Patanjali's Yogasutra | Dr. Kausthub Desikachar | YS II.7 & II.8 | 15 July 2017
Invocation
The class begins with an invocation.
Introduction to Raga (Desire)
- Raga is defined as a desire that brings pleasure and is based on the continuation or expectation of sukham (pleasure).
- It is generated by the feeling of sukham experienced in the past, creating an expectation for future experiences.
- Memory plays a role in generating raga, as it holds onto past pleasurable experiences and creates expectations for similar experiences in the future.
- Raga is mainly derived from the senses and can be easily excited, leading to pursuing joyful experiences.
Definition of Raga
The definition of raga is explained.
Understanding Raga
- Raga is defined as a feeling generated within oneself based on a continuation of sukham (pleasure) or an expectation of sukham.
- Sukham refers to something that allows us to feel joyful and experience pleasure, such as watching a movie, having good food, or attending teachings.
- This experience of sukham creates an expectation that future experiences will also bring pleasure.
- The feeling of raga arises when we let the pleasurable feelings from past experiences remain and carry them into our present expectations.
Significance of Raga
The significance and potential problems associated with raga are discussed.
Problems with Raga
- Functioning from raga means not being fully present in the current moment but operating from past memories and expectations.
- When we are not fully present, we disconnect from reality and fail to appreciate what is happening in the present moment.
- Pursuing pleasurable experiences based on raga can lead to disappointment if expectations are not met.
- While pursuing joy may seem harmless, it hinders our ability to be fully present and connected to reality, which goes against the essence of yoga.
Recap and Introduction to the Second Chapter
A recap of the previous class on Asmita (identification) and an introduction to the second chapter of the Yoga Sutras.
Recap and Introduction
- The previous class focused on understanding Asmita, which is one of the five kleshas (afflictions) causing suffering.
- The second chapter of the Yoga Sutras explores the kleshas in more detail.
- The kleshas are certain things that we base our actions on, leading to problems when we rely on them instead of clarity.
- Raga is introduced as the next klesha to be discussed in this chapter.
Desire vs. Wish: Understanding Raga
In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of desire and wish in relation to raga (attachment) and its impact on our experiences and decision-making.
Desire vs. Wish
- Problematic memory interferes when we compare previous experiences with the present, leading to dissatisfaction and suffering.
- Expectations arising from functioning based on memory create a problem as they are often not fulfilled.
- Raga is desire generated by an object, while a wish (cha) is different and aligned with the nature of consciousness.
- Desire involves specific expectations, whereas a wish is more general and focused on the intention or action itself.
- Raga takes over our power and leads to disappointment as it creates unrealistic expectations that are rarely fulfilled.
- Raga can manifest in various forms such as lust, greed, or accumulation.
The Impact of Raga on Decision-Making
This section explores how raga influences decision-making processes and why relying solely on personal preferences or opinions can be detrimental.
Opinions vs. Facts
- Many people make decisions based on opinions rather than facts, influenced by their likes or dislikes (raga).
- Making decisions solely based on personal preferences is not a strong foundation for spiritual evolution.
- Raga can color our experiences and lead to decisions that do not yield appropriate results.
The Pleasure and Suffering of Raga
This section delves into the pleasure and suffering associated with raga, emphasizing the importance of understanding its influence on our perception of reality.
Pleasure and Expectations
- Raga brings pleasure but distorts our perception of reality by creating expectations.
- Relying on raga for pleasurable experiences leads to more suffering as expectations are rarely fulfilled.
Forms of Raga
This section explores different manifestations of raga beyond simple desires, highlighting how it can manifest in various forms such as lust, greed, or accumulation.
Various Forms of Raga
- Raga can take many forms, including lust (kama), greed (lobha), and accumulation (komma).
The transcript provided does not contain enough content for additional sections.
Desire and Suffering
In this section, Krishna explains the relationship between desire and suffering. He compares desire to a fire that is never satisfied and constantly demands more fuel. He uses the example of wanting to buy an iPhone but then realizing that it requires additional purchases such as apps and memory. Krishna emphasizes that feeding desires only leads to more suffering.
The Nature of Desire
- Desire is like a fire that constantly demands more fuel.
