 Yoga means to bind, to yoke, a union, an integration and process in which the bodies intelligence, mind and consciousness are held by will as a mental aperture of control to behold stillness, the practice of poise of which no man can teach an individual. It can be described but it cannot be given you and it cannot be stolen from you. And it is not stretching, Yoga is life. Just 20 percent of yoga is posture and this posture is not being done unless it is within the frame of the 8 disciplines and the knowledge of the sutras. It is an applicable science and modality which is transparent and observable within our modern experience.
Which brings us to the eight fold path of yoga and the sutras which provide the steps to which we may obtain this poise and control of our experience within the modern world. The first path of the eight limbs is Yama, which is the practice of self restraint. We have five behaviour patterns in Yama that link us to our society and social environment. From these patterns we learn conscious behaviour, not partly conscious, as in society where our responses have become mechanistic. Rather, learning to react from necessity, a response, not reaction, a conscious choice of restraint. The third commandment of Yama self restraint is an important one in our current materially orientated world today, especially in business and amongst the trappings of social media, it is very apt and a necessary self restraint if we wish to attract that which we desire rather than block that which we seek to manifest. This principle of which I have chosen to speak is ATSEYA. Non stealing. My dear friend and teacher Georgina Eve summarises this 3rd principle succinctly. "Atseya means non stealing, It includes refraining misappropriation, accepting bribes and the like. The desire for what another owns can be very strong. Such an attitude leads to a feeling that someone else has what I need in order to feel complete. But stealing an external object doesn't get rid of the basic sense of inadequacy, so one takes it again and again. Still the underlying feelings remain unsatisfied. Cultivating ATSEYA counteracts such attitudes, It helps to develop a sense of completeness and self sufficiency and leads to freedom and the bondage of such cravings." Until one shows willing restraint in the third observance and subsequently in all 5 restraints of which we will not go into here, regardless of whether it is seen as yogic or not, they will not find that which they seek. We can see how beliefs go unchecked and then even when this lack of checking is known to the self, if we are not restrained it will bring about the opposite of the desired result and the self knows that it is being lied to and will not be fooled by such lack of restraint and observance. Even when we do not see how our beliefs are manifesting for us, and in this case primarily, we should first assume the best and consider restraints because this will bring about that which we want, and love will be able to show its light during the period of such control. Iboga is such a lovely medicine for a demonstration of what has always existed in man time immemorial. Through Yogic science these wisdoms exist and take great study and practice. It may be suggested that something like Iboga can accelerate these processes and it would not be disputed that it has done such and will not continue to provide such a beautiful opening.. However, some positive affirmation physically from others that these restraints and abilities exist already and they are possible is what seekers in sometimes dire need, require. Some stability in the way of restraint. A demonstration that they too will be able to learn restraint and control to free their mind of that which hinders them, to make choices, and free themselves of the disturbances that the modern mind has acquired through lack of restraint, observance and general appropriation of unconditional love. Our mentors are where we look, and our comforts are with them when we are vulnerable. If they are not exuding restraint, and control we may feel uneasy. All journeys continue for teachers and students alike. Hopefully with simple restraints in mind. I know for me when looking to others for guidance, self restraint and the ability to observe the self shown through the teacher was what was needed to be seen by me to provide assurance, without this, I was not sure of undertaking such huge steps of healing. A seeker, student or aspirant needs a map of reassurance that what is being taught works. Of the 5 self restraints i had chosen the third because i thought it was such a roadblock for the media obsessed business entrepreneurs in their efforts to succeed, as they succumb to not cultivating Atseya and continue to envy what they think is better for their model and which ultimately, is felt through the audience of which they appeal. What becomes known to the aspirant, is inauthenticity derived of an inability to bring control of mind, body and soul into poise. Merely building something in our society today will not decide its fortune. Learning eternally in love with the hard task of discipline because even when we know what we should do, and do we or can we do it.. Atseya self restraint will be one way in the material world towards an accurate manifestation of that which we seek and as strong confidence in those to which we appeal. A mere ideal of enlightenment is something that still has to be obtained, and our observances, our restraints are always what will bring us those qualities of mind which may free us. Thank you to the abundant intelligence of nature that continues to give completely renewed directions and choices which never end. Blessed are we who let go to the abundance in all things. Free to capture our own intelligence to share in others and their respective intelligence and love. What is not made yours is lost, what is not generated of self, integrated and observed is squandered. When we focus on that which we don't have we lose that which we do and can create. One love, all knowledge through all man infinite never ending, forever creating. Sharing to heal. #Yama #yogasutras #iboga #iyengaryoga #atseya Georgina Eve Yoga #costaricaretreat #ikararetreat #bksiyengar #patanjali Comments are closed.
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