…A meditating yogi has to keep the mind
in a state of ekagrata (one pointed).
It would require that the yogi reduces distractions considerably.
The distractions of the external world are attempted to be
eliminated by deliberate observance of the yamaniyamas.The distractions of the body are reduced by judicious selection
and practice of asanas with vinyasas.
Then the distractions of one’s own mind are dealt
with by eliminating the mind cobwebs by Pranayama.Then one is ready for meditation.
– Ramaswami Srivatsa
10 years ago, if I read the above, I would have been ??? tilting my head, what is he talking about? Isn’t yoga about all these poses? I would be miffed.
Today, it’s clear. It’s progress when you can understand the above when before, you couldn’t.
We do make progress with effort and education. So grateful that an authentic guru/teacher like Ramaswami Srivatsa is still teaching.
Still reviewing the 20+ hours with him from a man whose mastery of hours are infinitely more, steeped in deep practice while living the regular well adjusted life.
It’s about what he calls “judicious selection and practice”
that I’d like to engage in more and more.
There’s a well defined intention behind each pose – knowing how each pose affects the emotions, nervous system as well as the direct physical benefits.
If one is caught up in how meditation is superior and the physical portion of yoga is not the real yoga, blah, blah – talk, then it’s not a whole practice.
It takes all the above.
