 | |||
 6  3  7  |
 |
 |
 |
Wisdom of Lahiri Mahasaya - 2
 |
| Lahiri Baba's wisdom is considered - |
On this page is gist from his commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, a major work in old yoga.
Contents
Supporting "well medleys" are presupposed
throughout:Introduction by T. Kinnes
Mind sway
DOMINION of the mind can be had through tactics, says Panchanon Bhattacharya, one of the foremost disciples of Lahiri Baba. This suggests that kriya yoga fits into the Patanjali's eight-step yoga form, where the beginner rises into contemplation and making good use of the present contemplation states in life. The age-old yoga system can be seen as a form of tactics aiming at control of the deep mind, and successful use of it can bring successes in life too. But it is not wrong to see yoga training as a way of awakening either. The words "dominion" and "control" are not intended to make anyone a control freak, at any rate - not by us here at The Gold Scales. [cf. Iv 130] (2)Panchanon Bhattacharya tried his best to make the text understandable and beneficial to initiates and to uninitiated ones, for some of the statements of Lahiri Baba were not intelligible, not even to disciples. [cf. Iv 131] (3)
Yoga - science or art or -?
Gurus present yoga in ways that conform to the mind sets of prospective "buyers" or followers. In times when science is a great catch word, it is called a science. And there are some fundamental principles involved in good yoga training, and the words 'science' is not the monopoly of anyone in particular.The word 'science' comes a long way from the Latin present participle of scire to know, and is probably akin to Sanskrit chyati, meaning he cuts off.
Science is also (1) knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding; (2) and a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study; (3) it can also mean something (as a sport or technique) that may be studied or learned like systematized knowledge; and (4) knowledge or a system of knowledge that covers general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through one or more scientific methods; and (5) such knowledge or such a system of knowledge concerned with the physical world and its phenomena; and finally (6) a system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific laws.
'Science' can mean any of these facets of the definition set, which is from Merriam-Webster. So when a good yogi says "This yoga is a science," we may all accept he may have something else in mind than ourselves. For example, he could mean, "This yoga stands out from ignorance (it is a science)" - just that. That is part of the first definition parameter or facet.
You, however, could think he says, "This yoga covers general truths that you can test thoroughly or systematically yourself by the methods devised."
It is good to ask gurus to be specific enough, for some gurus don't always favour listeners with being specific. For example, the famous Hindu swami Yogananda, who made Lahiri's kriya yoga known in the United States between 1920 and 1952, says that kriya yoga is a science, is scientific, and works like mathematics. He says that if you use the methods, they will make you Self-realized in a very short time. But kriya yoga is not that sort of wonder-drug, and it pays to be well informed in advance to avoid marring stupidity that evolves in the hands of guru followers.
So much for that guru's claims. Some who thought they were gospel truth, have been much disappointed. To one such disciple he said that devotion was wanting. On another occasion he said "kriya plus devotion" was the needed and sufficient factors. In other words, he talked against himself while promoting kriya yoga by the catch words 'science' and 'devotion', speaking to a more religious-minded public in later life, and trying to present kriya as a wonder-science in the first part of his mission.
As far as we know, mathematics don't work, it shows. And if the regular "scientific" adherence to the kriya yoga methods did not work for many, the guru should perhaps have blamed his own marketing attempts. For many have got problems due to the partly confusing word medley of the guru.
Let me suggest, as an old and top-initiated insider of kriya yoga, that the system of methods called kriya does have effects, as research lets us in on, but that the effects depend on many things, and not only the amount of kriya rounds. Bulwarking means a lot too, preserving one's peace after a session, and how often and precisely one dives inside (contemplates) after each little kriya session. Many SRF followers fail in understanding that kriya yoga proper is preparatory to diving inside (contemplating). Some get fast effects, others experience nothing, and in between those poles apart there is a wide field to harrow. Guru followers get harrowed if they believe glorious statements that are not true to the common experience.
