The BG

For this required blog post, I think I will be talking about something that most everyone else will be as well.  This is mainly because we have spoken about it at length in class, but also just because it is something that is very apparent in the writing.

            The connection between the ideas of morality and how to live a good life expressed by Arjuna and the way in which Christ instructs Christians to live in the Bible.  I have already talked a little about his in some previous blog posts about specific readings, but this will be a bit more of a holistic view with some other commentary on the structure and overall feelings of the Bhagaavad Gita, or BG for short because I don’t want to have to look up how to type it every time since I’m lazy.

            So, now to the good stuff.  I know I have already talked about how I found a strong connection with the different names that Arjuna gives himself as god and creator of everything and the different names that Christ and God have in the Christian tradition.  This was brought more into light the other day when my mother sent me my biweekly “T Time.”  To give a little background, T Time is an email that I get every week or so since I have come to college and it is what my mom has been praying over me for that week or upcoming month.  Each time she does this, she gives me a different name of God that she is praying over me because of the connotation that the name means and how it will help me for whatever I have going on that week.  This latest one, the 11^th for the year, was Jehovah-Raah or “The Lord is my Shepherd.”  Some previous ones from this year alone are; El Elyon, The God most high and El Rio, the God who sees.  Seeing a lot of these same aspects and names in the BG like how Arjuna is the wisdom of the wise and the goodness of the virtuous is really cool. Not to mention the fact that the chapter title in our version of the BG that we are reading is titled Divine Splendor.  Which if that dosnt also fit perfectly the names of God then I don’t know what does.  Thinking on the names that my mother has sent me of god brings out a new aspect of his greatness to me every time I think about it because it is a way in which I used to not think about him. 

            Moving on from the introspective, I have really enjoyed reading the BG. A lot more than I thought I would, even though I cant pronounce the title.  I don’t really know what I was expecting to start, maybe something more the yoga sutras and not so much a story. Which granted it is still very much like the sutras, but in more of a story context.  Except the story is kinda weak and nonexistent because  time is stopped so Arjuna and Krisna don’t get killed while sitting in their chariot in the middle of a battle, and never really gets into any of the battle stuff. Honestly a bit upsetting for me personally because I like that sort of thing, but it dosnt quite fit and flow well with the moral of the story.

            Anyways, enough rambling from me now, the like 3 people who read this will be plenty more of that as time goes on.

Knower of the Field

So this week, well for today more specifically, the Arjuna is talking to Krisna about the body and how to reach Brahman.  A lot of what is covered here we have already covered in class through the discussion of the sutras. The idea that there are vriti and things that hinder the ability for someone to reach Brahman, and three states of activity of sattva, rajas and tamas.  Then how to reach past these, among other aspects to reach Brahman.  It also makes a lot of sense that if Arjuna is the creator of all, that he would be the first seed of the field that is each person. The way he describes it in that each person is a field, and to know Arjuna they have to know their field is a really interesting way of saying that to reach Brahman, you must first dwell in your own true nature. I honestly like this way better because I think the analogy that it creates is better at explaining the overall goal than simply saying, "dwell in your own true nature."  I also liked how at the end of 14, Krisna asks Arjuna what someone in Brahman looks like and the image that Arjuna presents is not what I would first picture.  I personally would think that it is more of a place of joy and peace and that isnt exactly what is described.  Instead it is more of a equilibrium of all senses and emotions and states.  Which granted would probably bring peace, but it is more of being neutral to all and therefore able to find joy in everything.

As far as my own practice goes, I have some good and bad news.  The good news is I was able to touch my toes easily for the first time last week.  But when I tried yesterday and today I haven't been able to without stretching to the point of pain again for the last inch or 2, Im not sure of this is because Im not as loose in the morning so its a bad time to try, or that because I was able to do it I have focused more on other posed and not worked on stretching as much.  It think it may be a combo of the two so I think im going to go back to more of the stretching poses to work and maintain that. Its just kinda sad because I love the more restorative and relaxing poses with my busy life and I dont see how I have time to work both currently.

In class, I was upset that we didnt have class Thursday. Its kinda funny because I know even with my practice that times get moved around due to my other schedules and things, I can always count on having 45 mins to an hour of yoga in class and not having that was weird and I could tell a noticeable different in my attitude for the rest of the week.

Eternal Deity

In these two chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, there are so many connection to Christianity.  All of chapter eight is spent by Krishna explaining who he is and how he provides for all.  From being the father of the universe to the sum of all knowledge, the connection to the different names of God which explain how he is father and lord of all is incredible.  Krishna continues to explain how those who reside in him are provided for, in the same way that the Lord provides for those who follow him.

In a slightly less awe inspiring and immature moment I find both of these chapters together quite funny.  Chapter eight Krishna tells of his power and majesty, and then in chapter nine Arjuna basically says, "You sounds awesome and I believe you are who you say. Tell me everything you can." Krishna then goes off more about who he is and his names and it seems like Krishna is like, "yes I am awesome, thank you for noticing.  And well since you asked......here are all my other cool names and things I do."   Dont know why I find that funny, but it is.

