Karen's Yoga Blog

B.K.S. Iyengar often said “When I practice, I am a philosopher. When I teach, I am a scientist. When I demonstrate, I am an artist.” These three aspects of yoga correspond with the three fundamental attributes of the Divine, which are Sivam, goodness, Satnam, truth, and Sundaram, beauty.

Awareness of these three aspects of yoga and of the Universal Divine Spirit can help bring balance to the way we practice.

The goal of philosophy is to achieve a state of goodness, and to develop an ethical framework for living. The term Sivam refers to that which is auspicious and positive. How can our yoga practice lead us toward a state of goodness?

We might consider whether our practice is motivated primarily by concerns of the ego, such as accomplishing a pose, constant improvement, or gaining praise or prestige. Could we instead approach the practice as a means of creating a storehouse of positive feelings, harmony and balance with ourselves? An auspicious yoga practice would be one without attachment to outcomes.

The goal of science is to seek truth, Satnam, and to learn about the nature of reality. A yoga practice can certainly be much like a scientist’s laboratory, in which we use trial and error to gain understanding.

What does it mean to be a seeker of truth in the way we practice? Perhaps we can become more observant of how a pose develops over time, and what approaches to a pose are the most effective. We can learn to be honest with ourselves about how to practice in a way that is appropriate to our unique condition and needs.

Finally, the appreciation of beauty, Sundaram, brings joy. We can approach our yoga practice with the intention to bring grace and elegance to each pose.

Postures do not need to be perfect to be beautiful. When we appreciate the beauty of nature, we may experience feelings of wonder and transcendence, yet we don’t demand that the sunset be perfect. Our own body is, of course, part of nature, and a miracle of creation, just as beautiful as the ocean or a mountain range.

One way to play with the aesthetic aspect of a pose is to pay attention to the transitions. How smooth, graceful and fluid can the movement be into and out of a pose? This consideration immediately changes the experience of practice to one that includes the idea of artistry.

In our teaching at Green Tara Yoga, we hope to bring the threefold search for goodness, truth and beauty into our approach. Visit our Schedule/Registration page and join us for a class soon!

Take a look at your approach to yoga practice. Are you more of a philosopher, scientist or artist? Try putting on some different hats and see how your practice grows. The path of yoga is an inward journey, and through it, we can all experience the good, the true and the beautiful.

In yoga philosophy, consciousness or citta is considered to have three components. Ego or ahamkara is our sense of individual existence. The mind or manas is the thinking function, associated with the brain. The intelligence or buddhi is the intuitive spiritual wisdom thought to dwell in the heart.

I have been reflecting on the difference between manas and buddhi, and why it is important that we understand that difference.

Manas is the everyday mind. It is the part of us that collects data and reacts to it. It includes likes and dislikes, simple daily decision making, planning and organizing, putting things into categories. Manas is the thinking brain and the reacting emotions. From a yogic perspective, this is the surface of consciousness, not the depths.

Buddhi is responsive rather than reactive, and intuitive rather than analytical. This intelligence of the heart leads to deep and profound feeling, rather than knee-jerk emotional reactivity. Operating from this spiritual intelligence means that we develop qualities of discernment and discrimination, and learn how to make fine-tuned value judgements.

You might notice that the word buddhi looks a lot like the word Buddha. Buddha means awakened one, a being who sees the true nature of reality. Exploring buddhi means that we become awake to a deeper aspect of our being, which is not about thinking, doing, or preferences. Rather, it is about being, knowing and listening to our inner guidance.

The yoga teachings posit that one reason that we suffer is that we are always relating to the surface part of our consciousness, manas, instead of penetrating to the core of our being. Our thinking brain is part of who we are, but it is not the fullness of who we are. While buddhi is not the soul, it is necessary to experience that intuitive wisdom on our inward journey toward the core.

B.K.S. Iyengar has taught that the mind can be a “treacherous ally”. If we can never let go of thoughts, we are always stuck on the surface of who we are, caught in the trap of an inner monologue that never ceases. Yoga teaches us how to take the steps on a path toward the cessation of those incessant thoughts, so that the mind becomes a tool for us to use when we need it, instead of a dictator of our experience. Mr. Iyengar asks us to consider whether the mind is our servant or our master.

In our yoga practice, the experience of deep relaxation through Savasana and other restorative poses has more to offer than the release of physical tensions. These poses provide an opportunity to allow the mind to settle into silence. We can practice letting thoughts dissolve on the smooth flow of the exhalation, and get a glimpse of what a non-verbal, non-conceptual state might be like.

Every yoga class at Green Tara Yoga includes the practice of Savasana and deep relaxation. Check out the Green Tara Yoga Online Schedule and let us support your inward journey.

Exploring the more subtle aspects of our being takes practice. Gradually we may gain the skill to recognize the difference between the thinking mind and the knowing heart.