Introduction to fundamental axiomatic system of Yoga. Pt. 2
Today is the 7th of March 2009. My name is Vadim Zaporozhtsev. We are in the Cultural Center “Enlightenment” in the city of Moscow near the Metro station Novoslobodskaya. And that is lectures for the Open University of Yoga. For the archive there is all our information on websites www.openyoga.ru, www.happyoga.narod.ru, www.yogacenter.ru.
Today’s topic of our lecture is “Introduction to the axiomatic of yoga”. We already discussed what this axiom system is, and now it makes sense to delve into this subject. I want immediately to warn you, that the subject of this is very complex. Perhaps it is one of the most complex theoretical concepts in yoga. Therefore, if you once something does not understand or something eludes your understanding, do not panic. In fact, the things that we are going to consider, they are extremely difficult. Even if you do anything understand, it will be quite a serious step. In addition, it is not currently possible to expound the axiomatic of yoga in great detail and strict version. Therefore, we called this series of lectures “Introduction to the axiomatic of yoga”, only to stress or to give some general idea of the axiom systems, which are used in yoga. That’s why we express it in a rather strict, but still in a simplified form. In the future, if someone of you wish to further study of this subject, he will be able to use these lectures as a starting point.
Another remark, it is standard for all of our lectures, it lies in the fact that yoga is rapidly disappearing. And a subject that we are considering – axiomatic of yoga, came to us not in full scope, but reached us only gleanings. Some provision, some calculations or some moments, unfortunately, have not survived till this day. It also imposes a certain difficulty in covering this subject. But there are some moments in the axiomatic of yoga that are more or less well preserved. There are also some provisions, transitions, conclusions, which are hardly have survived themselves, but the results were saved. In other words, the wording of the problem and its answer were kept. But the calculations, how this response was received, remained fragmentary.
Yoga is a superlogical teaching
So, let’s begin a series of lectures. In short, I repeat, that the system of yoga – is not just some exercises, by which yoga has become popular, gained fame, is now widely advertised. The system of yoga – a system of self-discovery. This is a system that allows each person to explore himself, explore the surrounding universe. And to do this there are given the well-known exercises, well-known practices in yoga, that are covered in different sections of yoga. I remind, there are a lot of categories of yoga, in fact the same number as the manifestations of man.
Well, now the most important thing that you should always keep in mind when studying the axiomatics of yoga. Axioms or those basic provisions on which the all harmonious edifice of yoga is being build, are not prooved in the usual sense.
Figure 1. Axioms – are those basic provisions on which the whole edifice of yoga is being build.
The word “axiom” just means a certain position, given without proof. Let me remind you that these provisions, these axioms have been given to us by ancient sages. They were given a very long time ago, they were passed from generation to generation, from teacher to pupil, until they reached us. These provisions are unprovable. More precisely, as yoga teaches us, these provisions will be provable for us only when we get over all the way of yoga and reach the heights in yoga. And from these heights, we will understand why we chose the starting point is these provisions, that are called axioms.
Thus, I again want to emphasize, so it could be reserved in your minds: the teaching of yoga is superlogical, the axioms that are given to us, are superlogical. To understand why we are given exactly this axioms, and not any others, we can only after getting over all the way of yoga.
Application of logic in yoga
Once these axioms are given, we are able fully to use our common sense, the whole instrument of logic, the whole instrument of analysis, reflections, applications. I.e. in terms of these axioms, we are able logically to deduce all the exercises in yoga. I want to emphasize it. Starting from that, why stand on the head in yoga is so popular and valuable, ending with, why should we meditate in a particular way of meditation, and not in the other way. So, it is all deduced. But deduced only if you and I rely on this system of axioms. But this system of axioms is superlogical, and she is presented to us. It turns out that, going by logic, sooner or later we go beyond the limits of logic and, as mentioned in ancient texts, perform yoga or self-actualization. I.e. we rise to the absolutely different quality level, which we now can not say anything about, because at that level there are no words, no definitions or expressions.
Why are there so many different systems of axioms?
Let’s start from the beginning. Once again, there are certain axioms in yoga. And here is another difficulty. What are these axioms? These axioms are certain points of departure, are some starting positions. In fact, when they are comprehended by the ancient sages, the ancient yogis, who try to give them to us, they are superlogichical. And there are even no words to express the depth of these axioms, this set of axioms on which everything is built. But there are different versions of attempts to transmit with human words these exorbitant axioms.
I will explain this rather dry theory. For example you will come to India. Get into some school of yoga. You will be teached by some method, extending deep into the centuries. Then get into another school, and you will be teached by another methods, also extending deep into the centuries. Yoga is there, and yoga is here. There methods are gray-haired and are giving people the benefit, and here methods are the same. And sooner or later, you start to compare them. And suddenly realize that the starting positions of these two schools of yoga are completely different. In one school of Yoga there are some starting points in the form of some system of axioms, in the form of some regulations, from which everything is concluded. In another – there are another. In the third school of Yoga – there are the third, in the fourth – there are the fourth, etc.
