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Which One is First


Date: 10 Nov 2012 16:19:37 -0000
From: "Parashram  Laghate"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Which One is First

Baba

"Lukiye path cala' ekii liila', lokalocane keno na'hi a'so..."  (P.S. 3698)

Purport:

Baba, You are Ajana Pathik, You go on and on moving all about but in Your journey You always keep Yourself hidden. You move around secretly. Baba, You do all the things but nobody can see You; You do not like to come within the field of vision.  

To whom You love, they want to search You in their mind; they want to hold You in their heart by the process of shravan, manan, niddhidhya'san & dhyana. But You do not care and You do not like to be seen. You go on moving secretly. Why like this. Why is Your style so jagged? You do not like to move around following the straight, clear-cut path whereby everyone can see You. That type of movement You do not like. 

The eternal truth of straightforwardness which has been established since ages, even a wee-bit of that You do not follow in Your movement. Rather everything You do in hidden fashion; and that is no good.
  
It may be also possible that my understanding is not complete so that I do not properly comprehend You. Baba, by the ordinary measuring scale You are immeasurable. If anyone wants to understand You and get You, then You escape and never get held. And remaining distant, You just smile.  

Baba, what type of liila is this. You go on doing everything while remaining hidden...


== WHICH ONE IS FIRST ==

Namaskar,
I learned one very good point at a seminar program some time ago in our bhukti. There were some meaningful points that were shared. I benefited greatly from them. You may be aware of these points already, but because it was new for me, I thought I will write them here.

In the asana teaching class, one key point was raised that our dances - tandava and kaoshiki - should be done before starting asanas. That means after doing half-bath and other preparations, first kaoshiki should be done for a sufficient amount of time (a few minutes or until one gets tired), andn then tandava should be done accordingly. Therefter a brief rest should be taken and then asanas should be started.


ABOUT MY OLD STYLE

This was all quite new to me. In the past, I was doing the opposite.

First I was doing my asanas and then after that kaoshiki and then after that, tandava. And finally, massage and shavasana. After waiting minimum of 15-20 minutes, if I was hungry, I used to take food.

I want to make it more clear, what my routine was up till now. Before starting asana, I usually finish sadhana, whatever time I dedicate for that. So first of all sadhana was done, all the lessons. And then my asanas according to the guideline of acaryas. And finallyI would dance kaoshiki and tandava. This was my sequence.

So the new point that i learned at the seminar was that the practice of dances should be done first - kaoshikii then tandava - and then asanas. This should be the cycle.


CURIOUS TO KNOW THAT ANSWER & WHY

I was not practicing in this fashion, so naturally I was curious: What is the reason why tandava and kaoshiki should not be done after asanas.

Then Dadaji replied, by asking one margii to read this following rule of asanas from CC-3, rule #18.

Baba says, "It is not prohibited for the practitioner of asanas to practise free-hand exercise, running or sports, but just after asanas all these are prohibited." (CC-3, p.26)

This above asana rule from CC III leads in that direction. The spirit of this point is that tandava and kaoshiki should not be done after asanas.

Dada continued, "The definition of asana is "Sthir sukham a'sanam": That is, 'The posture by which one gets composure'.

As, Baba says in Caracarya-3, "Asana means 'a position in which one feels comfortable - 'Sthirasukhama'sanam.'" (CC-3, p.23)

Describing about asanas Baba says, that if you do some asana, then remaining in that very posture is not difficult - rather it is calming. Such is the nature of our asana practice.

Altogether asanas are a practice when the breathing is normal, not very fast. The limbs are not moving fast. Everything is done in a very calm and quiet way. It is not like running or jumping, or fast exercise. So two divisions are there. One is soft exercise like asana. And one is fast like running and jumping, and many more.

Whatever the glandular effect kaoshiki and tandava has, that is a different issue. But these dances have a different quality than the peace and tranquillity and smoothness of asanas. Because when doing kaoshiki and tandava also, the breathing goes very fast and the body gets tired quickly. Whereas in asana, the practitioner does not get tired. Especially those who practice asanas regularly realize this fact.


CONCLUSION

According to the CC-3 rule #18, kaoshiki and tandava should not be done after asanas. The best is that kaoshiki and tandava, one should practice prior to asanas. Dada concluded like this.

After listening to this in-depth discussion, I was convinced. Since then I am practicing kaoshiki-tandava, and then asanas. This sequence I follow. You may be practicing asanas since 20, 30, or 40 years or more. What is your experience - what have you been doing? Baba's teaching is timeless. We should read this following one.

Baba says, "Without attaining all-round purification it is impossible for a sadhaka to experience real spiritual ideation. On the path of spirituality, bhava (ideation) is the main factor." (DT-2, p.51)

Namaskar,
Parashram


Note: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASANA AND MUDRA

Dada also explained the difference between asanas and mudras. Asana and mudra are both physical exercises. But if the posture is difficult, then that comes within the category of mudras. For example, udha'yan mudra where you have to constantly pull your naval to the spine  inside. It is constant effort. It is not like asana.

Whereas Padmasana (lotus posture) is not a mudra. It is an asana. Those who practice can sit it can sit in that position for a long time. But, mudra is completely different. You have to do constant efforts to remain in mudra that state.

Baba says, "Mudrás are postures which exercise the nerves and muscles...The practitioner of mudrá may or may not enjoy physical comfort and mental composure. During the practice of mudrás one has to continue one’s conscious endeavour to remain in that posture, but in the case of ásanas one need not. " (YP, Questions and Answers on Meditation)


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Sadhana Tips

Baba says, "While doing spiritual practices (meditation) when the aspirant is required to direct his mind toward Parama Purus'a, then one must not move, or walk, or practice sit-ups, push-ups etc. One's physical body should be motionless." (APH-5, p. 345)                   
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