This is nectar for me in this moment, Patty. The deep medicine of something so core to my presence here; this lifetime. Thank you. You know, Alan Goode, my teacher and guide for 20 years, always taught by integrating the sutras into asana. Into lived life. His trainings were an immersion and marination in their vibration and language. I look forward to reading your next post 🙏. Namaste
Love reading your perspectives and teachings on this! Can you remind me which part of anusasanam translates to practice? I hadn’t heard or remembered the word practice mentioned in translations before and I never remember seeing the emphasis on the practice piece but I like your take 😊 Life is all a constant practice.
Hello Ashley! Yes, "practice" is not always mentioned in the second sutra, but it is implied. The meaning of anushtasanam, as you well know, is more in lines with the "teachings and "instructions", even "discipline" My reading of that means, this is not simply philosophy, but this is "for doing". I feel the clear implication is that what follows (the entire text!) is not just for the mind to think about, but actual practices for clearing and refining our perceiving capacities.
Thank you for asking, Ashley.
Please comment again and let me know your thoughts as well!
I love that Patty. Thanks for taking the time to expand. I find the Yoga Sutra to be so inspiring and full of actual, useful practices. Far, far more than just philosophy!
I look at the "Now, the teaching (or practice) of yoga begins" and find it reads just as powerfully to say, "Now, yoga begins." To me, it's an invitation, a reminder, a mantra, and true in every moment. Every moment offers the opportunity to be present, clear, honest, true. It's up to us to step into that moment and practice, as you say!
I love that, Ashley. "Now yoga begins". Beautiful. Simple.
One of the "rules" of the sutra is that everything that comes after cannot contradict what came before. All the sutras are an elaboration on the first. "Now" - the sutra's first word - is the biggest thing happening and contains everything else!
One of my favorite concepts to explore is Satyam - honesty. Satyam is the second of the yamas. The FIRST of the yamas is ahimsa - non-harming. Their positioning begs the question if truthful words will be hurtful which do you follow non-harming or honesty? I think the deeper truth in many cases is to be kind, not to say what may be a self serving or petty truth.
Thank you, Patty. I so appreciate your years of practice and study and the way you distill ancient texts for today. I love Sutra 1.2 chitta vritti nirodha - Yoga is to still the fluctuations of the mind. I also love this quote attributed to the Buddha: To the still mind, the whole universe makes itself known. Certainly worth aspiring to (without undue attachment of course) and beautiful motivation for daily practice.
Good to hear from you as always, Linda. I love reflecting on Buddhist doctrine, too. In my view, I so often find they support one another. Of course, we know they are also different! I am always interested in their weave too. "That which has most truth, lasts longest."
This is nectar for me in this moment, Patty. The deep medicine of something so core to my presence here; this lifetime. Thank you. You know, Alan Goode, my teacher and guide for 20 years, always taught by integrating the sutras into asana. Into lived life. His trainings were an immersion and marination in their vibration and language. I look forward to reading your next post 🙏. Namaste
Thank you, Narelle! As always, I appreciate your presence on this wholistic journey!! With love, Patty
Love reading your perspectives and teachings on this! Can you remind me which part of anusasanam translates to practice? I hadn’t heard or remembered the word practice mentioned in translations before and I never remember seeing the emphasis on the practice piece but I like your take 😊 Life is all a constant practice.
Hello Ashley! Yes, "practice" is not always mentioned in the second sutra, but it is implied. The meaning of anushtasanam, as you well know, is more in lines with the "teachings and "instructions", even "discipline" My reading of that means, this is not simply philosophy, but this is "for doing". I feel the clear implication is that what follows (the entire text!) is not just for the mind to think about, but actual practices for clearing and refining our perceiving capacities.
Thank you for asking, Ashley.
Please comment again and let me know your thoughts as well!
Xoxo
I love that Patty. Thanks for taking the time to expand. I find the Yoga Sutra to be so inspiring and full of actual, useful practices. Far, far more than just philosophy!
I look at the "Now, the teaching (or practice) of yoga begins" and find it reads just as powerfully to say, "Now, yoga begins." To me, it's an invitation, a reminder, a mantra, and true in every moment. Every moment offers the opportunity to be present, clear, honest, true. It's up to us to step into that moment and practice, as you say!
I love that, Ashley. "Now yoga begins". Beautiful. Simple.
One of the "rules" of the sutra is that everything that comes after cannot contradict what came before. All the sutras are an elaboration on the first. "Now" - the sutra's first word - is the biggest thing happening and contains everything else!
One of my favorite concepts to explore is Satyam - honesty. Satyam is the second of the yamas. The FIRST of the yamas is ahimsa - non-harming. Their positioning begs the question if truthful words will be hurtful which do you follow non-harming or honesty? I think the deeper truth in many cases is to be kind, not to say what may be a self serving or petty truth.
Thank you, Patty. I so appreciate your years of practice and study and the way you distill ancient texts for today. I love Sutra 1.2 chitta vritti nirodha - Yoga is to still the fluctuations of the mind. I also love this quote attributed to the Buddha: To the still mind, the whole universe makes itself known. Certainly worth aspiring to (without undue attachment of course) and beautiful motivation for daily practice.
Thank you!
Good to hear from you as always, Linda. I love reflecting on Buddhist doctrine, too. In my view, I so often find they support one another. Of course, we know they are also different! I am always interested in their weave too. "That which has most truth, lasts longest."
Thank you for this clarification. At this point in my life, in my practice, I needed to be reminded.
Thank you for saying so, Cathy! This perspective is fundamental and we do often simply need to remind ourselves of what we are doing...and why.
So happy to hear this feels meaningful for you! Thank you for being here. 😊