a sandbag becomes a spring

last blog, i posted the first two steps of the yogic eightfold path as described in my meditation book: the yamas (abstentions) and niyamas (observances). so, naturally this blog will contain the next 6 folds. didn't want to leave you in suspense. again, i have paraphrased mightily:

3. asana (body control): practicing yoga postures (or exercising) to keep your body strong and flexible so you can sit for long periods of time in meditation without your bodily discomfort causing a distraction. Also, yoga positions can be used as a form of "moving meditation" when your mind is fully focused on the positions.

4. pranayama (breath control): prana, the force of life that animates all living things can be taken in and replenished through the breath. Breath can also be the focus of a meditation.

5. pratyahara (detachment): learning to suppress the senses to minimize outside distractions during meditation.


6. dharana (concentration): focusing your full attention on a single point- a sight, sound, smell, or thought.

7. dhyana (meditation): going beyond concentraion and learning to quiet the mind and free it from preconceptions, illusions, and attachments.

8. samadhi (pure consciousness): an indescibable state of absolute bliss, nirvana, or enlightenment. this is the ultimate goal of meditaion for many, but even if you never reach this state, meditation can still be very rewarding.

and as long as we're all here and i have the book with me, here is the buddhist eightfold path (as described in the same book) to contrast and compare. i mostly just copied these ones:

1. Right Understanding: this step involves seeing life as impermanent and full of suffering, understanding the nature of existence and the moral law, and understanding the cycle of reincarnation that continues until the seeker has attained enlightenment.

2. Right Thought: this step requires that the mind be kept free from sensual desire, cruelty, and negative thinking. also, the mind should be ready to disregard anything that hinders its progress toward enlightenment, a single-mindedness toward liberation.

3. Right Speech: this step means not lying, gossiping, or speaking harshly of anyone. behind this step is the philosophy that thought and action are inseperable. what you speak, you will eventually live. right speech shouldn't be too loud or passionate or arouse the emotions of others. it should be calm, straightforward, sincere, unprejudiced, and kind.

4. Right Action: this step has five sub-steps:

1) Do not kill, but instead practice love and nonviolence (like in the yogic, some take it to mean vegetarianism)
2) Do not steal, but instead be generous.
3) Practice self control and do not abuse the senses (interpreted as 'Do not be unchaste' in my other book).
4) Do not lie, but instead speak with sincerity and honesty.
5) Do not drink alcohol or take intoxicating drugs, but instead be restrained and mindful.
5. Right Livelihood or Vocation: only pursue an occupation that is just, nonviolent, and not misleading to others. jobs that are traditionally viewed as "wrong living": arms dealing (including soldiers), slave trading, flesh trading (prostitution or selling meat; includes hunters and fishermen), selling intoxicating drink, selling poisons, or anything to do with financial greed. making money isn't the problem, just the selfish motivation. instead, the seeker of enlightenment should look for ways to serve humankind.

6. Right Effort: this step means working toward a better self by attempting to keep wise thoughts, words, and deeds in the forefront of the mind, while attempting to banish unhealthy or unwise thoughts, words, and deeds.


7. Right Mindfulness: keep constantly alert and aware of the state of the body, the emotions, the mind, and the intellect. mindfulness is thought to keep the seeker from being led astray by untruth. this is also a form of "living meditation" in which the intellect is kept active in order to make the seeker more in-tune with the true nature of reality.

8. Right Concentration: the goal of this step is to be able to concentrate so wholly and completely on a  single object so that all desire is overcome and true knowledge of the object is attained. With practice, right concentration can be attained and the five hindrances -sensuality, ill will, lethargy, restlessness and worry, and skeptical doubt- can be overcome. Eventually, the seeker will find the way to pure consciousness, or nirvana.