Illustrating the 8 stages of Yoga practice with 5 symbols of 一 二 人 大 天

Illustrating the 8 stages of Yoga practice with 5 symbols of 一 二 人 大 天 

Here’s the expanded explanation integrating the symbolic meanings of "人," "大," and "天" with the stages of yoga:

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The journey of full enlightenment can be beautifully illustrated through the writing sequence of the Chinese character "天" (heaven). Each stroke in this character symbolizes a key stage in the path to awakening, reflecting the connection between the cosmos, humanity, and the fully enlightened individual. Below is an explanation of how this journey unfolds, stroke by stroke, within the character "天," as it aligns with the stages of yoga.

- **First Horizontal Stroke (一):**  

  - Symbolizes the universal singularity or the ultimate essence of the cosmos.

- **Second Horizontal Stroke (一):**  

  - Represents humanity, connecting the cosmic essence with human existence.

- **Connectivity between the First and Second Horizontal Stroke (二):**  

  - Symbolizes the connectivity of the universal singularity or the ultimate essence of the cosmos, and the humanity, connecting the cosmic essence with human existence.

- **Left and Right Strokes of "人" (Person):**  

  - Symbolize a refined person who is fully awakened.

  - This refined person embodies the life energy cultivated through the early stages of yoga: **Yama** (ethical discipline), **Niyama** (self-discipline), **Asana** (physical postures), **Pranayama** (breath control), **Pratyahara** (withdrawal of senses), and **Dharana** (concentration).

- **The Greatness of "大":**  

  - Symbolizes the individual reaching the level of greatness, aligning with the **Dhyana** (meditation) stage of yoga, where perfection in meditation is achieved.

- **The Ultimate Dimension of "天":**  

  - Represents the ultimate dimension, symbolizing the **Samadhi** level of perfection in yoga, where the individual experiences the highest state of consciousness and union with the cosmos.

- **Combined Meaning:**

  - The "天" character illustrates the journey of full enlightenment, starting from the universal singularity, moving through the essence of humanity, and culminating in a fully awakened person. This person embodies the perfection of yoga, progressing from the foundational life energies to the ultimate realization in Samadhi, achieving perfect harmony between the cosmos and the present moment.