To: K-list
Recieved: 2000/09/05 18:01
Subject: [K-list] Re: Triggers
From: Bob Vincent
On 2000/09/05 18:01, Bob Vincent posted thus to the K-list:
1/9068/6/_/680797/_/968202104/
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--- In Kundalini-GatewayATnospamegroups.com, druoutATnospama... wrote:
> Dear Horia, Wim, Bob, List,
>
> One question...Have you found that Mudras actually *trigger* these
> experiences or are they simply one result of them, like Kriyas?
>
> I should know these 8 limbs of Yoga off hand, but I don't. Would
you mind
> running them by me again? Maybe they would help me fine tune this.
>
Hi Hillary,
Mudras, bandhas, postures (asanas), and other spiritual behaviors and
practices can be either cause or effect, and they can even be both at
the same time. This is one of the most amazing things about the human
nervous system. Do one practice diligently and others come up
naturally. I am sure you can find such connections between the
various triggers.
The 8 limbs of yoga (and sub-limbs) are all connected in this way.
There is an analogy in yoga teaching lore that the limbs of yoga are
like the legs of a table. Pull one leg, and the others come right
along. The same phenomenon is known to those who experience kundalini
awakening, whether it be spontaneous or cultivated. All sorts of
things happen automatically with an active K. The body/mind knows
what to do next if a leg or two are given sufficient pulls.
For review, the 8 limbs of yoga are:
1. Restraints (Yamas)
-Non-harming & Non-lying (Ahimsa)
-Non-stealing (Asteya)
-Non-attachment to sensuality (Brahmacharya)
-Non-possessiveness (Aparigraha)
2. Observances (Niyamas)
-Purity of body and mind (Saucha)
-Contentment (Samtosa)
-Intensity for enlightenment (Tapas)
-Spiritual study (Svadhyaya)
-Surrender to ultimate truth (Ishvara Pranidhana)
3. Postures (Asanas)
4. Breath Control (Pranayama)
5. Withdrawal from worldly attachments (Pratyahara)
6. Bringing attention to a point- concentration (Dharana)
7. Expanding attention from a point- meditation (Dhyana)
8. Transcendence of attention to unbounded awareness (Samadhi)
There are many ways to approach these limbs, ranging from the most
gentle and flexible to the most stringent and harsh. They can be
approached in different order by different teachers as well. In the
end, I think the nature and tendencies of the aspirant will determine
what sort of teacher and/or approach will be followed. So listening
to the whispers of our heart and moving ahead without undue fear is
the key for all of us.
As far as I know, every spiritual tradition in the world focuses on
one or several of these so-called limbs (not necessarily by these
names or in the order given), and ultimately spreads out to the other
limbs. Why? I think because in all of us the human nervous system has
a unique set of capabilities to evolve and experience the bliss of
spiritual consciousness. There are a set number of ways through which
this process can happen in the human being, and the 8 limbs of yoga
captures these ways, recognizes their interconnections, and suggests
methods to take advantage of the spiritual capacities within each
individual. Patanjali, the sage who wrote the Yoga Sutras, really
knew his stuff. He must be an ancestor of yours, Hillary. He liked to
make lists too. :-)
Hope that is of some help.
Best wishes,
Bob
http://www.onelist.com/community/Kundalini-Gateway
http://www.kundalini-gateway.org
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