173. Contentrate on a Great Soul, Mahatma.
My Daily Thread
In our continued exploration of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, we turn to Sutra 1:37, which offers another practical approach to stilling the mind. 1:37 in Sanskrit reads: वीतरागविषयं वा चित्तम्। Vītarāga-viṣayaṁ vā cittam. This translates to: “Or, by concentrating the mind on a great soul who is totally free from attachment to the senses.” Swami Satchidananda interprets this as directing the mind toward the qualities and essence of a being who has transcended worldly desires and attachments. Such a focus can help stabilize and purify our own...
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172. Mother Teresa, light us up!
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In our exploration of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, we continue to find timeless wisdom that guides us toward inner stability and peace. Let’s review some recent verses before delving into Sutra 1:36. 1:33 reminds us of the power of cultivating maitrī (friendliness), karuṇā (compassion), muditā (joy), and upekṣā (equanimity). These practices transform our relationships and help purify the mind. 1:34 emphasizes the connection between the breath and the mind, teaching us how regulating the breath can stabilize and clear mental disturbances. 1:35 introduces the cryptic notion of sensory...
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171. Supersensational perception & PTSD... ya right!?
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In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Verse 1:35 takes us into an intriguing realm of heightened perception. The verse in Sanskrit is: विषयवती वा प्रवृत्तिरुत्पन्ना मनसः स्थितिनिबन्धिनी। Viṣayavatī vā pravṛttirutpannā manasaḥ sthitinibandhinī. This sutra suggests that focusing on heightened or extraordinary sensory perceptions can help stabilize the mind. Commentaries often discuss supernormal sensory experiences—exquisite taste, extraordinary hearing, and other heightened faculties—as tools...
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170. Prachardana. 4-7-8 Breathe!
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Patanjali, the great sage who authored the Yoga Sutras around 200 CE, offers profound insights into the transformative power of breath in Verse 1:34, where pranayama is introduced. Pranayama, the extension or control of the breath (prana meaning life force and ayama meaning expansion or regulation), is highlighted here not merely as a physical practice but as a gateway to well-being and balance. Through the breath, we can directly affect our health and mental state, mainly by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) via the vagus nerve. Today, we delve into a specific pranayama...
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169. Breath! Hit the brakes...
My Daily Thread
In Verse 1:34 of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali emphasizes the power of the breath to stabilize the mind and cultivate focus. This teaching, timeless in its wisdom, connects directly to the modern understanding of how breath influences the nervous system. Jeff recalls a vivid moment during his time as a paramedic—the "Everybody stop!" episode in the ambulance. This dramatic experience highlighted the importance of calm amidst chaos, a state achievable through the conscious use of the breath. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), often called the "rest and digest" system, is crucial in...
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168. Bharmari Pranayama. The Kingdom of God within you ...
My Daily Thread
In Chapter 1:34 of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali introduces breathwork as a tool for calming the mind and cultivating focus. This teaching resonates deeply in today's world, where breathwork has become a global phenomenon. Whether used in trauma recovery, by military snipers for precision and focus, or through the popular Wim Hof Method, breathwork is recognized for its transformative power. Wim Hof combines breath control, ice baths, and commitment to resilience and inner strength, demonstrating the profound connection between breath and mental clarity. Patanjali’s teachings on breathwork...
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167. Prachardhana? from the Iceman?
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In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Sutra 1:34 offers profound insight into the use of breathwork as a means to steady the mind. The sutra emphasizes the power of working with the breath, particularly focusing on exhalation and retention, to cultivate concentration and inner calm. While the term prachardhana references exhalation and vidhāraṇa retention, this may not necessarily mean literal breath control but rather the symbolic or energetic aspect of focusing on the life force (prana). The word pranayama itself breaks down into prana, meaning breath or life force, and ayama, meaning...
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166. Prachardana. Expel the breath and confusion.