The funniest thing starts later. You open one text, say, Tantric yoga, and read about the chakra system. Open another text, also from the system of Tantra Yoga, (I remind that when you hear the word chakra, then all this knowledge came solely from Tantric yoga), there is another system of chakras, or they are described differently. And you do not understand, but how it really is. And the funny thing is that in one school there will be methods, which if you follow, you will get a good result, and in the other school there are such methods. But they do not agree between each other. So, the original position of each of these schools are the same, only they are inexpressible. So in an attempt to express them, were born different systems of axioms, or different systems of starting points. And further, each of these systems of axioms or starting points was somehow conceptualized, applied, and from them, like in the higher mathematics, were concluded all the other methods. Methods why we should breathe through the left nostril, and not through the right, why should we think of themselves as something and not like another thing to get results, etc.
The first axiom
Therefore, the first position, it is an axiom itself, and it describes the axioms. This position is that the number of axiomatic systems is infinite. Or, simply put, there is always a possibility that in some kind of dark jungle you will find a yoga school, methods of which are so different from those of all other yoga schools, as if it were some kind of teaching itself. Immediately purely practical conclusion: we are called not to become presumptuous. Even if we study in one way or another school, even if we do well enough in our study and comprehended the heights, but in fact, yoga describes more prohibitive things, and there is always a chance to meet with the other face of the descriptions here of the prohibitively high things.
So there are an infinite number of these systems of axioms. What is a system of axioms? It is some basic provisions that are inclusive. Here is a complete analogy with mathematics, where first some starting points are displayed, then mathematics somehow manipulates with them, and proves a certain position. The classical approach in mathematics is the axioms, lemmas, theorems. And then the using of these theorems.
The second axiom
Similarly, in yoga, there are systems of axioms, or systems of basic provisions. And if you begin to manipulate them in one or another system, try to comprehend, grasp them or try something for youself to conclude or prove, you get very specific techniques that can be applied in real life. These systems, i.e. combination of these axioms can be infinitely large number. But yoga gives us the following axiomatic position about the axioms themselves, i.e. axiom of axioms. It gives such a situation, that of all the infinite variety of axiomatic systems, we can distinguish two systems, and all others will be only a special case of these two systems of axioms.
Again, give an example. Here you have some position of man in Moscow. You can, somehow, determine which street and which house. That is called, at the intersection of these two concepts, you find the person where it is located. In the same way and this an infinite number of systems of axioms can be divided into two systems. And all the others that even really are lost somewhere in the jungle, will be at the intersection of these two systems. I.e. something will be a little bit from one system of axioms, something will be a bit of a different system of axioms.
You know how in school we studied the X and Y. So there is one system of axioms as X and another system of axioms as Y. And all the other infinite axiom systems – are the intersection of X and Y, or point somewhere in this space.
Two main systems of axioms
So, in fact, there are left two systems of axioms. And these two axiom systems are independent from each other. What do we mean, are independent from each other? That means that you can stick to one system of axioms and get some conclusions, but you can even know nothing about a different system of axioms and that it exists in the nature. Or vice versa. I.e. they are independent of each other. Each of these axioms gives the appropriate methods. And these respective methods spill over into one or another yoga or in one or another form of yoga. There are Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kriya yoga, etc. Anyway, each of these yogas is based, at its core, in the overwhelming part on the one system of axioms, or on another system of axioms.
But I again want to say, that we now discuss everything cursory with you. And we are trying to restore order in all this phantasmagoric number of different trends, exercises, etc. Each of these learning is fully consistent with the definition of yoga, as a system of self-discovery with the relevant methodics. So there are, if you like, two ways of looking at the description of what is happening. What is going on with you and what is happening in the world. Whether you look at yourself or look around the world. There are two systems of axioms.These two systems are independent of each other, and now we can characterize each of these two systems of axioms.
The first system of axioms is sometimes called as a system of microcosmos. There are given the relevant provisions or the relevant individual axioms in it. I.e. axiom system – this is kind of a sum-total of them. One of this system is so-called system of the microcosm. There is another system of axioms, that can be characterized as a macrocosm. We deliberately avoid any kind of Sanskrit, so as not to cause confusion in poorly understood things at the moment in the modern world. Therefore, this terminology we take from the European languages, but only for one purpose, so you first could catch the essence of this ancient teaching, and then looked in Sanskrit and found, how a certain position is called in one or another system, or how it is determined. Why? Unfortunately, there were created a huge number of such pseudoyoga exercises at present, which juggle concepts, juggle provisions, but sometimes even do not understand what they say.
