This audio clip had a lot of interesting views on love. They made a very particular notion on the topic of having love and acting as if you have love. This can be seen in today’s world. Through social media it can be easy to assume that someone is loved or popular based on followers. It is also easy for people to copy someone else based on a picture posted. Even worse, it is easy for people to take someone else’s identity and pretend to be that person.
I think a way of achieving genuine love would be self awareness. You have to look within yourself in order to know what you are worth and what parts of you that needs work, whether it’s insecurities or a lack of respect for others. I also think that less use of social media can contribute to genuine love instead of being glued to our phones. These can cause a greater change in the way we view and feel for others.
The discussion of confronting one’s violence was an interesting one for me as I see my self as very non-violent. However, with even a bit more consideration i do concur that I of course fall prey to violences such as speaking unwell of others or perhaps not showing as much compassion as consistently as would be ideal. Ultimately what made that clearer for me was the more in depth description of violence given by the audio clip. Though may not yell or hit people, there is more to violence than simply this.
I also found myself thinking a great deal about imitation. I think we have an impulse to imitate within us as, in regards to practical external matters, it is often how we learn. With this it is understandable that one who seeks holiness would imitate the holy. Yet I suppose one could only pick up on and emulate the external evidence of a much more nuanced internal landscape. It would be similar to the way one may assume an icebergs size by what can be seen above the water, while it is far more vast and elaborate beneath this initial view. It is daunting as well to be told that these changes will happen on their own, independently of brute force effort, as we are culturally trained to want thongs quickly, and moreover to assume if we are not getting immediate results, we must push even harder. The patience of waiting for it to happen when it is meant to is somewhat alien, again, when compared to our experience in the external world.
This leads to the concept which I found most enriching, which is that different rules and strategies apply when regarding the external and internal subjective worlds. It is not something I had considered prior to this audio clip, but it is a concept i now find myself revisiting. It makes a great deal of sense, as they function upon different prioritise. I have spent such a great deal of time trying to change my process of thought through displays of discipline and force, that this concepts opens a new door of approach which I’m admittedly very excited about.
Tom Sclafani
Well stated and supported Namaste
Natalie Morrow
The audio clip began by discussing the eight limbs of yoga; however, only mentioned two (asana and yama). Asana are the postures in yoga and yamas are the conditions of behavior to achieve a state of loving. The five yamas are non-violence, non-stealing, chastity, absence of greed, and truthfulness. The clip continues to talk about how to achieve this state of loving and how it differs from imitation rules. It also discussed the conflict of desire between what you are and what you want to be.
I related a lot to what the clip had to say about a conflict of desires. I think that’s a part of human nature, ergo the phrase “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”. It also ties into the yama of not being greedy. Using the example from the clip, you can’t slim down and eat fatty foods all the time. Living in moderation, peace, and loving are important aspects to reaching the state of loving.
The idea of conflicting desires in this clip reminds me of the song “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette. Although the song shows the term ‘ironic’ in a completely inaccurate way, the idea of two opposites conflicting is similar. In this song, the contradiction is humorous which is not always the case in life.
When listening to the audio clip/ excerpt, it brought up very interesting topics from discussing many aspects that society never really talks about the five Yamas. The author goes further in-depth about each principle, which are Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha, and Brahmacharya. All of these words mean a different thing, but all connect to life itself from things we try to follow. This excerpt has made an impactful impression on me from reflecting on my life, desires, and my own power as a person. From controlling what steps to take in the future and how to control my life
Everyone has the power to replace negative energy and restore it with positive energy, but the only way someone could do this is to have the mindset to evolve into a new chapter in their lives. Everyone has their own power for the desires to come true no matter what the case, but people shouldn’t let negativity affect their desires. In addition, I feel it is very important for us to just take a breath for ourselves as much as we do for others. The author talked a lot about discipline for ourselves, which I agree with from making sure our pursuit of your own happiness is controlled by you.
Overall, this excerpt was very interesting to hear and learn at the same time. This one of the very interesting topics that I find myself more connected too. Furthermore, learning all of the five principles of Yama creates a perfect, friendly, and relaxed environment and promotes better hopes for everyone in this environment. It is difficult to follow the principles, but with motivation and determination, I will do my best in following each principle as well as promote it myself too. The Yama principles are something powerful in each in their own way.
