As the full moon of Ashadha graces the sky and Guru Purnima illuminates our path, we are filled with deep gratitude. Throughout the year, at Bharat Yogavidya Kendra (BYK), we are dedicated to making the teachings of our gurus and the wisdom of yoga accessible to all. This sacred time is a celebration of a year spent learning and sharing. As we honor our revered gurus, we reflect fondly on the inception of our yoga community, a sangha devoted to the in-depth study of wisdom teachings from various traditions and to supporting one another on our diverse yogic and spiritual journeys.
The Beginning
Our journey began with Sri M’s book “On Meditation.” As we read, we explored the answers to questions we often had: What is meditation? Why should we meditate? How can it help with dealing with difficulties, health problems, or depression? Sri M’s wisdom, drawn from various schools of practice and ancient texts, was both clear and relatable. He broke down the complex practice of meditation into simple methods that anyone, regardless of their busy lives, could incorporate into their everyday routine.
We learned the know-how of calming our minds, and within our sangha, we took small but significant steps by practicing meditation together. One of the standout teachings was on the importance of focusing on the chakras, particularly the ajna chakra, or third eye, which helped many of us deepen our meditation experience. The text’s practical advice on meditation posture, breath control, and dealing with distractions resonated deeply. One participant shared, “For the first time my questions on why and how to meditate found answers. It was also so nice to see how different people had different reasons and that it’s okay for me to change at any time.”
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Our journey then took us through some remarkable texts, each one opening up new ways to understand and connect with ourselves and the world around us.
Saundarya Lahiri
As we read this classic text by Adi Shankaracharya, we were moved to see the divine beauty of the Goddess, the divine mother in everyday life. It wasn’t just about admiring beauty; it was about recognizing it as something sacred. As we read, we were struck by verses like,
“Let my idle chatter be the muttering of prayer, my every manual movement the execution of ritual gesture, my walking a ceremonial circumambulation, my eating and other acts the rite of sacrifice, my lying down prostration in worship, my every pleasure enjoyed with dedication of myself, let whatever activity is mine be some form of worship of you.”
One participant expressed, “Reading ‘Saundarya Lahiri’ has opened my eyes to the divine presence in everything around me. The way it describes the Goddess’s beauty makes me see the sacred in the simplest things, including myself”
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Our journey through this fifteenth-century manual on haṭha yoga was deeply practical. Svātmārāma’s emphasis on the purification of the body through ṣaṭkarma and the importance of energetic locks (bandhas) and seals (mudras) gave us a insight into how and to harness and balance our inner energies. The verse, “As long as the breath is restrained in the body, the mind is calm. As long as the gaze is between the eyebrows there is no danger of death,” highlighted the deep connection between breath and mind, inspiring us to practice pranayama with greater mindfulness.
A participant reflected, “Integrating the teachings from the ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika’ into my routine has been a game changer. I feel like there’s more depth to my practice now, as someone who hates reading about practical things, reading it together in sangha was my only way of accessing this knowledge.”
Karma Yoga from the Bhagavad Gita
Through the third chapter of the Gita, we explored how to perform our duties without being attached to the results. Krishna’s advice, “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions, Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction” really made us contemplate.
Krishna’s teachings on Karma Yoga transformed how we viewed our work and responsibilities. One participant shared, “this sangha might’ve completely changed how I approach my work. It’s no longer about achieving specific outcomes but about performing my tasks with the right intention and dedication. This shift has solved many of my inner conflicts” Our discussions often focused on balancing our daily duties with our spiritual lives, while most sharing that it is a constant act of balancing. This holistic approach helped us see our everyday actions as a pathway to spiritual liberation.
The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna
Sri Ramakrishna came in at the right time to the sangha to remind us to fill our hearts with love for the Divine, “The winds of God’s grace are always blowing, it is for us to raise our sails.” His teachings inspired us to practice bhakti (devotion) more earnestly, and to deepen our connection with the Divine.
Sri Ramakrishna, celebrated for his devotion and ability to explain complex spiritual ideas simply, practiced various facets of Hinduism as well as other religions, teaching that all paths lead to the same goal—God. Notable followers like Swami Vivekananda, who founded the Ramakrishna Mission, have spread his teachings worldwide. His sayings, such as “Many are the names of God, and infinite the forms that lead us to know Him”
Dharma of a Disciple: Honoring our Journey Together so far
At Yoga Sangha, we consider ourselves disciples of one or the other kind, some devoted to a guru, some to the teachings or some to a deity or some to life initself. Learning everyday from ourselves and others, and offering support as we go. So This month, as we celebrate guru purnima, our Yoga Sangha is studying “Dharma of a Disciple,” a text that explores the responsibilities and devotion of a student on the spiritual path. It emphasizes humility and faith as essential components of seeking self-realization.
Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati uses the metaphor of electrical wires, explaining that just as wires must be free of carbon to conduct electricity, we must purify ourselves to allow the flow of divine grace. This ongoing process of self-assessment and improvement helps us grow spiritually. According to Swamiji, the highest truth for a disciple is to maintain this purity and dedication, ensuring that we remain open channels for divine energy.
The Need for Sangha: A Community of Support and Growth
In Buddhism, an individual takes refuge in the Three Jewels – the Buddha (the spiritual guide), the Dharma (the practice), and the Sangha (the community). The role of the physician and spiritual guide are considered very similar, offering guidance and healing on the path to enlightenment.
Similarly, in our Sangha, the community plays a crucial role in our spiritual journey. It provides support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging as we navigate the challenges of self-realization. Just as a physician cannot heal without the assistance of a dedicated care team, our spiritual progress flourishes within the nurturing environment of a Sangha. The collective wisdom, shared experiences, and mutual support within our Yoga Sangha help us stay committed to our practice, overcome obstacles, and grow together in our pursuit of inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.
Future Explorations: Continuing the Journey
We look forward to studying the “Narada Bhakti Sutras” by Swami Chinmayananda next month. Its a collection of aphorisms on bhakti yoga, emphasizing the path of love and devotion as a means to attain the Divine. Swami Chinmayananda’s commentary brings these ancient teachings to life, making them accessible and relevant to our contemporary spiritual journey.
In September, we will explore “Reflections on a Mountain Lake” by Tenzin Palmo, a text that offers insights into the nature of the mind and spiritual practice. Tenzin Palmo, a renowned Buddhist nun, shares her deep understanding of meditation and mindfulness, providing practical guidance for cultivating inner peace and clarity. Her reflections on the challenges and rewards of spiritual practice will undoubtedly inspire and guide our sangha as we continue our journey together.
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Yoga Sangha at BYK is more than just classes; it is a community where the teachings of ancient texts come alive. Each book and discussion brings us closer to the essence of yoga and our spiritual path. Chitra Ganesh, our facilitator often says, “In our yoga sangha, every voice matters, every experience enriches, and every heart connects.”
As we celebrate Guru Purnima, let’s commit to learning and growing together. Let’s honor our teachers by living their teachings and supporting one another. Together, we can deepen our understanding and strengthen our connections.
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