Book 4 part I, sorry

[Luke Saint]

I didnt know where to post this so here goes. I have been practicing Asana and Pranayama for 5+ years now and am wondering what the benefits are other than the obvious health ones. I've not had ONE vision, ONE assurance, ONE pardon, or ONE joy. I continue the practice to keep myself in a strict regimen of law, but other than that, what is the point? Help please!!! Your humble servant, J.

[m1thr0s]

wow...huge question with almost no real details to work with.

pranayama is a "gateway" yoga really, so one question that springs to mind is how have you dealt with the other Limbs?

also...you have mentioned Datura in another topic so I might as well just ask you point blank...are you of a shamanic bent with respect to trance?

there's no wrong answer to this...it just gives me some sense of territory...

m1thr0s

[fr.novumorganum]

well one HUGE benefit is with that much practical experience you are well trained for ritual/weaving/visualization practice.

with the control you have established over your body, breathing, and mind, you temple is more than ready....what practices have you laid over this foundation?

[Luke Saint]

wow...huge question with almost no real details to work with.

pranayama is a "gateway" yoga really, so one question that springs to mind is how have you dealt with the other Limbs?

also...you have mentioned Datura in another topic so I might as well just ask you point blank...are you of a shamanic bent with respect to trance?

there's no wrong answer to this...it just gives me some sense of territory...

m1thr0s

I apologize for the length of time I took to respond. I do view the shamanistic view of trance as a visionary and beneficial form of trance. I also enjoy (usually more) the visions and trance I get from laying in bed just gazing, in a psychic sense, at my third eye and concentrating on its action. Almost every night I do this until I fall asleep. Sometimes I get these intense sexual feelings during these sometimes hour long sessions (I have problems with insomnia) and I just *blank out* and lay there in bliss.

That's just an overview, I can get in more depth if needed. Though, I find it all on par with hypnogogic dreaming/hallucination.

[616]

Hatha Yoga(i.e., asana & pranayama) is a 'preparatory' yoga. It is designed to clear the Ida, Pingala, & other Nadis in order to detoxify & strengthen the body in preparation for Dhyana & eventually Samhadi. Hatha Yoga is more of a means than an end - the desired end being Raja Yoga which is 'Union by Concentration'. Hatha Yoga controlls the body, while Raja Yoga controlls the Mind...Swami Vivekananda called it 'Psychic Yoga'.

In the opening verses of The Hatha Yoga Pradipika Yogi Svatmarama says:

"Hail Shiva, who taught Hatha Yoga, the way to Raja Yoga. Yogi Svatmarama explains Hatha Yoga for one reason - Raja Yoga."

I would highly recommend aquiring a copy of Swami Vivekananda's book Raja Yoga & reading it with utmost care & attention. It is a lengthy commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. This & other works by Vivekananda so influenced The Master Therion that he worked Vivekananda's take on the entire Patanjali system into the A.'.A.'. curriculum...here is a small over-view:

1=10 & 2=9 - Hatha Yoga(Union by Force)
3=8 - Jnana Yoga(Union by Knowledge)
4=7 - Bhakti Yoga(Union by Love or Devotion)
5=6 - Raja Yoga(Union by Concentration)
6=5 - Karma Yoga(Union by Works)
7=4 - Para-Bhakti Yoga(Union by Extreme Devition)

The Supernal Grades defy this categorization & are more akin to [I]Ti-lakkhana, the 'Three Marks of Existence' of Buddhism:

8=3 - Dukkha(The Trance of Suffering or Sorrow)
9=2 - Anicca(The Trance of Change or Impermenance)
10=1 - Anatta(The Trance of Selflessness or Not-Self)

616

post script: Although it is true that Hatha Yoga is only a means to Raja Yoga rather than an end in itself, it should not be treated as such while it is being practiced. It is of utmost importance that Hatha Yoga be undertaken with extreme sincerity - success therein depends thereon.