We had the first meeting of our Yoga for a World Out of Balance Meditation Book Group yesterday at Yoga Bliss. We began with a yoga practice. In standing, we explored sensation and experience of being rooted like a tree. Our book revolves around the ethics of leading a conscious life – known in yoga speak as the Yamas. These principles of restraint will be our foundation – the ground from which we’ll grow over the next few weeks as we begin to integrate them into our daily lives. We come from different backgrounds and stages of life. Yet we are drawn together to grow – like those trees whose roots connect underground and branch out in the light.
We practiced the basic techniques of mindfulness meditation in the Vipassana tradition. Vipassana, or insight meditation, is merely continued close attention to sensation, through which one ultimately sees the true nature of existence. We followed the path outlined by the eight limbs of yoga: Pratyahara, turning awareness inward; Dharana, concentrating on the breath; Dhyana, becoming fully absorbed by breathing. The author, Michael Stone, says that a freedom arises when we let go of wanting. We express a basic intelligence of mind beyond thinking. I think this state becomes the fertile ground from which insights arise.
We discussed the Introduction and 1st chapter, The Path Unfolds. In the Introduction Michael aims to make traditional yoga teachings relevant by sharing observations about the state we are in today and asking us to contemplate how our choices effect our personal and collective well being. He believes our personal suffering, our degrading environment, declining global economy and conflicted social relations are largely caused by the fact that we live in a consumer culture unbridled by restraint. His book is a call to care, to take our practice off the mat for the benefit of the interconnected web of being which he defines broadly to include both sentient beings and our non-sentient environment.
The first chapter offers a basic overview of Yoga philosophy as taught by Patanjali. Patanjali was a scholar thought to have lived in the 2 c BCE who compiled the Yoga Sutras. In the Yoga Sutras, Patañjali outlines the eight “limbs” or steps which can ultimately free us from suffering. By following the unfolding path of Ashtanga Yoga we can quiet our minds and achieve enlightenment or Samadhi. Yet this is not about transcending our experience here, on earth, alone, together. It’s about looking and truly seeing one another, listening and really hearing each other. What does it mean to really give some one your face, your eyes, your ears, your touch? Try it.
In the practice of meditation a freedom arises when we let go of wanting. We can take sanctuary here. In this retreat from our grasping and reactivity we can have a direct experience, an in-sight, of our interrelatedness, our interdependence, our inter-being. This is why Michael chooses to define Samadhi as integration or intimacy. I believe we shared this together yesterday, in our movement, stillness and discussion. This is a challenging, “in your face” and rewarding book. It’s challenging to really examine the consequences of the many choices we make in a day that either contribute or inhibit the well being of our web. I’ve studied this book for several years I can truly say that these inquiries plant the seeds from which our creative imaginations can grow. I think our capacity for creative imagining is potentially an every day miracle. We make it possible in truly relating to each other. I’m so grateful to be exploring these old teachings with new friends. I heartily welcome anyone who would like to join us!
You can find this week’s homework and other resources at:
Yoga for a World Out of Balance Homework 1