Week Five: Isvara Pranidhana

इस्वर प्रनिधन

God enters by a private door into each individual.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart.
—Abraham Joshua Heschel 

In our own lives the voice of God speaks slowly, a syllable at a time. Reaching the peak of years, dispelling some of our intimate illusions and learning how to spell the meaning of life-experiences backwards, some of us discover how the scattered syllables form a single phrase

—Abraham Joshua Heschel

Certain thoughts are prayers.  There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.  —Victor Hugo

Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. .... get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.
— Abraham Joshua Heschel

Those who believe that they believe in God, but without passion in their hearts, without anguish in mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, without an element of despair even in their consolation, believe in the God idea, not God himself.   
— Miguel de Unamuno

They say that God is everywhere, and yet we always think of Him as somewhat of a recluse.  — Emily Dickinson

True strength lies in submission which permits one to dedicate his life, through devotion, to something beyond himself. 

—Henry Miller

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.  — St. Augustine 

Perform your duties in an unselfish spirit.
Always try to perform your duties without desiring any result.
All, without exception, perform work.
Even to chant the name and glories of God is work,
as is the meditation of the non-dualist on 'I am He'.
Breathing is also an activity. There is no way of renouncing
work altogether. So do your work, but surrender the result to God.

—Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

5 Qualities Determining Adhikara or Student Readiness

• Open Mind/Heart-Beginner's Mind
• Intellectual dexterity and cheerful curiosity
• Drive and confidence—the wish/will to transform
• Steadfast and patient
• Type of Student—discovering who you are/ discovering with teacher the right practice for your disposition and current place in life

Practice and Pranayama For This Week:

Pranayama Week 5

Yoga Sutras 1:20 and 2:1