- Fulfilling one desire leads to the emergence of new desires.
- Example: Wanting to buy an iPhone but then needing to purchase apps and memory for it.
The Cycle of Suffering
- Desires create a chain reaction where one desire leads to another.
- This cycle never stops and ultimately leads to suffering.
- Raga (attachment) is like a powerful fire that consumes or causes suffering when not fulfilled.
Dukkha: Unsatisfactoriness
- Dukkha is the opposite of sukha (happiness) and refers to unsatisfactoriness or suffering.
- It arises from attachment (raga) and constricts us, causing discomfort.
- Dukkha arises from tamas (inertia), which makes it dangerous as it settles in our memory.
Understanding Do Kama: Aversion
- Do kama is the counterpart of raga, referring to aversion or dislike towards experiences or relationships.
- Negative experiences can lead to aversion, causing us to avoid certain people or situations.
- However, Patanjali advises being kind to the world as not every bad experience means something is inherently bad.
Dealing with Ups and Downs
- Life naturally has ups and downs; nothing will always go smoothly.
- Metaphorically, when things are not fluctuating, it signifies stagnation or death.
- Moments of do kama (unsatisfactoriness) are part of life's fluctuations and should not be avoided entirely.
Mistakes and Relationships
- Humans are prone to making mistakes, which can affect relationships.
- Avoiding people solely based on their mistakes will lead to loneliness.
- Differentiate between intentional harm and unintentional mistakes when deciding to avoid someone.
Functioning from Memory vs. Reality
- Projecting suffering based on past experiences limits our potential for positive experiences in the future.
- Functioning from memory rather than reality can cause unnecessary suffering.
- It is important to approach situations with an open mind and not let past experiences dictate our actions.
Dealing with Imperfect Humans
- Interactions with others often involve dealing with imperfect humans who make mistakes.
- Avoiding everyone who makes a mistake will result in isolation.
- Intentional harm should be avoided, but occasional bad experiences should not lead to complete avoidance.
The Nature of Life
In this section, Krishna discusses the nature of life and how it involves both sukha (happiness) and dukkha (unsatisfactoriness). He emphasizes that life is not always smooth, but rather fluctuates between ups and downs. Understanding this fluctuation helps us navigate through both positive and negative experiences.
The Fluctuating Nature of Life
- Life consists of both sukha (happiness) and dukkha (unsatisfactoriness).
- Just as a heart monitor shows fluctuations, life also has its ups and downs.
- Moments of do kama (unsatisfactoriness) constrict us but are part of the natural ebb and flow of life.
Avoiding Aversion to Experiences
- Aversion towards certain experiences or people can lead to missing out on positive opportunities.
- Not every bad experience signifies a permanent negative situation.
- Approaching life metaphorically, flatlining indicates stagnation, while fluctuations signify vitality.
Imperfections and Mistakes
- Humans are prone to making mistakes, including those who serve us in various roles.
- Avoiding people solely based on their mistakes will result in loneliness.
- Differentiate between intentional harm and unintentional mistakes when deciding to avoid someone.
Functioning from Memory vs. Reality
- Projecting suffering based on past experiences limits our potential for positive experiences in the future.
- Functioning from memory rather than reality can cause unnecessary suffering.
- Approach situations with an open mind and not let past experiences dictate our actions.
Dealing with Imperfect Humans
- Interactions with others often involve dealing with imperfect humans who make mistakes.
- Avoiding everyone who makes a mistake will result in isolation.
- Intentional harm should be avoided, but occasional bad experiences should not lead to complete avoidance.
The Power of Negative Experiences
This section discusses how negative experiences tend to stick with us more than positive ones, leading to a preference for remembering and focusing on the negative.
Why We Remember Bad Experiences
- Negative experiences are often more memorable because they are associated with the element of Tamas, which is sticky and tends to linger.
- Bad experiences are connected to the earth and water elements, making them harder to let go of compared to joyful experiences.
- The power of Tamas can pull us back into old patterns even when we try to move towards positivity.
- This tendency is observed in various healing practices like psychotherapy and yoga, where people struggle to break free from their suffering due to the stickiness of Tamas.
