A
ASANA
A position or posture. In Yoga classes, it has become synonymous with yoga exercises. Originally it meant the position you take to meditate. In the Yoga Sutras (ca 500 CE) it is defined as "a position of steadiness and ease". It is pronounced AHSana, not aSAHNa
B
BREATH
Old English or Anglo Saxon word for air taken into the lungs. The Latin word for the same thing is "spirit". Inspiration = breathing in, expiration = breathing out, aspiration = breathing towards something.
C
CLASSICAL YOGA
Yoga that is based on the Yoga Sutras, from the Classical period of the development of Yoga and Classical Sanskrit. It takes meditation to be central to any practice of Yoga. The original meaning of "yoga" is the unity of individual being and universal being.
D
DEATH
The end of the mind's idea of itself
DISCIPLINE
Sitting to meditate every day
ENLIGHTENMENT
a meaningless word. No "light" turns on or comes in. The word has been invented by English speakers who didn't understand. In other literature the state is called Self-Realisation, or Liberation - Liberation from the person, not of the person.
FOLLY
Chasing happiness instead of realising that happiness is a choice. Situations happen often without our intention, but our mental state is ours to choose.
FREEDOM
The English word for Kaivalya - Absolute Freedom - the purpose and result of Yoga, according to the Yoga Sutras.
GENEROSITY
A broad-minded acceptance of others and their stuff
H
HAPPINESS
A state of contentment (santosha in Sanskrit) which is a choice, not a result. Such a chosen state may also lead to broad-mindedness, generosity, problem-solving and optimism.
HOLY
Etymologically the word holy means "whole, entire, uninjured, perfect". This is curiously similar to an ancient Sanskrit word, "purna" meaning "perfect, whole, entire". It is repeated over and again in a chant that means, This is perfect (or whole, or complete, or entire), that is perfect, from the perfect comes the perfect; take the perfect away from the perfect, only the perfect remains... OM.. peace, peace, peace" And curiously again, this seems to point to the more common English notion of "holy" meaning "related to the divine".
I
The mind's idea of itself, the ego
J
JOY
A state of profound contentment and pleasure with life, generally acquired after relinquishing ego, that is, the mistaken notion that "I"am somehow separate from mind and body and much more important
K
KNOWLEDGE
The mind's conviction that its concepts are facts
KARMA
A sequence of causes and effects, usually in a chain more complex and longer than you can seeL
KNOWLEDGE
The mind's conviction that its concepts are facts
KARMA
A sequence of causes and effects, usually in a chain more complex and longer than you can see
LAW
An inevitable, predictable and irrefutable sequence in the natural order, eg the Law of Gravity. No moral aspect to it, only intrinsic certainty
LEVITY
A Zen-like quality in one's approach to life, not getting dragged down by personal discomforts such as illness or bankruptcy
Find out ways to keep yourself steady in awareness rather than reaction - learn the methods of still-mind meditation, and mindfulness in every day life. 6 week program. Morning session at 11.00am OR 7:00 pm via Zoom
The Diploma of Meditation and Mindfulness includes a personal and theoretically supported exploration of stillness meditation – the pinnacle of yogic practice – while taking into account modern, westernised approaches from the medical or complementary health perspective.
Meditation retreat with Swami Shantananda focusing on outcomes of meditation. Friday 12th - Sunday 14th February, 2021 at Aligning Health Centre, Axedale (near Bendigo). Places limited
A two-part, 8 week program that gives you insight into why we are un-resilient and problem-maintaining, and the means to make a difference. 10.00 am - 12.30 pm or 6.30 pm -9.00 pm
A 3 hour still mind meditation. Easier than you think, and the time flies by! Change position whenever you feel the need. Note Precautions
Give us a call, send an email
6A Main Street, Blackburn
(03) 9878 8302
meditate@blackburnmeditation.com