David White- Monday Night Class
Yamas are considered the conditions for shaping an individual. These entities consist of nonviolence, truth, non-stealing, non-possessiveness, and moderation. These are mechanisms of change. With the guidance of these conditions, discipline can change us into something else. By following these guidelines a change in being is certainly possible. Attributes are learned, not earned over time. This is how discipline is both shaped and executed. Discipline to love or to hate can certainly be changed. This is possible through a transformation of the human psyche. McAfee asks how do we discipline ourselves into a state of loving? The answer may be love can only come to fruition when the heart and mind are in union.
These disciplines are often an imitation for a lot of people. This imitation becomes a basis for them to rely on. Practice does work but when one is idolizing someone to a point of copying to achieve a similar goal, it is truly not a discipline of being. Ultimately, Imitation is not being. Only by creating a discipline of original aptitude is control of the heart and mind truly possible. It may help to be inspired by others or to take note of their accomplishments, but one should only model themselves after another when they have reached an internal equilibrium. Internal reality reflects on our external reality. There should be a filter of ideals that are born from spirit while additionally combined with the approach of the role model. This way discipline can truly come to fruition. Desires, fears, and other natural emotions of the human psyche may all be obstacles for one when trying to achieve discipline in all aspects of life. These operate much differently than when approaching the work of a profession. But when these functions are stabilized internally, the external processes of technique in work will become fluid and less stressful. This may be possible as internal conflict may be resolved due to the action of discipline.
I found that the discipline of the mind to achieve a state of loving was an interesting sentiment to choose. I find that this is the most truthful element to creating a being of both acceptance and progression. We can only move forward as humans when both our hearts and our minds are one with each other, thus discipline is an attainable goal in itself. Then we can improve upon other aspects in our life. This ideology is at least what I believe in and this audio from McAfee has both shed light upon this topic while simultaneously supporting the ideals I have created for myself. There is much work to be done as I am still trying to achieve union between the heart and mind. But, meditation through conditioning the mind and releasing stress through the art of Yoga is bringing me closer to my goal. Discipline and love are one in the same. Once a sense of self love is achieved, love can be brought to others, through sustainability. This was discussed by Sister Jayanti, who offers a great perspective on both disciplining the mind and how to cultivate that strategy once more when the discipline has been lost. (Link is attached below)
How do we discipline ourselves into a state of loving? We cannot force ourselves to love our neighbors because that comes from within; from the perfect unison between the mind and heart. That part stuck out to me because it’s something I remember hearing during the summer. Taking time to get to know your desires and what your heart truly wants rather than pushing them away or not acknowledging them. We have to become familiar with all the aspects of ourselves, especially the parts we feel we have no control over.
With the consistent practice of these yamas, it can help us learn to find that inner peace and balance within us. If we want to be happy and more loving, we have to think outside the box a bit more. We cannot expect change if we continue the same routines that bring us nothing but stress and a lingering feeling of dissatisfaction! Learning to let go of greed can truly free many things that attract negativity into our lives.
I don’t have any sources to relate this audio clip to but I did find it extremely insightful. There are many things to unlearn and one of them is definitely being comfortable with the bare minimum.
Please do use the internet to help you find comparable sources for your Journal work when you cannot pull up anything from your studies or personal experiences.
The Yamas have been compared to personal guidelines and as a method of transforming an individual from one thing to another. Such as more spiritual or happier. We can discipline the body to become stronger/more flexible.
The power of will can create love and avoid hostility, and conform to expectations. I think that disciplining love is not something that is true. You can’t force yourself to love your neighbor, but you can find the will to be civilized. It is not like stretching everyday to become more flexible, you won’t somehow learn to love a person, unless the heart opens up and your ideas of this person change.
Imitation is not being. I disagree with the textbook when it says this also when it says that if you want to lose weight that you will see the opposite effect occur, and start craving unhealthy or fatty foods. I disagree with this because if you put your mind to something it can happen. An example could be practicing yoga each day. If you aren’t stretching and practicing the Isha Kriya, you will mot see improvement. So, if an individual has enough will power, to work at something each day to improve oneself, it can and will happen.
