Chapter one of the Yoga Sutras in a nut shell.

After class last week a student expressed some confusion related to the first chapter of the Yoga Sutras. As promised, here is my "chapter one in a nut shell overview" for you. I hope it is helpful. Key words have been highlighted......

In the context of the Yoga Sutras, the word Yoga means to 'yoke' or harness the senses via intense concentration. The end result of this practice is union with the Supreme Self. The Supreme Self is that unchanging energy of pure Being which is referred to as Purusha in the Sutras. It is a state of super consciousness that ultimately exists beyond thought, though during its early stages cognition is still present. In order to reach this state it is necessary to control and eventually to stop the vritti, movements of the mind, because our thoughts will always bind us to our individual sense of self, jiva.

   

Abasya, practice, and viragya, detachment or dispassion,  are the methods which enable the yogi to move beyond the modifications of the mind and the obstacles that they present. They allow the mind to become concentrated or one pointed, ekagrata parinama. When the mind become one pointed it begins to merge with its object of concentration. This leads to the first stage of samadhi called, samprajnatah samadhi. The more intensely and steadily one practices abasya and viragya the quicker one will reach this state.

 

  Samprajnatah samadhi can also be reached  quickly through surrender or devotion to God, Isvara-pranidhana. Ishvara is Purusha in form but yet is free from all attributes and afflictions that Prakriti, nature, or the energy of creation, is subject to. The vibration of Om is the same as Ishvara and by its constant repetition and meditation on its meaning, japa, one can also come to know God, Purusha.

    As the mind becomes more purified through the deepening of its efforts of concentration, or through supreme devotion and surrender, Samadhi becomes more refined until reaching the final stage called asamprajnatah samadhi, super consciousness beyond perfect knowledge, beyond even the subtle latent impression, samskaras, left by thought, complete merger with Purusha.

Comments

[J.C.]

Thank you!!!