“Samyama explains the disciplines necessary both to live in the natural grace of yoga, and to accrue supernatural powers, or siddhis”
– B.K.S Iyengar
In the third Pada of the Yoga Sutras, the Vibhuti Pada, the sage Patanjali speaks of the art and discipline of Yogic integration.
This takes place through the dedicated practice of the the inner limbs of the eightfold path – the meditative trinity of samyama:
For the seasoned practitioner of Yoga, antaranga sadhana (the inner limbs of practice) comprise a true gem of Yoga, critical in guiding you towards the Sacred realm within.
Once you deepen your practice according to the map given by the Sage Patanjali, extraordinary abilities and attainments incidentally unfold.
And yet these siddhis still must be treated with a humble understanding, as well as detachment, in order to not create unnecessary afflictions within your mind and heart. The siddhis are merely signposts of successful practice, and yet not the ultimate goal of inner freedom (kaivalya).
During this third and final semester of Vidya Institute’s Advanced Philosophy Immersion Program we will engage in a specific study and categorization of the various unique siddhis which are laid out within the second half of the Vibhuti Pada.
Each extraordinary ability will be studied in relationship with its corresponding meditative sadhana designed to cultivate its development.
During our monthly weekend workshop we will further emphasize the study of the sutras and siddhis which hold the greatest relevance for us as Iyengar Yoga Practitioners and meditators. For the first time ever in the 20 year history of Vidya Institute, we will approach a supreme level of specificity in learning the specific siddhis, as well as understanding their unique natures and the meditation practices which manifest them.
If exploring the rarest abilities of yogic attainment sounds interesting then this year’s curriculum is for you. Vidya Institute has never before offered an advanced philosophy immersion program which dives into all 56 sutras of the sage Patanjali’s 3rd book:
The Psychology of Psychic Abilities Attained Through Stillness
Have you heard the stories of the enlightened sages in the himalayas?
The monk who feels no pain or hunger. The swami who transverses the meditative depths so far that they discover how to enter the minds of others.
What is the one common thing these exalted souls possess?
It’s an attained esoteric knowledge infused with the divine. A hidden map they’ve all journeyed on.
Their seemingly impossible achievements were all discovered within the realm which The Vibhuti Pada explores; The Prajna Loka (The Sanskrit Term For The Realm Of Divine Wisdom)
You cannot access this realm without mastering the inner limbs of Patanjali’s 8-Fold Path.
Antara Anga Sadhana – The 6th, 7th, and 8th dimensions of practice.
These ‘limbs’ on the path to human wholeness represent:
The Door to Meditative Deepening
Your body and senses develop in an extraordinary way when we work with meditation in the way Patanjali’s Vibhuti Pada describes. Book 3 paints a vivid picture of the development and expansion of the human mind and consciousness when taken to its greatest heights.
They develop inevitably as you rebalance your samskaras
You heighten certain positive samskaras and attenuate others less helpful on your journey.
This is how you develop yourself beyond just the mind. You work on the deepest energies of your soul, you guide your human development at the deepest layers of your spirit.
– Gitte Bechsgaard Ph.D.
These abilities are just a greatly honored badge of one’s extreme progress in meditative deepening.
Do not mistake this rare esoteric knowledge, these gifts, as the end goal of yoga.
This is the point where the greatest wall to enlightenment lies. It’s not hard to get attached to that which is otherworldly, not realizing or caring that it is, in fact, just an incidental point on your journey to a much more worthwhile attainment.
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as just reading these ancient texts.
There’s a Sanskrit term for a ‘spiritual encryption’ called Guhyam (meaning hidden and esoteric), which obscures the true meaning of many passages.
To uncover the hidden simplicity of these often confusing sutras, qualified guidance is required.
The intent was that these texts be primarily studied under the individual guidance of gurus and initiated mentors. Only within the matrix of that relationship can you gain clarity on the opaque texts.
This is precisely why we will explore these scriptures through the teachings of Sri Krishan Mantriji and BKS Iyengar.
In accordance with Vysasa’s Bhasyam, this will help us to decipher the intentionally camouflaged teachings of the Vibhuti Pada and make them relevant to your modern life.
During the 3 semesters of this nearly 2 years-long curriculum, we’ll discover the hidden meanings, deep philosophies, and contemporary practical implementation of these scriptures.
Weekend workshops are taught by Gitte Bechsgaard and Gloria Goldberg together.
The monthly weekend workshop will be a practical immersion into Siddhis most relevant to Iyengar yoga sadhanas and the other weekend class will focus on Prayanama sadhana.
They’ll guide you on your path of integration linking the Vibhuti Pada with prior studies of Patanjali’s books 1 and 2. Weekend sessions focus on an integration of the philosophical discoveries of the previous weeks with your personal practice and yoga sadhana as a whole.
During Thursday classes, Gitte will take a deep study into the individual sutras of book 3, particularly vysasas basham, the single most ancient commentary of the yoga sutras of patanjali.
Gitte will take an in depth approach in the deciphering of these scriptures, in accordance with Sri Krishan Mantriji’s teachings and BKS Iyengar’s commentary.
Thursday Classes Taught By Gitte Bechsgaard Include 5 Components
Curriculum Schedule:
Regardless of if you miss a class, a video recording will be made available to all participants in order to study for 2 weeks after each class. Recordings are typically sent out within a couple hours of when the class is complete.
Participants are asked to attend live via a ZOOM link sent to their email shortly before each class. Course participants are asked to have their camera on and to do their best to be in a suitable practice and/or study space.
Class Dates & Times:
DATES:
TIMES:
From September 7-October 26:
6:00am-8:00am PDT, 9:00am-11:00am EDT, 2:00pm-4:00pm BST, 3:00pm-5:00pm CEST
On November 2 (due to daylight savings):
6:00am-8:00am PDT, 9:00am-11:00am EDT, 1:00pm-3:00pm GMT, 2:00pm-4:00pm CET
From November 9-February 15
6:00am-8:00am PST, 9:00am-11:00am EST, 2:00pm-4:00pm GMT, 3:00pm-5:00pm CET
DATES:
TIMES:
The 4 Module Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras Year Course is Mandatory Prerequisite Curriculum, as well as attendance to both Semester 1 and Semester 2 of An Immersion Into The Depths Of The Vibhuti Pada.
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