Yoga Sutras, Continued

In the previous blog I went over the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th sutras(1.1-1.4) of the first chapter of the Yoga Sutras of Pantajali (YS). Incidentally the title of the first chapter of the YS is Samadhi Pada (the chapter on Samadhi or meditative absorption). Reviewing: if the mind is quiet we experience yoga (union), then the Seer (Self) abides in its own nature. If not it identifies with the thoughts of the mind. By the way in vedanta philosophy (one of the six branches of Indian philosophy-yoga, sankya, nyaya, vaisheshika,purva mimansa, and vedanta) the Self is described as being Sat (truth, intelligent) Chit (conscious) and Ananda (blissful) by nature. So if the Self abides in its own nature it is smart, aware of itself and blissful.

In the following seven sutras(1.5-1.11) Pantajali describes the fluctuations of the mind categorically and qualitatively (according to types of thoughts and according to whether they are either painful or painless). Note that Patanjali says thoughts are
either painful or painless. He doesn't say pleasurable-they either produce pain or not. This is because vrittis (mental modifications, fluctuations, thoughts) either obscure the happiness that is our true nature or they don't. The types of thoughts that don't cause pain are ones that move us toward knowledge of the Self, characterized by clarity, discernment and egolessness. Those that are leading toward ignorance are those that are considered painful. The five types of vrittis are right knowledge, misperception, conceptualization, sleep and memory.

1.12: Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tat nirodhah, These mental fluctuations are restrained by practice and nonattachment. These are the two methods for quieting the mind. Practice is anything involving the effort toward quieting the mind. Yoga takes a wholistic approach: following social conduct, personal conduct, asanas, breathing exercises, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation and absorption(the eight limbs of yoga). Vairagya(nonattachment) is a misunderstood concept in the west. It is sometimes misconceived as not caring. The key is to understand that sense objects don't promote peace of mind. It is fine to have "things" but things don't give fulfillment. So vairagya is learning to have healthy relationships with objects. For example an alcoholic has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, an over eater has an unhealthy relationship with food etc.

Stay tuned for more on Pantanjali's YS.