So let us return. The initial system of axioms is inexpressible in the language, but there are an infinite number of options for expressing this unified system by language, by our thinking. I.e. you can make yourself some views. But it can be infinite, respectively. In each school of yoga can be its own system. But this whole infinite variety can be reduced to two systems of axioms, i.e. to two sets of axioms. They are different, although they say about the same. And later, when we study them, you will realize that they, to some extent, overlap, but there is such a different sequence in the approaches of considerations. So, the diversity of systems of axioms can be reduced to two systems of axioms. One is designated as a system of axioms of the microcosm, another system is sometimes referred as a system of axioms of the macrocosm. In the future we will adhere to the same names. Right now we briefly consider the first and second system, and on the subsequent lectures we will study them more carefully and with great details.
The basic axioms of the microcosm system
In the first system of axioms, axioms of the microcosm, the axiom of existence of the Supreme Self in every being, every human being, is accepted for the most fundamental axiom. Axiomatically is defined in what state or in what situation the Higher Self is. There is the concept that our “I” is absolutely free and comes in a state of Sat Chit Ananda.
The next point, here in this group of axioms, tells us that “I” of other living creatures that we see, are identical to our “I” and also equal.
Figure 2. “I” of other living beings are identical to our Higher Self, and they are equal.
Well, the third step in this system of axioms, an axiom that all our highest individual “I” is a face or a reflection of a single Super “I”, which is called the Absolute.
Figure 3. All individual higher “I” is a face or a reflection of a single Super “I”, which is called the Absolute.
It is very fast, casual. In fact, in this system of axioms there are so many other provisions, but I do not want you to get confused, so I did a few lines so you could realize for yourself what the system of axioms of the microcosm is.
Figure 4. The system of axioms of the microcosm
The basic axioms of the macrocosm system
Finally, another system of axioms, which is called a system of axioms of the macrocosm. There are also a lot of axiomatic positionsin it, but the most basic are the following. The very first, that there is an ultimate reality, a higher principle. I.e. the whole universe around us is not the presence of some isolated, separated from each other objects and phenomena, but merely a manifestation of this supreme principle or higher unity, which, as a rule, is also called by the word Absolute. But added that it may manifest itself in a personal capacity and as an impersonal, i.e. as of world law, as in other philosophical systems, or as a prohibitive principle. I.e. it all starts with the definition of the higher transcendental reality. Please note that there is nothing said about the man. Immediately begin with this ultimate reality.
The second step in this system of axioms of the macrocosm – it is the provision that all beings are merely a manifestation of this supreme reality, the supreme Absolute.
Figure 5. All sentient beings are the only manifestation of this supreme reality, the supreme Absolute.
Finally, the third position is that “I” of a person or “I” of the observer has no different from “I” of every living creature and is a manifestation of the highest “I” – the “I” of the Absolute. Again, there are many other provisions that I do not want to sound so you not to confuse.
Figure 6. The system of axioms of the macrocosm
Comparison of the basic axioms of the system of the microcosm and the system of the macrocosm
So, there are two systems of axioms and it seemed even on the same say. In the first system it is said about “I” of man, “I” of all other living beings, then about a certain Universal “I”. There are the same provisions in the second system of axioms, but as if in reverse order. First refers to the “I” of the universe, the Absolute, then refers to the “I” of many other living creatures and, finally, the to the “I” of an individual or an observer. And, at first glance, what the difference is if we go from the inside out, as in the case of a system of axioms of the microcosm, or go to the contrary, from outside to inside, as in the case of the second system of axioms of the macrocosm. In fact, there is the difference, my friends. But until we will not deal with this. This topic of next lecture. But both the methods of the microcosm and the methods of the macrocosm lead to very powerful self-transformation mechanisms. So, we have received and, as a first approximation, described these two systems of axioms.
The third axiom
Later,the axiomatics of yoga provides the following axiom, which describes these two systems of axioms. This axiom is as follows. Although these two systems of axioms are independent of each other, i.e. conclusions that we can get through one, do not rely on any provision of the other systems, but these two systems will never contradict each other. Or in other words, if you are using one system of axioms come to a particular result, then if you take on a different system of axioms and take advantage of its methods, you will have the same result.
Once again, the two systems of axioms do not contradict each other. They describe a single reality. This single reality is superlogical, it is prohibitive. But to try to describe this unspeakable superlogical reality by our language, we have to consider the view from the left and right side. There is this ultimate ineffable reality at the intersection. View from the left can be described, the form on the right can be described. And it together, God knows. This is the superlogic, which is apprehended only when we reached the heights of yoga. This is a very important axiom, that the conclusions obtained by the methods of a system of axioms of the microcosm, is not inconsistent with the findings, which were obtained by methods of other system of axioms of the macrocosm and lead to the same result. A very important axiom.
The main method of yoga
From this axiom comes the main method of yoga. Sometimes yoga is described as a system, when and where you have to force youself, and when and where you can afford. Again, in the future, we will define this notion with you in more detail.
