There are three types of students (sādhakas), according to various yoga traditions:
- Lesser students, called a paśu sādhakas, are often bound by base and animal desires (paśu means animal). On the one hand, these students often are selfish, have uncontrolled appetites, and can be unclean in their personal behaviours. On the other hand, lesser students also crave the fine thing of life, get easily upset when they lose material possessions, are in the constant pursuit of happiness, sometimes seeing themselves as blameless victims of circumstance.
- The second type of student is the vīra sādhaka (virā means heroic). Vīra sādhakas are helpful in the world, and want to improve their own knowledge and self-awareness. They are ready to leap into action to help improve the lives of others. Heroic students are as satisfied in times of despair, as in time of happiness. They courageously evaluate their own weaknesses, and actively strive for self-improvement.
- The third type of student is the divya sādhaka (divya means virtuous, beautiful, charming, and wonderful). The divya sādhaka exhibits virtuous, divine qualities, sometimes reminiscent of a deity’s grace. The desire to self-improve does not factor so much into their primary motivations. Rather, virtuous students are occupied with experiencing the sweetness of transcendent reality, and revel in the presence of the divine.
Everybody has a mixture of the three characteristics: animalistic, heroic, and divine. However, at any one time, a student will be more firmly established in one characteristic than another, while progressing from one stage to the next.
When the divya sādhaka fully realizes the cosmic reality present in all aspects of universal existence, they become a spiritual teacher (divya acarya). Rather than taking pleasure in worldly matters the divya acarya seeks to spend more time in a deeply spiritual practice, away from the mundane business of the world.
Each type of student will behave according to their temperament, and must follow their own path of development. Yet, in most cases, divya sādhakas and divya acaryas practice strict vegetarianism.
Nalini Kanta Brahma, author of ‘Philosophy of Hindu Sādhana’ quotes “What is meat for one is poison for another.”
The Kularnava Tantra states (http://www.bhagavadgitausa.com/kularnava_tantra.htm):
Who wants to all of a sudden give up eating meat? The virtuous person creates specific dietary rules for others and suggests that one can eat meat and drink wine on certain occasions, but not at other times. Conversely, for her or himself, the virtuous person will give up eating meat and indulging sexual pleasure.
Meanwhile, the Srimad-Bhagavatam states (V.7.15.7 http://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/7/15/7):
“A person fully aware of religious principles should never offer anything like meat, eggs or fish in the śrāddha ceremony, and even if one is a Kshatriya (warrior), he himself should not eat such things. When suitable food prepared with ghee is offered to saintly persons, the function is pleasing to the forefathers and the Supreme Being, who are never pleased when animals are killed in the name of sacrifice.”
Jenny shares with us her delicious organic bread recipe:
“Since starting the challenge a week ago I have been trying to master my own organic bread. Now I think I’ve got it. Try this:
In a bowl mix:
- 600gm flour ( My last batch I did 450gm wholemeal spelt flour, 150gm rye flour)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- A handful of both chia and linseeds (or whatever you fancy)
- 3 teaspoons yeast
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar ( its less than the 10% rule- you need a little for the yeast to grow)
- 750mls warm water
It will look like porridge!
Line a loaf tin with baking paper, and pour into the tin
Place in warm oven of 75C for 40 mins to rise.
Increase temp to 180C for a further 45mins.
I then lifted it out of the tin and returned it to the oven for 10-15 mins so the crust was crusty!
Cool and enjoy. Half batches work fine too if its just one of you.
Because it has no preservatives it does go stale quickly over a couple of days. I slice it and put it in the freezer for toast.
This is cheaper than the bought high grade organic bread- and just as good.
NZ Yoga Centre - AOTEAROA 