Yoga is Union
The Sanskrit word Yoga means union. But union of what with what? They say it is the union of the body with the spirit. What does that mean? To me, it means spiritualization of the body by removing the separation between the body, and spirit, and recognizing, through experience, that the body is the spirit, and vice versa. By reigning in the mind, which creates the separation, we can once again feel whole. Because after the mind is reigned in, it can be used to inhabit, illuminate, and animate the body at will, and allow the spirit to realize its union with the body.
They say that the union of Siva and Sakti is Yoga. Siva is the Creator, and Sakti is the creation. The spirit is the creator, and matter is the creation! Somehow the mind has created a separation between the two, but they long to be one again. Sakti is always seeking deeper and deeper (or some would say, higher and higher) union with her beloved Siva. Sakti is the playful embodiment of Siva, His many ever-changing forms, but who Himself is formless, transcendent, and changeless.
They say that Yoga is the union of the doer with the doing. Of the Seer with the Seen. From my own limited experience, it is a sense of such profound clarity in the body and mind, that it defies words.
In Asana, once can certainly attain proficiency with diligent practice. But being able to assume certain shapes is not Yoga. Yoga is not the action, not the pose - it is rather a state of being one with the pose. When the body assumes the different shapes of Asana, no matter how perfect, it can be compared to a black and white drawing. It can be executed flawlessly, but it is still in black and white. The beauty of black and white cannot be underestimated, it is an enormous achievement and something amazing does happen when you find yourself plugged into the Sakti. However, without the Spirit to color it, to infuse it with light, it will not achieve its full potential. Add breath, concentration, and control of the mind - and the shape of the body begins to glow with a whole new awareness that now spreads to every cell of the body, spiritualizing it with its presence. It is truly a beautiful thing.
They say that the union of Siva and Sakti is Yoga. Siva is the Creator, and Sakti is the creation. The spirit is the creator, and matter is the creation! Somehow the mind has created a separation between the two, but they long to be one again. Sakti is always seeking deeper and deeper (or some would say, higher and higher) union with her beloved Siva. Sakti is the playful embodiment of Siva, His many ever-changing forms, but who Himself is formless, transcendent, and changeless.
They say that Yoga is the union of the doer with the doing. Of the Seer with the Seen. From my own limited experience, it is a sense of such profound clarity in the body and mind, that it defies words.
In Asana, once can certainly attain proficiency with diligent practice. But being able to assume certain shapes is not Yoga. Yoga is not the action, not the pose - it is rather a state of being one with the pose. When the body assumes the different shapes of Asana, no matter how perfect, it can be compared to a black and white drawing. It can be executed flawlessly, but it is still in black and white. The beauty of black and white cannot be underestimated, it is an enormous achievement and something amazing does happen when you find yourself plugged into the Sakti. However, without the Spirit to color it, to infuse it with light, it will not achieve its full potential. Add breath, concentration, and control of the mind - and the shape of the body begins to glow with a whole new awareness that now spreads to every cell of the body, spiritualizing it with its presence. It is truly a beautiful thing.
Posted on December 25, 2009 11:08:59 PM EST by Anna Mikheeva