Figure 7. The method of Consciousness – where you have to force youself
The first and the second principles of yoga
Following points, which also appear in yoga. The second principle of yoga is derived from the axiom system of microcosm. And from the system of axioms of the macrocosm is displayed first principle of yoga. Thus, we get and the definition of yoga, and the primary method of yoga. Definition: Yoga is a system of self-knowledge, which holds the first and second principles of yoga. The first principle of yoga (sometimes is called the principle of kindness, or the principle of superlogical) is derived in yoga from the axioms of the macrocosm. The second principle of yoga (the principle of consistency) is derived from the axioms of the microcosm. Finally, the main method of yoga (this harmonious adherence to where you have to force youself and where you can afford) just follows from the principle that the first and second group of axioms do not contradict each other. Moreover, they complement each other, i.e. describe the same thing from different sides.
Fig.8. Two systems of axioms describing a common superlogical reality. Yoga is a system of self-knowledge, which holds the first and second principles and uses the method: when and where you have to force myself, and when and where you can afford.
The combination of microcosm and macrocosm methods
And it needs to be clarified in the normal range. You are doing yoga. And, let\u0026#39;s say you have just met with one or another kind of yoga or section. You are encouraged to begin to do certain exercises on the rise. You take 20 minutes, you seemed a little. The next day takes 40 minutes. On the third day decided that 40 minutes a little, began to engage in 2 hours. Then you read some smart book about biography of the saints, and now do exercises 5 hours a day. You are doing so a week, second, third. Then you feel a state of stalemate: you can not move beyond a single step. Moreover, when you only started to do, you were seemed to be caught by the wave. And then the deadlock. Typically, at this point random people throw yoga, drop out of yoga. In other words. You reach a certain limit of your strength and further, does not matter if you meditate or not, you will not budge making yourself or not. You hit the wall. And, if you were under the close eye of your Master of yoga, he would have told you: “Enough. A little slow down. Take a rest, have fun, go down to the disco. Invite a girl to somewhere on 8 March. And, of course, that stupid student is inclined to send his Master to somewhere far away. It is happening pretty often, my friends. Do not think that this is an exceptional situation. And clever student listens to the words of his Guru, and really takes his girlfriend, and all night they have fun relaxing at the disco. And he does yoga, but, say, his hour a day. Or, say, he was doing one section of yoga, and now took a different section, to strained the other structures. And, lo! He allowed himself, he took off the load and then suddenly overcome this invisible wall and walked further. Moreover, if he allows himself more, relaxes, has such a good life, the result is more and more, but then again a dead end. The progress is slowing. And smart student comes back to his Master of yoga, and says: “Again the wall. I do nothing, and nothing is done. ” Teacher says: “Now it’s time again to strain. Apprentice stiffens and gets another result.
I.e. it is a series of stress and a series of relaxation. Succession, where you have to really exert all their strength in meditation, and a series where you have to surrender to the flow, let it go how it goes. This is the principle that, when necessary, you must make themselves and, when necessary, you can currently afford. And if you stick to this principle, you go on the way of yoga very quickly. If you are just forcing yourself, you will very quickly run into a wall. If you just allow yourself, i.e. do nothing, you also will run into a wall.
All of this comes from a combination of the methods of macrocosm and the methods of microcosm. Axiom system of microcosm leads to some provisions and to some Yogas. If we describe them very rude and primitive, it turns out, that microcosm system encourages us, first of all, to rely on our higher self and work in this direction. The macrocosm system also provides with the methods. And, again, if you describe very roughly, these methods or these sections of yoga – are the methods of hope on the Absolute. What good I try to do something if it is not in my power to do? And here is the credibility of the universe works wonders. But, again, as said, God helps those who help themselves. Sooner or later, it is necessary again to do something. Man begins again to do something, again faces with the problem, taht can not move a single step. I.e. the wisdom of yoga is the first two principles plus understanding of when to change the method.
Fig.9. A combination of the microcosm and the macrocosm methods and harmony in yoga
Dharma is a way that protects from suffering
There are no textbooks, manuals, regulations, or councils, to say when the man when he’s one principle should be changed to another. Or when the methods from one system of axioms should be changed to another. The teacher can give advice just by the very first steps, when there are obvious blunders. But later, even the teacher is powerless to show you where you have to force yourself, and where you can afford. You should be a teacher for yourself. And, if you become a teacher for yourself, your life will change acutely. If you understand where and when to vary by these methods, you will understand your own path in life.
This way of life, allow me a little Sanskrit, is called Dharma. Sometimes the concept of Dharma is translated as the way that protects from misfortune, protects from suffering. And if you go this route, even if you have had a negative karma, i.e. in a past or present life you did some indiscretions, and you have to get for them a relevant reaction, (the law of karma: what goes around, comes around), then if you move along the path of Dharma, you will receive a minimum of what you deserve.Karma, in this respect, as an article of the Criminal Code, where should be from 3 to 10 years. And there is the big difference, if you get 3 years or 10 years. So, if you follow the path of Dharma, the maximum extent that karma allows to reduce your sentence, you reduce it. Conversely, the maximum extent possible to enhance the effect of your good deeds in the past or from your positive karma in the past, you increase it.
