Episode 17. Father Joe Pereira is a Roman Catholic priest from Mumbai. He is a devoted disciple of both Guruji BKS Iyengar and Mother Teresa. He is also the founder of the Kripa Foundation, now the largest non-profit organization in India that helps people affected by substance abuse, addictions, and HIV/AIDS in their rehabilitation process. After meeting Guruji BKS Iyengar in 1968 at a concert of Yehudi Menuhin, Father Joe joined Guruji’s classes in Mumbai and since then has been his close disciple.
At 82, Father Joe practices Yoga every day. He teaches Iyengar Yoga and conducts Yoga workshops around the world. He also does various research on the effectiveness of Yoga in detoxification and healing people with addictions. Father Joe is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences. In his Yoga classes, Father Joe keeps sharing Guruji’s message that “every asana is a prayer.” He also emphasizes the importance of calming the body to calm the mind.
For his commitment and contributions to society, Father Joe has received numerous awards. These include the Padma Shri Award, one of the highest civilian awards bestowed by the Government of India, and a Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received from the President of India.
Today, Father Joe shares his story and insights from practicing Yoga for over 50 years and learning it directly from Guruji BKS Iyengar.
Links to the videos, books and articles mentioned in the interview:
Kripa Foundation: https://kripafoundation.org/about-fr-joe-kripas-founder/
"Relaxation response" by Dr Herber Benson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Relaxation_Response
“Jesus Christ, My supreme Yogi" Father Joe Pereira: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/christ-the-supreme-yogi/articleshow/4382443.cms
BKS Iyengar on Kripa Foundation and Fr.Joe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIA8XDVs1eA&t=311s
"The Blissful Brain" by Shanida Nataraja: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/3087740
Glossary (Sanskrit words and sutras from the interview):
Ida, Pingala and Sushumna nadis - are the three principal energy channels running from the base of the spine to the head. Sushumna is in the center with Ida on the left and Pingala on the right of it.
Antaratma - a Sanskrit word contains of 2 parts: antara meaning "inner" and Atma meaning "soul" or "Self.” Antaratma generally refers to the "inner Self" or "inner consciousness”.
Anga - limb (asta anga means eight limbs).
pinda vritti nirodha - pinda refers to the physical body or the corporeal form of a being. pinda vritti nirodha emphasizes the importance of calming both the physical body to reach a state of inner stillness and clarity.
yo māṁ paśhyati sarvatra sarvaṁ cha mayi paśhyati
tasyāhaṁ na praṇaśhyāmi sa cha me na praṇaśhyati
Bhagavat Gita Chapter IV verse 30.
“He who sees(experiences) Me in all beings and all beings in me never becomes lost to me, nor do I become lost to him". When the individual self has become one with Atma, the individual and the supreme Self live together.
Atma trupti - self-gratification.
Brahmacharya - religious study, self-restraint, celibacy.
Bahiranga - is a Sanskrit term which means “external” or “outside”. In the 8-fold path of Yoga, it is associated with the first 5 limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara.
Antaranga - “internal,” “inner” or “inside.” It is typically associated with the last three limbs of the 8-fold path of Yoga: Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
chitta vritti nirodha - Yoga Sutras of Patanjali I.2. “Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind”.
snayu vritti nirodha - snayu refers to the muscles and ligaments, tissues that control body movements. Hence this verse could be translated as “cessation of the fluctuations of the fascia”, or “eradication of the dysfunctions of the muscles, fascia, ligaments, tissues”.
yat pinde tat brahmande - is an ancient Sanskrit verse from the Vedic texts. It can be interpreted as “All that is outside you is within you,” or “Your body is a miniature universe.”
Panchatatva - Panch means five and tatvas mean elements. Panchtatva connotes the five elements i.e. ether (Akash), wind (Vayu), fire (Agni), water (Jal) and earth (Prithvi). These five elements form the warp and woof of the entire cosmos.
Pranamaya kosha - kosha means "sheath”, prana is vital energy, breath, air. Koshas are sheaths which are covering the Atman, Self. There are 5 koshas, pranamaya kosha is the breath body, energy sheath. It includes 5 elements: apana, udana, samana, vyana, prana.
prayatna shaithilya ananta samapattibhyam - Yoga Sutra of Patanjali II.47. “Perfection in an asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached”.
Bhishmasana - an asana intended for rest and relaxation, allowing the practitioner to recover and rejuvenate. There are 3 kinds of Bhishmasana: 1 - lying on 7 bricks, 2 - sitting in front of the chair, 3- standing and bending over a trestler.
tato dvaṅdva-an-abhighātah - Yoga Sutras of Patanjali II.48. "From then on, the sadhaka is undisturbed by dualities". The practice of asana results in victory over the dualities of life. There is no longer joy or sorrow, heat or cold, honour or dishonour, pain or pleasure.
Anandamaya kosha - the most subtle of all 5 koshas, the bliss body.
