By ViGo
Table of Contents
Living beyond sense perception
Human life is generally lived through perception.
We experience life through sense perception, through what we see, hear, touch, smell and taste. Gradually these experiences create conditionings that shape the way we respond to life. Gradually, life becomes more of a reaction than Self-expression.
Yoga opens another possibility.
The purpose of Yoga is not merely to improve the flexibility of the body or calm the activity of the mind. Yoga is a practical science that creates the possibility for Self-expression. The more we are influenced by conditionings and external situations, the less space there is for Self-expression. Through the practice of Yoga, this dependency gradually reduces, allowing the space for Self-expression to open.
To understand this, we first need to understand the nature of perception itself.
Sunset at Yoga Gita Ashram
Sense perception always belongs to the past
Everything we perceive through the senses has already happened.
When we look at the sun, we are not seeing the sun as it is now. We are seeing sunlight that has travelled through space before reaching our eyes. Even when looking at an object directly in front of us, there is still a gap between the object and our perception of it.
Sense perception always belongs to the past.
If life is lived only through what the senses perceive, then our responses are continually shaped by conditionings. Gradually, life becomes more of a reaction than Self-expression.
This is why Patanjali introduces the practice of Pratyahara.
Pratyahara means expressing your presence beyond sense perception.
Pratyahara is often understood as withdrawing from the senses. But its deeper meaning is not to suppress or reject the senses. It is about expressing life beyond sense perception.
Expressing life beyond sense perception means aligning to the absolute presence. To align to the absolute presence is to align to the absolute Self. To align to the absolute Self is to align to the source.
When there is alignment with the source, it becomes possible to live a conscious life. When we live a conscious life, we are able to express conscious choices.
Consciousness and nature
From the perspective of consciousness, there is no gap between consciousness and the manifestation of nature. The gap exists only from the perspective of sense perception.
When we are able to live a conscious life, we are able to express conscious choices. When we express conscious choices, they align with the choice of existence. Otherwise, we end up making the choice of the ego.
Daily tasks in Yoga Gita Ashram
Action and reaction
Yoga is expressed in the way we live. Every situation in daily life creates the possibility for either action or reaction. Fill daily life with actions rather than reactions.
Reaction is shaped by conditionings. When we live consciously, we are able to exist by simply being who we are. In this way, the Self naturally expresses itself in daily life.
Yoga is a way of life. It is not limited to the time we spend on the mat. Every moment of daily life creates the possibility to live consciously. Every action becomes an opportunity to express the Self rather than react through conditioning. The practice of Yoga creates the possibility for Self-expression. Yoga gradually reduces our dependency on sense perception and conditionings, creating the possibility for the Self to express itself consciously in daily life.
Life is no longer lived only through sense perception. It begins to be lived through consciousness.