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In Yoga Sutras 1:33 to 1:39, Patanjali provides a range of practical approaches to help us concentrate the mind and cultivate greater clarity. These techniques offer tools for navigating obstacles, aligning with the overarching goal of citta vritti nirodhah—stilling the fluctuations of the mind. Concentrating on a "tattva," or principle, creates focus and stability in our practice. This section of the sutras builds upon acknowledging that the spiritual path is not without challenges, and concentration helps us overcome these barriers. Sutra 1:33, which we have already explored,...
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165B. Metta - Loving Kindness Meditation Practice. (LKM)
My Daily Thread
Start by finding comfortable seat. Make a distinct change in your posture. A change that encourages a kind and attentive focus. Repeat the following metta phrases quietly in your mind. These phrases will be directed to you, someone you love, a neutral person, someone you have complicated relations with, a group (or the world), and then back to yourself. "May I(they) be filled with love and kindness." "May I(they) be well." "May I(they) be peaceful and at ease." "May I(they) be happy and free." Enjoy your practice. Let me know in the show notes how it goes. As with any...
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165. Loving kindness meditation (LKM). Metta explained ...
My Daily Thread
Springing from Yoga Sutra 1:33, which encourages us to cultivate positive attitudes like friendliness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, we find a parallel in the practice of Metta Meditation or Loving-Kindness Meditation. This practice, with roots in both Buddhist tradition and modern psychology, has been extensively studied for its profound effects on mental and emotional health. Dr. Barbara Frederickson, a researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has explored the many benefits of Metta Meditation. Her research reveals that practicing loving-kindness meditation can...
info_outlineContinuing with Yoga Sutra 1:30, we arrive at Bhranti-Darshana (भ्रान्ति-दर्शन), one of the nine Antarayas or obstacles in the path of yoga. Bhranti-Darshana refers to delusion, specifically a false understanding of reality. According to the Yoga Kosa from Kaivalyadhama, it is defined as "a delusion about the nature of reality or one's own achievements." Essentially, it represents a distorted or incorrect view of the truth. This obstacle can manifest in many forms, leading us to believe things that are simply not true, often creating further confusion and suffering.
In the modern world, one example of Bhranti-Darshana is the widespread belief among some that vaccines do more harm than good, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. This false understanding is a clear example of how distorted perceptions can take root in society. Jeff shares a personal anecdote from his own experience with this kind of delusion. He mentions that he didn't fully comprehend the devastating effects of polio until he visited India. There, the lasting impact of polio on the population was visibly evident, and it became clear how crucial vaccines are in preventing such widespread suffering.
Addressing Bhranti-Darshana requires a method of questioning and inquiry to challenge these false perceptions. One such approach is Byron Katie's Work, a powerful method of self-inquiry that involves asking a series of questions to examine our beliefs and challenge our assumptions about reality. These questions—such as "Is it true?" and "Can I absolutely know that it's true?"—invite us to look deeper into the stories we tell ourselves and the beliefs we hold. By engaging in this inquiry, we can begin to dismantle the false perceptions that arise from Bhranti-Darshana.
Another way to combat this obstacle is by studying the biographical teachings of great historical figures. Learning from their experiences, wisdom, and struggles provides us with broader perspectives on life and reality. Figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Dalai Lama offer profound insights into navigating the challenges of life with clarity and wisdom. Their lives remind us that Bhranti-Darshana can be overcome by staying rooted in truth and aligned with higher principles.
In addition to self-inquiry and study, being in the company of wise individuals is another effective way to address Bhranti-Darshana. Wise teachers and mentors can offer guidance and help us see beyond our limited or distorted perceptions. They serve as mirrors, reflecting truth and providing us with the clarity needed to dissolve the illusions that cloud our understanding of reality.
As we reflect on Bhranti-Darshana, we recognize the importance of continually questioning our assumptions, seeking truth through study and inquiry, and surrounding ourselves with wisdom to see the world as it truly is.