Yoga: The Transformation Of Consciousness

In this talk and guided practice, we explore the foundations of classical yoga. According to Patanjali, yoga can be defined as “the restriction of the fluctuations of consciousness.” This is an involution of consciousness, a moving of consciousness internally, which eventually leads to single-pointed awareness. As we find the stillness within, there is a merging of duality and oneness, and we begin to perceive ourselves as we are.
This is a 25-minute talk followed by a 20-minute guided practice.

Transcript

For today's class,

I'm going to speak a bit about the yoga tradition,

Basing it in philosophy of classical yoga,

Which,

In my experience and perspective,

Is really based in a process of involution,

Of moving ever more into oneself.

Being human,

It's easy to experience evolution,

Where our consciousness and our mind is drawn outside of ourself,

By desires and aversions,

By wanting things to be different than they are.

But the more we allow our consciousness to be drawn outside of ourselves,

The less connection we have within,

And we move away from our natural state of love,

Compassion,

And wisdom.

And so,

In the philosophy of yoga,

They have an amazing way of describing these processes of moving inward,

As well as the technologies or techniques to help us find that inward movement towards ourselves.

As we do so,

We begin to know ourselves on deeper and deeper levels,

And the more one knows oneself,

The easier it is to see others more fully as they are,

And to see the world as it is.

And as we move closer to perceiving ourselves and the world as we are,

We move towards a greater degree of happiness and fulfillment,

As well as freedom.

A large degree of our suffering comes from wanting things to be different than they are,

Wanting ourselves to be different than we are in some way.

And it's that gap between how we want things to be,

Or how we want ourselves to be,

And how we actually are,

Or how the world is,

That creates a lot of suffering.

So there's a quote from B.

K.

S.

Iyengar,

Who's a really well-known yoga practitioner and teacher.

And he writes that,

When the mind is controlled and the intellect and the heart are united,

The self is revealed.

The self is revealed.

When the mind is controlled,

It's challenging.

Typically,

It's the mind that wants to be in control,

And that wants to control aspects of our experience and reality.

But the key to learning and growth and to knowing ourselves more deeply is to learn to discipline the mind,

To calm the fluctuations of consciousness and find that stillness within.

Then the mind is able to take its rightful place as the mediator between the oneness that we're all a part of and the experience of duality.

Of being individual beings that have experiences of self and other.

And that's the mind's proper place is simply to be that filter and to mediate between those aspects of consciousness,

Of unity consciousness and dualisms.

To approach this from the standpoint of classical yoga,

I'll talk a bit about the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and as part of that,

The eight limbs of yoga.

So in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,

At the very beginning,

He says,

Now commences the exposition of yoga.

Yoga is the restriction of the flexible mind to the mind.

Yoga is the restriction of the fluctuations of consciousness.

So this idea of calming the mind and restraining the fluctuations of consciousness is actually the definition of yoga,

According to Patanjali.

Yoga itself,

The etymological definition of it,

Is that it often is translated as union or yoking.

And what we're doing is we are practicing to restrain the fluctuations of consciousness.

And as we do,

The mind becomes united with the heart and soul and we experience that union.

That is a union of duality and oneness.

Where we are suddenly experientially immersed in being connected within ourselves and connected to everything and everyone around us,

Which could be said to be the true reality,

According to this perspective.

That any concept of separation is an illusion.

It's not true.

And in Sanskrit,

They would call this illusion maya.

It's like being in a dream when we believe that we are somehow separate than everyone and everything else.

After he defines yoga as the restriction of the fluctuations of consciousness,

He goes on to say,

Then the self abides in its own essence.

Then the self abides in its own essence.

Or this could also be translated as the self abides in its own form.

Otherwise,

I.

E.

If the restriction of fluctuations is not practiced,

The self conforms to the fluctuations of consciousness.

In other words,

When we don't practice this yoga and restrict the fluctuations of the mind,

We will naturally be drawn into greater duality and will be buffeted about by the desires,

The aversions,

By wanting things to be different.

And in the end,

That causes us to conform to the fluctuations of consciousness.

We start to believe that that is who we are and we forget our own essence.

And we no longer abide within our hearts.

Instead,

We abide in the outer world and we mistake that outer world for reality,

Not realizing that it's maya,

An illusion.

And so,

As I said at the beginning,

This practice of yoga is a practice of involution.

It's a practice of continually guiding the awareness and our consciousness back into ourselves,

Into the physical body and observing the sensations moment to moment of the physical body,

Of observing the mind and even its fluctuations,

Of observing emotions as they arise and thoughts.

