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yogani
USA
5250 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 06 2024 : 7:36:11 PM
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Hi All,
Someone asked recently if the inquiry, "Who is suffering?" would be enough to end suffering, and also expressed doubt that asanas and "energy practices" could accomplish the same.
I am posting my answer here in case it may be helpful to anyone having similar questions.
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Hello,
Yes, the inquiry, "Who is suffering?" will lead to the end of suffering. However, there is a prerequisite for that to be most effective, which is the rise of abiding inner silence, or what we call "the witness," cultivated in daily deep meditation. Inquiries released in abiding inner silence we call "relational," where their fruition will manifest from within stillness. Inquiries in the mind, in thinking only, we call "non-relational," and their effect will be limited, building layers of concepts identified with (attached to) in the mind, which do not lead to an end of suffering, rather, often to more suffering. So cultivating abiding inner silence via daily deep meditation is very important, fundamental to the cessation of suffering, and to all spiritual progress leading to freedom in this life.
You can find more on this in the Self Inquiry book, Deep Meditation book, Liberation book, and other AYP books.
And yes, you are right that asanas and "energy practices" alone will not bring an end to suffering. They have a supporting role to play on a path of "full scope yoga," as covered in the AYP writings.
The Buddha said suffering is the result of attachment to the inevitable ups and downs in this life. Cultivating our transcendent abiding inner silence, our true self, is the way to move beyond habitual attachment, making life progressively more joyful and productive. Then the answer to "Who suffers?" becomes apparent. Only identified/attached awareness in mind suffers. Abiding inner silence (witness) does not, regardless of circumstances in the mind, body, or outer environment. It is not an intellectual concept. It is a lived reality, cultivated through daily practice.
I hope that offers some clarity on your question, and any specific concerns you may have. If you go step by step through the AYP lessons and books and, most importantly, take up daily deep meditation, then you will see through direct experience how the reduction in suffering occurs. The AYP writings, and other resources like classes and retreats, are designed to support self-directed practitioners, covering every aspect of practice and experience.
Wishing you all the best on your path.
The guru is in you.
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Christi
United Kingdom
4527 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2024 : 12:06:00 PM
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yogani
USA
5250 Posts |
Posted - Nov 13 2024 : 7:24:12 PM
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Hi All,
To expand on this topic a bit, see this lesson on ending suffering: https://www.aypsite.org/321.html
And these lessons on "relational" (in stillness) and "non-relational" (in mind only) self-inquiry:
What they are: https://www.aypsite.org/325.html
How to recognize them: https://www.aypsite.org/356.html
These lessons, and others on modes of self-inquiry and its results, come later in the lessons. This is because the dynamics of self-inquiry, jnana and advaita (non-duality) are largely dependent on the rise of the radiating witness cultivated in deep meditation, spinal breathing pranayama, samyama, and related practices.
All the best!
The guru is in you.
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TensorTympani
Sweden
101 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2024 : 10:15:28 PM
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From lesson 350 (and other lessons and the self-inquiry book) I got the understanding that relational self-inquiry only requires the witness in the form of "flat separate awareness" and not necessarily the rise of the radiating witness (which I assume to mean divine outpouring or stillness in action).
Has it any practical implications that "the dynamics of self-inquiry, jnana and advaita (non-duality) are largely dependent on the rise of the radiating witness"?
The "largely dependent" got my attention. For instance, should one wait with self-inquiry until one feels the rise of the radiating witness, or does it just mean that self-inquiry changes dynamics once done in relation to the radiating witness but it already does something useful towards Liberation before the rise of the radiating witness (when it is just done in relation to the "flat separate awareness")?
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yogani
USA
5250 Posts |
Posted - Nov 18 2024 : 5:40:02 PM
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Hi TensorTympani,
Yes that is right. Relational self-inquiry begins with the ability to release inquiries in stillness, the witness, that "flat separate awareness" cultivated in deep meditation. The witness gradually frees us from binding attachment to all objects of perception, including in our external environment, our body, and internal thoughts and emotions. We continue to experience and interact with all these objects, but are less and less bound by them, including thoughts in self-inquiry itself. When we are less bound, self-inquiry becomes part of the expansion of awareness, promoting a recognition of our self beyond all objects. Ultimately we find ourselves becoming the essence of all objects, unmoving while at the same time moving - stillness in action.
By "radiating witness," I mean to point to the progression of this process, which is promoted by a range of practices. But you don't have to wait for it to begin self-inquiry. In fact, you can start self-inquiry anytime you wish. But there will only be traction with the witness present, and more-so as the witness radiates, which is the joining of stillness and ecstatic conductivity, the components of full awakening.
This radiant quality of the witness profoundly impacts self-inquiry. It moves beyond thoughts and feelings being released in stillness to a direct and intuitive recognition of the illusory nature of attachment. The act of inquiry, when infused with stillness, dissolves the identification with objects, revealing the underlying truth of our being, our true Self. This is discussed in the "jnana-natural" portion of Lesson 350, which is the easiest way to go in self-inquiry, with not only the basic witness present, but the radiating of it. Then self-inquiry becomes an obvious and organic occurrence, without any effort required. Just the faintest intention in inquiry brings an immediate result, because we are already becoming the result. It becomes the same with all things in life, much easier, more progressive and joyful with no more suffering.
Deep meditation, spinal breathing pranayama and samyama are the primary practices for awakening jnana-natural. We can study and experiment with the various styles of self inquiry, but in the end it boils down to the witness and its gradual radiation outward.
All the best!
The guru is in you.
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TensorTympani
Sweden
101 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2024 : 4:21:29 PM
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Hi Yogani,
Thanks a lot for your detailed answer and shedding more light on what currently for me is just a roadmap (of having abiding inner silence and onward). I'm excited about the possibility that one day jnana-natural will be an organic everyday experience thanks to continuing with my twice-daily AYP practice (which has been so incredibly enjoyable and life-quality enhancing that I would keep going even without such a long-term goal ). |
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yogani
USA
5250 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2024 : 9:59:41 PM
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"Who is suffering?"
