For most of the modern Yoga industry, sensuality is an appeal that generates good financial returns.
Such appeal is based on the visual exploration of the body exposed to the most eccentric postures that, in practice, keep away a significant part of the public. When we think about the purpose of Yoga and the beneficent power that it brings to the practitioners, we see that there is something wrong in the pasteurized advertisement of Yoga.
Sensuality has always been present in Yoga. What has happened in the last decades is just a result of the media explosion provided by the media, the internet, and social networks. Appealing marketing used the body to attract the attention of the most innocent public; and the most powerful bait of this tool was sensuality. Something simple, at first sight. And so that we don't sound like puritans of the Vedic tradition, I want to emphasize the concept of sensuality in a deeper way, that is, how it is understood and is present in the foundations of Yoga philosophy and, mainly, psychology.
The root of sensuality
There is a characteristic mark of Latin sensuality, but the Latin expression in this context will refer to the Latin language and the etymology of the word sensuality.
The word originates from sensualitas and means capacity for sensation and perception through the sense organs. In other words, sensuality is the ability of the soul to act in the physical material world. Imagine that you find yourself hungry and pass in front of a good restaurant. Immediately you will be attracted by your sense of smell, which will tell you that you can satisfy your hunger there.
On the other hand, imagine you watch a movie and are moved by certain scenes captured by your visual and auditory senses, which activate your memory field and awaken you to certain emotions. However, it is only a movie, a fiction that has succeeded through communication between the sensorial objects present on the screen and your senses of perception. It would not be wrong for us to think that an active phenomenon of sensuality occurred in these two examples.
In this way, we can understand that sensuality is not just sexuality or the sensual appeal exalted by the Yoga industry marketing. Therefore, the problem is in the mold given by the media and in the consumption by this kind of conceptual superficiality.
Before we think about a solution, let's analyze this same concept in the fundamentals of Yoga psychology.
The Root of Sensuality
There is a characteristic mark of Latin sensuality, but the Latin expression in this context will refer to the Latin language and the etymology of the word sensuality.
The word originates from sensualitas and means capacity for sensation and perception through the sense organs. In other words, sensuality is the ability of the soul to act in the physical material world. Imagine that you find yourself hungry and pass in front of a good restaurant. Immediately you will be attracted by your sense of smell, which will tell you that you can satisfy your hunger there.
On the other hand, imagine you watch a movie and are moved by certain scenes captured by your visual and auditory senses, which activate your memory field and awaken you to certain emotions. However, it is only a movie, a fiction that has succeeded through communication between the sensorial objects present on the screen and your senses of perception. It would not be wrong for us to think that an active phenomenon of sensuality occurred in these two examples.
In this way, we can understand that sensuality is not just sexuality or the sensual appeal exalted by the Yoga industry marketing. Therefore, the problem is in the mold given by the media and in the consumption by this kind of conceptual superficiality.
Before we think about a solution, let's analyze this same concept in the fundamentals of Yoga psychology.
Sensualitas conectiuns
In both Latin and Sanskrit terminology we will find the phenomenon of the interaction of the spiritual soul with the elements of the physical world. This sensory connection takes place in the individual's field of action. This field is the sensory reality where every sensory relationship is established between the active observer and the sensory objects. As an observer, he should not take advantage of the superficiality of his existence and become a sensory object for others.
This means that when we expose our sensory presence to the exploration of another observer, we are submitting ourselves to the dispersion of our own energy that is externalized as a product that will activate the imagination of the other observer. Such an act is not unnatural, but restricted to the process of captivating, attracting, or seducing that is common to couples in any existing realm.
When we are truly integrated in the Yoga process, we understand that the sensorial connection has the purpose of intensifying the means of inner approach to the Supreme, either through the senses or through consciousness. Any other kind of external connection should have only the noble instructive purpose.
Yoga Psychology
The interaction established between the individual self and the physical world can create conditioning if we are not aware of the elements present in this interaction. For example, if we don't know the purpose of the actions we perform, we will certainly give each action an exaggerated value with the expectation of the stealthy results that will come from them, that is, we always act in search of some kind of satisfaction.
The Yogi's mentality is characterized by extracting satisfaction in the delivery of each action, during the process of action, and never in the fruits of the action. This is because the Yogi is in inner connection with the Supreme, understanding that all the abilities and motivating causes of actions come from Him, so he will act for the pleasure and satisfaction of the Supreme. Acting in this consciousness promotes satisfaction in the Yogi's soul, and this is his greatest benefit.
This means that there is a clear definition in Yoga that sensuality is the ability of the soul to go through matter and reach the real meaning, the spirit or energy that is in everything that is manifest in the physical world as objects, people, beings and phenomena. Therefore, the mistaken idea of abolishing sensuality from Yoga will not solve the real problem of modern Yoga, for this problem stems from misunderstanding of what the senses of perception are, what the physical world is, what action is, and what the purpose of all that exists is.
Without a definite Yoga-based education, we will continue to be shaped by the (often animalistic) trends created by the Yoga industry media. This education not only brings clarity to the conscience but also aligns the purpose of human life to the highest values of living together in an ideal society that we aspire to build for a healthier and more balanced future.
Portuguese version: https://www.vvyschool.com/sensualidade-intrinseca-do-yoga/
