In this part, we will go through the philosophy that underlies everything else. We need to have a good understanding of Samkhya - the theory behind Yoga and Ayurveda - before we can hope to truly understand both.

Samkhya is the knowledge of matter, of life, of the universe, of the evolution of consciousness, of the soul, the body, the senses, of duality, of love.

The material universe isn’t created out of nothing.
It is an accumulation of subtle energies.
Our own body is a network of cells, which are an accumulation of molecules, which in turn are formed by atoms. These were previously thought to be the smallest particle in natures existence but with the development of scientific technology, it was soon found out that Atoms consist of protons, neutrons and electrons and that those are made up by smaller fundamental particles like quarks and leptons.
Wether this is the end of the line or not is not yet clear, we may be surprised by new findings at some time in the future where technology might have advanced even further. In fact it is quite likely that we will never get to the “end of the line”.

Eternity seems to be a given, only whether it is the eternal rhythm of the birth and death of new particles and organisms or the idea of one basic eternal matrix, or core of the cosmos (as dualistic Samkhya philosophy suggests), that gives birth to everything else makes a great – and long lasting – debate.

According to all Indian philosophy the subtle always precedes the gross. Which is only common sense, as to build a molecule, the atoms had to be there first.

In the non-dualistic teachings of the tantric philosophy for example, it is pure consciousness that lies at the source of every living organism, while every molecule, every cell, even every thought form of these organisms are an expression of this eternal consciousness, endowed with it’s own cosmic intelligence.

If we think of our bodies that way, we recognise that each cell in our body is a perfect expression of our own pure consciousness (soul) and has it’s own, living intelligence which never tires to work only for the purpose of our soul’s higher good – which is to experience life in order to evolve, to expand our consciousness until all boundaries are dissolved and it merges with it’s highest and purest form, unbound to any individual life or karmic causalities.

We also realise that our bodies are far from being just mechanical constructions (as modern medicine may sometimes try to make us believe) but in fact are in constant movement. Never still, cells being born, maturing and growing, heart beating rhythmically, molecules in constant movement and communication with each other. Our body is in fact a never ending process, even after we die, when the clusters of molecules and atoms break up, having fulfilled their purpose, and re-join the earth’s own connective tissues – the soil, the water, the air – only to form again at another time to fulfil a new purpose.

We often think of our bodies as one entity, made up of different kinds of tissues, a skeleton, muscles, etc. But in fact, each of our cells has a skeleton of it’s own, different tissues and organs and acts within it’s own intelligence and means of communication.
Stem cells for example respond to the amount, and the kind of stress they are put under and develop, accordingly, into tissue cells that can resist the amount and type of stress they have been under -for instance, if they have been under a lot of stress they may turn into stronger bone cells, etc. They learn and are shaped through their experiences, just like we are.
Understanding this, we begin to realise that every act we impose on our bodies – be it what food we eat, how we move, what yoga posture we hold, how we breathe and even how we think and feel – is a direct communication with our intelligent cells. And our cells listen and respond accordingly.
And what’s more – they are not alone.
Our bodies are made up of about 40 trillion human cells – which comprises only about 10 % of the total amount of cells in our bodies. The rest are foreign organisms – the cells of bacteria and viruses, most of which are “friendly” and are carrying out essential tasks for us, mainly in our digestive and immune system – our lives literally are depending on them. So that means that 90 % of us are not really “us” – which really puts a different perspective on the idea of being interconnected!
Viewing our bodies not as mechanical machines but as a multitude of living, intelligent expressions of consciousness continuously acting in servitude of a greater purpose may help us to keep in mind our own responsibility to offer respectful communication filled with love and wisdom toward our own bodies – and the bodies of all other beings, as we all have in common the same consciousness that also pervades the whole universe.
And it is this consciousness that (according to non dualistic Indian philosophies) manifests in intelligent awareness, thoughtforms, emotions and eventually the physical realm.
Consciousness creates awareness, awareness creates thought, thought creates emotion and emotion creates physiology.
Therefor, to create true change in your body or any other aspect of your life, it has to begin with connecting with your own consciousness. Becoming aware and practicing extended awareness that can eventually permanently influence the more subtle realms of thought, emotion and the physical body.

