The 5 Kinds of Modifications of the Mind
Sutras 6 through 11 of Book One of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 6. [The five kinds of modifications are] right knowledge [pramana], wrong knowledge [viparyaya], fancy [vikalpa], sleep [nidra], and memory [smritaya]. Each of these merits an individual consideration. Pramana includes the means of valid … Continue reading
What is Our Essential Nature as Seer?
Sutras 3 & 4 of Book One of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 3. Then the Seer [Drashta] is established in his own essential and fundamental nature [Swarupa]. Vyasa immediately comments and paraphrases: “Then the power-of-consciousness [chit-shakti] rests in its own nature, as in the … Continue reading
When a Vritti (Mental Ripple) Cannot Arise
Sutra 2 of Book one of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2. Yoga is the inhibition of the modifications of the mind. Yogash chitta-vritti-nirodhah. This is almost sure to be misinterpreted in English translations and commentaries, though I cannot say why, unless it is that … Continue reading
The Beginning of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Sutra 1 of Book one of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1. Now, an exposition of Yoga [is to be made]. Raghavan Iyer: “Now begins instruction in yoga.” This is the usual formula for the beginning of a major text. It is very interesting to … Continue reading
A New Commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
With this post we will begin adding Abbot George’s Commentary on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras to our Blog’s rotation of articles. We hope you find it useful. Introduction to the Yoga Sutras The text known as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a repository of transcendental … Continue reading
Is Yoga a Religion?
It is commonly said that Yoga is not a religion. But since religion is derived from the Latin word religere, which means “to bind back,” and yoga means “joining,” practically speaking yoga is the only religion. The many systems of dogmas and doctrines are by … Continue reading