For my personal practice this week was extremely stressful and busy so I didnt do much yoga outside of more breathing stuff.  I would just sit there for a bit every now and then and focus on controlling my breath and slowing it down.  Even just with that I did notice a lot of benefits. They were not quite to the same level  and doing some of the restorative poses and a savasana time, but its nice to see how even something as simple as breathing can help.

With class, Im still loving it.  There isnt much I would change now or say that I didnt like.  I just want to keep going and seeing the improvement that I have so far.  Being selfish though, being able to get up into a headstand or other more complex poses like that would be kinda cool though.

Renouncing, Meditating, and Acting....because those all go together

So these two chapters of the Bhagavad Gita are interesting.  First it talks about the different between action and renunciation and which is better.  Krishna then goes on to say action is better.  It really reminded me of Machiavelli's The Prince and the discussion on if it is better to be feared or loved as a ruler with Machiavelli eventually saying that if you had to pick one, then it is better to be feared.  The reason that Krishna says why action is better almost seems against a lot of the philosophy we have talked about so far.  Action, so says Krishna, is better because the wise see knowledge and action as the same. He goes on to say how the person who is established in one path gets the rewards of both. But he could just as easily be talking about action and renunciation as he is about action and knowledge.  The weird part is renunciation is more in line with yoga philosophy than action, but it requires action to complete.  So my question is if something is harder to obtain, and you must do something else first to obtain it, then isnt it better than what you do to obtain it? It just seems a bit off to me.  Not only that, but in the next chapter Krishna goes on to talk about meditation and how you must be in balance with all things to properly meditate. So things like not sleeping to much or to little, eating to much or to little, etc.  However, wouldnt it be better to renounce sleep or food to make sure you dont have too much, as opposed to purposely committing an action too?  It all just seems like it should all go together as one big thing your supposed to do with no particular part better than the rest that can superseded it all to let you achieve Brahman.

For class, I really enjoyed the inversions we did and the restorative poses.  I like the idea of spending an entire asana time working on one or two poses to really learn them and what they are supposed to do for you.  Also learning about other forms of yoga that we can incorporate into our own practice is nice because sometimes I get tired of doing warrior poses or need something that is more restorative based on the week I have had and where I am mentally.

As far as my own practice, I did try to incorporate both inversions and restorative poses into it. However, it is kinda hard to do a headstand in my apartment due to space and things on the wall so I might need to rethink where I will be practicing those in the future.  The restorative poses were really nice as I have been really stressed lately with different things so having more time to focus on breathing and such really let me calm down and find a inner space to de-stress and focus my mind.  the inversions did help the little I was able to do them as I have started to feel my allergies come on and wow do those clear up your sinuses.

The bhagavad gita, or however your pronouce it

Wow, even after reading only the first two chapter so the Bhagavad Gita I can tell that it is going to be an intense book.  Never mind the fat that I cant pronounce the title of the book correctly, let alone any of the characters.  The story has a very epic tone to it, while bringing in philosophy to a point that I really havnt seen in many other epic tales. Im excited to get into the book and butcher all the names.  Moving on past those first few ramblings, the key issue that is brought up here is the dire contrast of courses of action for the protagonist, at least I think he is so far, Arjuna.  As a the leader of a “rebel” group within the kingdom he is trying to gain the throne as it is rightfully his.  The only issue is that those on the throne are his uncle and family.  So the moral dilemma begins.  Does Arjuna follow his quest to right the wrong done by his family and gain the throne, or does he not because in doing so would bring about the slaughter and destruction of his own relatives.  It really is a catch 22.  The funny thing is Ive been in a somewhat similar situation. Prior to earning my pilot slot for the Air Force I was looking heavily in going into special operations.  I had gone to an orientation course that is designed to give the selectors a first look at those interested and dedicated enough to try out, and those attending the ability to see first-hand what the job is and what those men do.  After this I applied for a selection and was invited to attend.  This is where my own moral dilemma begins.  I am in a very committed relationship and care deeply about my family and have a very strong idea of the type of husband and father I want to be. Learning about those jobs and careers and meeting men in them, I learned that it would not allow me uphold the way I wanted to treat my family.  Even though it was what I wanted to do, and I was dead set on doing it.  It took a lot of thinking, and guidance to make my decision and I am interested to see what type of guidance Arjuna gets considering the heavy yoga philosophical influence.

                Continuing on with the asana practices in class, I would like to see the time taken with those to increase. Part of that is because I am really enjoying them a lot, and the other part is because I don’t think the discussions over the Bhagavad Gita will take nearly as much time as those over the sutras and other philosophical aspects of yoga. However, I have a hunch that I am wrong based in that regard. The other thing that I would like to see in the asana is more of a flow time.  I think that would be really cool because it would let us see how far we have come since the first day, and then doing that occasionally would let us see our progress in a way, both in terms of flexibility and stuff but also in terms of the types of poses we have learned.

