While staying at Adnan and Prianka's I was able to spend some time learning under a Guru to understand more deeply yoga as a way of living. Aside from the many lessons I had learned and those yet to come I would like to share a bit of yogic roots.
The practice and livelihood of yoga has long standing roots stemming from self realization. Yoga, Yuj or Yug means civilization as its practice leads humans to the ultimate goal of higher consciousness to better the society.
As the first Yuj teacher, Krishna began to question the purpose of being after 80 years of living in this civilization that only seemed to cycle around eating, sleeping and mating, the same characteristics of all life. Up until the point of homeosapins (as far as we are aware) species have not really troubled themselves with this question of purpose- looking for something more than these basic aspects of living and surviving. Due to homeosapins further developed mind this questioning began and answers seeked to be found.
** From this point this characteristic of the mind could have become a gift or a poison depending on how we decide to use it.
With this questioning becoming more and more persistent within Krishna's mind he left for the remote mountains to find the answer. Finally returning after a few decades (sages generally living to about 150 years) he had found the truth. This truth is portrayed in the Bhagavad Gita (check out this book in its translations). The essence of this discussion on the battle field between Lord Krishna and Warrior Arjuna sheds light on the truth of being- that is the same as any other being/species but since this developed mind has been evolved there is now this awareness of the universal law, an awareness of the mind, body and soul and the natural forces/elements. To attend to this awareness, a higher conscious is needed in which Krishna portrays. He lays the foundation for how humans can live in harmony with nature, to see oneself/this species as a part of and not separate from.
It is up to humanity to decide how we want to use our minds. We now have a clear picture and reality of what happens when we decide not to use this gift of a developed mind, which was to lead the universe further down its evolutionary path with a higher consciousness/awareness but instead becomes undeveloped in comparison to all other species.
However since we have evolved from and through nature we still very much contain the same elements that are present in every form. Since humans as a species have acquired this developed mind it is our responsibility to use it wisely, to live under the universal laws that govern all life while cultivating this awareness and oneness. We have the ability to become aware of this higher consciousness through mindfulness.
To evolve in this journey of mindfulness is to allow the universe to evolve.
Some really great resources to seek out if you are interested in this truth and cultivating peace of mind:
*Eckhart Tolle- many of his books are good but I really found A New Earth to be eye opening, mind opening and stinkin great! Ooo and also listen to his online talks
*Thich Nhat Hanh- really is able to put things simply and as they are. Does a lot with self-love... and who doesn't want to love themself?! Well actually he guides one to love their being that is actually a reflection of the universe.. but anyways!
*Fukuoka- Japanese natural farmer and green philosopher. One straw revolution is amazing
*Vipassana- type of meditation
*Dalai Llama- of course... shows such strength and joy in times of constant struggle and sorrow
*Bhagavad Gita (reading)
*Siddartha (reading)
*doyogawithme.com- really great website for free classes including: Yoga, guided meditation, breathing and more!
*friends&family
*nature!!!
*YOU!:)- you are your own greatest teacher... your own guru
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