Decoding The Self: Three Sutras Of Patanjali - by John Weddepohl

COURSE

Decoding The Self: Three Sutras Of Patanjali

With John Weddepohl

In Patanjali's foundational teachings, the first three sutras serve as a gateway to understanding the essence of not just yoga but being human and go beyond its physical aspects to reveal our human secret. In this course what we find out is, not about yoga at all, the sutras are all about the Self because the Self is the yoga itself. Before you start talking about yoga you already are the yoga itself. In these accessible talks we’ll focus on: The fundamental aspect of yoga as a tool for self-inquiry. Seeing that Yoga is not solely about physical practices but a profound exploration of one’s true nature Grasping the essence embedded in the three sutras, connecting the dots, and understanding the spiritual and vast philosophical dimensions of yoga. Simplifying the learning process. Gaining a clear and concise understanding of the core philosophical principles, no matter what your level of study this course will break the sutras down into simple easy to easy-to-understand principles. Focusing specifically on these first sutras from the Samadhi Pada. The chapter on integration offers a unique perspective compared to broader Yoga Sutra courses. Each class finishes with a short contemplative meditation to integrate what has been explored in the session. Be prepared to have your view of yoga and yourSelf completely transformed. This is not a dry philosophical exposition rather it’s a deep dive into the wonder and mystery of your humanity and the opportunity to ask the biggest questions and have them answered


Meet your Teacher

John Weddepohl has dedicated his life to the teachings of Atma Vidya - Self-knowledge. Studying in India in the lineage of Adi Shankara for over 7 years, mandated by his teachers to share the oldest teachings of humankind, John has been sharing Self-knowledge, the wisdom teaching of the Veda/Upanishads in the West ever since. 
 In 1969 John took to yoga like a fish to water. Meeting yoga and his first teacher at nineteen, tasked with teaching and leading the meditation within ten days, it was like he’d never stopped. Besides a brief time as a family householder, it is all he has been doing ever since. 
 Now, teaching globally, John is the primary teacher of Self-knowledge in English in the West. 
The teaching of the Self is the oldest, rarest, most sacred teaching of humankind and the Vedas. Taught only in Sanskrit; a password or code language of the Vedas, modern revivalists after translating the teaching into English, are making it accessible in the West for the first time. 
 Rare it is to question existence. Rarer still is to find a teacher and have those questions answered. Finding out the answer is none other than oneself, in Self-knowledge, Atma Vidya, we explore the secret of the universe and get the Grand Prize. Once we have gained the knowledge of ourselves, knowledge of the knower,, we have reached the end of knowledge - Vedanta. No longer feeling like a missing piece in the universe, our life becomes a grand revelry, reveling and basking in the glory of nothing but oneself.

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3 Days

283 students

4.9 stars

6 min / day

Awakening

English


Lesson 1

Unveiling The Essence

What is the most significant blessing in your life? In this session, we unlock the profound meaning of Patanjali's first sutra, "Atha yoganushasanam,”. Exploring life’s greatest gift, we ask: where does every inquiry begin? What does it mean to inquire? And what humbles us enough to stimulate the inquiry? Questioning the very nature of ourselves and our existence marks the initial step in grasping the true essence of yoga.

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Lesson 2

Beyond The Ripples

In this session, John elaborates on the nature of the mind, and thought, using the metaphor of ripples on a lake to explain the mind. Contrary to the common belief that calming the mind through practices is the key to understanding the Self, we navigate together steered by the wisdom of the Veda/Upanishads. Discover how knowledge, rather than mere mind-stilling practices, is the true foundation of meditation and yoga.

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Lesson 3

The Beauty Of Self-Discovery

The final session reveals how the sutra "Tada Drashtuh Svarupe Avasthanam," exposes the core teachings of Yoga Vedanta. Explore how answering the question of the questioner, stills the mind's fluctuations for good. Answering "Who am I?" the questioner no longer in question, abides in their true beauty and nature. The seer recognizing their true worth, breathes and bathes in the absolute freedom and wonderment that is yoga. Join us as we embrace the journey to Self-recognition in the discovery and celebration of our true worth, freedom, and liberation. Moksha.

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4.9 (23)

Recent Reviews

Maxine

June 14, 2024

Thank you At some level this all makes sense 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Catrin

May 6, 2024

A very good course with lots of clear and valuable examples. Serves as a reminder also for the more experienced practitioner in yoga/meditation. I just reflected upon in the second session: yoga especially but also meditation are my daily go to practices where I remember the truth of who I am. The realization comes nowadays often after just a few minutes, or when I sit down to have my morning tea, and counciosly breathe, new aspects and realizations are added as the practice evolves. So for me coming back to the truth happens very much when I prepare and do my practice, and then I carry it with me into my day (and night since I often do a mini practice to close the day). So it’s not like yoga and meditation are “painful” practices and when I’m done I feel whole and complete - I really enjoy the practice as it helps me understand myself and be a clearer and more tranquil version of myself when I meet other living beings, and with more experience I hope to never fall out out of yoga ✨🙏

V

May 1, 2024

Thank you John for creating this course. I found your interpretations of the three sutras so helpful. Namaste 🙏 Victoria

Janah

January 20, 2024

I'm starting over again! Great insightful information! I need to absorb more, Each time I listen I hear something I missed. I sure hope you continue onto the next Sutras! Thank you!

Susanne

January 19, 2024

Very well explained. The calm voice was perfect to understand without actively thinking too much. Perfect combination of learning and mindfulness. Thank you 🙏🏻

Donna

January 15, 2024

A succinct and illuminating understanding of the first 3 verses of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

Masoud

December 17, 2023

I hope full patanjali verses gets here

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