Philosophy & Subtle Anatomy Flashcards
1
Q
What is dualism?
A
separation from something else; body and mind are separate
2
Q
What is non dualism?
A
lack of separation; body-mind are linked
3
Q
What does dualism ask of us?
A
How we relate to something, and how we embody it.
4
Q
Is Patanjali dualist or non-dualist?
A
dualist
5
Q
What is opposite action/counter poses?
A
pratikrya asana
6
Q
What are tattvas used for?
A
To explain the structure and origin of the universe.
7
Q
Name the three gunas.
A
- sattva
- raja
- tamas
8
Q
What does sattva mean?
A
clarity, lightness; it is a sense of being fulfilled
9
Q
What does raja mean?
A
active and in motion; it is an energy increase
10
Q
What does tamas mean?
A
heavy, dull, and dark; it is an energy decrease that results from confusion
11
Q
What do the Upanishads suggest in relation to behavior and social structure?
A
Polarity of behaviors (good or bad) leads to finding order.
12
Q
What main inquiry do the Upanishads focus on?
A
what is our purpose; why are we here
13
Q
What does dharma mean?
A
purpose
14
Q
How does dharma relate to an asana practice?
A
The tools for becoming clearer on finding one’s purpose are found in yoga.
15
Q
How does dualism consider the spiritual universe?
A
The whole of it all is separate from the inner self.
16
Q
How does samkhya philosophy consider the universe?
A
The entire universe is separated into forces of purusha (consciousness) and prakritti (materiality).
17
Q
How is yoga a practice of action?
A
By taking steps to obtain a clearer knowledge about ourselves and the whole of it all.
18
Q
What tools does Patanjali suggest for calming the mind?
A
asana and pranayama
19
Q
What qualities does Patanjali say an asana practice should reflect?
A
- steady
- firm/stable
- soft
- being present
20
Q
What is pratyahara?
A
internal focus
21
Q
Is tantric philosophy dualistic or non-dualistic?
A
non-dualistic
22
Q
Per Samkhya philosophy, how do we find our way back to the Source?
A
By restoring balance and finding liberation.
23
Q
What is purusha?
A
pure consciousness or spirit
24
Q
What is prakriti?
A
Primordial matter; what is seen/appreciated. It is everything that is material.
25
How is yoga a tool for correcting the cosmic accident of combining purusha & prakriti?
By working backward through the gross elements, we return to pure consciousness. We return to the Source to see things clearly and accurately.
26
What are tattvas?
A descending hierarchy of principles that came with the creation of the universe. They are the result of the cosmic accident.
27
How many tattvas are there?
24
28
What are the gunas?
Essential qualities that are present in everything. The interaction and balances of the gunas create the tattvas.
29
What are nadis?
Energy channels through the body.
30
How does yoga stimulate awareness?
By expanding our field of perception, so our consciousness can notice tension or blockages. It connects the consciousness and the physical.
31
Where do chakras exist?
Where nadis cross paths.
32
How do we open blocked chakras?
By bringing awareness to places in the body that might be unnoticed, the chakra will spin or open - allowing energy to move through.
33
What is the primary nadi that travels along the center of the body?
sushumna channel
34
What does metaphysical mean?
abstract concepts or theory
35
Where did Carl Jung believe the main concentration of energy began?
the root chakra; base of the spine
36
What is the nadi that travels on the left of the spine?
ida
37
What is the nadi that travels on the right of the spine?
pingala
38
What does the ida nadi represent?
yin; the moon
39
What does the pingala nadi represent?
yang; the sun
40
What is shakti?
feminine energy that rises up
41
What is shiva?
masculine energy at the top of the head
42
What two dormant energies are awakened through conciousness?
shakti and shiva
43
Name all the chakras (via the common/English name).
root chakra
sacral chakra
solar plexus chakra
heart chakra
throat chakra
third eye chakra
crown chakra
44
What does the root chakra relate to?
grounding; how we care for ourselves
45
What does the sacral chakra relate to?
creativity and sexuality; how we approach creative matters
46
What does the solar plexus chakra relate to?
willfulness and intention; are we passive or aggressive
47
What does the heart chakra relate to?
love; how we respond to love and self acceptance
48
What does the throat chakra relate to?
expression and voice
49
What does the third eye chakra relate to?
a place of deep, intuitive wisdom and awareness
meditation and visualization
50
What does the crown chakra relate to?
a greater sense of ease and purpose
meditation
51
What was the intention of the sutras?
engagement and relation to our current lives
52
What chapter of Patanjali's sutras is the 8-fold path found?
chapter 2
53
What does Patanjali's sutras focus on in chapter 1?
contemplation, what is yoga and the nature of the mind
54
What does Patanjali's sutras focus on in chapter 2?
the practice and method; the 8-fold path of Ashtanga
55
What does Patanjali's sutras focus on in chapter 3?
progression and superpowers
56
What does Patanjanli's sutras focus on in chapter 4?
enlightenment and serenity; where yoga takes the student
57
What does citta vritti nirodha mean?
calming the fluctuations of the mind
58
What is the goal of calming the fluctuations of the mind?
establishing yourself in reality/a yogic state
59
According to the sutras, what happens when the mind is not calm?
we identify with the activities of the mind, and our thoughts do not reflect reality
60
What does Patanjali suggest as requirements for control over the mind?
commitment/perseverance and non attachment
61
What does Patanjali suggest are the benefits of perseverance and non attachment?
