Tag Archives: raja yoga

Life

Leave a reply

These posts include notes to myself regarding all aspects of my life including my practice of specific aspects of raja yoga. Raja yoga and it’s goal are my spiritual path and practice. It seems appropriate to include my own notes in this blog. I hope you find it interesting and inspiring.

I lead a Raja Yoga study course and in it we focus on specific aspects of the teachings for two week intervals. At this time we are practicing the yama and niyama of Patanjali which are:

Yama:

Non-Violence, or Ahimsa

Non-Lying, or Satya

Non-Stealing, or Asteya

Non-Sensuality, or Brahmacharya

Non-Greed, or Aparigraha

Niyama:

Cleanliness, or Shaucha

Contentment, or Santosha

Austerity, or Tapasya

Self-Study, or Swadhyaya

Devotion to the Supreme Lord, or Ishvarapranidhana

These qualities that are not limited to any one path or teaching. They are states of spiritual attainment universally experienced by all souls on their way to perfect union(Yoga) with “all there is” or God.  The practice of yoga is directional, in other words, we work from “where we are” and focus on the immediate steps needed to move toward perfection. Every step in this direction brings a greater experience of freedom, joy and wonder. It’s the greatest adventure on earth!

As Paramhansa Yogananda said:

“If we are not having fun, we are doing something wrong.”

Enjoy the ride!

turiya

The Best Job Ever

2 Replies

Tonight someone asked me what I would change about my life if I only had one year to live. I thought about it, and there is nothing I would change about my life. I’m so glad I was asked, because it made me appreciate how good my life really is.

I think I have the best job ever!

I get to meet and hang out with people who:

  • Are interested in improving themselves!
  • Are looking for answers inside, rather that out.
  • Are ready to go deeper into their spirituality and who want to know truth, instead of just believing that it exists.
  • They are searching for something more permanent and satisfying then what standard materialism can offer.

What more could a person ask for? Maybe lots of things, but for me this is heaven.

What do I do?

I try my best to help people figure out how to meditate in a way that fits their spiritual beliefs and capabilities.

I also teach yoga philosophy (raja yoga, also known as ashtanga yoga or the “eight limbed” yoga of Patanjali, see “The Art & Science of Raja Yoga“). It’s not what most would call a religion, it’s actually an observation of the evolutionary stages every soul will take on it’s journey to perfect self awareness; Self-realization. It clearly shows us where we were, and where we are headed. The art is discovering our next step, and how to take it. It’s a directional process just like meditation. We need to work with our present “reality” while leaving the door open for a newer more expanded version.

I find this all deeply satisfying. I just had to write it down. Our meditation class tonight didn’t want to go home. In eight weeks they formed a bond through our meetings.

The teachings of yoga gave me a much-desired understanding of the way this world actually works, one that eventually helped me to accept the nuttiness of it all. I’m still learning every day. Seeing others get a spiritual foothold and go for it is awesome, and actually playing a small supportive role in the process is so fun.

I was a commercial flooring contractor when I got my yoga & meditation teacher trainings at a place called The Expanding Light. I also had very little experience. I had no idea how much my life could and would improve when I signed up. But I’m sure glad I did.

If you are happy with your life, I would love to hear what you do. If you are not, I hope this inspires you to embrace new opportunities and to take real, inner or outer steps in the direction you want to go. If you would like help with your process or just a supportive ear, I am easy to reach.