Mr. Iyengar speaks....
through the Sri Ganesha Tea and Book Stall. I am posting this here partly for my own future reference and partly for the reference of those who aren't already linked up to the "unofficial" website of Ashtanga Yoga New York (often referred to here as "AYNY").
As for me, I'm not going to comment on the comments on yesterday's post (WAS it only yesterday? It feels like a million years ago already!) other than to thank you all for taking the time to read "Yoga Chickie" and taking the time to post your thoughts so eloquently. I learn from all of you, and I hope that all of you can learn something from each other. In that spirit, I offer to you the following mantra (from Thich Nhat Hanh):
"Aware of suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, I am determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. I will learn and practise non-attachment from views in order to be open to others’ insights and experiences. I am aware that the knowledge I presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life and I will observe life within and around me in every moment, ready to learn throughout my life."
Have a wonderful day...
YC
11 comments:
Very current...
Mr. Iyengar is a funny man.
Susan
i agree. but i don't understand -- from what i have see u definately have some pretty strong views about certain things-- are you really able to practice non-attachment? is anyone? I've seen you heavily debate people who don't agree with your views. Is this a new thing you are trying to institute?
I'm not criticizing you at all, I hope that it works well for you and for anyone else that might try. It is definately a nice standard to shoot for. thanks for reminding people that there are indeed positive ways to think about debate.
best to you.
For "best to you" - the previous commentator:
Applause to you for a tolerant, good-spirited comment. But let me try to explain that YC is not advocating having no views. She is saying that one must be tolerant and flexible, open to all views and to change one's views. That does not mean one should not discuss and debate.
The Jewish High Holidays are approaching. The great Talmudic scholars have discussed and debated portions of the Torah for centuries. Differing views are good and expressing them is a high goal. It is good, however, to do it in the spirit of learning and changing and open-mindedness. This is what YC has to teach you. I am merely trying to teach you how to spell "definitely."
Shalom (which means "peace") and Namaste
I know that YC is not trying to say that you should have no views and I know all about the jewish high holidays because I am also jewish. You completely missed what i was trying to say. But eventhough she has not responded i know YC understood--she is open like that. I was trying though to also applaud YC for trying to remind people of the importance of being open. Why are you commenting about what i choose to write in such a condescending tone and just with such a mean ending comment about my spelling abilty?
That's so mean. Are you 12?
Anyway YC -- keep putting ideas out there that will help people to think about things in a different manner. I think it's a healthy thing to do and I applaud your willingness to do it as the comments from the past few days have definately (and yes(for the previous commentator) i spelled it wrong on purpose (( you nitwit)) shown it's not an easy task.
namaste.
I suppose I was being Cahndescending. I definately apologize for that.
I mean this sincerely.
Yes, YC is a forgiving person.
NOT 12
It's okay to have strong views and to be committed to your ideas. But practicing non-attachment is not inconsistent with that. You can practice non-attachment by listening to all the sides of a debate that are presented and testing your commitment to your views, seeing if they still make sense to you. You can observe yourself and see what might be getting in the way of letting in other ideas, foreign ideas, new ideas, ideas that challenge you to defend your own ideas, ideas that may ultimately be more convincing to you than the ones you currently hold dear.
But in any event, practicing nonattachment IS a practice. It's not a test, it's not a performance. It's not something I will ever "perfect". It is something to practice, just like yoga.
Lauren
YC are you writing comments to your own blog under the "anonymous" heading? those last few anonymous postings-- the one about jewish high holidays and the "cahndescending" commentary seem kind of suspicious in that way. Seems a liitle bizarre- but hey whatever you need to do to get your point across you should feel free to do that.
I'm not 12 either but it's amazing how immaturity sometimes knows know age limit! i know we all know about that. Such is life i guess.
Its good to know there are impassioned thoughtful, critical and yes even though the Buddha laughed at us, opinionated souls here.
sonya
To the anonymous who asked me if I wrote those Jewish-centric and "Cahndescending" posts:
I actually did NOT write them, but I do know who did. When I first saw the one about the Talmudic scholars, I totally thought it was from my Dad, because he is, himself, pretty scholarly about all things Jewish. But when I saw the word, "Cahndescending" and the obsession with good spelling, I knew it had to be my mother.
So, you, my dear anonymous, are quite the pereptive one. I can tell immediately every time my mom posts a comment...but hey, she's my mom: I have had a lifetime to learn her writing style, as well as her flair for the poison pen (something I have spoken to her about....on this very day....right mommy?), but you, I assume, do not! So, bravo for noticing that "certain something". It wasn't the something you thought, but it was something, indeed.
And just to clarify, because I thought my mom's comments came out more harshly than she intended...my mom was actually trying to convey an apology to one of the commentators. And she was just teasing whomever misspelled "definitely".
BTW she and I both thought it was hysterical that someone called her a "nitwit". I haven't heard that word used in I don't know how long, and I like it!
Lauren
Thanks for the clarification, YC.
BeBe (a/k/a, The Nitwit)
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