The past

Creativity Poetry & Quotes
#21

Well, maybe not a spook, just someone with an agenda to promote. My own agenda that I promote is accurate and right knowledge of yoga philosophy. As part of my agenda, I attempt to expose others who provide inaccurate or false knowledge, as they only serve to create confusion and division.

So, Mr. Seeker, can you tell us what are subtle thoughts, and how are they different from thoughts that are not subtle? And what does this have to do with the past, which was supposed to be the topic of this thread? Please provide references for your interpretation of “vichara” as “subtle thoughts”, as this is quite different from every other translation that I am aware of.

#22

Well I’m glad we are ‘past’ all this.

#23

[QUOTE=Asuri;27458]
So, Mr. Seeker, can you tell us what are subtle thoughts, and how are they different from thoughts that are not subtle? And what does this have to do with the past, which was supposed to be the topic of this thread? Please provide references for your interpretation of “vichara” as “subtle thoughts”, as this is quite different from every other translation that I am aware of.[/QUOTE]
This is one of the best translations.
http://www.swamij.com/yoga-sutras-14051.htm
May be under subtle thoughts he means concentration.

#24

I respect swamij, and even though he uses the terminology gross and subtle thoughts, he makes it clear that the modifiers gross and subtle apply to the objects of concentration, not to the thoughts themselves.

I should also point out that the term “thoughts” is a broad term, but the sutra is more specific than “thoughts”. It talks about [I]vikalpa[/I] (conceptualization) and [I]smrti[/I] (memory). These are two of the modifications of the mind that are talked about earlier in the Yoga Sutras. Vikalpa has two distinguishing characteristics:
[ol]
[li]It is conceptualization that is associated with words and their meaning.[/li][li]There is no underlying object.[/li][/ol]
It is my position that there are other types of cognitive activity that do not involve the use of words for which there is no underlying object. And it must be remembered that the sutra is talking about concentration on an [I]object[/I], which emphasizes why vikalpa is restricted, since in vikalpa there is no underlying object.

#25

This is a song about my yoga practice

Namaste

#26

[QUOTE=Asuri;27471]And it must be remembered that the sutra is talking about concentration on an [I]object[/I], which emphasizes why vikalpa is restricted, since in vikalpa there is no underlying object.[/QUOTE][B]Can you quote where Patanjali speaks about concentration on object.
[/B]

#27

[B]Can you quote where Patanjali speaks about concentration on object.[/B]

Why are you shouting? Of course, this can be easily done. There are two words translated as “object”: [I]visaya[/I] and [I]artha[/I]. These appear in 1.42 - 44, where the context is concentration involving gross or subtle objects.

#28

There are a lot of improper translations of Patanjali Sutras. Let’s not forget the core, which is Samkhya Philosophy.
[B]“Enlightenment is discrimination between Purusha and Prakriti”[/B] This is the ultimate point.
Objects are created from Prakriti and talking about "concentration on an object/Prakriti/ " is not related with entire structure of Yoga.

#29

The method of Samkhya is the study of the 25 tattvas or principles, 24 of which make up material nature or prakriti. One cannot discriminate between Purusa and Prakriti unless one is able to recognize that which is Prakriti. This applies directly to the sutras under discussion, as one cannot understand the meaning of gross and subtle objects without reference to the tattvas.

#30

[QUOTE=Asuri;27592]One cannot discriminate between Purusa and Prakriti unless one is able to recognize that which is Prakriti.[/QUOTE] That?s why the Samkhya is so precious if you want to understand the words of Patanjali. But Samkhya is not perfect because does not speak about desires, feelings and emotions.

#31

All this, of course, presumes Patanjali knows anything at all. It gets pretty hot in the middle of the day in that part of the world.

#32

[QUOTE=Seeker33;27593] But Samkhya is not perfect because does not speak about desires, feelings and emotions.[/QUOTE]

That’s weak. Look again, my friend.

#33

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;27595]All this, of course, presumes Patanjali knows anything at all. It gets pretty hot in the middle of the day in that part of the world.[/QUOTE]

Lol. Good point.

#34

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;27288]The notion of ‘thoughtless awareness’ sounds a bit too much like sitting around pretending to be a plant. We are human blessed with thoughts and ideas. I prefer to embrace these.[/QUOTE]

:rolleyes: