What is Yoga?

The term yoga is now generally applied to many forms of asceticism, meditation and spiritual training whether practiced by Hindus, Buddhist or Christians. It is however, primarily an ancient Indian form of discipline which has been modified by later Indian writers, adopted by Buddhists and practiced in the west in many different forms by people professing the Christian faith or none. It is therefore to India that we look for the original source material.

Yoga, derived from yuj, implies “to bind together” “to yoke”, and in this sense its practice is to unite the (Ishwara), or with the Over soul of humanity. But first there must be an unbinding, a separation of the external from the internal, of the profane world” from the spirit. This is achieved by various yoga practices which aim to withdraw consciousness from the periphery to the centre, from the material world of our outward senses to a calm inner centre of reality, variously called spirit, truth, wisdom, the Self, ATMA. At this level man knows that he is on e with all humanity and with the Eternal.

Yoga may also be regarded as a process for attaining perfection, the goal of normal evolution. According to Radhakrishnan, “ the yoga discipline is nothing ore than the purification of the body , mind and soul, and preparing them for the beatific vision “(Indian Philosophy).

The withdrawal of consciousness from the outer world of the senses may be achieved by control of the physical body in order to open it to the cosmic energy by breathing and physical exercises (Hatha Yoga); by concentrating on the psychic centers to awaken the primordial cosmic energy of the individual (Layaor Kundalini Yoga): by making use of the repetition of certain words and phrases to steady the mind (Mantra Yoga). It may also be achieved by working from the centre oF the periphery to effect union of higher and lower by control of though (Jnana Yoga); by control of one’s emotional consciousness through devotion to an ideal (Bhakti Yoga); by control of one’s actions from non-selfish motives (Karma Yoga).

般若波羅蜜多心經-唸誦

魔障 Mara’s Deeds

Mahaprajna Paramita Sutra fascicle 441:

Buddha says: “Subhuti! Mara and his demons will manifest themselves in the image of monks and approach Bodhisattva’s dwelling to expediently bestir corruption. They will prevent the Bodhisattva from coping, mindfully upholding, reading, learning, contemplating, and teaching this perfection of wisdom to anyone.”

The Diamond Sutra

The Power of Mindfulness

Assignment

(By Oscar Rodriguez at Centinela)

11-21-2010

Dear Ven. Xian Zhong and Shirley,

How are you both doing? I have been going over the homework you gave us to do. You asked us to write down as much of the teaching you gave at the service on 11-7-2010 as we could remember. For both, as part of our learning and to check how well we remember.

Using one word to describe what happiness means to me. As I mentioned at the service, the more I think about it, the more it looks like I do not know what happiness actually is. What I currently think happiness is; are events or objects I am encountering and I am interpreting the experience with either the word good or bad. As you explained in the teaching, you gave about how we compare right away in our mind. It looks like I am applying this way of reaching a conclusion, comparing with a previous similar experience then determining if it is good or bad and if I label it good, it seems I am calling this happiness. So far each thing I thought of, when I wondered what happiness is; ended up being something transient, momentary. It is happiness, but it is happiness found in the mundane. What I should be looking for and trying to actualize is in the super mundane. As you said, real happiness must be experienced and cannot be explained. Like in your example when you asked us to pretend we never tasted sweet before and the glass of sweet water on the shelve. I need to find out what real happiness is in order to know what I am looking for. Is it okay if we can continue to talk about what happiness are in future visits with you?

Along with writing down and thinking about the teachings you gave us. I am also doing the 108 prostrations. Other practices that I do; is meditation on green Tara and I switch it with meditation on the Buddha everyday in the morning. First thing I do when I wake up in the morning is give a small prayer and set my motivation. I do three prostrations then I clean my room. I try to have the attitude that I am preparing for the Buddha, as if he were coming to visit me. During the day I try to study some of Buddha’s teachings in the books you sent us. At night I do purification meditation by visualizing Vajrasattva in the context of the four opponent powers.

Before I close, I want you to know that the brothers and I here in Centinela are very fortunate that you and Shirley have made it possible for us to receive the help we need with our Dharma practice. I send you both many prayers.

JOURNEY TO A NEW LOCATION

(By Charlie Kellogg at Avenal)

December 22, 2010

Dear Ven. Xian Zhong,

I have wanted to write for quite sometime. Sometime spiritual practice gets kicked aside for what seems like more practical matters. Like trying to fit into a new crowd. The transportation from Chuckawalla to Avenal took two full days with a very uncomfortable night at Chino State Prison. The tight, handcuffs, waist and leg chains combined with the very cold bus. Ride dehydrated me and I ended up not being to urinate for two days. All the ride I chanted Gate, Gate, Para Gate, Para Sam Gate, Bodhi Svaha with interludes of the Vajrasattva Mantra for good measure.

At times I meditated with the theme of No-Self from what I could remember from the Heart Sutra. I felt myself becoming very present. I watched quietly with no judgment as the guard at Chino screamed and rerated the inmate in front of me for stepping over the red line accidently. I silently tried to take his negative energy and return with positive energy. While in a cage for the night trying to stay comfortable on the concrete floor. I again watched as numerous staffs walked by the five of us all crammed together as if it was the most natural thing in the world. One older officer while walking with two younger officers stopped in mid-conversation as he passed by us and said “Good night gentleman, try to get some sleep, it will be a busy day tomorrow”. A few of us replied with a “Good night Sir”. And I added a “Thank You”.

It has been tough making the adjustment from a college student at Chuckawalla to living in a noisy crowed dorm where many inmates are on psyche medication. I had to leave a lot of items behind at Chuckawalla. I thought I had a copy of the service sheets but unfortunately that must be with one of the folders I left behind. What I do have is some sheets with the Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, The Six Paramitas and The Four Immeasurable.

When I got here at Avenal I immediately started asking questions about the Chapel. I learned that an inmate here on this yard requested that time in the Chapel be made available for meditation. Unlike at Chuckawalla where when the yard is open, anyone can walk into the Chapel. Here a Chaplain must be on the premise to open the door. Thus for the one hour meditation which is to occur weekly, a ducat must be issued the night before to inmates wishing to attend. In the month and a half that I have been here there has only been one meeting. And I was not on the list. Without a job or any college courses; now is the perfect time to be doing spiritual work. I will send an inmate request to the Chaplain to find out what they can do to accommodate a Buddhist Faith group here. In the meantime, I meditate in the evening on top of my bunk after reading a little bit from “The Power of Now” or “Awaken to the Buddha Within”. I would like to have some service sheets with the Vajravattva and the Heart Sutra so that I could read them as well.

This move has just been another test and I will see it through.