@Los said
"
@Uni_Verse said
"Asana is to be mastered before moving onto Pranayama."
Yes, if you're trying to master yoga (and especially the stripped-down version of yoga that Crowley presented). However, for a person not interested in mastering yoga for the sake of mastering yoga -- and interested, instead, in using yoga toward the end of Thelemic attainment -- then it's not necessary. Neither is pranayama, really. The important part is to shut down thought for a while. The other stuff might help, but it's certainly not necessary, and if it's causing someone physical pain, my recommendation would be to stop.
"
Not necessary, though highly useful.
I believe there should be some pain and discomfort, at first.
Though there is not a need to push it to the extreme.
@Los said
"Well, speaking in terms of Thelemic attainment (and not a "strict yoga stand point"), I wouldn't characterize the goal as "ignor* the signals coming from your body." I would describe the goal as becoming aware that your body, like your thoughts, is not the True Self."
Perhaps I should have worded my self better, though I feel there is a mixing of the method with the end goal.
The method entails ignoring the sensations of the body, until ones thoughts go from:
"I am in pain" to "A sensation of pain arises from the body" and finally
"A sensation arises, I am unperturbed"
@Los said
"A far preferable way of doing this is sitting comfortably in a chair and observing all of the signals arising from the body. Twitches, itches, spasms, aches, involuntary movements, tingles, and more. Just watch your body, observe these sensations arise and then let them pass away. Return your attention to your breath, to your surroundings, to what's happening in reality. Repeat with the mind: notice any thoughts, dismiss them, and return to paying attention."
Indeed.
Though it is missing the point of Asana : you should not need to "sit comfortably"
You have yet to master your body and mind if you need to "sit comfortably"
While the chosen Asana becomes the most comforting of positions, all positions become equal upon its mastery.
@Los said
"What I've described above is all a person really needs to do in order to aid Thelemic attainment. Anything else is bells and whistles, and my honest advice is that a person experiencing discomfort and pain from practice -- particularly to the degree that the OP suggests -- should discontinue the practice. More than one way to scale a mountain, you know...."
While some pain and discomfort is to be expected, I agree it is unnecessary to go to the extreme.
Unless you are in a rush to get somewhere ð