Harmony in Yoga
It turns out a very interesting position: we have two systems of axioms. One system gives the first principle, the second gives the second principle. The axiom of non contradiction of these two systems of axioms provides a method where you have to force yourself and where you can afford or, in another language, translating into a European language, it can be translated as harmony.You see, friends? This brings us to the concept of harmony.
Sometimes people ask: “This person is performing an exercise. He threw his leg over his head. Is he is a yogi or not?” The answer to this question is impossible. This may be an acrobat. In China, they are forced to work a lot! But there is no smell of harmony. He was taken in 3 years old and he had no childhood. And let the principle of “if a long time to beat the hare, he would learn to play the piano or the accordion.” It will not be yoga, though there will be maximum of flexibility. If there is no elusive, there is no harmony. If he does not feel inside himself, where he has to strain, and where to relax, but there is an angry teacher close to him and he tells him how to do: strong, weak, i.e. trying to replace him, it is not yoga, because there is no harmony.
Once again, yoga – a system of self-knowledge, where a fully adhere to the first principle, the second principle plus methodology of harmony. Or that where you have to force yourself, and where you can afford. We know two dozen types of yogas in our School of Yoga. In general, there are much more of them in the world. Or put another way, say, all the classical topics of yoga entirely fall under the description of the first principle of yoga, the second principle of yoga and this method of harmony.
Provision of unconditional freedom of every living creature
All other provisions derived from the system of axioms. We just did not touch them now. This provision is about unconditional freedom of every living creature. And when I hear that in some Schools of Yoga Teacher enslaves his poor students, and turns into a kind of sect, and other horrors that have to reach me, I very clearly understand that this is just a misunderstanding, that this sect is called yoga. Это что угодно, только не йога. It’sanythingbutnotyoga. The teacher never enslaves his disciples. Even if he had at least three halos and wings on his back.
Figure 10. The teacher never enslaves his disciples.
Yes, the teacher can sometimes be very strict call to order, but only if the student takes these instructions for the benefit . The only thing that connects students and teachers is this feeling of love, this feeling of mutual sympathy, etc. but these moments I do not want to enter, otherwise you get stuck. It is in every system of axioms. And, by and large, all these misunderstandings somehow contrary to the first and second principles of yoga. And we could say nothing about them, but not all are aware of axioms.
Rapid methods in yoga
All the classic types of yoga or sections derived from the first and second principles of yoga, plus from a method of harmony: there where you can afford, and where necessary make yourself. But there are also so-called fast methods of yoga. It is certain types of yogas, which are sometimes difficult to distinguish whether they are classical, whether they are fast. The most well-known fast method, and unfortunately, it is notorious, is, for example Tantra Yoga. Why infamous? Because there is a mention of sex. This immediately became the subject of a “strawberry”. Immediately million all very unpleasant personality begins to revolve around this theme. Sometimes confronted with a kind of manifestation, which is called, supposedly called Tantric yoga, and this just did not feel sick. Attempts to stain this doctrine, although it is impossible. Anyone who tries to get dirty so high techniques, stain itself, the methods remain clean. But nevertheless, it is considered a fast method. But this rapid method includes exercises, such as in Hatha Yoga, Pranayama Yoga and others. That is, I mean the classic types of yoga.
The third principle of yoga – principle of non-suffering
So what’s the difference between the classical techniques of yoga and fast method of yoga? In our School of Yoga to the rapid methods include, most notably, that is the Yoga of Union, Yoga of Love, Tantra-Yoga. But something else is meant under the Tantra Yoga. From the axiomatic position there are given the following explanation. From the principle that a system of axioms does not contradict the other axioms or axiom system is that a microcosm does not contradict the system of axioms macrocosm, in addition to the method of harmony, where there should be a force and where you can afford, is born is a very interesting finding, or the so-called principle of yoga – a vow of refusal from suffering.
There is such a situation, it is called differently. Sometimes it is called the vow of non-suffering, sometimes called the third principle of yoga. Sometimes this is called a system of renunciation, sometimes it is called a system of taking sannyasa. And another billion different definitions given to this principle of yoga. The essence of it, in a nutshell, is when a person takes a vow that nothing and no one has the right to impose him suffering. If you need his help, if you need to participate in something this is another conversation. But he no longer will be just to suffer itself and will not allow someone to impose it to him.
Only after a person takes this vow of non-suffering, first of all, he has the right, and secondly, he understands the fast methods of yoga.So if you hear that someone is engaged in the same tantra yoga, in fact, sexual tantra yoga, it’s all a bit too strong theme: sex, interesting, but he has not taken a vow of refusal from suffering, as a rule, he doig something his own, incomprehensible. Moreover, he can generate a huge number of all sorts of misunderstandings around him and all sorts of things that will throw him on the life side to side and all others involved with him in the act too. Ie, as a rule, all these fast methods are, for that matter, like flying a jet. If you’ve got and sat at the helm of a jet aircraft, does not mean that you reach the bottom to the target. We must be able to manage it. At times, people sat at the controls of an airplane, to put it mildly, who are not aware that they took a very powerful methods. So, fast methods, on the one hand, are very powerful, on the other hand, does not even approach them if you did not take the third principle of yoga. You will get nothing good neither for himself nor for others.
And, in fact, fast yoga methods are not much different from the classical techniques in yoga. There is breath, and breathing is here. There are mantras and mantras are here. Of course there are some subtleties, but they are not so that someone could ever make you do something radically uncharacteristic to any person. A person can not to take the third principle of yoga, and just deal with the classical methods of yoga and engaged in regular sex. ОThat is very good, great. But to use it as a method of spiritual development, rather than simply as a way to meet, pastime, or, at best, as a continuation of the species can be not before the third principle is taken, this vow or denial of suffering. There is sex and sex is here. But in the first instance to make children.
Yoga is a system of freedom
People live as they live. Friends, after all, yoga does not regulate life in any way. Yoga is a system of freedom. Again, if you practice yoga, and your freedom begins to contract, then you are doing something else but not yoga. But, my friends, there are methods where reasonable abstinence in sex, or food, or in some way of life – this is very useful, it gives the result. But this is only one possible, and not necessarily an integral part of yoga. Why am I talking about this? A very common question: “What life has to lead a normal yogi who is not engaged in rapid methods and conventional deals with: Hatha yoga, Pranayama, etc. What should he eat? Should he see his wife or not? Should he allow himself to relax, in terms of recreation, to go to a disco, for example, or it is unacceptable?” The very attempt to put life contrary to the teachings of yoga. Nobody takes a risk to himself to limit you, a particle of the Absolute. At best, you will be simply given an advice. Well, actually, smoking is bad. Why, not me to tell you. Or excessive alcohol using is not very good. In sex, if you carelessly lost, it is also not good. But it is rather an advice. And how do you do, it will be personally your case.
We return to the axioms. Thus, we have turned the classical methods and we get fast methods. Very complex issue and now we will not discuss: how they are interfaced. Sometimes say, “Yes, I do not want any Tantric yoga, I do not want no sexual yoga, I want to do regular yoga. What are you bothering me? That is all I do not understand. And I can not deal with all these techniques, which are shown on TV?” Of course, first of all, what we see on television that “even though simple to fall”, does not attitude to yoga. This is PR. Journalists need somehow to shock the audience, so they write. You can reach the ultimate goal of choosing for themselves their own way, as from the arsenal of classical methods and from the arsenal of fast techniques, or to vary them. I.e. some part of the way to go by the classical method, some fast. But again, by the fast way not before you took over the third principle of yoga – a vow of non-suffering. Otherwise you, like a man who sat on the race car, finishing up the first corner in his life, and you will be smeared on the wall. This is a very strong energy. If you do not want to sit down for a race car, don’t sit down. Quietly, happily reach the ultimate goal of yoga by classical methods. If on the contrary, your kidney suggests that you like some extreme sports, but within reason and do not endanger the lives of others – so for God’s sake. Who can deny? This question is a personal choice.
From logic to superlogic
You come to a result or goal of yoga. You remember that yoga is a system of self-discovery. But under the system of self-knowledge is understood the overflow from the microcosm to the macrocosm, so that you getting to know yourself, you will know the universe, if you go by one system of axioms. Conversely, knowing the universe, you know yourself, if by the other. But sooner or later you reach the top of this beyond, which is the purpose of yoga. So, you have reached this higher, transcendental and , I say very simply, interesting moments begin. You are entering a new level of being.
The whole way you go, applying logic and common sense. I.e. there are axioms of which activity is displayed. You do an exercise, you get a result. You use a reasonable approach, where you can make yourself and where you can allow yourself. You are, again, use a reasonable approach to the principle of non-suffering. It’s all your movement in the plane of logic. But all this movement, sooner or later, must throw you out of logic, and you must get over the logic and go to superlogic.
Figure 11. Climb over logic and go to superlogic.
This state of Samadhi without an object is called differently in yoga. In yoga and in other philosophical systems, it is something quite transcendent, ineffable language. But even though it is transcendent and ineffable language, it does not mean that you can not achieve this. You not only can, but as Yoga says, the faster you will achieve this, the better you and everyone around us will be. I.e. the faster you go the way of spiritual evolution, the more happiness will be in your life, the more desires will fulfill in your life and the more happiness you will sow themselves around. And you get to such a height that is invisible to our position.