                Lastly, this past week was also rough on my personal practice. With midterms and papers to write I was very busy and stressed out and dint have time to do yoga.  Which is ironic because yoga is something that is really good at de-stressing me and allowing me to calm down and focus.  I just get caught in the moment of what is going on and the stress and pressure placed on me that I don’t think to stop and do yoga to calm down and center before moving on and dealing with the stress and other things I am trying to do.

Yoga From the Inside Out

After reading the memoir Yoga from the Inside Out by Christina Sell, I have very mixed feelings about a lot what is said.  Before I go in depth on my feelings about the book, I must preference this.  I have limited exposure to both yoga and more importantly, the deeper philosophy of yoga.  I also have a very unique perspective on both the so called “sleeping world”, which I will get into later as well, but also the relationship of God, spirituality and the divine as well because while I consider myself having a spiritual walk with God, I am again no means an expert or well learned in that aspect either.

            To begin, I did enjoy reading the memoir and the overall message I received from it.  The idea that people today are too involved in what Ms. Sell calls the “sleeping world.”  This sleeping world, at least to what I understood it as, is people buying into the society’s view of what is acceptable, right, good, beautiful, fill in the blank with any adjective and you have the idea.  I do think that people and society as a whole has adopted a unrealistic image of beauty. Not only has the image of beauty been set at a bar that is impossible to reach by many, the pressure to reach that goal also carries an unbearable weight sometimes.  I personally feel that weight, as I am sure many other men do.  Take a look in any men’s fitness magazine or blockbuster movie.  The guys all have extremely well defined muscles all over; abs, back, arms, pecs.  Not only is that what is paraded around what a man should look like, but it is also shown as what is needed to be successful in most aspects of life.  Those men typically are very wealthy, have wives or girlfriends who also are the epitome of the definition of beauty for the sleeping world.  Do I feel that is right to be set as the standard? No, but I also don’t think that it is entirely wrong.  The image of well defined muscles and being lean is more than just something that is purely aesthetic.  It also shows fitness and overall health.  To have that type of physique, you have to be in shape and be in good shape.  This means you are taking care of your body by working out, being careful about what you fuel your body with, etc. Even more with my profession, staying in a good, healthy state is imperative. Personally, wanting to subscribe to those standards of the sleeping world, is not bad because it simply means I am in better shape and more capable of performing my job.  Should it be taken to the extreme of eating disorders and such no because then it becomes something that is unhealthy and harmful, but wanting that goal and striving for it, I don’t see anything wrong with that at all.

               The other major problem I have is more philosophical and religious in nature.   Even after all the discussion in class over the sutras, and reading quite a bit about yoga and the philosophy, I am struggling to see how it is not a religion by itself. At least in the way it is practiced and discussed in a lot of contemporary literature.  All of the talk of the divine and spiritual and the way you need a guru to interact with it and to show you the path has a awkward juxtaposition with my personal faith background.  It seems like it has quite a few places that any religion, including Christianity, can fit in and work side by side with yoga.  Many of the core values are the same, but there is a disconnect still that is hard for me to explain, much less put into words.  The easiest way I can break it down is how the first yoga teacher, if you can call her that, explained it to me.  Mary Francis is a very good friend of my mothers, and our families are close.  Mary Francis has become a yoga instructor after starting yoga herself and teaches restorative yoga. For various reasons my mom began going to take yoga from Mary Francis and dragged me along one time I was home.  The way that Mary Francis told me, was to incorporate yoga into your faith, not your faith into yoga. It just seems that so much faith is worked into yoga. At least that is the way it is portrayed.  Something about that bugs me, and I don’t have a good explanation why.  If I ever figure it you, if anyone ever reads this blog, yall will be the first to know.

The 8 fold path

While reading the eight-fold path, I got a little confused to be honest.  So I get there are 8 limbs, and what those are.  Next there are the yamas.  And I understand what those are. Lastly, there are the observances, and I get what those are.  What I dont get is how they all work together. Im assuming it is like some of the earlier sutras where the different aspects are how you work towards the higher goal, and then there are what get in the way of that.  So are the 8 limbs the higher goal, with the yamas being how you achieve them and the nthe observances get in the way? I know we will go over it in class today but right now trying to get into them myself is a bit of a struggle.

As far as class goes, I am still loving the yoga.  It is the main reason I took this class in the first place and we are starting to get into some of the more advanced poses, but also how the sutras and what we discuss at the beginning of class interact with those poses.  The discussions are still good and I think its really cool that we are able to spend so much time getting into what they mean that we are kinda forced to stop so we have time to do a small asana practice.  I still wish I was more flexible so I was able to do some of the poses better, Im pretty good with the shoulder stand and things that require more muscle than flexibility simply because that is what I have always focused on.

As far as my outside practice, Im starting to get a bit discouraged.  Just because with life and classes and everything else going on I have struggled to find time for it.  Not only am I struggling to find time, but the more we get into the sutras, the more I realize that my personal practice is kinda pathetic. Knowing it is something that takes persistent devotion to achieve, I see myself not doing that and being somewhat of a perfectionist and someone who takes pride in working hard to achieve a goal but not seeing many fruits, it is hard to want to keep trying to find time and do the little bit I can.