It is helpful to arrange this principles according to their relation to the ancient yogic teachings, but it is not necessary. If one finds value simply in the technical description of these principles, they will progress just fine. But if there is an urge to look deeper into these concepts, then there is plenty of material to assist the seeker's desires. At BTGY, it is our wish to simplify the teachings into our common language, while also not removing any of the actual mystical value that is possible with their essence. To take a look at what we mean, let us revisit the three principles:
3) It's all about the SPINE
We are progressing in layers from subtle to dense. The first principle is related to the intention. We are getting clear on what we want, and as a practitioner progresses in their practice they see that HOW they are practicing is far more important than WHAT they are practicing. The common mistake in spiritual practice is that we confuse technique with the end goal. We fail to see that it is process by which we engage in the technique that the goal becomes realized. Thus, the means and the goal become one, and the truth is revealed as the union of opposites. This is the reason there are many paths, and yet one goal. In one of the oldest surviving texts, the Rig Veda, which contains a collection of sacred teachings from many great sages and masters, there is this phrase:
Ekam sat vipraha bahudha vadanti Truth is one, the wise call it by many names.
We bring this up now as it can be a helpful guide to those sincere and wise seekers who are into questioning everything. Yes, it is absolutely useful to question and scrutinize. We must develop a level of healthy spiritual discernment, or viveka. Although viveka means something slightly different in the Buddhist teachings than in the Yogas, proper discernment or discrimination is the only way in which we can determine for ourselves what the Truth may or may not be. It is through our discernment that we can be begin to understand, and yet it is only through sincere engagement in practice that we can determine whether or not something actually works.
That is the paradox! There are so many techniques to meditation, so many yogic practices, which one do we choose from? How do we know what is best? The market for this is saturated with so many different styles and teachers and this method and that method. This can lead us into confusion and we hesitate to make decisive action. At BTGY, we wish to simplify this chaos and offer only a basic and fundamental style of practice which is based around very pragmatic and grounded practical truths, such as what we are discussing in our Three Principles. The HOW is more important than the WHAT simply because it is through the sincere engagement in any practice which will sharpen the mind, and lead us down our individual path. We focus for focus' sake. It is only a mind sharpened through the simplicity of consistent practice that we can develop razor sharp discernment about what is useful for us in our path. If we dig a bunch of different holes, none will be deep enough to strike water.
The Breath
Our second principle - it's all about the breath. As we discussed here, we know that the mind is influenced by the breath. The yogis say the mind follows the breath, and the breath follows the body. It takes just a simple experiment to understand that the mind and body are inseparable (try closing your eyes and imagining yourself biting into a big juicy lemon - did you salivate?). If we are able to be very clear about what we do with our breath during our yoga practice, and we make a valiant effort to establish a peaceful and smooth breathing rhythm, one that reminds us of the gift that is the breath, then our mind will inevitably follow suit. Where we often lose this connection is when our mind leaps ahead, and tries to impose its will on the body. The mind has a tendency to force itself upon everything, especially the body.
We must never let ourselves get ahead of the breath, and due to the mechanics of how respiration literally creates the shape change in the body necessary for us to move in space, we can become deeply aware of how we are forcing ourselves into bodily positions that are not necessarily connecting us to the peace and joy that is the real goal of a successful yoga practice. It is our wish to remind everyone that our true desire is not to become more flexible, or even stronger - for these things will go away with time - no, it is our true desire to connect to that essence that is unchanging within us. A place of eternal peace and refuge from the world.
Nothing that we attain in the bodily realm will bring us lasting satisfaction. We will just want more. This is the our mind's nature. A yoga experience that opens the doorway to something that is infinite is far more rewarding than additional flexibility, and this is what all great teachers are trying to tell us. It's time to drop the patriarchal model of striving and working hard to get somewhere. There's nowhere to get! Relaxing into the space that we are currently brings to us the immediate recognition of the here and now, which is the only place we can ever be. Intellectual philosophy aside, consider for a moment the value in practicing for the sake of practicing, breathing for the sake breathing, allowing every inhalation to be a completely enjoyable experience and every exhalation to be as equally enjoyable. How does this differ than a practice that we feel we must get through in order to achieve something? How does it feel in our heart to step onto the mat because we feel like we are forced to by life's circumstances? What is the difference between this feeling, and a feeling of coming to the mat for the pure joy of the opening that will take place? It's not the WHAT, it's the HOW... and since it's all about the breath, we let the breath during our practice journey reflect this as well.
The Spine
Finally we arrive at the spine. Keep in mind that all of these principles are interconnected and woven together and each one feeds the other and vice versa. There is truly no separation, but to distinguish the concepts is helpful for our minds to navigate this realm. In a sense we have connected the spirit and mind together with the first two principles, and this third principle is about the body. The spine is the axis of our physical being. Our entire body emerges from it, and it is one of the first systems to develop in utero. It is how our brain communicates with our body and our body with our brain.
Understanding the spine, and the mechanics of it will allow us to move in such a way that is stable and safe. In yoga we use the terms sthira and sukham to refer to the two necessary qualities in each asana, or physical body posture. It is through proper position of the spine that the body can rest itself upon this amazing structure, and relaxation occurs through the body. Proper stacking of the spinal vertebrae and the connected structures leads us to a place of feeling completely supported and safe. If the spinal position is not optimal, the rest of the body will follow suit. We must use the structure as it is designed for. Gravity will then flow effortlessly through the body without obstruction.
The body is set up in a system of what is known as tensegrity, which is a term used by fascial systems specialists such as the great Tom Myers, a modern day master of our anatomical body, and this tensegrity utilizes the blessing of gravity to support itself. It is through our repetitive strain of muscular effort and mental tensions that obstructs that natural systems way of supporting itself. We are literally blocking the flow of natural forces in our body, and the obstructions are necessary to untangle for one to achieve a sense of freedom in their body.
There is a psychic implication to every physical knot, and it is very necessary for the practitioner to understand this. We are physically tense for no reason. There is a mental pattern accompanying the tension and replaying as a loop in our neurological circuitry. As we untangle and free this trapped energy, more potential energy is made available to us. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be re-purposed. A tremendous amount of energy is allocated towards holding us in the same personality spaces that we identify with so strongly, our small sense of self, and a fully awakened and liberated being is the individual which is no longer so deeply identified with their contracted identity but they are more closely related to the cosmic identity, or simple put - life itself. We are all doing this in varying degrees, and the practices of yoga were transmitted to us, to remind us that we are not the contracted, small self but rather a much larger and expansive Self . This eternal Self is the actual fabric that we emerge from, and very same One that we create our sense of self to begin with!
As always, we are not here to debate spiritual philosophy. nor is it our wish to impose beliefs that are not helpful to an individual in their path. We are here to share important concepts and messages that one might consider useful in their own personal frameworks of reality. Concepts and messages that have been passed to us through the ancient wisdom of those who've come before us, but a wisdom that must be enlivened in us and invoked if we wish for it to be applicable to our own life. If it is not serving, or the concept or idea does not resonate, do not worry. Leave it aside. Sort through and find what is useful. Consider entertaining the concepts with an open mind and see what comes about as a result. The path reveals itself as we walk onward. Abandon the known and lean into the unknown. One might be surprised at what they find.
May all sincere seekers awaken to the truth of their own being. OM.
Comments