And as we continually turn back on ourselves and into ourselves,

That brings us to that place of stillness and oneness.

At first,

This can be uncomfortable for some because our conditioned patterned ways of being is often the opposite.

Often we give the mind free rein and we are used to shifting our thoughts and emotions and mistaking them for something that's essentially real.

And so,

When we first turn our gaze inward and start to observe all the sensations and all of the thoughts and all the emotions,

It can be a little uncomfortable.

And that's where patience comes in.

To be able to sit with that and experience all that as it is without trying to get away from it,

Without repressing it and pushing it down,

And without trying to change it,

Just simply observing with mindfulness.

You know,

I've taught meditation over the years in different contexts and there have been multiple times when I've had people tell me that they can't meditate.

And when I ask them about it,

Often they'll say that when they sit to try to meditate,

It seems like the mind becomes even more active and that they can't get to that stillness.

And what I will often say is that that's already part of the practice of meditation because a lot of times,

If we haven't practiced any form of meditation,

We will be able to meditate every single meditative exercise.

We're not aware of how often we are having thoughts and emotions and desires and aversions arise every single second of the day.

And so when we first begin to sit and direct our consciousness inwards,

It can seem like it gets even more amplified.

And it's not actually that it's more amplified,

It's simply that we're finally becoming of what's happening all the time without us even being aware of it.

And as I said,

That can be uncomfortable.

And so we have to have dedication to the practice and patience to experience and go through that discomfort.

And as we allow that to be as it is,

We will gradually start to notice that the thoughts and emotions subside.

And we begin to find that still place within.

The mind begins to surrender to the soul.

And in so doing,

The mind finds the freedom and happiness that it's always been craving.

In yoga,

There's many different practices that are designed to help us move towards this involution and towards the stillness that we all have within.

Many of you are probably familiar with what's called asana,

Which is translated as postures.

And so most people,

When they think of yoga,

They think of a yoga class and the physical movements of the body,

Of creating these different shapes with the body.

And that is one aspect of the practice of yoga.

And part of the purpose of that is to use our intention through moving our body through different physical movements to pay attention to the body and to use the breath as we move.

And as we do that,

We can use the movements and the postures to guide the awareness within.

Because a lot of times in certain postures,

It can be challenging or difficult or painful,

And the mind has to continually return to the body to stay present to that.

And so that in itself is a practice of patience.

Part of it,

With some of the more complex postures,

Is when you're all twisted up in a different shape,

Your mind has to stay completely present within the body in order to hold that shape or to stay balanced and not fall over.

And that also guides the consciousness inward.

But first and foremost is the intention,

Because if we go through the movements and the shapes mindlessly while we're thinking about other things that we have to do throughout the day,

Or troubles that we're having in relationship or with business partners or anything else,

It makes it more difficult for that to lead us inward.

Instead,

Our mind is still carrying us outward.

And across yoga,

As well as in other various traditions,

The intention is often of the utmost importance.

The more we continually guide the intention back into the body,

The more effective they are to bring us to that place of stillness.

And ultimately,

If we maintain this intention throughout the day to continually come inward,

Anything can become a meditative practice.

While we're doing dishes,

We can be focusing on the sensations in our body and our breath as we're being aware of the plates and glasses that we're washing.

When we walk in the woods,

We can focus on our breath and within our body as we experience being immersed in nature.

Playing music is often a very meditative practice because it can bring us inward as we're playing the guitar or drums or any other instrument.

So the intention is of primary importance.

We also have to have the discipline that when we notice we're getting carried away by the mind,

By repetitive thoughts or desires or wanting things to be different,

It can be easy to get caught in that and to go down the rabbit hole.

And so we have to have the discipline to catch ourselves when we're doing that and to shift our consciousness away from it,

To move into the body,

To focus on our breath.

And eventually the mind will subside.

The fluctuations of consciousness will subside.

And this is a continual practice.

And at first,

It takes effort and it takes trust to believe that we are going to get to the other side of that because sometimes it can feel like it's just stirring things up even more.

And so we have to persevere with patience,

Dedication,

And commitment to continually come back to the practice.

As I said,

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,

He talks about the eight limbs of yoga,

Ashtanga.

And these are,

In one sense,

They are moral and ethical guidelines for how to live a life that moves towards a greater state of wholeness.

But it's also eight steps of a meditative practice,

Of involution.

So the first limb is the yamas,

The yamas,

The yamas.

The yamas,

Which is often translated as restraints or restrictions.

And in common parlance,

This is related to restricting unhealthy behaviors and desires.

So limiting greed,

Desire,

And anything that would be considered unvirtuous,

Abstaining from killing,

Abstaining from overeating,

And so forth.

But all of those unvirtuous desires are an expression of the mind reaching outwards and wanting things,

Wanting things to be different.

And so really the first limb of yamas is to restrict the mind and desires to bring the consciousness back to the body.

The second limb is the niyamas,

Which are the observances.

And this is observing the virtues which we already have within us of purity,

Contentment,

Austerity,

Self-study,

And isvara pranayama,

Which is often translated as devotion to the inner Lord.

And so while that's often interpreted to be cultivating the virtues,

It's also the second step of involution.

First,

We restrict the consciousness from flowing out and getting caught in desires and greed and everything.

And then once we've restricted it from flowing out,

We observe the natural flow of energy within the body.

And that last part of it,

The devotion to the inner Lord,

Is the mind consciously deciding to surrender to the soul within.

The third limb is asana or posture,

So doing the physical practice of moving the body through the shapes as a way of continuing to focus the awareness within,

But also the physical movements open the energetic channels,

What are termed nadis in Sanskrit,

Which are very similar to the meridians used in acupuncture and oriental medicine.

And it's believed in both yoga and Chinese medicine that when the channels are open and flowing freely without blockage,

The body has a nearly unlimited capacity to heal,

But also we become whole within self.

We become fully integrated within the various aspects of physicality,

Emotion,

Mind.

We become whole and connected within self when those channels are open and flowing freely.

In terms of the eight limbs,

Posture also refers to the meditative posture.

So finding a proper posture when we're meditating allows for the channels to be open and flow as we breathe and meditate.

Speaking of breathing,

The fourth limb is pranayama,

Which is referring to conscious breath exercises.

As we focus on the breath and we consciously slow down the breath and become aware even more intensely of focus on the breath,

It brings us to deeper layers within the body.

Pranayama also has a very close relationship to the opening of the energetic channels because respiration is a very important part of the body.

It's very closely related to the function of the lungs as well as the heart.

And so when we find proper harmonious rhythmic breath,

It actually affects the circulation of blood and energy through the body.

And as the circulation of blood and energy harmonize,

Again,

Those channels open and flow and we become more aware of the energy that's happening in the body.

So as the channels open and flow and we become more whole and our capacity to heal is heightened.

The fifth limb is pratyahara,

Which means sense withdrawal.

So we've already been involuting through the first four.

Now with pratyahara,

We consciously try to move the senses inward.

We try to hear inwardly,

Listening for the inner sound that is always there.

We turn our gaze inwardly and we look within the space of the physical body.

Typically,

The sense organs are part of what draws us outward.

We hear a noise and so we look to it.

We take in the view of the mountains and the background and all of that is part of drawing the senses outward from our body.

So with pratyahara,

We move inwardly.

Next is dharana,

Which is translated as concentration.

Once we've turned the senses inwardly,

We concentrate on a specific focal point within the body,

Such as the lower abdomen or the heart center or the third eye.

And that concentration further restricts the fluctuations of the mind and brings us deeper inwardly.

As we concentrate,

That will naturally lead to dhyana,

Which is meditative absorption.

And that is when we find that still place within and we're able to simply be absorbed in experiencing that inner stillness.

And as we relax and soften into that inner stillness,

It leads us to samadhi,

Enlightenment and to see where we experience our true nature.

So I know that this talk has been a little bit more academic or intellectual or philosophical,

Which is not typically how I organize these,

But there is a place for it,

Especially as we move deeper into practice,

And many of you have been studying with me and taking these classes over the last few months.

And so there is a place for the mind and the intellect and the philosophy to help guide us into understanding the inner workings of the process.

And it also can help the mind to understand why it is taking the time to sit and breathe and to not do all the things that it might want to do otherwise.

So let us practice.

If you will,

Please find a comfortable and stable posture.

You can be sitting or lying down.

If you're sitting,

Just check to make sure that your knees are below your hips,

You have a stable base,

And that your spine and torso are rising with their natural curves up towards heaven.

Relax the shoulders back and down.

Make sure that the head is situated over the neck and torso.

And whether you are seated or lying down,

Close your eyes and start to feel into the solidity beneath you.

Feel the stability that is supporting your body and holding you up.

And allow yourself to relax into that stability,

Letting go of any unnecessary effort.

Become aware of the breath,

Observing the natural flow of the breath,

And letting go of any unnecessary effort.