And when you reach this point of view, only from this position, you will understand why it was given to this system of axioms. Why were given these starting systems axiomatics: the system of the microcosm and the macrocosm system. Why it was given this axiom of non-contradiction of the two systems of axioms. I.e. you climbed to the top of this, you will see why you went this way.
Trust + common sense
It turns out that you are on the way used by logic, but came to the wonderful country, which is already in superlogic.And only from the position of superlogic you saw, what was your path, and why you took as its starting point this place, but not any other. Once again I want to say that it turns out that we should have confidence to the yoga, the credibility of the system of axioms, but after the trust you should insert your common sense, logic and analysis. Why? Higher does not contradict everyday. Everyday is just a special case of higher education. But this, that somewhere there was the lack of logic, some kind of crazy crap, this is not in this universe.
Indeed, sometimes there are manifestations of superlogic that seem miracl to us. But, my friends, the superlogic is not afraid to be tested by the common sense. If you come across a miracle, you think so, and are afraid to use your logic and your intellect not to destroy the miracle, you are mistaken. The miracle could not be destroyed by logic and intellect, but all the husks and all the obscurantism is very well destructible, and it can fall apart very well.
So first get something fantastic. Our confidence in the teachings of yoga, it is unprovable. Either you will feel with all my heart: yes, it is my, I believe or trust, but I verify. Yes, I trust these axiomatic systems, I trust these yogis, I start to do so as they say, but at the same I check. Yeah, they said so-and-so and I get something else:discrepancies. This means that either I something misunderstood or where a mistake has crept, or I have done something wrong. And this method of promotion, in fact, is the second principle of yoga. You get to an area that is already superlogical. And just reaching that point, you finally prove himself: yes, now I not only trust or believe, but now I know.
So yoga believes that the ultimate goal – is gaining the highest knowledge. When you not only believe, but you know. But before that, my friends, we must reach. A we must go with the full application of common sense and logic. Thus, it is the circle. I.e. yoga teaching is out of karma, it flew here as a gift. Anyone who feels an echo in his soul, a kind of vibration: yes, mine, he starts to use it. Using receives the highest score and also goes into the higher realms. Again, leaving behind these teachings, that we are now parsing with you. Where did they come from? Of course, they were left by those of the Yogis, who passed this way and left all of these for us.
Figure 12. Just reaching the area of superlogic you finally prove himself: yes, now I not only trust or believe, but now I know.
Yoga is a starting point to enter the highest level
Again, this axiomatic system was left for those bright and pure souls, for those sincere, strong men, for those untangled and for those who wishing to live in such a way. Why? Because if someone wishes: “I do not want to hear your yoga at all,” he has a right to know nothing about it. he is a free soul.
No one owes nothing to enforce. In principle, can not impose. So, sometimes posing the question: if yoga is such a powerful, why all don’t do it? This issue should be addressed not to yoga, but to all. And why all still don’t want to do yoga? Yoga never impose anything. It reveres freedom. Even the freedom of error. If a person wants to err, he has complete freedom to err. Who can drive the humanity to heaven by the power? Nobody has the right. So, once again, my friends, magically teaching came from nowhere… Sometimes asked: “Where did the teaching of yoga come from? Who invented it? “Strictly speaking, from nowhere. Someone left hereditary. A person begins to use it, involves in it and goes to the same height from which you received this teaching. But as yoga teaches us, the whole world was created precisely for this purpose. For us, having played all in this world that only we can play, gaining valuable experience of getting out of this universe, came to some very high levels, which we can not conceive. For these light and pure souls a supporting ladder or starting point is given. This starting point is exactly the system of yoga.
Questions about this part of the lecture.
Question. Can I assume that if a person does not want to do yoga, it’s only a matter of time?
Vadim Zaporozhtsev.No. The concept of the will is higher than the concept of time. Sometimes there is given the concept of eternal hell or eternal paradise in religion. We think it’s ridiculous notion. Well, how can it be: an eternal hell? And what about Darwin and his evolution? What about the spiritual teacher of mankind, who say that they all need to evolve? All must nothing. This is one of the provisions, which is a part of the axiomatics of yoga, by the way, of both of them but with a different species. So, do you want an eternal hell? You are a piece of the Absolute! What does it mean: a piece of the Absolute? You are a great magician! Who can resist the will of the Absolute? Nobody! Even the Absolute does not enslave your will, and gives you freedom. So will for ever be in the same condition in which you want to be. Time here to do with. Therefore, such a conditional determination, that everyone should go down this path, does not exist. Otherwise it would get into question the principle of free will. That is, if I were wound as a toy, this second I’d have to wave this paw, at that moment the other. What I would differ from a robot? I was wound and I went. The plant was over and I stopped. What am I then a free soul? I was wound! In fact, the position of free will is very serious. We’ll touch the axiomatic. More questions?
