The Deconstructive Mind

I am sorry, I have not been on tumblr in awhile. Yes, yogasana has become synonymous with yoga. This is not a bad thing, rather just a thing. The postures get people ready for meditation. Remember that the Buddha was a traveling sanyasin before realizing the middle path. Buddhism comes from Hinduism and yogic philosophy. In my opinion, it clarifies it replacing dogma with dharma, but what ever resonates with people is their business and I can only speak on my behalf, I have great respect for hinduism. I digress, the eight limbs are broken down into two groups: the external and internal parts. The first 5 are external, ie prepratory practices for meditation and union. That is not to say that you cannot find bliss in asana or pranayama, meditation truly exists in every action; however, yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, and pratyhara prepare the body/mind to enter into the higher realms of consciousness. Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi are all lumped in in meditation. I actually use a zen-style mediation after pranayama because that resonates with me more than an om meditation or vedic meditation, however, all forms of meditation use this form. First there is focusing, whether it is on your sensations, scanning your body, mantra, breath, or a symbol does not matter. Then, you let go and focus without focusing, you know what I mean it is hard to describe this step. Then, there is bliss, silence, union, or whatever you wish to call it. Words fail to fully point at these things, they must be experienced. Follow your heart, it will lead you on the path, namaste. Om shanti shanti shanti.