remove all pain from > your > > devotees. For as long as I worship you, please remain sitting > still. " > > > > So, Swami and Maa are teaching us the fundamentals of worship. We > > have to make the worship our own, suited to time, place, psychology, > > physiology, and our internal tendencies. Worship is an individual > > practice, and each of us develops our own unique and perfect > > relationship with the Divine. > > Use Swami's instruction as a guideline, and make the worship your > own. > > And, as you progress, the worship will grow, expand, deepen, and > > flower. That is the beauty of this experience. It is always > changing > > and growing. That is its charm and what keeps us coming back, again > > and again. > > > > Jai Ma Jai Swami > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > , " jrholm1007 " <jrholm1007@> > wrote: > > > > > > Peace to you Vishweshwar, Thank you so much for this information, > I > > > found many useful suggestions here that I will add to my practice. > > > > > > Also, a few questions: What is the significance of having the > knees > > > on the floor? And, is it still considered an 'ideal asan' if one > is > > > sitting on a cushion or meditation stool to attain knees on > floor? > > > And, can you say a little more about 'asking the Deity to sit > still > > > as long as we sit still'? > > > > > > Thank you for your patience with my questions! Jennifer > > > > > > , " inspectionconnection108 " > > > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste: today at the request of some devotees, Swami gave an > class > > > > on yoga postures which will help one improve their ability to > sit > > > > longer in an asan so they can worship for longer periods of > time. > > > > He defines an asan as a sitting position with legs crossed, > both > > > knees > > > > on the floor, back, head, and neck straight. One sits in an > asan > > > while > > > > performing worship, puja or homa, chanting, singing, etc. The > goal > > > is > > > > to sit without lifting the knees off the floor for the duration > of > > > the > > > > vow of worship, i.e., for the 2+ hours of group Chandi chanting > at > > > the > > > > homa fire Sunday morning. > > > > A question asked: " after 1+ hour, my knees get very sore. Is it > > > > better to move the knees so my mind is no longer thinking about > the > > > > pain, rather than the mantra, or, continue to sit in that > position > > > > where I feel pain? " > > > > Swami replied, " we take a sankalpa, make a commitment, to sit > still > > > > for the duration of the worship, and we ask the Diety to sit > still > > > as > > > > long as we sit still, and to accept our worship. In order to > keep > > > our > > > > commitment to the Diety, we must sit still in that position. > Do not > > > > change position to become comfortable. > > > > Instead, pray to the Diety, and offer our pain and discomfort > to the > > > > Diety. Say to the Diety: " I am offering you this pain, this is > all > > > I > > > > have to offer. I have performed many sins, and now, as I sit > here in > > > > pain, unable to think the mantra, I offer this to you. It is > the > > > best > > > > I can do, I will try to think the mantras. Please help me. " > > > > As Swami said this, I thought of the many times I wanted to > left my > > > > knees off the floor due to pain, but kept thinking: I must, I > made > > > > the sankalpa. I realized that the sankalpa was a very > important > > > part > > > > of the process. Whenever I begin worship, I make that sankalpa, > > > that, > > > > no matter what, I will sit until I have finished my vow of > worship. > > > > This prayer to offer the Diety the pain is a new idea, and one > I > > > will > > > > use next time I worship. It is certainly better than just > sitting > > > and > > > > squirming, knees hurting, and wishing the worship was complete. > > > > > > > > Everyone should consider and process this data based on their > > > > situation. Swami wants us all to sit as long as possiblein an > ideal > > > > asan, and worship with all of our capacity, in order that we > receive > > > > God's darshan. That is the goal: receiving God's darshan. > > > > If the body is unable to sit " perfectly srtaight and still " , one > > > > should do one's best. > > > > For example, one devotee asked: " What can I do, my knees will > not > > > bend > > > > without pain? I am so out of shape I cannot sit this way for > more > > > than > > > > 30 minutes. " > > > > Swami replied: " do the best you can. Perform the exercises to > > > loosen > > > > the body, then start your worship, and when the pain increases, > > > > straighten your legs for a short time, then cross them again. > If in > > > > the Temple, do not point your feet towards any altar, or the > homa, > > > or > > > > the Gurus. Do you best, and try to sit longer, maybe add 5 > minutes > > > > per month. " > > > > Each of us received advice perfect to our circumstances. Each > of us > > > > completed the class committed to trying our best to prepare our > > > bodies > > > > for worship and sit as long as possible during worship. > > > > > > > > Prep exercises: Swami had us perform Sun Salute, with a > mantra. He > > > > stated that this is called " Mantra Yoga " . In His opinion, yoga > > > > exercises with the mantra are much more powerful and effective > than > > > > without. > > > > One moves into each position, then perform the mantra. Then > move to > > > > the next, and repeat the mantra. In this way it took us about > 15 > > > > minutes to do a full Sun Salute. > > > > We used the Gayatri Mantra. The practice was slow and > deliberate. > > > > Very focused. No rush. One can see that series of postures on > many > > > > web sites. It is a common set of postures. Chanting the mantra > > > > really give it the power. > > > > Also, in order to stretch the inner thigh muscles, He had us sit > > > > upright on the floor, and bring our feet together, and pull > them as > > > > close to our groin as possible, while keeping both knees on the > > > floor. > > > > Do not bounce the knees, just keep them on the floor while > sitting > > > > upright. He suggested to sit this way as much as possible, for > > > > example, while watching TV, so that one stretches those > muscles. It > > > > will really help one sit in an ideal asan. > > > > Each of us will know stretches and exercises which will increase > > > > flexibility. If one chants the mantra during practice, it > will be > > > a > > > > form of Mantra Yoga. > > > > As Swami said, " this is Yoga leading us to God, and God's > Darshan. > > > It > > > > is not about making a great body. It is preparing the body to > sit in > > > > the asan, in order to perform worship, to meet with God. " > > > > > > > > > > > > Jai Maa Jai Swami > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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