Our nervous system gives us the ability to communicate with our surroundings. We can not only directly taste and touch anything outside (or inside) our bodies but even connect with the wider surrounding via our sense of sight, hearing and smell. Our nerve endings pass on those messages to our internal system so our bodies can respond accordingly.
Waves of energy vibration (electrical impulses, according to traditional western science) pulsating through neurones, are continuously communicating the dynamics of life to our bodies.
The specific dynamics of life in our modern times however have, as we are all well aware of, become increasingly overwhelming, confusing and contradictive to our inert and instinctive nature and can hardly be understood by the simple processes of our cells without causing havoc within the living organism that we call our body.
However we do have a very powerful means to control this overstimulating communication of the nervous system and that is our breath.
The breath has a very direct influence on wether the pulsating messages of the nervous system are delivered in a clear, calm and steady way, in agitated panic or are disrupted and lost on the way.
The breath can bind the intelligent consciousness of our cells to our the intelligent consciousness of our mind. It interacts between the outside and the inside world, between our body and our mind. It can help to unify our whole being, giving us a sense of wholeness. (Yoga = to unite)

Each action we take, each Yoga pose we execute, each bite of food we take, is a communication. We can choose what we communicate and how – if we are aware of what we are doing.
To be aware 100% of the time and able to act only out of wisdom, love and respect for our bodies and those of other living beings is a very difficult task for any human being living on this planet.
But as with everything, practice makes – eventually – perfect.

For me, this practice begins on the Yoga mat. Here we can become aware of this amazing, vibrating, living expression of our true self – our body. We can truly take the time to pay attention and listen. We can communicate by placing the right kind of stresses on areas of our body that will result in stronger, healthier cells who can do their work optimally, like the removal of blockages and unwanted organisms. We stretch, so our body can experience greater freedom of movement (in the external as well as the internal micro environment of our body). We remain aware so we can consciously feel and project the love and respect we can give to our body.
And we can breathe. We breathe in a way that will tell our nervous system: It’s okay. Everything is safe. No need to panic anymore. You can relax now.
And with this message – of safety and relaxation – we can carry out even the most difficult tasks, or the most challenging asanas without the accumulation of stresses that are too much for us to handle.

Our mind becomes clear, our emotions are more balanced and our physical body cells can use their energy for what it was really intended – the greater good of serving YOU.

When you are finished listening to the lecture, please download and look at the diagram below.

See Prakriti as the mother, who, when fertilised by the father, begins the process of life. Cell division will begin to split the single egg (potentiality) into three possible qualities - the Gunas, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Out of their interaction, intelligent cells develop. These cells then divide into branches - different tissue cells - that are distinguished from one another (discerning intelligence). Out of that comes Ahamkara, the I-sense. The cells group together to identify as a specific organ. Out of these, develop the specific skills of the organs of action (hands, feet, mouth, organs of procreation and elimination), the sense organs (ears, nose, mouth, skin, eyes), the subtle elements recognisable by the five senses (sound, fragrance, taste, touch, light) and the gross elements of the different molecules in the body (earth, water, fire, air, space).

The language of the soul is a symbolic one. It understands things in images, frequencies and stories. The love affair between Shiva and Parvati is one of these stories. It describes the dualities of life, the essence of it, perfectly.

Our samskara's - our shadows - are the very reason why we have incarnated as a human in this place and time. By having created a certain "core" of subtle believes and stored information (the DNA of our soul), from it, we create and manifest the life that aligns with it. Only this life, in this time, with these particular parents, and these particular experiences could have allowed ourselves to experience exactly what we need, to pick up where we left it in the last life (or one of our last lives as time is not really linear...). Our "bad" experiences come from a "bad" seed that we planted in a different time and space. Or maybe our ancestors did, but that is really the same thing, as we are all one consciousness in different expressions.

FOR REFLECTION

• What kind of life would you like to manifest and why haven"t you?

• What type of samsara's do you think are keeping you from creating what you wish for?

• Do you tend to blame life, circumstance, your parents, society or other people or things outside of you? Often this means that you are not quite yet willing to look at your own shadows.

• Do you feel ready to truthfully look at them now? (No right or wrong answer).

• If you are, what steps can you take toward it?

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a text that, in my opinion, is often misunderstood because if we don't see it in the context of our own time, place and personality, we are missing the point.

Consciousness has many layers - physical, emotional, mental, spiritual - and time has many different qualities, so in order to get the most out of this wonderful text, we need to shine a light on it from all of these layers.

Enlightenment is not something that happens all of a sudden, with a bang, (although some kind of a "band" can kickstart the process for sure!) - but it is a process. One that unfolds differently for each of us and one that all of us are already on.

Samadhi - a state of "oneness" with our Self and our surrounding, can be felt in deep meditation but also while we are engrossed in painting a picture, listening to music or making love. Of course there are different qualities to this state also, there is lower and higher Samadhi, there is the state that we experience momentarily through some form of practice, and there is the state that we reach permanently, after a long time of steady practice. There is the kind of Samadhi that we can practice, and the kind that just arises as a state of mind, bringing us permanent bliss even in the face of difficulties.

The only thing that counts is how much we practice. And practice is not headstand or lotus or even hour long meditation sessions, if these are cut off from the rest of ones daily life. Sitting in lotus alone does not make our life more blissful - but being loving and kind and respectful toward ourselves and others does.

The Yoga sutras are a psychological manual giving us practical instructions for how to live our life in ways that are conducive to a state of happiness. An optimal state of mind, of true mental health.

