Sonoma Yoga Martial Arts

01/31/2019

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04/27/2014

"God in the Yoga Sūtra," a lecture I gave on Saturday at the studio. If this sort of thing interests you, join our Meetup (http://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Sutra/) and feel free to come to class on Saturday mornings @9:30am! (Will post parts II & III separately)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7llgzPmZzQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7llgzPmZzQ

"God in the Yoga Sūtra." (1.24) If this sort of thing interests you, join our Meetup (http://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Sutra/) and feel free to come to class on Sa...

04/26/2014

Sūtra Class Tomorrow @ SYMA:

This week we will continue to look at the issue of theism in the Yoga Sūtra with sūtra 1.24. In this sūtra, Patañjali defines the nature of God (Īśvara), which elicits a lengthy discourse amongst the commentators in the text . We will draw some brief comparisons from Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gītā, and possibly discuss the Buddhist response to the issue of God, particular from my anecdotal experience in reading and translating sections of the Tattva Saṃgraha. We may also explore some conflicting theistic ideas between Vedānta and Saṃkhya, and have a brief prelude to how to access the power of God according to Patañjali specifically, and through grace in general (a subject which I cannot mention without comparisons to the Pure Land Buddhist traditions). We will compare both personal and impersonal approaches to divinity that are present in Indic (and perhaps Asian) culture in general. We will also question Bryant's speculation of Patañjali's association with a particular cult (Śaiva/Vaiṣṇava) and examine the possible "universalist" underpinning to Patañjali's rhetorical style. If we get to all of this, then this lesson will conclude with Taimni's unique and insightful interpretation of this sūtra that infuses modern astronomy into the theistic landscape of cosmic order.

I realize that this may sound overwhelming to the novice, but please let me assure you that beginners are always welcome. I will certainly make sure that any beginners understand the basic concepts at least in a general way. Also, beginners might be assured to know that this is a mixed level class, and although proficiency with the material may take repeated exposure, there are certain universals that we explore that people of any cultural affiliation, be it religious or otherwise, will appreciate.

We will also be singing after class at around 11:15. Everyone is invited to sing, dance, or just listen and explore our simple rendition of devotional songs.

04/20/2014

“How different is the way people of today practice Seon (aka Zen meditation)! While the people of old kept their minds tranquil, those of today only care for a tranquil abode. While people of old kept their minds unmoving, those of today only keep their bodies so. If one cares for a tranquil dwelling-place, this merely amounts to a rejection of the world; and if one only keeps one’s body still, one is merely self-complacent. Buddhism is a teaching meant for the world, a religion devoted to the liberation of sentient beings! If this is so, should self-complacency and the rejection of the world not be shunned by followers of the Buddha?” --Han Yong-un (mr Han Yong’un 韓龍雲 1879–1944)

04/19/2014

For Sūtra Class tomorrow (9:30-11am Sonoma Yoga Martial Arts): We have concluded sūtra 1.23 in which Patañjali introduced the concept of Īśvara, or God. We have explored how Īśvara becomes envisioned more as a tool for the ultimate goal of yoga (the cessation of the mental churning: 1.2=citta-vṛtti-nirodha) and how the idea of surrendering to God (Īśvara-praṇidhānād vā) fits into the praxis of meditation that Patañjali has proposed (samādhi).

Next we will turn our attention to sūtra 1.23 in which Patañjali begins to define God (Īśvara), and question whether the God that he envisions is a creator God, whether Īśvara is personal or impersonal as either the material or efficient cause of the Universe, and explore the vague language the Patañjali uses when covering this complex issue. We will also deal with how ideas of grace that are central to many of the commentators' definitions of God are in some ways contradictory to the Īśvara defined by Patañjali, and how they reconcile those contradictions.

As always, everyone is welcome, no prior experience is necessary to join the group, although it takes time to gain comfort and proficiency with the subject material. Please come with a patient mind and we will work together to unlock the secrets of these ancient teachings. We will also be singing Kirtan afterwards, and everyone is welcome to stay (or not) for that as well. ॐ

04/06/2014

“just as a wedge is used to remove a wedge... so mindfulness (nian) is used to calm the mind.”--Feixi (wg Fei-hsi 飛錫 8th c.)

03/17/2014

I've been adducing passages from the Lotus Sūtra all day. The dhāraṇī in Chapter 28 is dedicated to him. He tells the Buddha:

"O' Bhagavat! If there is any bodhisattva who hears this dhāraṇī, he should know it is because of the transcendent power of Samantabhadra. If there is anyone who accepts the Lotus Sutra practiced in Jambudvīpa, he should think: 'this is nothing but Samantabhadra's virtuous power.' If there is anyone who preserves, recites, correctly remembers, understands this meaning and practices in accordance with the teaching, know that they are practicing the practice of Samantabhadra. They plant deep roots of good merit in the presence of innumerable and limitless Buddhas."

03/17/2014

As I sit here immersed in my studies, I feel a wave of devotional inspiration from Kṣitigarbha, the bodhisattva who is responsible for teaching the dharma, saving beings dwelling in lower realms, and helping children. ॐ प्रमर्दने स्वाहा!

03/15/2014

If anyone is interested, tomorrow in Yoga Sūtra class, we begin to discuss Īśvarapranidhāna, and how the issue of God plays out in the Yoga Sutra (with special comparison to the Bhagavad Gītā). Yoga Sutra class begins at 9:30am, and we will begin Kirtan around 11am.

02/17/2014

Jain Statue at Karkala, weighs about 80 tons!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karkala

Karkala (Tulu/Konkani/Kannada/Beary Language ( Beary Bashe): ಕಾರ್ಕಳ [kaːrkəɭɐ]) is a town and the headquarters of Karkala taluk in the Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Located about 380 km from Bangalore, it lies near the Western Ghats.