Embodied Knowledge
I wrote a short essay a while back as part of my studies on Sankhya Philosophy (which Ayurveda and Yoga stem from). I’m sharing my writings today as I hope this might inspire you, in some ways, to experience life through your most embodied and wise Self.
Topic: Explain why has it become important to use Pramanas in modern Yogic scenario, especially as a Yoga teacher. How can the use of Pramanas make your professional life better?
For over 5,000 years, Yoga has been a time-tested practice for self-inquiry and transformation. The knowledge of Yoga as told by Patanjali Yoga Sutra, is a compilation of techniques for an individual’s spiritual growth. Yoga Sutra is based on Sankhya Philosophy, an Indian philosophy that defines the language of Yoga. The ultimate goal is to be free from suffering as we detach ourselves from objects and desires.
In the modern context of Yoga, the practice is now synonymous with a physical practice for flexibility and well-being (Yogi Times, 2023). The body-mind-spirit connection has been watered down to a body-based feel-good experience. As a result, we are witnessing spiritual bypassing and a complete disregard for the original intent of the practice.
In the Yogic philosophy, there are four paths of Yoga, namely, Karma Yoga (Action), Bhakti Yoga (Devotion), Raja Yoga (Meditation, mantras, and techniques) and Jnana Yoga (Wisdom) (Chopra 2016). All paths are intertwined and should co-exist together. In modern Yogic scenarios, Yoga teachers commonly cherry-pick their favourite techniques of Raja Yoga, and offer a teaching that is a watered-down, contemporary version of the tradition. Whereas, the path of Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga had little resources and teachings available for sincere students to learn the traditional path of self-inquiry. Yoga is an ever growing multi-billion dollar industry that has reduced to popularised styles of yoga classes and highly lucrative yoga fashion trends (Yogi Times, 2023). Yoga is now reduced to a work out and no longer a “work in”.
To take on the role of a Yoga teacher, one must bear the responsibility and duty of upholding the traditional roots of Yoga. Today, we’re speaking about the path of Jnana Yoga which uses the techniques of logic and reason to refine the mind and remove the veil of our ego-based ignorance, gaining wisdom through study and self-inquiry.
According to Sankhya Philosophy, it recognises three sources of valid knowledge (Pramanas), They are, Pratyaksha Pramana, Anumana Pramana and Agama Pramana (Samkhya Karika, 1933).
Pratyaksha Pramana refers to sensory perception. It is the knowledge derived via senses which come in contact with objects. It works in the present, based on our direct sensory experience or remembered perception from our memory. Pratyaksha helps us to stay in the present as “Seeing is Believing”.
Anumana Pramana requires the skill of inference. This knowledge is derived from observation(s) and previously established truths by applying reason. With inference, the mind picks up what has to be a universal and invariable link between what is perceived and what is asserted, and makes it our reality. As Socrates beautifully said, ‘We are what we think we are.”
Agama Pramana is experiential testimony. It is about transmission of information authoritatively by a trustworthy person and/or a valid source such as a teacher (Guru) and/or the sacred scriptures of Hinduism (The Vedas).
By applying all three Pramanas, we can filter through life opinions, generate more clarity of the mind, and remove past conditionings. It is the journey of deconditioning to release the Self from suffering, which is the ultimate objective of Sankhya Philosophy – and by extension – the goal of Yoga.
It is important for yoga teachers to use Pramanas to make wise inferences and avoid misrepresenting the yogic teachings as their personal interpretation or memoir. To be a yoga teacher, one must first be a sincere seeker of the path. Agama Pramana also asks for a complete surrender of ego to a higher source. When a seeker completely drops the ego self, physiological occurrences such as anxiety and imposter syndrome will be replaced by complete faith and trust of the Guru and the scriptures.
As time and experiences illuminate the path, the seeker takes on the responsibility and duty to learn from the experiential testimony and seek for his/her own embodied experience, slowly maturing and ripening into the seat of the teacher. Within the seat of the teacher, resides the seat of the Self.
When the teacher shares from a confident and authentic space, the student connects and studies the deeper intention of a yoga practice. A traditional yoga practice should inspire the student to inquire about the teachings they had received on the mat, and attempt to incorporate them into their lives. As a result, the teacher feels purposeful and devoted to the role of upholding the practice that they have preached. This positive ripple effect helps to preserve the tradition and roots of Yoga.
The use of Pramanas can also make our professional life simpler by using the framework to observe, inquire and reflect. Pratyaksha Pramana reminds us to stay in the present state of experience and Agama Pramana provides empirical evidence for us to support our observations or inferences (Anumana Pramana). This prevents the ego-self from inferring fallacies (E.g. negative self-talk) that can impair our judgment or bound us within our ego identities.
As we practice the Pramanas like training a muscle in our body, we begin to trust our inner wisdom, and as a result, gain clarity and confidence to speak our truth. Similar to the positive ripple effect of a sincere Yoga teacher, the practice of self-inquiry will bring us closer to our Self. Eventually, we learn to detach ourselves from the role that we play in the world, the titles that we hold, and possessions that we keep. We begin to reflect on our true purpose and refine our professional duties and boundaries. We understand the concept that we are infinitely more than the ego by which we define ourselves. Then, the power of Wisdom works as our greatest ally for us to experience life with freedom, peace, and humility.
Reference list:
Chopra (2021) The 4 Paths of Yoga Available at: https://chopra.com/articles/the-4-paths-of-yoga
Yogi Times (2023) Yoga industry statistics, facts, demographics & infographic. Available at: https://www.yogitimes.com/article/unstoppable-trend-yoga-infographic-business
Samkhya Karika (1933) - Isvara Krsna’s Memorable Verses on Samkhya Philosophy, with the Commentary of Gaudapadacarya Available at: https://universaltheosophy.com/hds/samkhya-karika/
