IYTTP | Module - III | Yoga Philosophy - II | Session - 10

Exploring the Depths of Syama

Introduction to Syama

• The discussion begins with a reference to Patanjali's teachings on the process of delving deeper into the state of syama, focusing on the contemplation of various layers of the universe.

Understanding Samyama

• Sutra 44 introduces samyama as a five-dimensional process that penetrates into subtler aspects of existence, leading to mastery over the universe.

• The analogy of turning a screw illustrates how deeper understanding reveals hidden truths and capabilities (siddhis), such as controlling thoughts or manifesting desires.

Outcomes of Syama

• Achieving syama results in a refined body described as precious and resilient, akin to a diamond, showcasing extraordinary beauty and endurance.

• This refinement transcends physical limitations like aging, often depicted in yogis who appear youthful and radiant due to their inner strength.

Magnetism and Allure

• The allure derived from this inner radiance is magnetic but not seductive; it draws others towards one's essence through conviction and strength likened to that of a thunderbolt.

The Role of Indria in Perception

Transition from Mha to Indria

• Following discussions on ma jaya, attention shifts to indria, particularly focusing on nyana indrias (the senses), which are essential for processing sensory data.

Processing Sensory Data

• The mind has an innate ability to filter vast amounts of sensory information, determining what is relevant while discarding extraneous data.

Nature of Senses

• Each sense organ serves merely as an outer structure; true perception arises from deeper faculties within each organ (e.g., hearing comes from within rather than just the ear).

Grahana vs. Swarupa

• Distinction between grahana (sense organs) and swarupa (innate nature); understanding this helps clarify why some may have functional organs yet lack certain perceptual abilities.

Experiencing Reality Through Senses

Purpose of Sensory Experience

• The senses provide two types of experiences: boga (material experiences for purusha), allowing one to witness the external world through thought processes.

Complexity Behind Perception

• Emphasizes that acts like seeing or hearing involve complex processes beyond mere physical actions; encourages deeper inquiry into how perception occurs.

Understanding Mastery of the Senses in Yoga

The Concept of Indria and Pratyahara

• The content of the mind is shaped by sensory experiences, leading to a loose mastery over the senses, referred to as "indria." This should not be confused with "pratyahara," which has a different meaning.

• There are distinct phrases used in yoga that differentiate between indria and pratyahara, emphasizing their unique roles in practice.

Movement Towards Goals: Abhasa and Vaya

• In yoga, "abhasa" represents movement towards a goal, while "vaya" serves as a retraction mechanism to prevent distraction from that goal.

• Abhasa drives one forward in pursuit, whereas vaya helps maintain focus and prevents the mind from drifting away.

Advanced Perception: Indria Jaya

• The term "indria jaya" refers to an advanced state of perception where mastery extends beyond ordinary sensory capabilities.

• This level allows yogis to perceive without physical organs; they can create sensory organs at will, enabling extraordinary perception detached from the body.

Mastery Over Sensory Experience

• Mastery over senses is achieved through "samyama," which involves understanding how senses connect with objects and how these interactions are processed by the mind.

• The process includes recognizing the physics and biology behind sensory reception and processing, leading to acute perception that transcends normal limitations.

Limitless Perception Beyond Physical Constraints

• Yogic perception operates at the speed of thought, allowing for awareness beyond typical sensory limits such as distance or frequency constraints.

• This capability enables yogis to perceive even before signals reach them physically; they can project or create detached sensory organs functioning independently of their bodies.

Control Over Matter and Consciousness

• Understanding matter's underlying principles grants yogis control over its elements; they can manipulate reality akin to playing with building blocks like Lego.

• A yogi's mastery extends not only to projecting senses but also controlling fundamental aspects of existence itself (moola prakriti).

Omnipotence vs. Mastery of Conscious States

• While achieving control over elements is significant, true omnipotence lies in mastering all states of consciousness—waking, sleeping, dreaming—and understanding their nuances.

• Patanjali emphasizes this distinction between manipulating elements versus ruling over consciousness states as essential for genuine spiritual attainment.

Understanding the Nature of Perception and Knowledge

The Limitations of Human Senses

• Our perception is constrained by our immediate environment; we may know there is a room beyond a wall, but we cannot sense it directly.

• This limitation highlights that true knowledge transcends mere logical reasoning or common sense. It involves an innate understanding that does not rely on sensory input.

The Pursuit of Higher States of Consciousness

• Attaining higher states of consciousness requires discernment, referred to as "vivea," which is essential for spiritual growth.

• The ultimate goal is to pursue "satwaurusha," discarding even the highest powers (siddhis) to avoid being bound by attachment (priti). This leads to a state of pure presence rather than power.

Realization and Separation

• True realization comes from recognizing the separateness between purusha (the self) and the mind, which has been polished through disciplined practice (sadena). This clarity allows one to see that while the mind may reflect purusha, it is not identical to it.

• Achieving this deep understanding leads to omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience—states that are far superior to any temporary powers or achievements.

Challenges on the Path

• As practitioners progress, they must confront their attachments and fears about losing their hard-earned abilities or insights; this can lead them astray if they succumb to temptation or comfort.

• The journey requires rigorous self-discipline (vaya), especially when faced with distractions or desires that threaten one's focus on liberation. At this stage, practitioners must be vigilant against complacency.

The Role of Human Beings in Ascension

• Humans possess a unique capacity for ascension through conscious evolution via practices like dyam (meditation), unlike other beings who remain trapped in lower states of existence.

• However, higher entities may attempt to obstruct this process by offering temptations such as eternal joy or positions among divine beings; these distractions can derail one's spiritual journey if not recognized as illusions.

Invitation to Higher Realms

The Nature of Upari Mantran

• The concept of upari mantran is introduced as a special invitation that cannot be easily rejected, highlighting its significance in spiritual practice.

• A warning is issued against pride or arrogance when receiving such invitations, emphasizing that they can distract from one's ultimate goals.

The Cycle of Desire

• Discusses the dangers of succumbing to desires for prestige and power, which can lead one back into cycles of attachment and distraction.

• Emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in recognizing these distractions to maintain focus on spiritual growth.

Understanding Discernment

Present Moment Awareness

• Discernment is described as being rooted in the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or projecting into the future.

• Knowledge acquisition is framed as essential within Indian cultural ethos (samskriti), where it serves both as currency and goal.

Time and Change

• Explores how time is measured by change, suggesting that understanding this relativity can enhance awareness of one's experiences.

• Highlights that every moment should be keenly observed to foster true knowledge, which leads to transcendence beyond cyclical existence.

The Role of Knowledge

Transformational Knowledge

• Distinguishes between transient knowledge and permanent transformational knowledge necessary for transcending material existence (prakriti).

• Warns about the potential slips into lower states (rajas and tamas), stressing continuous discernment as crucial for maintaining higher consciousness.

Identifying Differences: Jati, Lakshana, Da

Methods of Understanding Similarities and Differences

• Introduces three methods—jati, lakshana, and da—to differentiate objects based on their characteristics.

Jati

• Defines jati as identifying differences based on species or birth; for example, distinguishing between cows and dogs despite both being mammals.

Lakshana

• Describes lakshana as differentiating features within a category; e.g., identifying different types of cows based on color or breed.

Understanding Jati and Lakshana in Differentiation

The Concept of Jati

• Jati refers to a classification system, exemplified by the existence of both small (dwarfish) and large breeds of cattle, indicating that while they belong to the same category, their physical characteristics differ significantly.

Differentiating Within Jati: Lakshana

• Lakshana is used to further differentiate within the same jati based on attributes such as size (big vs. small), weight (fat vs. thin), or color (white, black, brown).

Identifying Through Location

• In cases where two entities appear identical—like identical twins—location becomes a distinguishing factor; one can identify them simply by their position.

Perception and Insight in Similarity

• Even when two entities seem indistinguishable by jati or lakshana, sharp perception is necessary to recognize that all perceived powers are merely aspects of the mind and subject to change.

The Nature of Reality According to Patanjali

• Patanjali emphasizes that apparent similarities should not cloud one's perception; true understanding requires clarity even amidst indistinct differences.

The Role of Vayam in Yogic Practice

Mental Control and Awareness

• The discussion highlights extraordinary mental agility and control over the universe but warns practitioners about being vigilant at critical moments before achieving higher states.

Avoiding Distractions on the Path

• Practitioners are cautioned against distractions that may lead them away from ultimate liberation (kybalam); temporary experiences in higher realms do not equate to permanent freedom.

Importance of Presence

• The quality of va, derived from presence (ata), is crucial for maintaining focus on one's path without being burdened by past experiences or future projections.

Transcendence and Instantaneous Knowledge

Final Stages of Insight

• The last stage involves an instantaneous crossover into transcendence where knowledge encompasses all things at all times without remaining unknown.