FOR REFLECTION:

After having listened to the first part of the Yoga Sutras, reflect on how much of it and what you can relate to in your own mind, your own state of mental health.

Reflect on the following:

• How much fluctuation is in your own mind - can you be steady and see things clearly? Or do you have a lot of reactiveness to situations you cannot control?

• Can you think of situations in your life that would be much easier to handle if you could always see the bigger picture?

• If you apply only one new rule to your life, let it be this: Accept and Let Go. That means, accept each single moment, each Situation or each emotion life presents to you, fully, welcome it in. Then, after fully accepting it, decide on what best to do with it - change the situation? Enjoy it? Let it go?

• Is there a deeper seated trauma or conditioning in me that `I may have to address and in what way can I do this?

• What situations allow me to be completely present in the moment? What do I enjoy? What is my hearts desire?

• Do I give myself enough time to experience these situations?

• Do I trust my body?

• The most important practice is the practice of awareness.

Now please reflect on the following questions:

• What does surrender mean to you?

• What, in your belief, is the difference (if there is any) between God, the Universe?

• What action can you take to raise our own vibration and lift our spirit?

• How do you feel about the power of sound?

• How does chanting OM feel to you?

• What is your intention in doing your Yoga practice?

• Can you form an intention to use for your life?

• Have you tried to meditate before? If not, could you try one of the methods described in the Yoga Sutras?

• Our Yoga practice supports us, but the true practice is how we act in everyday life. How can you apply your insights in your daily life?

The Bhagavad Gita is a well known and important text that holds so many important insights and lessons that it cannot be read too many times.

If you are only getting one book from the recommended reading of this course, get the Gita, it will support you well in your journey of Yoga.

But before we get to the overview on the Gita itself, it is helpful to have a sense of the symbolism and mythological context of it, especially of it's most important character - Krishna.

I would like to add a little edit:

There are 9 gates of the body, in the traditional sense, which applies to men.

A woman however has 12 gates: The 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils and the mouth, the 2 organs of elimination, the vagina and the two nipples.

This bears another important symbolism that students of Vedic Astrology will appreciate as it relates to the 12 Rashis (constellation) and the 9 Grahas (heavenly bodies) that come together to create life in its different experiences.

Now, please reflect on the following questions:

• What situation in your life are you fearing or trying to avoid, even though you know it is a necessary step?

• Where are you conflicted between a moral idea and a worldly need?

• Do you feel like you are contributing to a greater good?

• What does devotion mean to you, in your personal life?

• What areas in life can you apply yourself wholeheartedly without expecting a return?

• What is the universal soul to you? Without the need to put it into words, could you reflect on it in meditation?

• How do you feel about death?

• Can you apply your philosophical or spiritual beliefs actively in real life, in the world?

• Are your actions in life aligned with your innermost desires and beliefs?

Vedanta - the end of the Vedas, is a summary of the esoteric meaning of the Vedas, written in a series of texts called the Upanishads. It is beautifully told as more or less short stories that usually include some form of dialogue between a student and a teacher. It is absolutely worth getting a published version of them and reading them again and again. However, the following presentation will provide you with a little bit of an overview of the most important Stories - the principle Upanishads.

As you can see, in each of the stories, the teacher can be a different kind of character, even death itself. In real life, we can learn from many teachers. A guru does not have to be a person. It can be a mountain, a tree, your mother, father, a friend. Teachers come in many disguises, it is up to us if or when we are open to receiving its lessons.

Now please reflect on the following:

• What lessons can I learn from nature around me?

• Is there someone in my life right now who represents my teacher?

• What were some of the most difficult but most profound lessons I have learned in my life?

FOR REFLECTION

• How do you create the life around you?

• What part of your innermost believes create your negative and positive reality/experiences?

• What kind of changes would you like to see in your outer reality and what part of your inner reality will you need to change in order to manifest it?

• What steps can you take toward that?

This is a guided meditation journey, to give you more of a felt sense of the different levels, or sheaths, of consciousness. Please enjoy!

For your reflection:

• Can you use your daily life as spiritual practice?

• What if you could not do your yoga/meditation practice anymore? Would you still have a Sadhana?

• How is your relationship with your community? Is your spiritual practice separate from your worldly life?

• How do you feel about your own sensual desires?

• Can you see your deep, dark experiences as a spiritual lesson that, in the end, furthers your journey to liberation?

• Reflect on the duality of feminine and masculine. How does this fit into our modern day relationship and gender experiences?

• Reflect on the view of good vs evil. Can you appreciate someone's "good" aspects although there are also a lot of "evil", as you perceive it?

• Can you apply this to your own ancestral story? If you have a difficult relationship with a parent or grandparent, acknowledging their positive traits and being grateful for having inherited them can free us from holding grudges and rejecting these parts in ourselves.

• Can you forgive easily?