While listening to this second part of the readings, I found myself tied back on a question that was brought up, which was: How do we discipline ourselves to a state of loving? I think that from what I learned and processed from this audio was that discipline is only affective if one is open enough to let themselves be able to change. However, the audio of the reading also stated that in order to achieve this state of loving, the heart and the mind must be in perfect union. I believe it’s definitely a challenging process to get to that perfect unity to come on it’s own and not force it onto yourself. To be loving, one’s acts have to be genuine and real and not come from trying to pretend to be a certain way.
The audio reading also brought up the ideas of “living through imitation”, which I think is extremely apparent in today’s society unfortunately. This is an everyday happening on social media platforms. People having the desire to be like other people, have things that other people have, look like other people, act like other people, etc. It’s a shame because I can relate myself to instances where I wanted to be the way someone else portrayed their life on social media. It took many years for me to see that none of that truly matters, everything shown has been changed and altered and made the way they want you to see it. The audio reading mentions that [we] hope to become like them [other people] but the only thing we really get from it is limitation and becoming more narrow-minded. We set these limitations because of what we perceive to be the “norm” which prevents us from reaching a greater, more loving version of ourselves.
What I have ultimately gathered from this audio clip is that the 5 Yamas is a mechanism with the purpose of “right living”. A key way that humans could discipline their emotions and desires is by forming a passage from one’s emotional states of being to one’s body.
Listening to this section of “Secret of the Yamas” taught me some deeper meanings of yoga. It made me think a lot about the strive to become something greater, internal discipline, and finding the self. Disciplining yourself to a state of loving is extremely important. You must learn how to love not only the people around you, but yourself as well.
The idea of imitation discussed in this was very interesting. “You cannot learn to love your neighbor through discipline.” A state of loving comes naturally. You cannot follow rules or steps to reach this state. Such rules create an imitation which we believe to be holy or true, when it is really the opposite.
In my experience, I find this all to be true. One must naturally love. It is not possible to be taught feelings or emotions like this.
A comparable source is: https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/count-yoga-38-ways-yoga-keeps-fit , which has a list of all the benefits yoga has on the mind and body. This can also persuade someone into trying it themselves.
omlinkblog 
This audio clip had a lot of interesting views on love. They made a very particular notion on the topic of having love and acting as if you have love. This can be seen in today’s world. Through social media it can be easy to assume that someone is loved or popular based on followers. It is also easy for people to copy someone else based on a picture posted. Even worse, it is easy for people to take someone else’s identity and pretend to be that person.
I think a way of achieving genuine love would be self awareness. You have to look within yourself in order to know what you are worth and what parts of you that needs work, whether it’s insecurities or a lack of respect for others. I also think that less use of social media can contribute to genuine love instead of being glued to our phones. These can cause a greater change in the way we view and feel for others.
Namaste
The discussion of confronting one’s violence was an interesting one for me as I see my self as very non-violent. However, with even a bit more consideration i do concur that I of course fall prey to violences such as speaking unwell of others or perhaps not showing as much compassion as consistently as would be ideal. Ultimately what made that clearer for me was the more in depth description of violence given by the audio clip. Though may not yell or hit people, there is more to violence than simply this.
I also found myself thinking a great deal about imitation. I think we have an impulse to imitate within us as, in regards to practical external matters, it is often how we learn. With this it is understandable that one who seeks holiness would imitate the holy. Yet I suppose one could only pick up on and emulate the external evidence of a much more nuanced internal landscape. It would be similar to the way one may assume an icebergs size by what can be seen above the water, while it is far more vast and elaborate beneath this initial view. It is daunting as well to be told that these changes will happen on their own, independently of brute force effort, as we are culturally trained to want thongs quickly, and moreover to assume if we are not getting immediate results, we must push even harder. The patience of waiting for it to happen when it is meant to is somewhat alien, again, when compared to our experience in the external world.
This leads to the concept which I found most enriching, which is that different rules and strategies apply when regarding the external and internal subjective worlds. It is not something I had considered prior to this audio clip, but it is a concept i now find myself revisiting. It makes a great deal of sense, as they function upon different prioritise. I have spent such a great deal of time trying to change my process of thought through displays of discipline and force, that this concepts opens a new door of approach which I’m admittedly very excited about.
Tom Sclafani
Well stated and supported Namaste
Natalie Morrow
The audio clip began by discussing the eight limbs of yoga; however, only mentioned two (asana and yama). Asana are the postures in yoga and yamas are the conditions of behavior to achieve a state of loving. The five yamas are non-violence, non-stealing, chastity, absence of greed, and truthfulness. The clip continues to talk about how to achieve this state of loving and how it differs from imitation rules. It also discussed the conflict of desire between what you are and what you want to be.