Non-sequential Nature of Transcendence

• Unlike traditional methodologies like Ashtanga yoga which follow sequential steps, this transcendence occurs instantaneously, leading to comprehensive awareness beyond conventional learning processes.

Understanding Transcendence and Perpetual Knowing

The Nature of Knowing

• Everything that is to be known is spontaneously known, indicating a state of transcendence where all matters are perceived as transitions.

• Clarity in understanding is immediate and total, not reliant on sequential logic; it represents the ultimate state of knowing everything at all times.

Discernment in Knowledge

• The key aspect for yoga practitioners is discerning between vidya (knowledge) and samyoga (union), which can often appear intertwined yet are fundamentally separate.

• Pratiba serves as a precursor to deeper knowledge; while everything can be known through it, true liberation requires transcending beyond mere awareness.

The Role of Sudha Satwa

• Beyond the final dissolution lies the concept of sudha satwa, a pure state that exists independently from physical needs like sleep or nourishment.

• In this state, bodily needs become secondary; the yogi operates with pure satwa while still having the option to engage with rajas and tamas when necessary.

Final Liberation and Mind's State

• At this stage, both mind and purity reflect identical radiance without merging; thoughts cease to consume external objects but focus solely on inner purity.

• This culminates in a crystalline clarity of mind, marking the highest state of knowledge where identity aligns with ultimate truth.

The Structure and Evolution of Teachings

Chapter Connections

• The teachings presented in chapter four mirror earlier chapters, suggesting continuity despite potential debates about authorship or timing.

• There’s coherence across chapters 1 to 4 regarding ideas and language style, indicating they likely stem from similar ideological frameworks.

Teaching vs. Text Creation

• It’s essential to recognize that teachings precede their textual representation; significant time may elapse between these stages—sometimes up to 100 years.

Preparing for Further Study

• A recommendation is made to revisit previous classes for better comprehension before delving into chapter four. Understanding will evolve over time as familiarity grows with the material.

Chapter 4 Overview and Debate in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

Introduction to Chapter 4

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of being conscious about the upcoming discussions in Chapter 4, which will introduce interesting ideas and grounds for debate.

• The chapter addresses two major questions that arise from a particular school of thought within the Buddhist tradition, suggesting a need to counter opposing viewpoints.

Purpose of Chapter 4

• It is noted that Chapter 4 serves as a platform for establishing debates and asserting the superiority of Patanjali's ideology over others prevalent during his time.

• The speaker acknowledges that understanding these texts can be challenging, reflecting on personal experiences with the Yoga Sutras over many years.

Personal Reflections on Learning

• A participant shares their struggle with comprehending the text, noting how it can evoke different emotions and meanings at various times.

• The speaker reassures participants that revisiting chapters will yield new insights, emphasizing the evolving nature of understanding these teachings.

Practical Application: Samyama

• A practical question arises regarding how to begin practicing Samyama. The speaker highlights discipline as a crucial first step in focusing attention.

• It's explained that achieving non-thinking is not about forcing thoughts away but rather about witnessing without constant commentary from the mind.

Deepening Practice through Ashtanga Framework

• Strengthening foundational practices leads to higher states of awareness naturally; consistent work with pranayama facilitates this process.

• Mantras are suggested as effective tools for anchoring focus during practice, although eventually even this anchor may become unnecessary.

Understanding Human Nature in Practice

• Patanjali recognizes human cravings and provides guidance on navigating them while understanding one's journey through yoga practice.

• Participants are encouraged not to feel overwhelmed by all aspects of Samyama; it's important to understand where one stands on their path without pressure.

Broader Reflections on Power and Influence

• A participant reflects on global conflicts while considering the powers discussed in relation to yoga practices, indicating a connection between personal development and broader societal issues.

Power and Responsibility in Leadership

The Nature of Power Among Leaders

• The speaker expresses concern about leaders possessing significant powers, suggesting that such power should not be given to politicians who lack the wisdom of yogis.

• It is emphasized that true power holders remain inconspicuous; they do not flaunt their abilities or seek recognition for them.

• A distinction is made between genuine yogic knowledge and those who exploit it for personal gain, highlighting a lower level of integrity among some individuals.

• The discussion touches on the corrupting nature of power, stressing that without detachment from it, one's mind can become corrupted.

• There is an acknowledgment that not all yogis are virtuous; some may misuse their powers for selfish purposes.

Addressing Questions and Clarifications

• Andrea has numerous questions for the speaker but will defer them to a later time or address them in class discussions.

• The speaker encourages students to send audio messages with urgent questions, indicating a willingness to provide thoughtful responses based on understanding.