Yoga as an Art
It may be tough to define art. Art is something that is made and/or displayed with the intention of it being art. Now, to make skilled use of elements in combinations is artistic. Yoga is fairly often according to that. Various elements are combined in a training program, or sadhana. Ideally, those yoga elements should suit the practicing one, and a convenient life style is to be included too. Kriya yoga and other sorts of yoga can and should be done artfully, then.Introducing the Tenets
Below are tenets that stem from Lahiri Baba's commentaries on the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. We host a translation of the sutras on another page [LINK], and a reader that tries to make the Yoga Sutras understandable on yet another page [LINK]. The following slokas (verses), very terse "threads of thought", were prepared by me on top of Lahiri's Yoga Sutra teachings, that can be found in extentio somewhere online.Why do we take the time to show this? For one thing we illustrate how yoga gloss can be put to good use. (1) The gist is in itself interesting to many, and (2) the systematic presentation of it may enhance the value too. It becomes easier to live if one avoids the pitfalls of more common yoga presentations, and the clumsy servility that marks some traditions and circles.
Near the top of the left column are links to a yoga glossary. It explains terms that otherwise might be difficult to decipher. Good luck. - TK
1 - Slokas
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjani is divided into four chapters. Below is gist from Lahiri's comments in chapter 1. The numbers in brackets below refer to verses (sutras) of Patanjali, not pages.Self to Develop
Practice to end up subtle, is going for results, and can thus stultify the efforts, the
dive or glide inside oneself. Both marriages and one-pointed subtlety helps the plumbing
Self to develop somewhat.
The Self is above abandoning
expectations for results too, and beyond being solely inside the mind
ABANDON expectations for results. [cf. 31]Objects look void in some states of yoga. [cf. 43]
Established in the Self, the heart becomes one with the Self. [cf. 41]
Beyond time is the inner Self that is greater than the Creator. [cf. 26]
The calm, great state is more easily gained through great disinterest. [cf. 37]
The contemplative is to hold onto the Self. [cf. 33]
The Self is above the results of bad actions. [cf. 24]
Train awareness of the heart inside the mind. [cf. 30]
The pure and those free of reasoning, win the grace of Self in their lives. [cf. 47]
Yogic liberation is the ultimate Self. [cf. 51]
Inner wisdom is called illumination. [cf. 36]
Indifference is to be developed in very many cases. [cf. 33]
Practice to awaken in the
subtle Self, needs to end up subtle, at least
BEING ineffective, in doubt, lethargic and unstable distract the yogi. [cf. 30]The seeker is to develop disinterest. [cf. 16]
Unwillingness to do good yoga, and wrong notions, are hindrances of yoga. [cf. 30] [
Great contentment is to be sought on top of righteousness. [cf. 33]
Practice to make the mind focused, i.e., one-pointed. [cf. 32]
Subtlety is the gist. [cf. 45]
The heart calms down through yogic pranayama. [cf. 34]
The seed of omniscience is holding stably onto the inner Self, cultivating it. [cf. 25]
The state of calm can be had by dreams and drowsy feelings. [cf. 38]
Wisdom may be blessed by the grace of the Self. [cf. 49]
The sound of OM (AUM) reaches
into Selfhood
LOOKING steadfastly upwards like a fool can be a clear sign of yoga trance. [cf.
1]Reverence is generated by doing kriya [cf. 20]
The sound of OM is also known as pranava (pranaba). One should listen in to it. [cf.
27]
Summary
- According to yoga literature, the Self is above abandoning expectations for results too, and beyond being solely inside the mind.
- Practice to awaken in the subtle Self, needs to end up subtle, at least.
- The sound of OM (AUM) reaches into Selfhood, so a way is to tune in to it through that Sound through yoga training.
Some say the Self is above practice and results, but frankly, Selfhood is to be
developed. And it takes time. There are plotters who teach differently.
A famous glowworm
Violet Asquith conversed with Churchill at the dinner-table. For a
long time he remained sunk in abstraction. Then he seemed to become suddenly
aware of her, turned a lowering gaze on her and asked how old she was. She replied
that she was nineteen."And I," he said almost despairingly, "am thirty-two already." After some thought he added, "Younger than anyone else who counts, though."
He talked a lot about how short life is and ended: "'We are all worms. But I do believe I am a glowworm."
These things can only be hinted at
"Joan of Arc" is the title of a song by Leonard Cohen. Joan is burnt at the stake when she understood that if her Love was fire, then she was wood.- Those who burn, seem to glow, and those who burn, may be manipulated into it.
- Don't let anyone set fire to you, then, unless you know it is very good for you . . .