I related a lot to what the clip had to say about a conflict of desires. I think that’s a part of human nature, ergo the phrase “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”. It also ties into the yama of not being greedy. Using the example from the clip, you can’t slim down and eat fatty foods all the time. Living in moderation, peace, and loving are important aspects to reaching the state of loving.
The idea of conflicting desires in this clip reminds me of the song “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette. Although the song shows the term ‘ironic’ in a completely inaccurate way, the idea of two opposites conflicting is similar. In this song, the contradiction is humorous which is not always the case in life.
Namaste
Brandon Naccari
2/22/20
When listening to the audio clip/ excerpt, it brought up very interesting topics from discussing many aspects that society never really talks about the five Yamas. The author goes further in-depth about each principle, which are Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha, and Brahmacharya. All of these words mean a different thing, but all connect to life itself from things we try to follow. This excerpt has made an impactful impression on me from reflecting on my life, desires, and my own power as a person. From controlling what steps to take in the future and how to control my life
Everyone has the power to replace negative energy and restore it with positive energy, but the only way someone could do this is to have the mindset to evolve into a new chapter in their lives. Everyone has their own power for the desires to come true no matter what the case, but people shouldn’t let negativity affect their desires. In addition, I feel it is very important for us to just take a breath for ourselves as much as we do for others. The author talked a lot about discipline for ourselves, which I agree with from making sure our pursuit of your own happiness is controlled by you.
Overall, this excerpt was very interesting to hear and learn at the same time. This one of the very interesting topics that I find myself more connected too. Furthermore, learning all of the five principles of Yama creates a perfect, friendly, and relaxed environment and promotes better hopes for everyone in this environment. It is difficult to follow the principles, but with motivation and determination, I will do my best in following each principle as well as promote it myself too. The Yama principles are something powerful in each in their own way.
As with all worthwhile things when we allow patience and diligence results blossom, Namaste
David White- Monday Night Class
Yamas are considered the conditions for shaping an individual. These entities consist of nonviolence, truth, non-stealing, non-possessiveness, and moderation. These are mechanisms of change. With the guidance of these conditions, discipline can change us into something else. By following these guidelines a change in being is certainly possible. Attributes are learned, not earned over time. This is how discipline is both shaped and executed. Discipline to love or to hate can certainly be changed. This is possible through a transformation of the human psyche. McAfee asks how do we discipline ourselves into a state of loving? The answer may be love can only come to fruition when the heart and mind are in union.
These disciplines are often an imitation for a lot of people. This imitation becomes a basis for them to rely on. Practice does work but when one is idolizing someone to a point of copying to achieve a similar goal, it is truly not a discipline of being. Ultimately, Imitation is not being. Only by creating a discipline of original aptitude is control of the heart and mind truly possible. It may help to be inspired by others or to take note of their accomplishments, but one should only model themselves after another when they have reached an internal equilibrium. Internal reality reflects on our external reality. There should be a filter of ideals that are born from spirit while additionally combined with the approach of the role model. This way discipline can truly come to fruition. Desires, fears, and other natural emotions of the human psyche may all be obstacles for one when trying to achieve discipline in all aspects of life. These operate much differently than when approaching the work of a profession. But when these functions are stabilized internally, the external processes of technique in work will become fluid and less stressful. This may be possible as internal conflict may be resolved due to the action of discipline.
I found that the discipline of the mind to achieve a state of loving was an interesting sentiment to choose. I find that this is the most truthful element to creating a being of both acceptance and progression. We can only move forward as humans when both our hearts and our minds are one with each other, thus discipline is an attainable goal in itself. Then we can improve upon other aspects in our life. This ideology is at least what I believe in and this audio from McAfee has both shed light upon this topic while simultaneously supporting the ideals I have created for myself. There is much work to be done as I am still trying to achieve union between the heart and mind. But, meditation through conditioning the mind and releasing stress through the art of Yoga is bringing me closer to my goal. Discipline and love are one in the same. Once a sense of self love is achieved, love can be brought to others, through sustainability. This was discussed by Sister Jayanti, who offers a great perspective on both disciplining the mind and how to cultivate that strategy once more when the discipline has been lost. (Link is attached below)
Well stated and supported Namaste
How do we discipline ourselves into a state of loving? We cannot force ourselves to love our neighbors because that comes from within; from the perfect unison between the mind and heart. That part stuck out to me because it’s something I remember hearing during the summer. Taking time to get to know your desires and what your heart truly wants rather than pushing them away or not acknowledging them. We have to become familiar with all the aspects of ourselves, especially the parts we feel we have no control over.
