Tolerance of other views - a yama

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Yama-niyama is a very demanding obligation. Contrary to what many people want them to be, in Patanjali’s framework there is an absoluteness about their compliance. Excuse is still an excuse howsoever cute and convincing and still leaves a shortfall.

They are not canons of behavior describing what is preferred and what is not. They are not superficial guidelines for only overt behavior that can at times be faked. They represent distinct classes of human manifestation and need not be narrowly interpreted as doing this or that.

‘Absence from sex’ is a classic example of loss in translation. Patanjali is not na?ve to overlook a need for perpetuation of the human species and sex is the vehicle for that. Expand it from a mere physical act to the mind’s mischief and you would know where he is coming from. Seen as a human duty, you do it and stay unconnected/unattached otherwise . And it expands much beyond that into indulgence of any kind.

Indulgence in anything is then a problem, be it sex, or eating, gambling, gossiping, judging people, TV surfing, internet addiction and so on. Self-hypnosis by our own ideas is indulgence too. High intellectual ability makes us skilled in reasoning, inferences, and extrapolation; but also makes us self-indulgent. The relative truth of the moment appears be the ultimate truth. It’s most common fallout is intellectual arrogance. A self-indulgent person would not tolerate conflicting views. But that hurts most to themselves as new learning is the first casualty.

#2

How should one respond to such a post?

#3

Suhas:

May you elaborate the last sentence please?

Is it fair to say self-indulgence when the underlying drives are unstoppable?

#4

What I was trying to say is that self-indulgence (when taken as 'unrealistic faith in one’s subjective views, as if they are “objective/ unquestionably true”) is self-blinding as well. It inhibits new learning and creates a sense of ‘know-all’. Dnyana (knowledge) does that to you if you forget that ‘wisdom’ is still miles ahead of knowledge.

It happened to me initially, and won’t deny any residues still to be there. I felt compelled to believe that I “know” yoga and it is my duty to leave this world a little wiser. Soon I realized that it was nonsense. As a result my learning continued and still continues.

(InnerAthlete, I respect your posts tremendously and am confused by this post. Can you please elaborate why my post left you wondering what to make of it?)

#5

Yoga…the process of unlearning!

Nice post Suhas. Thank you for sharing it with us.

#6

I believe it was the construct as a statement or “article” that left me wondering whether it was put out simply to be read or as an invitation for discourse, comment, or objection:-)

It would seem equally trite to reply “yes you’re quite right” as it would to reply “you’re daft”.

Having added “It happened to me initially” made it easier to understand from when it came. Perhaps even made it more “human”.

#7

Another view form one of the 7 billion human consciousness’s occupying planet earth: Upon realization of one’s true inner nature the Yamas and Niyamas seem to intrinsically happen, before this it’s simply blind faith programed belief similar to religious dogma…A potential path; Yoga to deprograming the mind, Tantra to exist without re-entanglement and Advaita Vedanta to remove intellectual ignorance. This like any concept is simply an arising notion of ignorance in human consciousness.

#8

Thanks InnerAthlete.

#9

Even though contemporary Western society is a very liberal place, compared to other eras of humanity, I generally take this to a higher level.

I guess to me, all things are subjective. even things we deem as fact. Take an apple, or a pineapple. Two people can touch them, but then the taste would be based on our own neurology and physiology. Whose taste or experience is the valid or invalid one?

Also, as all things are perceived uniquely, then I do my best to respect others’ beliefs and standpoints, since they are often as well grounded via experience or inkling as my own. If I like soccer/football, but my friend dislike sport, so what? I grew up in a football loving community and country whilst she did not, but then such is life we all have different experiences. Moreover, I don’t believe there is a means to say which belief matters or is better than another. To my belief is based on a mix of humanity and philosophy. Humanity in that people’s beliefs often stem from their own experiences or upbringing, and that rationally stating which belief is “more correct” is not possible.

#10

[QUOTE=Suhas Tambe;84532]What I was trying to say is that self-indulgence (when taken as 'unrealistic faith in one’s subjective views, as if they are “objective/ unquestionably true”) is self-blinding as well. It inhibits new learning and creates a sense of ‘know-all’. Dnyana (knowledge) does that to you if you forget that ‘wisdom’ is still miles ahead of knowledge.

It happened to me initially, and won’t deny any residues still to be there. I felt compelled to believe that I “know” yoga and it is my duty to leave this world a little wiser. Soon I realized that it was nonsense. As a result my learning continued and still continues.

(InnerAthlete, I respect your posts tremendously and am confused by this post. Can you please elaborate why my post left you wondering what to make of it?)[/QUOTE]

Well yes, I would say an open mind is a definite plus.