Buddhism and Yoga
Tibetan yogi (naljorpa) https://www.pinterest.pt/pin/316870523761191828/
Of course Buddhism and Yoga share a lot.
Buddhist practitioners are called yogis in several traditions, such as the Burmese Theravada and the Tibetan Vajrayana.
Some scholars even argue that the epitome yoga treatise - Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, possibly of the 4th century CE - borrows a lot from the Buddhist tradition.
Patanjali - https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3225694
My feelings have been, for a long time now, that the Buddhist approach to meditation is unsurpassable in its directness to enlightenment. But...
... But if your body isn't minimally fit, meditation is impossible!
Let's see what Patanjali has to say about this.
He defines Yoga in the second verse of the Yoga Sutras:
- Yoga chitta vritti nirodha - Yoga is the stilling of mind's waves. Meditation.
Patanjali's Yoga is also called Ashtanga Yoga, the eight-limbed yoga. Limbs are:
- Yama - Abstinences
- Nyama - Observances
- Asana - Posture
- Pranayama - Breath control
- Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the senses
- Dharana - Concentration
- Dhyana - Meditation
- Samadhi - Absorption
You may recognize Samadhi from the Buddha Dhamma: it's part of the path to enlightenment, together with Sila, morals (Yama and Nyama in yoga,) and Panna, wisdom.
Actually, if you look carefully into it - and practice a lot - you'll see that the Buddhist Samadhi encompasses yoga's Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
I'll return to meditation later, often. For now, let's look briefly at the physical limbs of Yoga: Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara.
Asana is a 'yoga posture'. The lotus sitting posture is called padmasana, and the headstand shirshasana. What is sometimes forgotten is that in the Yoga Sutras the word 'asana' means exclusively 'the correct sitting posture to meditate': no downward-facing dog, no turtle, no bow - yes lotus! But those and other 'cultural' poses will be very helpful for getting physical balance as well as other kinds of development.
Pranayama is the exact opposite of what the Buddhist Theravada tradition recommends for meditation - just watching the breath without any attempt to control it. But, as we'll see later, a few rounds of pranayama, prior to meditation, can be very helpful.
Pratyahara is, of course, essential in any meditation technique. You won't be able to meditate if your mind keeps being attracted by the senses, in all senses.
Pranayama is the exact opposite of what the Buddhist Theravada tradition recommends for meditation - just watching the breath without any attempt to control it. But, as we'll see later, a few rounds of pranayama, prior to meditation, can be very helpful.
Pratyahara is, of course, essential in any meditation technique. You won't be able to meditate if your mind keeps being attracted by the senses, in all senses.
Actually, what today is called Hatha Yoga, the physical yoga, dates back 'only' to the 11th century CE and has roots in a much older, parallel, tantric tradition. And that's ok.
If, to prepare physically for meditation you run a marathon or lift weights, you may get a nice body but won't be able to meditate.
'Do yoga' instead!
If, to prepare physically for meditation you run a marathon or lift weights, you may get a nice body but won't be able to meditate.
'Do yoga' instead!
Suryanamaskar - http://srisadgurunarsimha.com
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