Yoga: A Gem for Women - Threefold Quest

 

Yoga: A Gem for Women - Threefold Quest

 

The threefold quest consists of the external quest (bahiranga sadhana, inner quest (antaranga sadhana) and the spiritual quest (antaratma sadhana).  Geeta has a nice chart in her book to show this.

 

The chart displays how the External Quest is made up of the moral (Yama and Niyama) and Physical (Asana and Pranayama).

The Inner Quest is made up of the mental (Pranayama and Pratyahara).

The Spiritual Quest is the spiritual (Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi)

 

These are the 8-limbs Patanjali writes about in the Yoga Sutras.

 

 

She explains the threefold quest further though.

 

 

Geeta writes about Bahiranga Sadhana that the body is the temple of the Soul. "Just as a clean temple evokes pure thoughts, a clean body leads to a pure mind and is thus a fit abode for the Self."

The first step towards Self-Realization, she says is to keep the body pure and free from disease.

 

Antaranga Sadhaha - the inner quest comes after attaining the purity of body.  To do this Geeta explains that one needs to understand how the mind functions.  Controlling the mind and senses helps one to do this.

"The mind desires, and the senses follow the mind for their gratification; thus the mind is caught up in the gratification of desires."

Also affecting the mind, Geeta writes is the six enemies: lust, anger, greed, temptation, pride and jealousy.

Breath control and control of the senses is a way to help conquer these enemies.

 

Geeta quotes the Hathayoga Pradipika - II, 2

"A disturbed breath leads to a disturbed mind; a steady breath leads to a steady mind.  The two go together. Hence, cultivate a steady and quiet breath; thereby the mind is controlled and the life of a Yogi is prolonged."

 

Geeta calls the spiritual quest the pursuit of the soul.  The mind has achieved poise and concentration and has let go of the ego to find eternal bliss.

 

I am glad to be on this quest, even though if is a hard one, a lifelong challenge.

I take a few steps forward and then often back again, but the quest to be a better person is within me and I am glad to have so many wonderful books and teachers to help me along the way.

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson