Yoga Sutras

Each week, I will be reading, studying and reflecting over one particular yoga sutra of Patanjali. They will be taken from Sri Swami Satchidananda's "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali." There are many versions and translations of the Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. I chose this one because it was recommended by two individuals whose judgement I trust.

I've been wanting to do this for quite some time, but it didn't feel right until now. I believe, for me, that diving deep into one sutra at a time will allow for it to truly sink in and me to have the time to commit it to memory. 

I'm going about it some what unconventionally. Instead of beginning with the first chapter or pada, I'm beginning with the second, titled, Sadhana Pada, or Portion on Practice. There isn't one particular reason why I'm starting with this one, it just feels appropriate for me that practice is where I should start. The first chapter is on contemplation and again, for me, I can't even fathom implementing contemplative instruction into my life, if I'm not even practicing. So Sadhana Pada it is. And the first sutra, Yoga Sutra 2.1 is:

"Accepting pain as help for purification, study of spiritual books and surrender to the Supreme Being constitute Yoga in practice."

                               -Sri Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

As I reflect on this particular sutra, deeply and for the first time, I recognized how for the past few months my prayers are being answered. I have been praying for real peace and a deep cleansing of my Soul and to eradicate the negative energy I harness; making room for more positive energy through development of compassion, love, acceptance and understanding. The way to do that was unknown to me. I figured that a few downs would be included, but never did I imagine that pain would be the ultimate path to purification and peace. It is apparent to me now as I read this sutra. Pain is the only way to appreciate it. Pain is like a fire, scorching and burning away everything in its path. This path of purification is usually referred to as tapas. The only thing strong enough to remain, resilient enough to withstand the heat is pure love. This is a lesson that is hard for me to accept, but I must if I'm sincere in my desire to become a yogini and live a yogic life. 

While I am suffering from physical...discomfort as a I result of my asana practice, a majority of the pain I feel derives from my mental suffering. There is so much emotional discomfort and suffering occurring in my life right now, but it only makes sense that it is happening at this point in time as I embark on this new chapter in my life. For months, I have been trying to fight it, battle with it and conquer it with plans. Plans to implement things and activities to make me more happy, to overshadow the sadness, anger and frustration in my life. These plans were my means of escape, of running away from reality, from pain. I can't keep running, I have to stay and accept that pain is as much a part of life as pleasure; that pain is more important than pleasure on the road to purification. Accepting pain is the cure. 

Along with studying spiritual books and surrendering to the Supreme Being, perhaps the hardest thing to do, is also necessary on the yogic path. Surrendering to a living entity that you cannot see, hear or touch...at first. You truly are surrendering to the unknown. But isn't that life. Each new day, is unknown to you. Sure you may know that you have to go to work or you plan on running this errand or that. But every time you lay your head down to rest, you truly have no guarantee that your eyes will open again. No guarantee that your limbs will get you out of bed or walk you to your car. You have no real guarantee that you will have another day. You just don't know...making the future and consequently, life unknown. But unconsciously, you surrender to life every night as you sleep and so easily at that. But you have to actively surrender to the Divine and you must learn to do so with the same level of comfort and ease that you do as you go to sleep each night. 

According to Patanjali, these three acts are like the 3 necessary steps and canons that guide the Yogic life. You cannot have one without the other. You can't pick and choose which one you will incorporate and which you will not, if you truly plan on committing yourself to the yogic path. As you can see from the amount of time I spent talking about pain, which one is the most necessary, hardest and the one I'm currently trying to embrace.