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Yoga Psychology by H. Chaudhury

Yoga Psychology by Chaudhury - observations and points
"Vedantists hold the blissful Being to be an eternally self-existent entity." HC.
In the book Transpersonal Psychologies, edited by Charles T. Tart, Haridas Chaudhury has written one of the parts, "Yoga Psychology", where he draws on old yoga-linked teachings from Hindu philosophy systems, the Yoga Sutras, and Aurobindo, in part. "Who comments, invents (Quien comenta, inventa)", the Spanish says. You may see that even though he calls his comments and uses of sources psychology, it is rather a curious blend of tenets that otherwise may go for faith-lore, since hard evidence to confirm the teachings, is largely missing. For all that, tenets may still be used as working hypotheses.

Contents

   Supporting reservations are presupposed throughout:


Yoga Psychology by Haridas Chaudhuri

LoA mature spiritual guide is not just the guru who adheres to specific social customs, reveals great wisdom and and abundance of joy -

1ST SECTION A BANK robber may feel rationally justified in act by . . . the dynamic principle of consciousness (buddhi). (Chaudhuri 250).
      A mature spiritual guide: His main job is to help the disciple to discover the divine guru within . . . (Cf. Chaudhuri 254).
      According to the teaching of Buddha, the ultimate is even beyond bliss. (Chaudhuri 245).

According to Vedantic yoga a new game of creative freedom can begin. (Cf. Chaudhuri 259).
      A blissful self-realized yogi is already full inside. (Cf. Chaudhuri 248).
      In early childhood, a process of sociocultural conditioning is necessary to produce some healthy habits . . . proper social customs. (Chaudhuri 253).
      Man has essential mental powers. (cf. Chaudhuri 243).
      Psychology, mind and body are not heterogeneous but homogeneous . . . But on closer scrutiny it should be evident that this analogy is misleading. (Chaudhuri 256).

Of perfection and process — Kali, Krishna, and Radha . . . dance together with ecstatic joy — Helping all classes of people. (Chaudhuri 242, 247, 249).
      The physical aspect of personality consists of the visible, tangible organism (Chaudhuri 243).

To the realm of pure spiritual wisdom (Chaudhuri 242).
      The meaning of his unique existence as an individual dawns upon his mind. — The theories of reincarnation and subtle psychic existence in supernatural planes belong, in ultimate analysis, in the realm of maya. (cf. Chaudhuri 260; 252n).
      [On the other hand:] Drunk as it were . . . boundless Being. (Chaudhuri 263).

Selfless dedication to human welfare (Chaudhuri 260).
      When the light of true Self-realization shines in the soul . . . many culturally conditioned motivations may be reduced. (With 251).
      Vedantists hold the blissful Being to be an eternally self-existent entity. — Pure egoless consciousness perceives the multitudinous . . . expressions of . . . creative joy (cf. Chaudhuri 245; 248).

Unconscious spiritual intuition . . . operates through . . . symbols and images . . . sounds . . . visions . . . or geometrical patterns . . .the rich mythological literature — The word "joy" simply means the free spontaneity of her [Nature's] creative energy, which finds expression in the blossoming of flowers. (Chaudhuri 247; 258n).

The development of personality from infancy is punctuated with changing patterns of self-image or self-identity — Under special circumstances, giving rise to such extraordinary subtle sense perceptions as clairvoyance, clairaudience . . . (Chaudhuri 244; 243).

Inauthentic mystic experiences: Regression to the oceanic feeling of the infant; (2) Regresson to the primitive's "participation mystique"; (3) The false feeling of omnipotence . . . and ego inflation . . . [and partially due to] triggered . . . kundalini-awakening. (Chaudhuri 261n). ¤


LoA guru that is empty of pleasure (or no fun to be with) can still be indwelling OK

2ND SECTION THE DISTINCTION between mind and the Self is emphatically not a metaphysical or ontological difference. (Chaudhuri 257).
      Renewed participation (Chaudhuri 260).
      The guru gracefully parts company . . . (Chaudhuri 254).
      Emptiness [sunyata] - that is, indeterminable Being (Chaudhuri 245).