Question.Vadim, explain please, the third principle of yoga. Denial of suffering. Let me explain the issue in this way. In fact, the Buddha’s middle path is passed to the end and, in this case, the issue of misery is settled. However, only Dharma leads you there. This is not done on the request of a person to give up suffering. And I do not understand how a person can give up suffering? If he wanted to, but the pain came, they would take him. He can do nothing, if he does not pass till the end of this way.
Vadim Zaporozhtsev. The situation is. If we mention about the Buddha, we must, somehow, to talk about Buddhism. Buddhism is a religion. In any case, is officially a religion, one way of religions in our country. Yoga is very distanced from religion, so I’m pretty hard to play on that field and say anything. If I then start to interpret the teachings of Buddhism, there are always a few Buddhists who say that I understand nothing in it. But, fortunately, in Buddhism there is the position as Tantric Buddhism. And, in fact, modern Buddhism, that is prevalent now, this is not the old Buddhism. A so-called Buddhism of Nagaradzhuna, that is more life affirming Buddhism. In our country it is a very long time called Lamaism. The most serious effects of its center – a former territory of Tibet.
Now, on the merits. Buddha during the teaching of the basic techniques, as the stories, more Nagaradzhuny Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism, he laid out all the techniques and then said: “Friends, I have said you all that I only had for you. Now I must leave this world.” And, as we know, he died. But, while adding that it was all stories only for people. In those years there were people who were able to understand only one part of the doctrine. Buddhists do not do the division between the teachings and the Dharma, although it is a deeper concept, the Indian. And then he added that some of the highest teachings he gave to the nāgas. These are very strange creatures. Very strange, do not even dare to describe them. And people in that era, while the Buddha was alive, supposedly still did not understand these methods, but the nagas understood. So is that just passed and he naga analogue rapid methods of yoga. Or, in other words, there are so-called Tibetan yogis. These yogis, which in their entirety, as they say, they blossom at the level of Buddhism. Do not blossom well, they, incidentally, are disappearing as well as regular yoga.
Now on its merits. How can this be? How can exist the vow of non-suffering and such a Buddhism notion, like say, a vow of Bothisatva together? But again, I apologize, it is not my business. Therefore Buddhists who hear me, please forgive me for my ignorance. I’m still in the field of yoga. So, the notion of a vow of Bothisatva, oddly enough, it’s just an echo of the third principle of yoga. There are a lot of people in Buddhism, which will argue with me. It is always very hard to argue. Why? Buddhism is a religion. And in religion there is always such a thing as dogma. And when you start to call to mind, people are somehow offended. But it really is not my business. I do not know everything.
So, the moment of suffering, which is rigidly predetermined, in fact, is the point to the presence of karma. What is the suffering, which is predetermined? Suffering, which is predetermined – it is our negative karma. Friends, pay attention to the logical chain. Once we wanted to live by some rules. For example, a neighbor has an apple tree, this apple tree has apples. And I want to steal and eat apples. I have stolen and eatted it. So far, nothing. But if I, (a free soul, my “I” in a state of freedom), wanted such a law, then in the next life the same law can be probably used, but against me. I have an apple tree grew, and I have a neighbor stealing my apples. Why? Because I in my personal universe wanted these rules of the game. These rules of the game are just called karma.
If you wished good rules of the game, i.e. was a generous, helped everybody, so in your next life get in the same game rules, and everybody is generous to you and no one hurts you. If you wished in a past life some negative rules, that you can hurt everybody, so in the next life will come under the same rules that came up. Here it is, if to describe the law of karma in a few words, it is the essence of the law of karma. So the sufferings that are predetermined, they are predetermined by the person in respect of himself to the fact that once it seemed to him that this is acceptable. As time passed, his desire came to him, but on the other hand, with which he did not expect: all has started to steal his apples. And he began first to build the fence, but the fence was broken. He started to deter the thieves somehow different, but the thieves still climb. And he thinks: “Well, how is it, why do they steal my apples? I’m so good now, but they still steal?”
Figure 13. Those sufferings that are predetermined, they are predetermined by the person in respect of himself to the fact that once it seemed to him that this is acceptable.
And the person for the first time starts to think about some kind of moral and ethical principles. And, thinking about them, unconsciously projecting on himself and on the next moment. And when he has another opportunity already, for example, to “privatize” some oil company or something else that is bad. With this experience he understands what goes around comes around. If you like this picked up on a freebie, it will be taken away for free also. If he had built himself, he did something, then it will be left with you. So there is absolutely no contradiction. This, if anything, the question of terminology. There are no obvious inconsistencies. By the way, for this reason, Buddhism has a very wide popularity. I urge you: be interested in kinds of yoga. There is a system of yoga in Tantric Buddhism, it is very interesting, very rare. Some of them are still alive, although dying as fast as the Hindu, and maybe even faster. Any questions, please? There are no questions? So, we conclude our present lecture with meditation.