Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 12 Stabilizing/Clearing the Mind – Yoga Sutras (1.33-1.35) Overview: Many teachers of meditation emphasize only one method. Concentrating on the breath is just one example. Some focus on a specific center in the body (chakra) or fixed gazing on some visual object (trataka) as outlined in sutras 1.33 …
Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 11 Obstacles & Solutions – Yoga Sutras (1.30-1.32) Overview: As your practice evolves obstacles are to be expected. Yoga sutra 1.30 lists nine predictable obstacles that arise on your inner journey, and sutra 1.31 mentions four consequences that grow out of these obstacles. Although the serious student may …
Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 10 Samadhi Attained by Devotion, cont. – Yoga Sutras (1.25-1.29) This practice takes the student on a direct route inward, systematically penetrating each level of consciousness. Here it will be shown how Ishvara is represented and invoked by OM and how consciousness contains the seed of omniscience which …
Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 9 Samadhi Attained by Devotion – Yoga Sutras (1.23-1.24) Patanjali uses the next few sutras to focus on the concept of Ishvara in the framework of yoga. Early writings often used Ishvara to mean “master.” A yogesvara was therefore a “master of yoga.” Ishvara is derived from the …
Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 8 Effort & Commitment, cont. – Yoga Sutras (1.21 – 1.22) These two sutras (1.21 and 1.22) discuss the levels of intensity applied to actual practice and commitment to the goal. This way each person can progress at their own rate and still have a direct experience. Remaining …
Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 7 Effort & Commitment – Yoga Sutras (1.19 – 1.20) Yoga Sutras 1.19 and 1.20 describe two kinds or types of aspirants, both of whom can attain the goals of Yoga: Advanced, born with true insight: These aspirants are those who have made tremendous advancement in previous lives …
Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 7 Effort & Commitment – Yoga Sutras (1.19 – 1.20) Yoga Sutras 1.19 and 1.20 describe two kinds or types of aspirants, both of whom can attain the goals of Yoga: Advanced, born with true insight: These aspirants are those who have made tremendous advancement in previous lives …
Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 6 Types of Concentration – Sutras (1.17 – 1.18) These two Yoga Sutras describe the entire process of Samadhi, the higher tool of meditation. Therefore, the whole process of yoga is summarized in these two and the preceding sutras. It reviews how the meditator systematically moves inward. First …
Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 4 Practice & Non-Attachment – Yoga Sutras (1.12 thru 1.14) Practice (abhyasa) and non-attachment (vairagya) are the two foundational principles on which the entire system of Yoga rests. Through the cultivation of these two principles, all other Yoga practices evolve and eventually mastery over the mind field (chitta/citta) …
Chapter 1 – Concentration/Samadhi Pada – Part 3 Un-coloring your thoughts, cont. – Yoga Sutras (1.6 – 1.11) Witnessing the five types of thoughts, along with practice, non-attachment are more covered in the next 6 sutras Yoga Sutra (1.6) – pramana viparyaya vikalpa nidra smritayah. The five types of thought patterns to witness are: Correct …