|
Friday, November 09, 2007
|
How High Can Yoga Fly? |
|
|
|
|
Ok, I know there are some pretty radical claims when it comes to yoga, take Book Three of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra’s for example. He speaks of the siddhis (states) that you can reach once you’ve obtained samyama (the convergence of concentration, focus, & transcendence) like becoming invisible, being as strong as an elephant, and levitation, but can these claims really be true? Really?? So my friend Timothy sends me this link, Man Levitates in front of White House, and suggests that I check it out.
What!??! Of course, initially I was amazed, which quickly morphed into cynicism, then to an almost obsessive Sherlock Holmes-ish need to unravel the mystery. There’s a stick. That must have something to do with it. It’s attached to a platform that he’s sitting on. But wait, some bold fellows are getting right up under there and looking. They most surely would’ve called this guy out, right. There’s got to be a catch, a trick, a secret. No way that this guy can really do this, and in front of the White House which we all know is not a hotbed of positive energy at the moment. So what’s the deal?!? Later that same day as my brain was working frantically to blow this “David Copperfield” out of the water, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine who has been traveling down this spiritual path for a while now. Thirty years my senior, the student of a guru, and a very worldly dude, my friend get’s things that most of us don’t. I tell him about this flying yogi. He says, “you know, Kelly, in India miracles happen all the time. They are such a common occurrence, that they are not such a big deal. They aren’t analyzed, criticized, or questioned. They just are.” This immediately brought my obsessive need to out this flying guy to a screeching halt. I began to think about my world, both outer and inner. When did I loose sight of miracles? Isn’t it a miracle that any of us were conceived, that cells divided to produce our structures, our functions, our thoughts and emotions? Isn’t it a miracle that my five year old asks, “Mommy did you know that dog spelled backwards is god? What do you think that means?” Miracles happen every moment of every day. In our separation from them, we become cynical, doubtful, suspicious. We become so full of doubt that even the most obvious truths are questioned. We struggle to accept that some things happen that we just can’t explain. Maybe it’s a gift that we don’t know everything. Maybe surrendering into the unknown is the knowledge. So, I’m going to let this dog lie, or fly in this case. How ever he’s doing it is a miracle to me! 2 Comments
Kelly,
Nice post! Siddhis to levitate or fly have some 'entertainment' value ..... but the essence really lies in being able to use them to be of service. Although they seem 'miraculous' - I think in and of themselves, they have very little value. In India I've seen spiritual masters 'perform' miracles to get people's attention.... not to keep them in awe of His/Her 'powers' - but more to get the 'monkey mind' to pay attention and then to guide them into the path of personal growth and to be of service... which to me is the real miracle! I liked your thought process and pondering over miracles of creation and children.....and life and all of its moments being a miracle. Have a good one! :) 1
November 11, 2007
Kelly,
I watched the video and the best analysis I have on the subject, to really ruin the whole miracle thing, is I think this would be a prime example of Perceptive Reality...perhaps he is using his will and awareness to break the rules of our reality by just bending them in his? I refuse to dwell on the subject at this hour, but it really makes sense when you are a practitioner of Perceptive Reality yourself... And enough of that little rant...i'm supposed to say it's Josh from your 1.30pm caldwell class....and on that note i'm off. Ja-Na 2
November 16, 2007
Write comment
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
|
Our Sponsor
Yoga Month 09.2008, awareness campaign with 10 City Yoga Health Festival Tour.
|
| Free Newsletter |
|---|
| Premium Content |
|---|
| Our membership site is chocked full of detailed yogic information and deluxe features. Take our membership tour to find out all of the benefits of joining. |
| Yoga Poll |
|---|
| New Users |
|---|
| To get the most out of our site, we suggest you take some time to explore before jumping into the practice. Browse our yoga 101 section for general info on the history and types of yoga, then start exploring asanas the physical postures used in hatha yoga. Remember to breathe and always start your yoga practice with a brief meditation. Questions? check out our yoga message board. If you are new to yoga, please read our Yoga for Beginner's page |
| Yoga Scholarships |
|---|
| To encourage and support the development and training of great yoga teachers we have created a Yoga Scholarship program. If you need financial assistance for your 200+ hour yoga teacher training please apply for our scholarship. Partial scholarships are awarded twice a year to qualified candidates. |
| Yogic Wisdom |
|---|
|
Patience can't be acquired overnight. It is just like building up a muscle. Every day you need to work on it. Eknath Easwaran |
| Spread the Love |
|---|
|
Add this page to one (or more!) of your favorite social bookmarking sites: 
|
| RSS Syndication |
|---|
 Subscribe to our RSS feed to keep informed on all new updates to YogaBasics.com.
In order to use our Newsfeed you need to cut and paste the URL into a RSS reader or use your browser's RSS "subscribe" button.
|
Ahimsa, the yogic practice of non violence must be adhered to when engaging in the practice of hatha yoga. Respect your body's limitations and inner wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2007 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2007 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
