Wikipedia definition:
Usually quoted as “illusion”, centered on the fact that we do not experience the environment itself but rather a projection of it, created by us. māyā is the principal deity that manifests, perpetuates and governs the illusion and dream of duality in the phenomenal Universe.
I remember an old song about someone living behind a veil of delusion. Sometimes the veil is created by avidya, what we don’t know. Sometimes the veil is created by the story we create around the reality. There is ALWAYS somewhat of a veil around the reality of the story. Sometimes we need that story to rationalize how our actions created the reality. We all distort our reality. So satya is the path we seek to start to experience reality.
Last night I had my second live online Pranayama practice with Richard Freeman through Soundstrue. There are six in the series and last night Richard was particularly BRILLIANT. His teaching includes an in depth explanation of the gross anatomy of how the pranayama practice works and also a subtle explanation and much imagery of the feeling or experience of the practice. We did about 15 rounds of three different viloma pranayama with Jalandhara bandha. He always brings a new level to practices that I assume I know. For example, there is more to Jalandhara bandha than just dropping the chin. He uses drishti in an effective way too.
Pranayama is a great practice for removing the veil of illusion. It is a whole limb on it’s own. We just tap the surface practing ujjayi in yogasana practice.
AND even better yet, I had a question I submitted on uddiyana bandha a few days ago. It stemmed from something I read in the Guruji book. ALSO IT WAS THE FIRST QUESTION. From Joan. He answered it so well I found out JUST what I needed. Can’t wait for them to provide the download in a few days. The class is on Soundstrue and they do a brilliant job. If you can’t participate, they will have all sessions available for 99$. Total win for teachers.
I have been reading Iyengar’s book on pranayama and the book is great, but having a teacher is even better. I rate this HIGH HIGH HIGH.
Going to workshops etc is expensive and time consuming. There are plenty of good online sources to supplement working with real teachers. That Ashtanga Confluence was pretty much taped from beginning to end and I have watched most of it already. Next year I am going though. There is still a veil between watching and experiencing the reality of a workshop and the vibe there looked great. I know that from Esalen. NOTHING could even be close to that experience.
Thank you linking to the Richard Freeman class, looking forward to practicing along with that and the clearer sound than the workshop. Nice to read about someone else exploring the ‘Rishi approach’ too I find it rewarding, a masterclass in every posture I do it in, after ten, twenty breaths I find the body really starts to teach you a thing or two.
I am so glad I found your research on the rishi series. It is very intense like you said but very helpful.