- The purpose of doing kriya should be different from burning out in bliss. And then again, in the old yoga works it is stated that yoga is a fire rite called tapas, i.e., sacrifice, penance - and there you have it.
- Don't burn yourself to death. Don't sacrifice more than you can afford either. These are final teachings.
Joan of Arc Excerpts
Now the flames they followed Joan of Arcas she came riding through the dark;
[Someone:] I've watched you riding every day.
"And who are you?" she sternly spoke
to the one beneath the smoke.
"Why, I'm fire," he replied,
[Then] she climbed inside
to be his one, to be his only bride.
It was deep into his fiery heart
he took the dust of Joan of Arc,
and then she clearly understood
if he was fire, oh then she must be wood.
Myself I long for love and light,
but must it come so cruel, and oh so bright?
2 - Slokas
The slokas, or verses, that follow are from Lahiri Baba's commentaries to the second chapter of Patanjali Yoga Sutras.The Depth is of Common People too
The Deep Seer is strong to see and act on his tall wisdom given through the third eye in
the forehead. And the Deep Seer needs to be strong to suffer troubles stemming from common
people who do not understand a word of what he says and want to get him a doctor.
Far-out knowledge is somehow
attuned to the Hovering Self
FROM GREAT purity Divinity can [at last] be generated, and the capacity for
realizing the Self. [cf. 41]When truth is established, kriya becomes fruitful. [cf. 36]
Enlightenment starts, and much wisdom can be attained. [cf. 148]
Knowledge of far-away-places can be had from looking steadfastly into the third eye in the forehead. [cf. 45]
By burning the seeds of suffering one goes to the ultimate Self. [cf. 10]
Ignorance . . . is a root of troubles in life. [cf. 5]
Righteous action can and should result in happiness. [cf. 14] [
To ordinary people mind tricks still exist. [[cf. 22]
Hatred is due to ignorance [4]
The Deep Seer is strong to
see
BY [COMMON] contentment much happiness can be had. [cf. 42]But the man of Knowledge considers all states of manifestation to be sorrow. [15]
The Deep Seer is consciousness. [cf. 20]
Do kriya to attain samadhi. [cf. 2] [
The seer and seen are the unreasonable association [cf. 23]
By doing Patanjali yoga, impurities are purified to enrich righteousness. [cf.
28]
Common people do not see too
well
CULTIVATING good sentiments is necessary for removing doubts about how to live and
regulate one's life (yama and niyama, do's and don'ts). [cf. 33]Through purity one tends to dissociate from others. [cf. 40]
Ordinary people do not see the hollowness of the world's appearance. [22]
What is seen is meant for enjoyment of the seer. [21]
Anger stemming from sorrow is called hatred [cf. 8]
Summary
- Far-out knowledge is somehow attuned to the Hovering Self. Freaks might have understood things . . .
- The Deep Seer is strong to see, strong to realize. Inner strength or companions are needed to live out the wise things we get insight into, or the realizations may rebound and harm us, according to existential psychologists like Rollo May.
- Common people do not see too well and may not need to either, as the case may be.
Deep knowledge may or may not harm the one that brings it out in the open. What
effects or fruits realizations have, depend on several other things as well, including how
many there are around to share them.
The condemned women of great, halfway secret knowledge
A celebrated French preacher said in a sermon on the duties of wives:
"I see in this congregation a woman who has been guilty of the sin of disobedience
to her husband, and in order to point her out to be condemned, I will fling my
breviary at her head."He lifted his book, and every female head instantly ducked.
|
 |
 |
 |
Adjoined
Iv: Satyeswarananda, sw., tr: Inner Victory: With Lahiri Mahasay's Commentaries. The Sanskrit Classics. San Diego, 1987.| Literature | Layout | SITE MAP | First Page |
CLICK on 'Literature' for the references of about 2000 works.
ANNOTATIONS: Acronym letters in square brackets in the text refer to works. Click on 'Literature' above for examples. Page references are put right after reference letters. The abbreviation cf. means "compare". [MORE].
SEARCH THE SITE: Click on the rose in the upper left column for site searches, access to dictionaries, and further.
REFER to the page by its 'location' address (above).
PILOTING: Some pictures and texts on top of the pages are clickable, to ease navigation. [MORE]
| Model | Well's | Disclaimer | |
| © 2004, T. Kinnes — Updated in Autumn 2004 | |||