Physical Yoga
Meditationtime Forum Post
Date: Posted 6 years before Feb 21, 2017
MiBeloved 6 years ago
Srila Yogeshwarananda made a remark this morning about the lack of yoga practice in spiritual aspirants.
This is what he said:
“Considering the benefits of meditation and the example set for its practice by great people, even by Krishna the generator of a Universal Form, who claimed to be the Supreme Lord, it is a wonder that human beings do not practice yoga in greater numbers.
“The cause of lack of practice is inertial which in the Gita is listed as a dulling psychological force, as tama guna. This attribute of material nature influences everyone but it is very persistent in the human society to cause the neglect of yoga practice. It is an emotional force, which when expressed in the psyche brings on an attitude of ‘I do not feel to do yoga.’ or ‘Yoga is too strenuous.’ or’ What is the benefit of it anyway?’ or ‘What is liberation, who needs it?’
“However there are people who do yoga in part through meditation practice or through setting aside times during the day for prayer and contemplation efforts. These persons avoid the physical practice of yoga. Higher yoga also avoids this physical practice but the difference is that in higher yoga, the physical practice is done in order to enhance the higher aspect of meditation.”
Stated differently, “To effectively avoid the physical practice, one has to first do it and put the physical system and the subtle system in order in their most efficient and highly charged states.”
Bhagiratha 6 years ago
We know that the God Krishna spoke about yoga and meditation in the Gita, but I can't recall reading or hearing that this Person, Krishna performed physical yoga practice.
MiBeloved 6 years ago
People are usually surprised to hear that Krishna did yoga and in the Hare Krishna Movement they have this idea that since Krishna is God as declared in their books, He could not do yoga.
But does it make sense that God would kill others? Why deny Him the right to yoga and assert him the right of righteous warrior?
In any case check on at least three occurrences of Krishna with Yoga.
1. His training under Sandipani Muni, where he even was trained in the use of narcotic drugs. Also check to see if he ever used Pan or betel nuts and then check to see what is the active ingredient in that product.
2. His training in samadhi when he went to perform austerities because one of his wives insisted that he approach Lord Shiva before begetting a child. He studied and trained under Upamanyu Rishi and as a result had an interview (darshan) with Shiva and Devi.
3. His final departure from planet earth. Both the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata Purana accredit both Krishna and Balarama with doing yoga before leaving their bodies.
It is a matter of interest. If you don't have a deep interest then it is hardly likely that you will get this information and instead you will be satisfied with what you are told which includes so many omissions.
When Narada visited Krishna in Dvaraka one of the observations was Krishna sitting in meditation.
In the Gita itself, Krishna said he instructed ancient yogi kings in the hoary past in yoga and how to use yoga while ruling kingdoms (karma yoga). So how can he teach something which he does not do. Does that make sense?
