Embodied Enlightenment: The Convergence of Patanjali and St. John of the Cross

Embodied Enlightenment: The Convergence of Patanjali and St. John of the Cross

 

Within each of us resides a magnificent vessel, capable of radiating divine glory through the practice of meditation. Patanjali, in the sacred scriptures of Yoga Aphorisms, guides us to the third chapter, unveiling the profound nature of this glorious body. Echoing Patanjali's teachings, Vivekananda emphasizes the indestructible essence of this corporeal form, transcending the constraints of time. St. Paul's words further affirm the significance of the yogic body as a temple, housing the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us by God. In Corinthians, we are reminded to honor the divine presence in both our physical and spiritual realms.

 

The profound connection between Patanjali and the illustrious Spanish mystic, St. John of the Cross, becomes evident as we explore the parallel philosophies they share. St. John's transformative journey through four nights aligns harmoniously with Patanjali's concepts of Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. These nights symbolize spiritual states of openness and surrender to the grace of God, where the flickering lights of our human limitations are extinguished. Patanjali's teachings beautifully articulate the divine illumination that emerges during these transformative experiences. Pratyahara, the withdrawal of the senses, finds resonance in St. John's belief in turning inward, recognizing the boundless nature.

  Embracing Life's Delights: It's Time to Start Enjoying

 
The melodic refrain of "Time-pass" from peanut vendors on long train journeys hints at the notion that by indulging in these treats, one can diminish the perceived passage of time.

 

Time possesses a peculiar character - intangible and beyond the realms of our senses. We cannot see, taste, hear, touch, or smell it, yet its existence is profoundly felt. Einstein introduced time as the fourth dimension, urging us to view space-time as a unified entity rather than separate entities. His Theory of Relativity reveals the potential for time to stretch and compress.

 

In the Indian tradition, time, known as "kaal," is not perceived as a linear construct but rather as an endless cycle. Intriguingly, the word "kal" is used to denote both yesterday and tomorrow, embodying the cyclical nature of existence.

 

Ivan Turgenev eloquently stated, "Time sometimes flies like a bird and sometimes crawls like a worm." People often find happiness when they are unaware of the swift or slow passage of time. This leads us to two distinct perceptions of time: Chronos and Kairos. Kairos represents those moments when time seems suspended, unfelt, as one engages in something worthwhile, exciting, or in the company of interesting individuals. Chronos, on the other hand, symbolizes sequential time, measured by clocks and calendars. In contrast, Kairos evokes a boundaryless, open space sensation.

 

The English language is replete with sayings related to time: "a stitch in time saves nine," "time and tide wait for no one," "doing time," "high time," "having a good time," "time will tell," "tough times," and "when the time is ripe." Our interactions with time are limited to actions such as killing it, wasting it, enjoying it, or adding value to it. One thing is clear: we cannot turn back the clock, and unused time cannot be refunded. The only time within our grasp is the present moment.

 

Our perception of time is intrinsically tied to age - in youth, we feel an abundance of time at our disposal, while the arrival of old age starkly highlights the limitations of time.

 

While Benjamin Franklin associates time with money, a Chinese proverb emphasizes its priceless nature: "An inch of time is an inch of gold, but you cannot buy that inch of time with an inch of gold." The concept of "buying time" is peculiar since no one appears to be selling it. Time belongs to the list of intangible treasures that cannot be bought, including love, youth, happiness, and peace of mind.

 

An intriguing connection is drawn between the phrase "time flies" and the flight of birds. Their migration patterns and distinctive songs at specific intervals, marking the passage of time, inspired the makers of mechanical clocks to incorporate birds, cuckoos, or roosters into their designs.

 

Biblical verses proclaim, "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven," teaching us that there is a designated time for every aspect of life. Cherishing time is a sign of enlightenment, recognizing that every second holds infinite value. Time, a precious resource, should not be squandered on accumulating regrets, nurturing resentments, or fretting about the past.

 

Time is bestowed upon us in equal and generous measure, yet it is taken away according to an unseen plan. Each of us possesses our own allotted time, neither more nor less. The resounding message is to embrace life fully and make time for activities that infuse us with a joyful sense of being, for as Hans Christian Andersen reminds us, "There's plenty of time to be dead."

  IF HE EXIST

 I drive joy there was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting 7 precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

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