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What a good question can give you.

9/4/2024

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My teacher Mukunda often reminded us that one of the best paths to higher consciousness is asking good questions. In the Yoga Sutras, this is known as Svadhyaya, or self-study. Mukunda would challenge us to ask ourselves an essential question: "Is what I am doing giving me what I want?" This question is powerful, and its true depth is revealed only when we sincerely apply it to ourselves.
What question could you ask yourself that might lead to an awakening? A full yoga practice—whether through asana, meditation, or mindfulness—offers a fertile ground for self-inquiry. For mindfulness, the question might be as simple as, "Am I aware right now?" In meditation, we could ask, "Am I lost in my monkey mind, or am I focused on my intended object—whether a mantra, a candle flame, or the breath?" During asana, we might consider, "Is this pose causing harm (himsa) or is it sattvic (harmonious)?" If the pose is causing harm, we can then ask, "Do I want to create harm in my own body, or would I rather cultivate santosha (contentment) through a more harmonious practice?"

Can you see the progression? By asking ourselves simple questions, we open the door to deeper inquiries that can lead to moments of enlightenment—if we are paying attention. Mukunda emphasized that discovering our own truth is the most healing aspect of a yoga practice, and he believed that this truth is the key to its therapeutic power.

We have a choice: we can follow the path of inquiry as it builds a structure leading to true awareness, or we can stop at the surface, claiming we already know the answers, and remain stuck in patterns that may cause our own suffering. To build a structure of higher consciousness, we must avoid limiting responses like "I already know this," "I completely understand," or "This is as good as it gets." These statements cut off the path to deeper questioning and prevent us from constructing a stronger, more stable foundation that leads to wisdom. Instead, try flipping these statements to questions like this: "What don't I know about this?" "Is there more to understand?" "Can this be better?" The less we rush to find answers, the more we will truly understand. This is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
​
This fall we have plenty of workshops that will help you ask better questions, whether they are about your asana practice (Yoga Immersion, Restore and Renew, Yoga Basics), what you mind is doing (Meditation, TRE) and if you are truly being mindful (well, all of the workshops really).

check out the workshops here

What question will you start with?  


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    • 50 hr Yoga Immersion and Teacher Training >
      • Frequently Asked Questions about Teacher Training
      • More About Yoga Teacher Training
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  • yoga supplies and videos
    • Yoga Supplies and Gifts
    • Free Downloads
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  • Officiant Services
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    • About Yoga Loka
    • Yoga Loka In the News
    • Testimonials
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  • Suggested Reading List
  • Articles of interest
    • Medical research and Yoga
    • Articles on Yoga
    • 75 Health Conditions Benefited by Yoga by Timothy McCall, MD
  • Links to recommended local practitioners
  • Specialized Classes
  • Privacy Policy
  • Donation suggestions
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