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Advanced Yoga Practices
Main Lessons
Note: For the Original
Internet Lessons with additions,
see the
AYP
Easy Lessons
Books.
For the Expanded and Interactive Internet Lessons, AYP Online Books,
Audiobooks and more, see AYP Plus.
Lesson 19 -
What Tradition to Follow?
(Plus)
(Audio)
AYP Plus Additions:
19.1 - What to Do When a Famous Guru Comes to Town (Audio)
19.2 - Vipassana Meditation in Relation to the AYP
System (Audio)
19.3 -
Deep Meditation as a Stand-Alone Practice (Audio)
From: Yogani
Date: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:08pm
New Visitors: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the archive, as previous
lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first lesson is, "Why
This Discussion?"
Q: I have been practicing yoga and meditation (a different kind) for five years, and I'm
not sure how to proceed. Your meditation is very good. I experienced that right away. I'm
not even supposed to be here, as the tradition I follow forbids learning outside
practices. What shall I do?
A: As mentioned on the introductory page, this discussion does
not promote a particular sectarian view. Neither is it opposed to traditions that may
adhere to the teachings of a specific individual or lineage of teachers. Everything has
its purpose. It is up to each individual to weigh the pros and cons of the various
approaches and carefully choose a course that promises to bring the best results. Everyone
is different. At the same time, everyone has the same potential, for we are all spun from
the same divine thread - pure silent bliss consciousness. If we are in touch with
that on a daily basis, and keep on cultivating it with increasingly more powerful means,
we cannot miss.
If your path is serving you well, stay with it. If you are finding fulfillment over time,
you are in the right place. However, if your tradition is mostly serving you well, yet
seems to be lacking in some way, find the courage and flexibility to try and fill in what
is missing. In the end, it is you who will unfold bliss consciousness by your own efforts
through devotion and application of the most comprehensive practices you can find. This
point of view may fly in the face of traditions that insist we cannot achieve salvation by
any other means but theirs. Maybe so, but that approach also shuts the door on further
inquiry and scientific investigation into the practices of human spiritual transformation.
The methods of Western science can offer much in this regard -- highly integrated and
collaborative approaches for discovering and applying knowledge. The success of Western
science in many fields has been astounding. It is time for these methods of knowledge
development to be applied in the arena of spiritual knowledge.
This discussion is the result of an open inquiry into many advanced yoga practices over a
long period of time. The fruit of this journey has been an integrated system of practices.
If there is something here that helps enhance your progress, it is good. If, at the same
time, it creates friction with your current tradition, you will have to sort that out
yourself. Ultimately, the answer is in you. Follow your heart. The potential conflict is
not a bad thing. It will test your resolve and help lead you to the truth.
The venerable spiritual traditions are of great value. However, times are changing, and
today we are seeing the emergence of more open approaches to examining and applying
spiritual knowledge that are well suited for wise spiritual practitioners. Ultimately,
this will have profound effects on all of humanity. Change is in the air, and it is a good
thing.
The guru is in you.
Deep Meditation Related Lessons Topic Path
Traditions Related Lessons Topic Path
Guru Related Lessons Topic Path
Discuss this Lesson in the AYP Plus Support Forum
Note:
For detailed instructions on deep meditation, see the
AYP Deep Meditation book,
and AYP Plus.
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