Transgenerational Impact
- Negative experiences can have transgenerational effects, leading conflicts like religious or political disputes that originated thousands of years ago.
- Small problems can escalate over time if not resolved immediately, as additional layers get added onto the initial conflict.
Sticky Nature of Tamas
- Human society faces numerous problems due to the sticky nature of Tamas. Even minor conflicts between siblings can accumulate and lead to larger issues.
- Unresolved conflicts create a cycle where subsequent disagreements become stuck on top of previous unresolved conflicts.
- The stickiness of Tamas affects relationships with others. For example, if one sibling likes a guest, the other may develop aversion towards them simply because their sibling likes them.
Understanding Devesha: The Darker Side
This section explores the concept of Devesha, a more dangerous and powerful aspect than Raga. It delves into its manifestations and the need to disconnect from both Raga and Devesha to avoid suffering.
The Power of Devesha
- Devesha is heavier, darker, and more powerful than Raga. It can consume a person completely.
- Manifestations of Devesha include rage, violence, and malicious behavior aimed at intentionally harming others.
- Devesha can grow so strong that it starts influencing behavior unconsciously.
Accumulation of Trauma
- Traumatic experiences that are not resolved become sticky like Tamas. Over time, additional layers build upon the original trauma in adults.
- Addressing trauma becomes more challenging in adulthood due to years of accumulation on top of the initial experience.
- However, dealing with trauma in children is relatively easier as there is less accumulation and the energy can be addressed more effectively.
Avoiding Conflict: A Recipe for Disaster
This section highlights the consequences of avoiding conflict without addressing it properly. It emphasizes the importance of dealing with conflicts rather than letting them accumulate over time.
Postponing Conflict
- Many people avoid conflict because they want to steer clear of discomfort or confrontation.
- However, when conflicts are not dealt with promptly, they tend to grow over time until they eventually explode.
- Unresolved conflicts can lead to intense emotions like hatred and anger that may require therapy to address.
Conclusion
The video concludes by emphasizing the need to be mindful of negative experiences and the stickiness of Tamas. It encourages addressing conflicts promptly rather than postponing them to prevent further accumulation and suffering.
Key Takeaways
- Negative experiences tend to stick with us more than positive ones due to the sticky nature of Tamas.
- Transgenerational conflicts can arise from unresolved issues that accumulate over time.
- Devesha is a powerful aspect that can consume individuals if not disconnected from.
- Addressing trauma in childhood is crucial as it has less accumulation and can be resolved more easily.
- Avoiding conflict without proper resolution leads to the growth of unresolved issues, resulting in explosive emotions later on.
The transcript provided was already in English, so no translation was required.
New Section
The importance of addressing and resolving issues immediately to prevent them from accumulating and becoming heavier, both in physical and psychological aspects.
Importance of Immediate Action
- It is important to wipe off stains on a t-shirt immediately to prevent them from setting in and becoming difficult to remove. The same principle applies to our psychological structure.
- Sticky situations or negative emotions can accumulate if not addressed promptly, leading to increased heaviness.
- In the modern era, disconnection and hatred between different groups are promoted, causing conflicts based on religion, race, gender, belief systems, etc.
- Even in the yoga field, there can be animosity between different schools or styles.
- These conflicts often arise due to ego-driven motivations rather than genuine reasons.
New Section
Understanding the difference between consciousness and ego in relationships and how it affects our connections with others.
Consciousness vs Ego
- Consciousness cannot be hurt as it is beyond matter. Fire, water, wind, or space cannot destroy consciousness.
- What gets hurt in relationships is the ego. It is important to consider whether we are connecting from a place beyond the ego or solely driven by egoic desires.
- Disconnecting from attachments (raga) and aversions (Vasia) that stem from the ego leads to healthier connections with others.
New Section
Exploring manifestations of attachments (raga) and aversions (Vasia) in relationships.
Manifestations of Attachments and Aversions
- Attachments (raga) and aversions (Vasia) manifest in various ways within relationships.
- By understanding the source of these manifestations as rooted in egoic desires, we can work towards transcending them for more harmonious connections with others.
The transcript provided does not contain any timestamps beyond 0:43:22.