The lecture “Emotions, Desire, and Sexuality in Classical Yoga” works to identify misconceptions and debunk myths around human sexuality in the yogic texts. Starting with an analysis of sexuality in a cultural context throughout Indian history and Western influences on texts, the speaker leads us through extensive discussion on the imaginary asexuality in Buddhism and the greek influence, on desire and sexuality in the axial age, sexual metaphors in the Indian tradition, sexual practices in hatha yoga and much more.
⁃ The authentic pre-Arian tribes didn’t eat meat. (No, not at all)
Archeological findings show the opposite. There were many examples of the bones and instruments for hunting and fishing were found, Dravidian people were fishermen and hunters.
⁃ Ahimsa: Buddha and Mahavira were vegetarian. (No, actually not)
The understanding of Ahimsa nowadays is not exactly the same as when it was found. It’s not understood as vegetarianism but rather a non-killing concept. For instance, from the Vyasa commentary, we know that there is no aggression around the person who follows the ahimsa principle. There are two stories that come from the Buddhist canon about Buddha and examples of him eating meat, even though he was practicing Ahimsa. One of them says that Buddha announced to his monks that they are allowed to eat meat unless it was especially killed for them.
⁃ Ayurveda teaches to abstain from the consumption of meat. (No, absolutely not)
There are a lot of examples of prescriptions on how to get better with meat recipes in the basic Ayurveda text, such as Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita. For instance soup with beef juice, with marshy animal juice, the meat of wild animals and birds, etc.
⁃ India is a vegetarian country. (Not exactly)
Dmitriy gives examples of different statistics where one can clearly see that there are more meat eaters in India than vegetarians.
⁃ “Reframing” causes the shift in meaning, in thinking, and finally in behavior. However not any conscious mental shift should be considered as the one. Reframing should have a constructive connotation, empower, and show the way out.
⁃ The notion of reframing is widely used today, however not many people know that the technique itself, the understanding of the importance of intellectual and cognitive practices is a huge part of the tradition of Yoga. Whereas the very first definition of yoga is from Katha Yoga Upanishad (3.5 c. BC) – Yoga is a steady control of the senses.
⁃ The knowledge (jnana) transforms us inside out – if you have comprehended something you can’t forget it, or get emotional about it.
⁃ Cognitive practices in yoga directly impact the foundation of our personality- beliefs and world view, which in turn determines our emotions and actions. Examples of cognitive practices in Yoga: Vitarka (intellectually looking at a certain situation through a certain position or perspective; Vichara (intellectually looking at the same situation through opposite perspectives; Bhavana – something we have experienced or lived through, ability to play with your emotions – “actualize something” to reach a particular state.
⁃ From Stoicism. The district I’ve emotion quite often result from the errors of judgment. People should aim to maintain a will that is “in accordance with nature”. Stoic meditations: Testing frame: setback=test of our character; Storytelling frame: how do you want to see yourself dealing with this situation after years to come?; Last time meditation: What if I don’t see them again?; Negative visualization: imagining the worst-case scenario.
An interview of Diana Gladka with Dmitry Danilov. Yogis Without Borders ⁃ What is the future of yoga, as it went viral online now? ⁃ Will it lose its esoteric background because of this publicity? ⁃ How to choose your Teacher these day, when you can literally connect online to a yogi in the Himalayas, or visit a meditation retreat without even leaven your home? Join this insightful discussion between Dmitry Danilov and Diana Gladka addressing these and many other questions on the future of yoga. Dmitry Danilov, PhD – a yogi, scholar and traveler. Founder of Yogis Without Borders, and other social and educational projects on various aspects of yoga: • Yoga Science – educational project translating foremost research articles on yoga to foster intellectual exchange; • Yoga Travel – platform for exchanging impressions of the spiritual places around the world; and • Yoga Patta – a book and manual for Yoga Wall Practice. Dmitry holds a PhD in Philosophy of Yoga and has recently released his new book dedicated to the “Transformation of the Term Dhyana in the Teachings of Yoga” (2020). Diana Gladka, a yoga instructor, founder of “Resolution Space” – educational and training platform bringing yoga and mediation into daily life of international professionals.
The first part of the video is about the names of asanas in the primary sources of yoga, namely in Sharada Tantra, Shandilya Upanishad, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita.
In the second part of the video – exercises, performing which you can remember the names of asanas.
