If you have practiced physical yoga or "asana" for a while, you may seek to learn more about the history and philosophy of yoga. In doing so, you will quickly discover the penchant of ancient Indian yogis to use numerical lists: 8 Limbs, 7 Chakras, 5 koshas, 25 Locks, etc. With so many lists, categories, limbs, branches, facets, and components, it can be overwhelming to the novice, western mind. This article highlights the 8 Limbs of Yoga in a way that makes them easier to understand and keep straight.
Yoga 's 8 limbs were described by the ancient sage, Patanjali, in The Yoga Sutra. The Yoga Sutra is considered a sacred text that describes in detail a way of living to achieve union of mind, body, and spirit. The limbs are eight different categories of activities, practices, and ways of being and behaving, that yogis believe will achieve a pure body, a clear mind, and an enlightened spirit. The eight limbs, and a brief, distinctly western-oriented translation of each follows.
(1) Be a Good Guy. Don't hurt people, animals, or any living being. Tell the truth, don't steal. Remain chaste, or at the very least, don't be promiscuous. Don't be greedy or gluttonous.
(2) Follow The Rules. Don't engage in outrageous behavior, try to stick to societal norms. Be happy and satisfied with what you have. Eat right and in moderation. Take time out for reflection and thought. Devote yourself to God.
(3) Do the Poses. Practice the asanas to achieve a healthy body but more importantly to clear your mind so that you can relax and meditate. Although many westerners believe that the physical asana practice is the definition of yoga, the asanas were designed to clear and focus the mind to prepare it for meditation and spiritual contemplation.
(4) Breathe. Treat your breath like the life giving force that it is. Use the breath to bring a sense of calm to body and mind. Learn to direct and control the breath and learn to send its healing, life-giving power where it is needed.
(5) Take a Time Out. Don't overstimulate yourself. Take a break from the evening news, the macbook, the ipad, the iphone, and the Wii. Try to ignore the sensual and sensational images, sounds, and feelings that interfere with having a calm mind and truly relaxing. Become immune to distraction. Stop looking outward for stimulation and validation; instead, look inward.
(6) Concentrate. Train your mind to have single-pointed attention and intention. Stop the mind from wandering and flittering about.
(7) Meditate. Sit in a quiet place, clear your mind, and relax. Let thoughts and feelings arise and subside without judgment. Use the time to reflect on your nature and the universal spirit or, as Deepak Chopra states it, the mystery we call God.
(8) Let the Force Be With You. One for All and All for One. This is sometimes described as "ecstasy," but it is probably not what most westerners think of when they hear the word ecstasy. In this case, it is experiencing a true sense of "oneness" with the universe and God. The chatter of the mind is gone, the sensations of the body are ineffective, and there is only a sense of universal spirituality and profound bliss. This is the enlightenment that is the goal of all of the other eight limbs.
Whether following these precepts will result in "enlightenment" or not, they probably will help you live a saner, calmer life. If you have an asana practice, try incorporating the other 8 Limbs into your practice to help you achieve a pure body, a clear mind, and greater spirituality.
Ms. Holm, with her husband Steve, is the owner of Seahorse Ranch and Vineyard, a premium boarding facility and retreat in Florahome, Florida adjacent to the Etoniah Creek State Forest and George's Lake. She is enrolled in yoga teacher training at Sara Torbett's Yoga Life Studio, Deerwood, Jacksonville, Florida and host of the East Meets West Neighmaste Yoga Retreat at Seahorse Ranch and Vineyard Oct. 22, 23, 24 2010. For more information see seahorseranchevents.com/Neighmaste-Yoga-Retreat.html seahorseranchevents.com/Neighmaste-Yoga-Retreat.html
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