145. Avairati, give me my dopamine hit!

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali outlines the antarāyas (अन्तरायाः), or obstacles, that impede our progress on the spiritual path. These obstacles distract the mind and prevent us from achieving samādhi (समाधि), the ultimate tool for reaching the goal of yoga. Working through the antarāyas is an essential part of the yogic journey, as they represent the challenges we face in both our inner and outer worlds. Today, we explore the next obstacle, avairati (अवैरतिः), which refers to unregulated sensual desire.

Avairati (अवैरतिः) is the mind's inability to resist the allure of sensory objects. It is the constant pull of the external world, the temptation to seek pleasure through the senses—whether it be through sight, sound, taste, or touch. In our modern world, the pull of sense objects is real and pervasive. The dopaminergic system (डोपामिनर्जिक प्रणाली), which governs the brain's reward circuitry, has become increasingly calculated and engineered by modern technology. From social media algorithms designed to keep us hooked, to a culture that glorifies indulgence and cravings, dopamine has become the driving force behind much of our behavior. In this sense, dopamine is king.

Avairati is our inability to regulate this pull, to resist the constant craving for the next dopamine hit. Whether it's scrolling endlessly on social media, overeating, or seeking out temporary pleasures, our desire for immediate gratification has grown stronger than ever. Avairati captures this struggle—the difficulty in maintaining control over the senses and the constant tug toward external stimulation.

The antidote to avairati lies in practice (abhyāsa, अभ्यास) and non-attachment (vairāgya, वैराग्य). Patanjali emphasizes that these two are the means to achieve yoga. Vairāgya is the counterposition to avairati, representing the practice of non-attachment to sense objects. By cultivating vairāgya, we can free ourselves from the binding pull of sensory pleasures and desires. It requires conscious effort to resist the instinctual craving for pleasure and instead focus on inner stillness.

The cultural norm of being restless, irritable, and discontented is deeply intertwined with avairati. Social media and the constant barrage of stimuli in our daily lives fuel these restless tendencies, making it difficult to find peace or contentment. We must begin to consciously understand how avairati plays a role in this dynamic, especially in the way modern society pulls at our minds, constantly demanding attention.

While avairati is easily seen in our digital addictions, it is also evident in physical and behavioral addictions. The proliferation of drug and alcohol addiction has reached pandemic levels, as people seek to escape their restlessness and unease through substance use. This is another manifestation of avairati—the inability to break free from the pull of external substances and sensations.

Avairati is also reflected in our culture's obsession with materialism. The constant pursuit of wealth, possessions, and status is yet another form of sensual desire. The craving for "more" is never-ending, and it leads us away from inner peace and toward external distractions.

As we move forward in our practice, it is essential to draw awareness to what is pulling on the mind. Notice where avairati shows up in your life, whether in digital distractions, material pursuits, or sensory cravings. By cultivating vairāgya and practicing abhyāsa, we can begin to break free from these obstacles and move closer to the goal of yoga.