32 Unusual Signs That You Are an EXTRAORDINARY Practitioner

Hello world, good to see you, seems I have fallen down the side of the Earth, and one hot earth that is here in the North East of the Americas.  And so, the question of the day is: How bad do you want it? I mean really. How BAAAAADDD?

I was reading Yoga Tradition, the book that is a must read for every serious practitioner (even in 180 degree weather, yes I am exaggerating it is hot here!)  when I came upon Feurestein telling us that the Shiva-Samhita (and ancient yoga text) distinguishes four types of aspirants, which one is you?

1) The Weak:  

"unenthusiastic, foolish, fickle timid... only fit for Mantra-Yoga, or repeating Om or whatever mantra your teacher gave you"

Don't you love it when old texts just call you that? "oh you are weak!".  Like how many of us will admit to that? not me!, in which case we have:

2) The Mediocre:

"Capable of practicing meditative absorption and subtle energy... endowed with even-mindedness, patience, a desire for virtue, kind speech..."

Wait a minute now, that is "mediocre"? Hm. Okayyy then.

3) The Exceptional:

"Qualifies for Hatha Yoga"... wow, finally we get to it, but it seems the Shiva Samhita only allows for the practice of union of mind and spirit, prana and apana, sun and moon, black and white, north and south, at this level!!! which includes:

Sun and moon, just how I imagine it

"Firm understanding, aptitude for meditative absorption, self-reliance, liberal-mindedness, bravery, vigor, faithfulness, willingness to worship the teacher's lotus feet and delight in practice of Yoga"  [their capital letter for Yoga]

And last but not least you get your 4.- EXTRAORDINARY practitioners, who may practice all forms of yoga, including the Raja (or the yoga of separation or discrimination between what is real and what is not) that Patanjali speaks of.

My evil plan is to be like this

Now for this one, the, says Feurestein, the ancient text lists 31 qualities. 


31? That does not really fit nicely with the theme of my blog of having lists of 32.  Situation.  Therefore.  I am adding one people. Can you guess which one?

1. Great Energy
2. Enthusiasm
3. Charm
4. Heroism
5. Scriptural Knowledge
6. Inclination to practice
7. Freedom from Delusion
8. Orderliness
9. Prime of youth 
10. Moderate eating habits
11. Control over the senses
12. Fearlessness
13. Purity
14. Skillfulness
15. Liberality
16. Ability to be a refuge for all people
17. Capability
18. Stability
19. Thoughtfulness,
20. Willingness to do whatever desired by teacher
21. Patience
22. Good manners
23. Observance of moral law
24. Ability to keep the struggle of practice to herself
25. Kind speech
26. Faith in scriptures
27. Willingness to  generate God
28. Willingness to venerate Guru as embodiment of Divine
29. Knowledge of the divine vows
30. Practice of divine vows according to her level
31. Practice of all yogas
32. Sense of humor and reading ClaudiaYoga.com

Did you guess?  If you did and you liked it PLEASE hit the Plus One button of google plus! below

A Kick in the Butt: When You Don't Feel Like Practicing
Recommended reading in any weather: