It may be an unpopular opinion in some yoga circles, but even in reading ancient texts – perhaps especially in reading ancient texts – I come to the conclusion that change is the only truth that we can rely on.
If we fix our minds on one object, we will prevent the nine obstacles from arising, eliminate the four associated symptoms, and cultivate the habit of an even, calm steady state of mind.
It is often said that everything comes in threes. From the strongest geometrical symbol (the triangle) to the number of lights in a traffic light; from the Hanson brothers to Destiny’s child to Freud’s theory of the personality (id, ego, superego).
Where do these thoughts come from? Patanjali says that the field of the mind produces distractions, called the citta vikshepa, which in turn create obstacles, called antarayas.
Though almost everyone has heard this word, almost no one—including many people claiming to teach something called tantra—knows anything about the historical development of the Indian spiritual tradition that Sanskrit scholars refer to as Tantra.
This article describes such states of consciousness induced by psychedelic drugs, although they are virtually indistinguishable from genuine mystical experience.
Don’t let the name of this place fool you. Here you won’t find Lululemon attire or slim, fit yoga bodies. Here there are no warrior poses or excessive handstands.
Ask the question: Who is Ishvara and how will special devotion bring me to that high level of super consciousness?