Man is of course the embodiment of the time-spirit — Perception is not quite accurate (Chaudhuri 247; Chaudhuri 243). ¤
      The philosophical basis of Integral Yoga [involves a goal] to go beyond object-dependent pleasures . . . pain and pleasure — Intuition is the immediate apprehension of some aspect (Chaudhuri 242; 248; 246).
      Then the need for individuation asserts itself — For the practically useful mode of living — With the indwelling divine presence (Chaudhuri 260; 249; 262).


LoMaya does not mean illusion to the free self, and besides, what can be taught is of maya, and can be graded

3RD SECTION DR. CARL JUNG announced . . . the collective unconscious - [Let it be] Restored to the peaceful self-existence. (Chaudhuri 247259).
      There is a huge amount of misunderstanding in this country about the doctrine of maya. It does not mean illusion . . . maya means the world of impermanence and relativity. It has pragmatic validity. (Chaudhuri 249n).

Since the human individual — he is believed to be an incarnation — is a free spiritual entity - [t]here is a controversy among different schools of yoga psychology regarding the precise nature of the ultimate self. (Chaudhuri 253; 245; 244).
      Personality is a multilevel or multidimensional structure. (Chaudhuri 243).

Unfortunately, . . . so often in India . . .guru can give something which nobody else indeed can give . .. spiritual spark in the disciple. (Chaudhuri 254).
      Coextensive with human reality, consciousness also is the central unifying principle of all healthy human life. (Chaudhuri 250).

DAO GAINED Nothing important can be taught from outside [by Chaudhury also]. (Chaudhuri 253). ¤
      The perfect individual as a creative centre of Being are postulated as guiding principles of true education. (Chaudhuri 255)
      The power drive . . . might be called self-assertive (rajasic). (Chaudhuri 250).
      When the light of true Self-realization is kindled in the soul . . . culturally conditioned motivations are burned to ashes - [But nothing important can be taught by Chaudhury] (Chaudhuri 251; cf. 253).

The mental aspect of personality is the mind . . . (cf. Chaudhuri 243).
      A fully liberated person may also be motivated by what has been called the lila motivation of divine play . . . , onto aesthetic motivation. (Chaudhuri 252).

"I act, yet it is not I but Being acts through me." . . . Being-motivation of a fully liberated and perfectly self-realized person (Aurobindo). (Chaudhuri 252). (7)


Summary

IN SUM
  1. A mature spiritual guide is not just the guru who adheres to specific social customs, reveals great wisdom and and abundance of joy.
  2. A guru that is empty of outward pleasure can still be indwelling OK.
  3. Maya can be graded. Maya does not mean illusion to the free self, and besides, what can be taught is of maya.
IN NUCE A mature guide outwardly (in the open) means an abundance of maya. It can be graded, and progress of disciples is also graded. On the site there is a Zen study that shows it.


In the peasant soul it seemed like drivel and jokes

ANECDOTE Franz Joseph (1830-1916), the emperor of Austria, was basically a simple man. On one occasion he and two companions were out hunting near Bad Ischl in Austria, dressed in hunting clothes. A passing peasant stopped his cart to offer them a lift. As they were some way from their lodge, they accepted and soon started to talk with the peasant. The peasant asked one of them who he was.
      "The king of Saxony," was the reply.
      The peasant nodded and asked the next man the same question.
      "The king of Bavaria," said he.
      "And you?" said the peasant, indicating Francis Joseph. "I suppose you are the emperor of Austria?"

To top


Distinguishable, Awesome Experiences

LoNo psychedelic drugs are recommended here

1ST SECTION THE RELEASE of the coiled energy [called kundalini] means - sexual gratification (Chaudhuri 265-66).
      Many yogic teachers - especially those who serve society in responsible leadership positions, have warned against the use of psychedelic drugs and prohibited them - Ramakrishna, Vivekananda - Maharishi - desist from recommending drugs - Shankara - never recommended drugs. Yogic methodological postulate: the precise nature of psychedelic experience depends upon both set and setting. (Chaudhuri 270; cf. 269).

