How Do We Resucitate the Real Purpose?

While thinking of blog topics James asked me about why is it that we practice. The topic has been overdone in my opinion.

What surprised me was that the Pradipika itself, in the interpretation done by Swami  Muktibodhananada (red cover, 1985 1st edition) uses exactly such topic on the fourth paragraph. Nice and Early:

'Is it just to maintain a youthfully body? 
Or to obtain psychic powers? 
Or to develop potential energy? (kundalini) 
Or attain supraconsciousness (samadhi)?'

What else could you ask?  He then goes on to clarify that:

"In ancient times Hatha Yoga was practised as a preparation for higher consciousness. Today however, the real purpose of this great science has been forgotten"

He urges us to resusitate the real purpose.

How do we do that?

9 comments:

  1. the wild magnoliaJuly 18, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    I believe it is good to think of "why" we do things. If we believe and consider our sacred path, it can be apparent in all we do.

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  2. AnonymousJuly 18, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    i see practice as a tool that can be used for different purposes - these are diverse and all to be decided upon by each one of us. ivana

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  3. BoodibaJuly 18, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    For me it's a combination of a lot of reasons which fluctuate in prominence.

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  4. ClaudiaJuly 18, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    true WM, good point

    Ivana, hm, yeah, I hear you

    And I hear you too B, long time no read from you! Guess you could say I am fluctuating right now...

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  5. エスタJuly 19, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Hey lady!

    Very much enjoyed your book, nice work!!! We've been practicing the same amount of time ; ) Know how you feel about the beginner thing, totally, good for you for getting that book out there. I have recommended it to a few ladies in my class, they were looking to learn about Ashtanga and study english, perfect. It is very accessible for the total beginner, good stuff!!

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  6. ClaudiaJuly 19, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    エスタ Thank you! :-) I appreciate your comment and that you recommended it to people wanting to learn English and about ashtanga, you are right, it is perfect for them! made me smile :-)

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  7. YoginiJuly 19, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    I practice for the exactly the 4 reasons you listed! Hahaha. Not necessarily actual psychic powers, but just to be more observant so I can read people's body languages/facial expressions and figure out what people are thinking.

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  8. Daniel Mihai PopescuJuly 21, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    It is clearly practiced for Illumination, a stage after the supraconsciousness(samadhi). All the rest comes with that, youthful body, psychic powers, etc, :)
    You always offer a nice read, Claudia, :)

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  9. ClaudiaJuly 21, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    Yyogini, you are funny :-) love that one

    Thanks Daniel and you got the right answer!

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