YOGA SUTRAS
YOGA SUTRAS
The 8 limbed path of yoga is highlighted in the Yoga Sutras, an ancient document written by yogis several thousand years ago. The 196 sutras were scribed on parchment paper about 500 years before Christ according to carbon dating and are similar to the Dead Sea Scrolls in many respects. The Yoga Sutras are attributed to Patanjali as the scribe, but there is no record of this person or collective of people. The full text of the Yoga Sutras can be found below. The 8 limbed path that the sutras is summarized, but nothing can ever replace the original text if one is willing to devote time to reading and meditating upon the ordinal sutras. If you can, be patient and keep rereading the sutras over the decades.
THE 8 LIMBED YOGIC PATH
The 8 limbed path of yoga is highlighted in the Yoga Sutras, an ancient document written by yogis several thousand years ago. The 196 sutras were scribed on parchment paper about 500 years before Christ according to carbon dating and are similar to the Dead Sea Scrolls in many respects. The Yoga Sutras are attributed to Patanjali as the scribe, but there is no record of this person or collective of people. The full text of the Yoga Sutras can be found below. The 8 limbed path that the sutras is summarized, but nothing can ever replace the original text if one is willing to devote time to reading and meditating upon the ordinal sutras. If you can, be patient and keep rereading the sutras over the decades.
“Ashtanga” literally means eight limbs. The eight limbs are described by Patanjali as Yama (abstinences), Niyama (observances), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption).
The 8 limbs helps us to discover our soul and to rise above the wavelike vortices and thought patterns called vrtti—allowing the mind to settle like water settles in a pond when the motion stops, letting go of dukkha or suffering, kleshas and afflictions, distortions, and coming in touch with pure citta or universal peace.
The 8-step process of yoking the mind has been used by yogis for millennia.
LIMB 1: YAMA
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra lists five yamas, or moral restraints, which apply specifically to how one behaves outwardly toward other beings. Kundalini yogis believe Yama is the lord of death—ethical discipline is essential. Selfish and unkind thoughts increase apana and make kundalini curl tighter. A yogi uses Yamas and Niyamas to uncurl the kundalini energy. Violence is a state of mine, not a diet. People take to violence to protect their interests and the yogi opposes the wrongdoing, not the wrongdoer. The yogi knows he is separate from the material existence.
The five Yamas are:
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Ahimsa: Non-Violence, Freedom from Harming
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Satya: Truthfulness which cleanses the yogi’s soul
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Asteya: Non-Stealing, Freedom from Stealing (to adore the lord, by not stealing we become rich)
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Brahmacharya: Moderation (seeing divinity in all that is sacred)
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Aparigraha: Non-Hoarding, Freedom from grasping, making life as simple as possible. Non-receiving is the key to remembering past lives
LIMB 2: NIYANA
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra lists five niyamas, or observances, which apply specifically to how one conduct onesself on a personal level.
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Saucha: Cleanliness of the body and mind. Body cleared via Pranayama, mind cleared via bhakti
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Santosha: Contentment (natural bliss)
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Tapas: Fiery Self-Discipline
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Svadhyaya: Self-Study
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Isvara-pranidhana: Surrender (dedication to the lord)
LIMB 3: ASANA
Asana means "seat.” Asana refers to all the physical poses of yoga (which are only 1/8th of all of yoga, at most!!). Asana is even bigger than postures. Asana also referred to one's perspective. Gaining control over our physical bodies is import for this limb. However, physical asana practice is never mentioned in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which are the basis for almost all modern knowledge of yoga. The closest that Patanjali comes to talking of movement is to say sit comfortably or "Sthira Sukham Asanam." There is still yoga hope for those of us who are not a 14 year old gymnasts. Asana must balance sthira (steadiness/alertness) and suka (remaining comfortable and avoiding injury which destroys prana). Observing the body is the first step towards effective change.
LIMB 4: PRANAYAMA
“Prana” means life force, and “yama” means correct expansion. Pranayama should not be attempted alone. It can be very dangerous. Once learned, Pranayama should be practiced for at least 15 minutes a day ideally in the same place, same time, and with the same postures. Pranayama should ideally after asanas. Perspiration and trembling will decrease with time. Eyes should be closed. The breath is most often associated as the force that moves our energy—without breath we stop breathing, but all movement of life force energy is included in pranayama. Changing our breath can greatly alter our energy level by heating us, cooling us, calming us, or empowering us. Kundalini yogis believe that bad karma can be burnt away via Pranayama. Vagus nerve tone is improve and the whole body relaxes when one practices pranayama appropriately. Practice of pranayama increases the alpha waves in the brain and helps one attune to the cosmic rhythm when done in a relaxed state. For better nerve purification, one should do Pranayama at least 3-4x a day.
Pranayama controls cellular metabolism and regulates the oxygen flow in the body.
LIMB 5: PRATYAHARA
Pratyahara means withdrawal from the senses. It refers to being able to quiet the mind via intense focus.
LIMB 6: DHARANA
Dharana means to hold. Dharana occurs when the mind clams and focuses on a single point, or object, for a prolonged period.
LIMB 7: DHAYANA
Dhyana, which means Zen, is a deeper meditation. In Dhayan one is only aware of the meditation object itself (e.g., sounds, mantras, images, etc.). Dhyana is one direction, like a river, with a sense of I.
LIMB 8: SAMADHI
Samadhi is the experience of enlightenment and non-duality. The word samadhi is made up of two Sanskrit words: "sama" which means "even" or "same" and "dhi" which means intellect. Samadhi represents the realization of oneness and the ceasing of any distinctions. Compassion is one of the central virtues of Buddhist practice. No dichotomies between self and others. Being one with everyone else. Samadhi is not one directional, and continuous Samadhi become Kaivalya.
The Yoga Sutras are one of the oldest recorded yoga documents, and as previously mentioned they ake no real mention of physical poses, music, or vinyasa. Don’t worry if the Yoga Sutras takes a few decades to really absorb their meaning. You would not want your adventure to be complete in a few hours given the journey is the fun.