In the Innermost channel (brahmanadi) [t]he supreme God Shiva dances on the cremation ground [a figure of speech too] — The third centre [See chakras] is cosmically related to the psychosphere - possibilities of power grandeur - The successful dictators - Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin, had access. [What a claim!] — No drug, neither - can produce the highest form of transempirical Being-cognition experience - nirvana. (Chaudhuri 266-67; 265; 271).
      There is ample room for gradual self-unfoldment too in the search for self-realization. (Cf. Chaudhuri 272).
      Traditional yoga is a systemic, psycho-spiritual discipline. Patanjali's Raja Yoga emphasizes four factors under this heading: pratyahara [withdrawal inside], dharana [focus], dhyana [contemplation], samadhi ["prolonged contemplation, steaded contemplation, deepening contemplation]. (cf. Chaudhuri 275).


LoThe highest forms of consciousness are of limited value and use within maya

2ND SECTION THE CENRE of anahata - the original sound . . beatitude - Krishna-consciousness --- or Buddha-consciousness — can produce the highest form of transempirical Being-cognition experience - nirvana [according to some]. (Chaudhuri 267; 271).

Our world of maya is the world of limited pragmatic validity. (Chaudhuri 270). ¤


LoBeatitude is of a distinctive awareness

3RD SECTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS potentials: One of the four aspects of immortality: after death the fully enlightened individual can freely choose the vastness of the Absolute in the service of God - etc. (cf. Chaudhuri 265; 272).
      The centre of anahata - the original sound not produced by any friction - Cardiac - beautitude - Noosphere - Krishna-consciousness or Christ-consciousness or Buddha-consciousness (Chaudhuri 267).
      The command centre - self-fulfilling ideas - is specifically know as the maharloka - or synoptic vision of the world as a whole. - On the opening of this centre, a person gains self-mastery . . .the pure spiritual self - the freely chosen mission (Chaudhuri 268). The fifth important chakra - distinctive awareness - Self as a unique individual - related to the thyroid gland (Chaudhuri 267).
      In order to step forth - emptiness of Being (Chaudhuri 271).
      Blossoming of - genuine transcendental consciousness or transcendent cognition - the pure ontosphere (satyaloka) - is the loftiest level of consciousness - The present writer is - cosmic creative energy - realizes oneness with the nontemporal Being. (Chaudhuri 268-69).

DAO GAINED Transformed into a harmonious ingredient — Life, mind, and spirit must not be equated with Being (they are of Being). (Chaudhury 270; cf. 269). ¤

In Katha Upanishad we find that a young seeker after truth (Naciketa) - go to the god of death — As (1) transempirical subject; (2) pure transcendence; (3) the creative ground of all existence; (4) the oneness of all existence; (5) an eternal You; (6) transpersonal Being-energy; (7) existence-consciousness-bliss; (8) the absolute void; (9) one with cosmic energy; (10) as creative evolution. (Chaudhuri 271; 261-65).

In cases of conflict, be the spirit — The use of a suitable mantra is worthy of consideration. (cf Chaudhuri 274 and 276). (7)
      Ethico-religious principles are of restraint and regulation (cf. Chaudhuri 273).


Summary

IN SUM
  1. No psychedelic drugs are recommended, as their use is hazardious, breed possible derangement, etc.
  2. The highest forms of consciousness are of limited value and use within the world of relativity and forms - of maya. That does not matter much, does it?
  3. Beatitude is of a distinctive awareness.
IN NUCE No psychedelic drugs prepare for the highest forms of beatitude awareness.


John D thinking no "operator awareness" could believe him

ANECDOTE The US capitalist John D. Rockefeller (1874-1960) once made a collect call from a coin box, which failed to refund the money he had put in. He called up the operator, who asked for his name and address so that the money could be mailed to him.
      Rockefeller began: "My name is John D. . . . Oh, forget it; you wouldn't believe me anyway."

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      Tart, Charles, ed. Transpersonal Psychologies. New York: Harper Colophon, 1977.
     

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