There is no perfection if hatha yoga is without raja yoga or raja yoga without hatha yoga. Therefore, through practice of both, perfection is attained
Ch 2 V 76 HYP
When the breath is suspended there is cessation of mind.
For most people this only happens at the time of death.
When practicing Hatha and Raja Yoga the body and mind are trained to withstand this experience, so potential life does not leave the body and awareness is maintained.
Raja yoga is the result of total one-pointedness of mind and this total one pointedness can only be maintained when the body has been fully prepared.
Firstly there has to be purification in the body and the mind.- consiousness needs to be detached from matter.
With detachment in yoga there is a separation of consciousness and matter. The secret of this separation is union - only by uniting the mind on one point in meditation can the separation take place.
You have to separate yourself from the idea that you and the object are different. You have to unify the mind and idea with the object.
Raja yoga is a system which teaches you to unite the mind on the point of concentration and then separation will take place.
Ref Hatha Yoga Pradipika ch 2 V76, translation taken from commentary written by Swami Muktibodhananda.
This week we will focus on sahit kumbhaka - the intentional ceasing of breath after rechaka (exhalation), with a one - pointed focus this can be a springboard into your own inner consciousness.
Some do-not reach into this state due to fear of not breathing, but when the mind is stilled so breath stops and there is an increase of prana (energy needed to sustain life) within body and mind. The fear needs to be overcome by strong will and faith; sraddha.
Overcoming fear and increasing faith is needed in life as well. Ref from commentary from Swami Muktibonandha Ch 2 V 76 HYP
We will practice the 5 th Yama , Aparigraha meaning not grasping, non possessive which helps us to achieve a balanced relationship with what we call mind.
All things of the world are yours to use but not to own.
Yamas are the first limb of Patanjali Yoga Sutras; incorporating mind control.
This will help with the practice of our possessiveness with our body, in releasing to bring one pointedness.
Om Shanti
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