Light on Yoga - Day 15

Tribute to Guruji and Light on Yoga - Day 15

Sadhana - Practice, Quest

Mr. Iyengar writes that sadhana or practice is the key to freedom.  It is not just the study of ancient texts but a spiritual endeavour that the "sadhaka must by constant practice light the divine flame within himself."

In saying this, coupled with practice (abhyasa) is renunciation (vairagya).  Renouncing all that takes the pupil away from the truth.

Mr. Iyengar gives many examples on sadhana from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Gheranda Samhita, the Kathopanisad and the Bhagavad Gita. 

I like this quote from the Bhagavad Gita, chapter III, verse 42-3 that Mr. Iyengar uses:
"The senses are more powerful than the objects of desire.  Greater than the senses is the mind, higher than the mind is the reason and superior to reason is He - the Spirit in all.  Discipline yourself by the Self and destroy your deceptive enemy in the shape of desire."

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.BlogSpot.com