The practice becomes a reflection and self analysis, and therefore will bring mental peace.
62
Which chapter of the sutras suggests a path of action?
Chapter 2, which identifies obstacles and offers the 8-fold path.
63
What is the goal of the 8-fold path?
to attain contemplation and a pure mind to diminish the cause of suffering
64
What are the five causes of suffering?
1. ignorance
2. ego
3. attachment to desire
4. aversion
5. fear
65
According to the sutras, what is the goal of meditation?
eliminating mental fluctuations set in place by erroneous impulses
66
How do we know Patanjali is a dualist?
He notes liberation releases us from material beings, and opens us to being metaphysical beings.
67
What are the steps in the 8-fold path?
1. yama
2. niyama
3. asana
4. pranayama
5. pratyahara
6. dharana
7. dhyana
8. samadhi
68
Name the yamas.
1. ahimsa
2. satya
3. brahmacharya
4. asteya
5. aparigraha
69
Name the niyamas.
1. saucha
2. santosha
3. tapas
4. svadhyaya
5. ishvarapranidhana
70
What is the only thing Patanjali notes regarding asana?
there should be steadiness and ease
71
What 8-fold step concentrates the mind without external distractions?
dharana
72
What 8-fold step is meditation or contemplation in it's purest form?
dhyana
73
What is the very basic questions the Bhagavad Gita presents?
1. How should we act?
2. What makes life meaningful?
74
What does rita mean?
right action; what is the right way to act
75
The rise of (blank) begins to question dharma and action.
Buddhism
76
What is akarma?
no action; retreating
77
What three yogic paths does the Bhagavad Gita offer?
1. karma yoga
2. bhakti yoga
3. jnana yoga
78
What is the yogic path of action called?
karma yoga
79
What is the yogic path of devotion called?
bhkati yoga
80
What is the yogic path of knowledge called?
jnana yoga
81
Who is the primary audience in the Bhagavad Gita?
Prince Arjuna
82
Who offers advice in the Bhagavad Gita?
Krishna; the supreme god/deity
83
What two dharmas is Arjuna torn between?
1. dharma of family
2. protecting his people/warrior role
84
Krishna suggests Arjuna is conflicted because of this reason...
he has lost sight of the source/essential nature of it all
85
What framework in the Bhagavad Gita also reflects Samkhya philosophy?
1. What is liberation?
2. What is dharma?
3. What is our purpose?
4. Why are we confused?
5. What is the nature of illusion?
86
Why does the Bhagavad Gita say we need to return to the source of it all?
because then we will understand how to act
87
Why are we confused?
we are removed from our highest cognition; we are in the material realm
88
Explain jnana yoga in simple terms.
acting with clarify and clear purpose
89
Explain karma yoga in simple terms.
acting without desire of attachment; no karmic consequences when our actions are identical with the nature of it all
90
Explain buddhi yoga in simple terms.
uniting the mind with the higher consciousness
91
Explain bhakti yoga in simple terms
holding love for Krishna and taking action in the spirit of Krishna; acting for the good of the cosmic order because it is aligned with Krishna
92
What body part is considered the "center" in modern science?
spine/spinal cord
93
What body part is considered the "center" in subtle anatomy?
heart
94
According to Samkya philosophy, how does the universe begin?
The sound of purusha & prikritti combining is om, wich creates the unfolding of the tattvas.
95
Who suggested the theory the chakras are aligned along the spine?
Arthur Avalon
96
What is the goal of complex asanas?
to awaken consciousness through all parts of the body
97
How do the gunas relate to our overall health?
we can maintain our health by finding balance through the gunas, which is found in our yoga practice
98
What is the relationship between the body & energy in tantra philosophy?
the body is a conduit for energy
99
Who asks self reflection questions that can show chakra imbalances?
Jung
100
Who added colors, sounds, and physical locations to chakras?
Arthur Avalon
101
What are the purpose of the koshas?
they give a sense of being part of the whole of it all
102
How do we move between the koshas?
by starting from a base layer moving towards the innermost layer
103
Name the koshas (in English)
1. food sheath
2. vital sheath
3. mental sheath
4. intellect sheath
5. bliss sheath
104
The kosha of the food sheath reflects what?
outermost layer
things we touch and nourish
physical aspect
105
The kosha of the vital sheath reflects what?
the breath
explored through the experience of the body
breath connects us to the body
106
The kosha of the intellect sheath reflects what?
learning that working with the body and mind has an effect on our thoughts
107
The kosha of the intellect sheath can also be called/named what?
wisdom sheath
108
The kosha of the bliss sheath reflects what?
the heart and contentment
109
In simple terms, what are the yoga sutras?
steps and reflections on the fruits of our practice
110
In simple terms, what are the kleshas?
mental disturbances
111
Name the five kleshas (in English)
1. ignorance
2. ego
3. attachment
4. repulsion/avoidance
5. fear of death
