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Rattan
South Africa
41 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 09 2010 : 10:47:38 AM
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| Perhaps someone could help me with this. I want the words to use when I have to describe in a nutshell to them what AYP and the purpose of AYP is, without using AYP specific jargon. Until now I have just told people I meditate. But if one wants to go into some more depth? |
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JDH
USA
331 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2010 : 11:17:43 AM
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Hahahaha, outsiders. I think anybody on a yogic path would understand the terms mantra meditation, pranayama, mudras and bandhas, asanas, and samyama. This is the language I'd use to talk about it with a fellow yoga practitioner. I don't think AYP has yogic outsiders so to speak. It's more an integration of several existing practices into one robust system.
If you're talking about explaining it to somebody who has little or no yoga background, then I've found that either they interested and asking questions, in which case explaining it comes naturally since it is a 2 sided exchange - or I am trying to tell them about something they don't care to hear about, and explaining is arduous and pointless.
If somebody is interested, they will be happy to hear about your experiences and practices, especially stories you can relate from your personal perspective rather than espousing mini-sermons. If somebody is not interested, then I just say I meditate, and we leave it at that. |
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mr_anderson
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2010 : 11:27:02 AM
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It's an interesting question.
I'd begin by saying that in my experience, when you explain meditation to people, they usually fall into one of two categories:
-those who are genuinely interested and open-minded
-those on whom you are wasting your breath
Either people have a pull that comes from within them, causing their ears to prick up a little and their interest to be aroused by talk of such things, or they don't. I'm open that I meditate, but I never tell anyone more than that, unless they have a genuine interest in hearing about it.
As for the explanation, in my view, AYP is a series of meditative practises, that initiate gradual changes in the mind/emotions and nervous system. They have a wonderful power to gradually improve the life of the individual who engages in said practises, not by changing his/her external circumstances, but by a gradual inner transformation which often begins with a sense of increased inner calm/peace, but grows into powerful inner joy and ecstasy given consistent twice daily practise.
My deep personal belief is that the transformation and changes from meditation are of a divine nature, but the spirit of AYP is one of scientific enquiry and drawing one's own conclusions via direct experience of one's own inner transformation rather than accepting the faith or belief systems of others.
Is this of any help?
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karl
United Kingdom
1812 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2010 : 2:15:00 PM
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Never try to teach a pig to sing, it wastes your time and annoys the pig.
Unless someone asks I don't get into it. There is a tendency to want to preach to the world when really there is only you listening. |
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wakeupneo
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2010 : 9:59:34 PM
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Tell them we cut our tongues in order to stick them up in our nasal cavity and drink our own urine ;)
quote:
Originally posted by Rattan
Perhaps someone could help me with this. I want the words to use when I have to describe in a nutshell to them what AYP and the purpose of AYP is, without using AYP specific jargon. Until now I have just told people I meditate. But if one wants to go into some more depth?
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machart
USA
342 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2010 : 12:13:35 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by wakeupneo
Tell them we cut our tongues in order to stick them up in our nasal cavity and drink our own urine ;)
Come on...can't the web designer include a "like" button? That was funny!!! |
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Rattan
South Africa
41 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2010 : 01:42:52 AM
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Thanks. I am not trying to preach to anybody about AYP.
It just happens often that people that have a real interest in you, but not interested in meditation per se, really wants to know what exactly are you busy doing. What is so important about it that you would travel far to learn more about it?
mr_anderson, thanks - that is what I had in mind. I want to prepare something along those lines that I can use in future, and not sit there with a mouth full of teeth.
And wakeupneo :) exactly the type of thing one cannot even begin to explain. Hilarious. |
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Medea
Netherlands
115 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2010 : 03:42:35 AM
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| When people with no background in yoga ask about my practices, I tell them that through meditation and complementary practices I manipulate my nervous system in such a way that I experience more calmness, happiness and clarity in my daily life. This is a description that, in my experience, is understandable for people who are not into spirituality. But next time I'll think I'll try Wakeupneo's suggestion :) |
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Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2010 : 08:30:41 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by machart
quote:
Originally posted by wakeupneo
Tell them we cut our tongues in order to stick them up in our nasal cavity and drink our own urine ;)
Come on...can't the web designer include a "like" button? That was funny!!!
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Etherfish
USA
3615 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2010 : 8:40:23 PM
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I think Medea's way is the best. If non-spiritual people inquire, make your answer non-spiritual so they don't think you are trying to be better than them.
There are so many advantages to getting stress out of your life through meditation that you can mention just that. It makes you more healthy, age slower, get along with others better, more productive, able to do things you couldn't otherwise do, enjoy life more.
<--- "Like" button
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Edited by - Etherfish on Nov 10 2010 8:43:15 PM |
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LittleTurtle
USA
342 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2010 : 6:10:35 PM
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I think I'll use this description from now on, lol.
quote:
Originally posted by wakeupneo
Tell them we cut our tongues in order to stick them up in our nasal cavity and drink our own urine ;)
quote:
Originally posted by Rattan
Perhaps someone could help me with this. I want the words to use when I have to describe in a nutshell to them what AYP and the purpose of AYP is, without using AYP specific jargon. Until now I have just told people I meditate. But if one wants to go into some more depth?
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vijikr
United Arab Emirates
413 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2010 : 12:01:23 AM
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| Oh yeah I too have faced this questions especially by people who are not interested in meditation but just trying to test you rather so to them I just tell them I meditate tats all! |
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How to describe AYP to outsiders?
