Pantjali: The Great Synthesizer

[Rasputin]

I understand Pantjali was the great synthesizer of pre-Hindu Yogic thought.  I've had a book sitting on my bookshelf for several years now that a friend gave me, which I have yet to read much in depth.  It is Pantjali's The Science of Yoga  translated, explained, and expounded upon.  It's very interesting.  As I'm sure those of you browsing this section know, Buddhism split from Hinduism, and hence, the two religions have certain commonalities.  After reading some of this book, I understand just how many commonalities they have.  There is a very common experiential science of mind that I find to be the bedrock of both faiths.  I find it very interesting because what I am reading in this book reflects many things I already believed to be true, which explains much of my attraction to Buddhism.  Rather or not one is a Buddhist...which I am not esclusively, I follow my own path, which coincides with much of Buddhism...one should be able to appreciate the truths gleaned from generations of Yogis who have embarked on an empirical study of the mind.  Metaphysical presuppostions are a part of all faiths, and Buddhism is no exception, but if we are to truly follow the spiritual path we have chosen, we must be honest with ourselves, which means following a path that includes a science of the mind.  I find Yoga to be the examplar of an empirical exploration of the mind while taking into account rationalistic factors.  We live in an age of science, and many modern psychologists study the mind in great empirical depth, yet miss the mark because they are stripping away the rationalistic factors that bring spiritual import to our endeavor.  The reason for this is a profound lack of trust in our spiritual intuition as exemplified in modern society, especially in the academic and scientific communities.  The key to spiritual growth, I am convinced, is balance in all things.  I believe that God exists, but we cannot get to Him through clinging to Him.  The only path to spiritual truth is through the self, in which case we must be honest with ourselves in all things.

[songbird]

Very nice Rasputin and I agree that the key to spiritual growth is through balance in all things. 
Simple message -- hard learned sometimes.

[Rasputin]

Yes...none of us is perfect...we can aim to live in balance all we want, and we may succeed, to some degrree...but every time we get derailed by some frustration, we are falling into an extreme...even the protracted effort to live in balance can become an extreme...it if takes too much effort, likely we are missing the mark of balance.