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darvish
USA
9 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 14 2011 : 5:36:58 PM
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Greetings,
Could other essence attributes be used for sutras in Samyama?
For example:
Devotion
Submission
Sincerity
Trust-in-God
Zeal
Veracity
Humility
Valour
Humbleness
Presense
Absence
There over 100 such essence "Stations" or attributes in Sufism and it seems that they would make for excellent sutras.
Thanks! |
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mathurs
United Kingdom
197 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2011 : 04:26:03 AM
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Hi Darvish,
The idea is to get well establised in the basic AYP sutras - why? because they are all rounded and suggested by Yogani after extensive research.
Once you are establised in the AYP samyama practice then it is for you to experiment. From the list that you have given above experimenting with the essence stations does seem like a good idea. |
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Etherfish
USA
3615 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2011 : 06:50:01 AM
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If you are going to deviate from Yogani's list, I would suggest you don't concentrate on a small number, but evenly do them all. The reason is what Mathers said about Yogani's list being well rounded.
For instance, if you were to get too much of "submission" and "absence", just for example, you are asking for trouble in your everyday life.
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Edited by - Etherfish on Nov 16 2011 07:43:28 AM |
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darvish
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2011 : 7:51:12 PM
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Thank you for the reply. I don't want to question the completeness of Yogani's sutras but was curious whether mention of the types of states or stations that I listed would be able to generate deep responses from the subconscious when used as a Samyama technique. It sounds like you're saying they could be powerful concepts and to work with them carefully. However, it sounds like it is self-regulated somehow as well. Samyama really is a fascinating practice.
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yogani
USA
5195 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2011 : 12:22:58 AM
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Hi Darvish:
Only experience in practice over time can reveal what a list of sutras will do. It is not possible to intuit the full effects of a whole new list beforehand. This is why in the appendix of the Samyama book, research on sutras, if any, is recommended to be done after a stable foundation of structured samyama practice with known effects is in place, and then only trying one or two sutras at a time and seeing what happens over weeks or months before making changes. In other words, a systematic approach. In the Samyama book appendix, only other sutras of Pantajali are being discussed, but the same logic can be applied to any experimentation with alternate sutras.
Of course, you are proposing a possible whole new list of sutras starting from scratch, and you can only find out the effects by trying, unless others have done it first.
This is along the lines of Lesson 384 on modifications to baseline systems of practice. You may want to review it for more perspective on the above logic. You will see that modifications are not discouraged, beginning with self-pacing, if they serve the needs of the path of the individual practitioner. But predicting the outcome once a baseline system has been modified or left entirely is something few will be in a position to help with. Which is not to say samyama can't be used in a Sufi way. Surely it can, but it may take some trial and error to figure out how.
It should be mentioned that for experienced samyama practitioners anything and everything can be offered up at any time in stillness. It becomes a way of life, living as "stillness in action." This is why we have lessons on "samyama and prayer" and "samyama for dissolving world problems," etc. But these applications are not the same as core structured practice, especially when we are first developing our ability to release intentions in stillness. It takes time to develop that ability, and it requires a stable structured daily practice over time.
So samyama practice is more about developing the ability to live as stillness in action, where everything is occurring in stillness, than to produce a particular set of effects (siddhis) from a list of sutras. Hence the emphasis on a balanced tried and true list, and stable daily practice.
All the best!
The guru is in you.
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Etherfish
USA
3615 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2011 : 07:49:36 AM
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OK after Yogani's reply maybe not a good idea to do them all. I was hoping to mitigate the effects of the "submission" and "absence". While they could be good attributes in some circumstances and I understand why, we have to be careful because the subconscious will interpret things differently than we may expect. That is why "affirmations" often don't work for people. a poor person can say "I am rich" all day long and only create a split in his mind without changing his monetary problem.
So Yogani's advice is best (as always) and it is necessary to find inner silence before his samyama list is effective also, but you probably already have that.
PS if you do what Yogani says, using his list, and then progress to adding Sufi Stations later one at a time, please report your findings at the forums. We would love to hear your findings, and it may help other Sufis! |
Edited by - Etherfish on Nov 16 2011 07:51:51 AM |
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Sutra Alternatives (Sufi Stations)
