EXAM - Philosophy

Question 1

3 universal energies (gunas)

Answer 1

1. Sattva - essence
2. Rajas - activity
3. Tamas - dullness

Question 2

5 Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita

Answer 2

1. Know Yourself
2. Connect to & Follow your Purpose
3. Take Action
4. Practice & Build Experience
5. Tap into the wisdom of yoga & meditation

Question 3

Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita

Answer 3

Lessons of courage & confidence. Krishna instructs Arjuna in the ways of yoga; giving him a wakeup call from his hopelessness & sadness.

Question 4

4 paths of yoga

Answer 4

Bhakti yoga - devotion
Jnana yoga - knowledge
Karma yoga - selfless action, service
Raja yoga - practice, meditation

Question 5

4 functions of the mind

Answer 5

Citta - memory bank
Buddhi - intelligence
Manas - processing mind
Ahamkara - ego

Question 6

Eight-fold limbs of Raja Yoga

Answer 6

Yama
Niyama
Asana
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Dharana
Dyana
Samadhi

Question 7

Purusha

Answer 7

Spirit
The Seer
Soul, true being, pure consciousness

Question 8

Prakriti

Answer 8

Universal energy
Matter
The Seen
That which is created

Question 9

Samskara

Answer 9

Imprints on the mind

Generalized patterns, individual impressions, ideas or actions, taken together, our Samskaras make up our conditioning

Question 10

Karma

Answer 10

Actions stemming from Samskaras & reactions

The spiritual principle of cause and effect where intent & actions of a person (cause) influence the future of that person (effect)

Question 11

Samsara

Answer 11

Wandering

Cycle of deaths and rebirths, karmic cycle

Question 12

Moksha

Answer 12

Freedom

State of liberation from Samsara, freedom from ignorance

Question 13

Kaivalya

Answer 13

Detachment

Absolute freedom, liberating knowledge of one’s self, self-realization, self-actualization.

Isolation of Purusha - now standing alone. Realizing our essential nature by differentiating Purusha (pure consciousness) from Prakriti (matter); Purusha shines forth in its own pure luminous state.

Question 14

Samadhi

Answer 14

Self-realization, Absorption, pure bliss, ecstasy.

> to merges with the point of focus and transcends the Self altogether. Realization of a profound connection to the Divine, an interconnectedness with all living things. With this realization comes the experience of bliss and being at one with the Universe.

The ultimate tool of yoga, not the ultimate goal of yoga.

Question 15

Vrtti

Answer 15

Fluctuations of the mind, activities of thoughts, changing mind states

Question 16

Klesa

Answer 16

Obstacles obstructing the mind (colouring)

Question 17

5 types of Vrttis

Answer 17

1. correct knowledge
sense perception / inference / verbal testimony
2. error / incorrect knowledge
3. imagination
4. deep dreamless state
5. memory

Question 18

How to still the vrttis?

Answer 18

1. Practice of 8 limbs

2. Non-Attachment (indifference to Prakriti & without personal desire)

Question 19

Disturbances that occur with vrttis?

Answer 19

• Carelessness
• Disease
• Dullness
• Doubt
• Distractions
• Instability
• Lack of detachment
• Lethargy
• Misperception

Question 20

5 types of Attitudes to cultivate the process of stilling the vrttis

Answer 20

1. Faith
2. Vigor
3. Memory
4. Contemplation
5. Discernment

Question 21

How to break the Alliance of Karma?

Answer 21

> By practicing Kriya Yoga, the Klesas are weakened / burnt
This produces non-coloured Vrttis, or a Sattvic state of mind
This causes good action & good reaction (Karma)
This teminates Samskara: pure & Sattvic imprints born uncoloured
Now you start the clear the mirror and discernment between Seer & Seen can be seen
Then you are no longer bound to Samsara (birth & death cycle) = liberation

Question 22

How to weaken the klesas?

Answer 22

By performing Kriya, the Klesas are weakened / not present / burnt.

Question 23

5 klesas

Answer 23

1. Ignorance (lack of knowledge)
2. Ego (false identification)
3. Attraction (memory of good)
4. Aversion (memory of bad)
5. Clinging to life (fear of death from past lives)

Question 24

Solution to disturbances that occur with vrttis

Answer 24

One-pointedness.

If the mind is focused, then it is less likely to get entangled and lost in delusions from these obstacles.

Question 25

Main characters from the Bhagavad Gita & what they stand for

Answer 25

• Arjuna: us, who we really are
• Lord Krishna: higher self, inner God, ultimate teacher
• King Dhritarashtra: our attachment
• Sanjaya: exemplary part of us
• Pandavas: wisdom, righteousness
• Kauravas: ignorance
• Charriot: our physical body
• Horses: our five senses