Notes from Other Books

Question 1

What does “Buddha” mean

Answer 1

awakened one

Question 2

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” What 4 qualities does the Buddha say life is marked by

Answer 2

impermanence, suffering, selflessness, and peace

Question 3

What metaphor does “Turning the Mind into an Ally” use to describe the mind

Answer 3

it compares the mind to a wild horse (it also sometimes compares the mind to a garden)

Question 4

What is the true nature of the mind according to “Turning the Mind into an Ally”

Answer 4

happy, content, and peaceful (not aggressive)

Question 5

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what is proper posture during meditation?

Answer 5

sitting with the spine erect, eyelids half shut (with the gaze facing down)

Question 6

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what breath count should we aim for when beginning meditation?

Answer 6

7 or 21 breaths without distraction

Question 7

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” how do we handle thoughts during meditation?

Answer 7

Recognize, acknowledge, and release thoughts before returning the mind to the breath. Don’t squash the thoughts but handle them with gentleness.

Question 8

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” are thoughts good or bad?

Answer 8

neither! we must address them neutrally and without judgement

Question 9

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what 4 ways can we inspire our minds (and fight boredom) in meditation?

Answer 9

suppleness, trust, aspiration, and effort

Question 10

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what are the 9 stages of training the mind?

Answer 10

placement, continual placement, repeated placement, close placement, taming, pacifying, thoroughly pacifying, one pointed, equanimity

Question 11

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what goal does a more intermediate yogi have for breath count?

Answer 11

108 cycles of undistracted breath

Question 12

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what happens in the meditation practice after focusing on the breath becomes natural and easy?

Answer 12

We find joy in meditation, then thoughts and emotions begin to naturally dissolve, and finally we engage in breath completely spontaneously and fluidly

Question 13

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what is the focus of contemplative meditation?

Answer 13

a thought, intent, inspiration, or sentence, and we use the insight of meditation to determine its meaning

Question 14

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what are the main benefits of a steady meditation practice?

Answer 14

a stable mind, a healthy sense of self, clarity, discernment, and compassion/empathy; also the potential to become totally happy

Question 15

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what is the value of having a human birth (as opposed to another species)?

Answer 15

Human birth is highly rare and precious–but this does not make humans the center of the universe. It means humans are privileged.

Question 16

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” how should we consider death?

Answer 16

We should contemplate it so we can appreciate life more. We should not fear it but accept that death waits for us like and old friend, and can make our appreciation and love more powerful.

Question 17

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what is love?

Answer 17

The wish for others to be happy

Question 18

According to “Turning the Mind Into an Ally,” what is Bodhichitta?

Answer 18

“The awakened heart.” the radiant heart that is constantly and naturally–without self consciousness–generating love and compassion for the benefit of others. This love connects us all without attachment and is our true nature.

Question 19

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” how does the abdominal cavity change while breathing?

Answer 19

It changes like a water balloon–a squeeze in one region causes a bulge in the other (it changes shape but not volume)

Question 20

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” how does the thoracic cavity change while breathing?

Answer 20

LIke an accordion–it changes in both shape and volume, so it expands and contracts

Question 21

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” where is the diaphragm located?

Answer 21

the diaphragm divides the torso into thoracic and abdominal cavities–it is the floor of the thoracic and the roof of the abdominal. It spreads from nipple to navel and attaches to various points.

Question 22

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” can you directly control your diaphragm while breathing?

Answer 22

No. The diaphragm is like the engine of the car and accessory muscles are like the gas pedal and steering wheel.

Question 23

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what are the main muscles involved in breathing?

Answer 23

the internal intercostals, the external intercostals, the transverse thoracis, and the transverse abdominis

Question 24

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what are the differences in the function between the upper and lower body?

Answer 24

the lower body is meant for weight bearing and locomotion, and the upper body is meant for breathing, reaching, and grasping

Question 25

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what are the functions of the anterior and posterior vertebral columns?

Answer 25

the anterior column deals with weight bearing, compressive forces while the posterior column deals with tensile forces generated by movement

Question 26

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what type of breathing is associated with spinal flexion / extension?

Answer 26

exhale for flexion and inhale for extension

Question 27

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” how mobile is each section of the spine?

Answer 27

The cervical area tends to be the most mobile area of the spine, the thoracic is less mobile and the lumbar even less so–with the only exception being in spinal flexion (then the movement abilities are opposite with lumbar being the most flexible)

Question 28

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what is the job of the muscular system?

Answer 28

to move bones into positions where they can do their job as effectively as possible

Question 29

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what is the job of the skeletal system?

Answer 29

to transfer weight and force by way of ligaments

Question 30

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” How do muscles move?

Answer 30

the contract by sliding filaments across each other

Question 31

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what are the 3 types of muscle contractions?

Answer 31

concentric (muscle shortens), eccentric (muscle lengthens), and isometric (muscle does not change but resists forces trying to move it like gravity)

Question 32

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what are synergist muscles?

Answer 32

a whole group of muscles that work together to create an action

Question 33

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what are main characteristics of muscles?

Answer 33

muscles move bones, they use resistance to develop tone (readiness to respond), they pull. Flexibility is the ability of the muscle to lengthen and strength is the ability of the muscle to generate force and speed.

Question 34

According to “Yoga Anatomy,” what is the purpose of an asana?

Answer 34

to focus on the process engaging in the asana and not the final product; to find the relationship between all systems of the body (cells, tissues, fluids, systems) that will allow the asana to resonate throughout the body.

Question 35

According to “Light on Yoga,” where should muscle strain be avoided during pranayama?

Answer 35

The practitioner should be careful not to strain the muscles of the face, neck, shoulders, arms, thighs, and feet. The thighs and arms should be relaxed deliberately.

Question 36

According to “Light on Yoga,” when can asanas be practiced in relation to pranayama?

Answer 36

Asanas should never be done right after pranayama, and the yogi should pause at least 15 minutes after asanas before practicing pranayama

Question 37

According to “Light on Yoga,” what is the average number of breaths per minute?

Answer 37

15