bess yoga

  (Cosmic creation Contained)

Though the universe may feel so inpenitratingly vast and utterly mind blowing to comprehend with us a small speck in its mysterious midst- it is important to remember that we are an intimate & intricate part of the evolving cosmic pattern manifested from omnipresent divine mind, and that our conscious contribution matters. Without a doubt we have been cosmically, karmically woven by the energies and elements that formed the cycles of our solar system- and these threads pull on every fibre of our being as we are made of that ancient primordial material. 

Many creation theories and sciences seek to solve the biggest questions of how it all began, from what urge, and with what stuff. Science has interpreted some, a part of the ‘genetic make-up’ our Stella neighbourhood- the forces and chemical elements present, a sequence of epoch events, movement, heat, gravity, a little of the alchemy of evolution which formed the unlikely balance and planetary alignment shaping our rare home, Earth. Shaping everything up to this moment where we, you and I came beautifully into being.

 In our make up there are more cells in the body than known galaxies in the solar system. And with it we share Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, add in earth we share Calcium, Potassium & Magnesium and unique to animals and humans found in DNA - essential for all Life is Phosphorus, only fused in trace elements on earth as it is so reactive - easy to ignite- it’s name taken from greek meaning ‘light bearer’ or ‘after glow’…perhaps referencing the fire of the heart and home of our spirit!

This true nature of connectedness or oneness with all that is, is what yoga aligns us to remember. Most of the time this innate connection is obscured by what makes life, life - the seemingly independent forms of such variety, the polarities- day/night, masculine/feminine, mine and yours. 

Not only is this division determined by the physical body border but other more subtle vital layers known in yoga as the Pancha Koshas (meaning five sheaths). They are the annamaya ( composed of food) , pranamaya ( energy field) , manomaya (mental dimension), vijanamaya (subconscious intuitive layer) and anandamaya (bliss level).  Though physically less dense than the annamaya the other kosha may be much harder to penetrate. This is why the seat and root of the self is so elusive.

All kosha are pervaded by prana and by what is known as the ego- the survival sense of ‘I’ ness’ which expands our genetic uniqueness to encompass preservation of personal preference, often referred to in sanskrit as ahamkara. It is our individual body, consciousness and ego that gives us the room to be able to objectify & inquire into a bigger encompassing universal presence (purusha, brahman) that gifted us an unique vessel & soul to see itself through (jiva-atman) !

How strange it is that the sheaths that separate actually tenderly contain all that is us and paradoxically provide a perspective from where we must consciously connect layer to layer, self to other. Infact all through our lives, we seek genuine connections that intuitively feel right so we can validate our existence by sharing our own light, have it recognised, or see it reflected in another form:  exploring experiences as lovers & friends, communing with nature or working with deep purpose. 

It seems as if we are constantly looking to expand beyond our body somehow knowing that this incredible human earth-bound suit is pre-loaded with infinite possibilities beyond the instinctual replication of reproduction. That the beginning point, the original inherent desire to multiply is implanted into our being as a process of becoming, expanding awareness or increasing knowing…

In the Rig Veda, the oldest book in sanskrit or any indo-european language,  this limitless or boundless nature is personified by the goddess Aditi- a celestial ‘mother’ of every existing form. Her name meaning freedom, she is the synthesis of all things. Therefore she is associated with the space element (akash) as the foundation or the container and sustainer for all formations,  who brings nourishment in cycles of renewal. 

Here are some select lines from the creation hymn of the Rig Veda, Nasadiya, suggesting that a desire arose in the absolute principle (unmanifest consciousness) : 

The life force was covered in emptiness, that one arouse through the power of heat…

Desire came upon that one in the beginning; that was the first seed of mind… 

There was impulse beneath; there was giving forth above…

(The Rig Veda, Penguin Classics transalted by Wendy Doniger)

From this first creative impulse which results in willing: an energetic vibration issues forth. This movement ( a spandam), the first moment of becoming from being, is the first manifestation of Prana (see what is prana) assuming itself. Thus energy (movement, prakriti) and consciousness (cosmic/divine mind, purusha) indulged in cosmic play, lila, which caused, shristi, creation. Through this rhythmic interaction more substansive layers came into being taking on new modifications (evolution) such as matter and energy, positive and negative, animate and inanimate, male and female. ( ref, Prana & Pranayama, Bihar). 

“An effect does not live apart from its cause , a pot does not exist apart from clay. This universe does not exist apart from Brahman. It has no independant existence, it is one with Brahman”

 (Bliss Divine, Swami Sivananda)

I have found that contemplation in these realms of infinite to finite , space as the foundation of all is very hard to objectify - making ‘complete’ sense yet also hard to get a handle on as even language has a limit !

Let us remember that energy converts into matter (a physical substance that has mass and takes up space by having volume) and matter back to energy. For matter to be, for organic life to be, it must be housed within a type of wall - a membrane, that separates the interior from the outside environment (the extracellular space) creating a cell.

Without membranes we would be on a planet covered by a dilute ocean of the building blocks of life. Out of this ocean formed one tiny cellular membrane, smaller than a dot (bindu) with organic matter of DNA at its heart. Known as LUCA, standing for ‘last universal common ancestor,’ scientists believe this single cell divided and transformed to create the origin of all life on earth (ref. One Strange Rock, Netflix).

In tantra these infinitesimal points are known as bindu- the point around which the mandala is created, representing the universe. Though minuscule the bindu is the rich portal point of both the creation and dissolution of consciousness. The bindu is also the beginning of organic physical formations and ideas- everything has to start from one spot and grows or spirals outwards or retracts inwards. 

In another later text, the Gheranda Samhita, yoga is called ‘ghata’  yoga- literally meaning ‘pot yoga” refering the body as a soft clay container or vessel to be fired through the tapas of sadhana to become an appropriate abode for the soul (atman/purusha).

This makes sense in that when we are overworked we often say that we are drained or empty. We know what goes inside the body affects what comes out and if we treat our vessel poorly, we suffer. When we put matter in the form of foods in to our body, the alchemical heat of the digestive process transforms it into energy which nourishes us- the body is the conduit for our soul and the vehicle of our expression. The better the condition of the inner realm, the more vibrant the expression.

In pranayama we work with expanding the lifeforce (prana) through retaining the breath in khumbaka. In the context of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology, the kumbha symbolises the womb and also means pot or container. It represents fertility, life, generative power of human beings and sustenance and is generally associated with devis, particularly Ganga, the life sustaining river that flows through India.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbha )

Asanas, movement, pranayama and meditation are incredibly significant tools to help us develop healthily,  physically, mentally and spiritually. They help us reveal and pierce our walls and boundaries to feel less confined by the challenges of living, which adds heavier layers to our ecology. 

Rather than evolution this is a full circle journey of involution back towards the source. 

If we explore and appreciate with awe the wonder that surrounds us - we notice the presence the presence of original mind material enacted now. This is inspiration for pursuing the inwards experience: helping to liberate our attachment to needing concrete answers and maybe instead enjoying sensing our way through the big questions in self inquiry : embracing the echo’s of feedback  that emerge from a deeper place.

The final sloka Rig Veda creation hymn is tantalisingly open ended:

When this creation has arisen- perhaps it formed itself,

or perhaps it it did not- the one who looks down on it,

in the highest heaven , only he knows-

or perhaps he does not know

The ancient sages believed that if you put your whole heart into your practice, you become a master of your circumstances and time. In the very human life process of uncovering and forming our truth, only you can discover what this is.