With the consistent practice of these yamas, it can help us learn to find that inner peace and balance within us. If we want to be happy and more loving, we have to think outside the box a bit more. We cannot expect change if we continue the same routines that bring us nothing but stress and a lingering feeling of dissatisfaction! Learning to let go of greed can truly free many things that attract negativity into our lives.
I don’t have any sources to relate this audio clip to but I did find it extremely insightful. There are many things to unlearn and one of them is definitely being comfortable with the bare minimum.
Please do use the internet to help you find comparable sources for your Journal work when you cannot pull up anything from your studies or personal experiences.
The Yamas have been compared to personal guidelines and as a method of transforming an individual from one thing to another. Such as more spiritual or happier. We can discipline the body to become stronger/more flexible.
The power of will can create love and avoid hostility, and conform to expectations. I think that disciplining love is not something that is true. You can’t force yourself to love your neighbor, but you can find the will to be civilized. It is not like stretching everyday to become more flexible, you won’t somehow learn to love a person, unless the heart opens up and your ideas of this person change.
Imitation is not being. I disagree with the textbook when it says this also when it says that if you want to lose weight that you will see the opposite effect occur, and start craving unhealthy or fatty foods. I disagree with this because if you put your mind to something it can happen. An example could be practicing yoga each day. If you aren’t stretching and practicing the Isha Kriya, you will mot see improvement. So, if an individual has enough will power, to work at something each day to improve oneself, it can and will happen.
https://www.whiteswanfoundation.org/article/how-does-self-discipline-help-in-yoga-practice/
Namaste
Shamylle Estevez
While listening to this second part of the readings, I found myself tied back on a question that was brought up, which was: How do we discipline ourselves to a state of loving? I think that from what I learned and processed from this audio was that discipline is only affective if one is open enough to let themselves be able to change. However, the audio of the reading also stated that in order to achieve this state of loving, the heart and the mind must be in perfect union. I believe it’s definitely a challenging process to get to that perfect unity to come on it’s own and not force it onto yourself. To be loving, one’s acts have to be genuine and real and not come from trying to pretend to be a certain way.
The audio reading also brought up the ideas of “living through imitation”, which I think is extremely apparent in today’s society unfortunately. This is an everyday happening on social media platforms. People having the desire to be like other people, have things that other people have, look like other people, act like other people, etc. It’s a shame because I can relate myself to instances where I wanted to be the way someone else portrayed their life on social media. It took many years for me to see that none of that truly matters, everything shown has been changed and altered and made the way they want you to see it. The audio reading mentions that [we] hope to become like them [other people] but the only thing we really get from it is limitation and becoming more narrow-minded. We set these limitations because of what we perceive to be the “norm” which prevents us from reaching a greater, more loving version of ourselves.
What I have ultimately gathered from this audio clip is that the 5 Yamas is a mechanism with the purpose of “right living”. A key way that humans could discipline their emotions and desires is by forming a passage from one’s emotional states of being to one’s body.
Well stated OM
Marlon DuBois
2/15/20
Listening to this section of “Secret of the Yamas” taught me some deeper meanings of yoga. It made me think a lot about the strive to become something greater, internal discipline, and finding the self. Disciplining yourself to a state of loving is extremely important. You must learn how to love not only the people around you, but yourself as well.
The idea of imitation discussed in this was very interesting. “You cannot learn to love your neighbor through discipline.” A state of loving comes naturally. You cannot follow rules or steps to reach this state. Such rules create an imitation which we believe to be holy or true, when it is really the opposite.
In my experience, I find this all to be true. One must naturally love. It is not possible to be taught feelings or emotions like this.
A comparable source is: https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/count-yoga-38-ways-yoga-keeps-fit , which has a list of all the benefits yoga has on the mind and body. This can also persuade someone into trying it themselves.
Namaste