Become aware of the breath,

Observing the natural flow of the breath,

Whether it's long or short,

Choppy or smooth,

Simply observing it as it is in this moment.

And as you breathe,

Consciously draw your awareness to the center of your body.

And as you breathe,

Consciously draw your awareness to the center of your body.

And as you breathe,

Consciously draw your awareness from the outer world into your body,

Becoming aware of the felt sensation of the body as a whole.

And as you inhale,

Simply breathe in and be aware of the sensations within the physical body.

And as you exhale,

Use the exhalation to release thoughts,

Emotions,

Desires,

Breathing in,

Experiencing yourself as you are in this moment,

Breathing out,

Letting go of thoughts and desires for anything to be different than it is.

Continue with this breath.

And if you are not already,

Begin abdominal breathing,

With each inhalation allowing the abdomen to gently expand while the chest and shoulders remain relaxed and still,

With each exhalation allowing the abdomen to gently contract.

This is a form of pranayama,

Of working with the rhythm of the breath and the style of breathing.

Abdominal breathing helps us shift into the parasympathetic nervous system,

Moving us inwardly.

Breathing in,

Taking in fresh energy,

Experiencing yourself as you are,

Breathing out,

Letting go of everything that is not needed,

Thoughts,

Emotions,

And unnecessary tension within the physical body.

Breathing in.

Breathing out.

Now,

Continue this breath as you guide your senses even more inwardly,

Observing sensations within,

Feeling,

Seeing,

And listening to your inner world.

Breathing in.

Breathing out.

Breathing out.

Breathing out.

Now,

Enhance the involution through concentration.

Guide your awareness and your senses to observe the physical space of the lower abdomen,

About two to three inches below the belly button in the center of the lower abdomen between the front of the abdomen and the spine.

Focus your awareness in this space of your physical body,

Observing any sensations,

Movements,

And emotions.

Your awareness starts to wander to other places of the body.

The mind starts to wander to other thoughts.

Gently guide it back,

Focusing the lower abdomen,

Becoming even more interested.

And the moment to moment arising of sensations in this space.

Breathing in.

Breathing out.

For some,

It may be helpful to visualize a golden ball of light resting in the lower abdomen,

Like a miniature sun.

Breathing in.

Breathing out.

Breathing out.

Start to become aware of a stillness that underlies all sensation arising in the lower abdomen.

Focus on the stillness.

Focus on the stillness.

Allow your awareness to soften into the stillness.

Focus on the stillness.

Focus on the stillness.

As you soften into the stillness,

You may become aware of a sense of light within the stillness.

If so,

Allow the light to open.

Feeling it expand and spread throughout your entire body.

Feel the stillness and light that lie beneath the felt sense of the body as a whole and as you soften into them.

Experience your true nature of stillness and light.

Focus on the stillness.

Focus on the stillness.

Focus on the stillness.

Become aware of the felt sense of your body as a whole.

Experience the solidity beneath you,

Supporting you,

And holding you up.

And the air around you in which you are immersed like a fish in water.

Become aware of the natural movement of the breath.

Notice how it may have changed since the beginning of the practice.

Maintain a connection to the stillness and light within.

As you gently and slowly begin to open your eyes and take in the world around you.

And noticing the colors and textures.

The outer world draws the mind and causes the fluctuations of consciousness.

The inner world is the realm of the soul,

Of unity.

As we consciously,

With intention,

Direct our awareness inwardly again and again.

The fluctuations of consciousness subside and we find the stillness and light within.

Of which we are,

Of which the world is.

Beneath the maya,

The illusion of the seeming duality and multiplicity of form.

We realize that while experientially,

We feel separate.

We are never separate.

Just like a wave in the ocean that has an individuated form for a while.

But is never not part of the ocean.

And one day,

We'll crash back into it.

Losing its form.

And becoming one with the ocean.

From which it was never separate.

Thank you all for joining me today.

Reviews

I had never listen to your talk related to yoga. It was very helpful and informative. And the meditation part was very powerful.

Is the seperateness that you speak off is seperate from our true nature/ a unity that holds us together... ?
Regards
Gargi

Excellent advice thank you with love and gratitude for all your wisdom.

How did I miss this one? Amazing!! Thank you and I hope you are well!!!

Wonderful to listen to your insight on the huge topic of yogic philosophy…and so succinctly imparted Thomas. Perfect timing..Many thanks…Loved the mediation as usual as well..Always good..Your voice!…Namaste🙏and Thankyou again my friend..✨🧘🏼‍♀️✨🙌