Differing Paths Are Not So Different After All
Recently friend of mine mentioned something called A Course In Miracles, so I was asking, “what’s it about — what are some of the lessons it talks about?” David F. answered that one lesson he remembered was “you are not angry for the reasons you think you are.” And he said the lesson continued with you thinking about a time you were angry, and analyzing it further.
This sounded interesting to me so I borrowed the set of books from another friend to read a little more. After just the first few pages, I went on-line and found a used copy of the 3 books all in one (Text, Lessons, and Teachers Guide) and ordered it.
The more I read CIM the more I find similarities with Yogic philosophy. Then Steve pointed out to me an article in the March 2007 Yoga Journal based on an interview with T.K.V. Desikachar. Those of you who come regularly to classes at the studio know that Desikachar is the son of Krishnamacharya, teacher of Iyengar (Iyengar Style Yoga) and Jois (Ashtanga Styles Yoga) and, of course, Desikachar (Viniyoga).
Desikachar is discussing mainly meditation in the article, and here is one paragraph from the article:
Meditation holds four major benefits, says Desikachar. The first is arta, or lessening of suffering. “We meditate so pain is reduced,” he says, noting that “pain is not necessarily physical but can be emotional.” Next is jnanam, transcendent knowledge. “you may get a flash, a moment of clarity or wisdom,” he says. “it’s like lightening. For one second everything is bright; then it goes away.” Although this momentary illumination fades, memory of the insight — and its impact — lingers. Meditation can also result in extraordinary powers, called artharta. (Here is the similarity to “Miracles“) For example, Krishnamacharya, who died in 1989 at the age of 100, was apparently able to stop his heartbeat and breath for several minutes with no adverse affects. Meditation’s final benefit is bhakta — realization of the highest truth. Through meditation, Desikachar says, you can discover your true nature.
From what I remember of Yogic teachings, the artharta is incindental — not important per se — but only an indication that you are progressing. However, many Yoga teachers and practitioners think they’ve reached the “goal” when a “miracle” occurs.
From what I can tell in the little bit I’ve read so far in Course in Miracles, the miracles don’t matter either — they are just steps, just indicators of advancement.
We are going to be starting a study group of Course in Miracles. It will be very interested to see what else is in common with Yogic philosophy.
If you are interested in joining us, please email pamela@rabboar.com
November 13th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Being relatively new at both “Yoga” AND studying “A Course in Miricles” I have the good fortune of seeing both from a very simple and un-bias point of view.
We are drawn to things that we feel help us define ourselves …and we keep re-defining our whole entire life.
“what we See depends mainly on what we look for” weather it be Yoga or Christianity or playing baseball, we are all (it seems to me) striving for that “Higher Self”. For some it seems like a long arduious journey… for others a stroll through the daisies…..never-the-less it is a lifelong adventure…. I personally look at it as an evolvement… hopefully improving every step of the way…weather big steps….or small, I feel I am working toward somthing… Enlightenment…Eternal life or a Bases loaded Grand Slam…. its all in what we look for….and how to get there.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could see others as their “higher Self” even though they havn’t gotten there yet? Well we’re gett’in there….
November 13th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Great idea, Larry. “seeing others as their ‘higher self’” We are all really our higher-selves right now after all — we just don’t realized it yet. Thanks — great post.