Archive for the 'Yoga Sutras' Category

yogash chitta vritti nirodhah

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

yogash- to join, to integrate
chitta- the screen of mind that consciousness observes
vritti- fluctuations, changes, modifications
nirodhah- mastery, control, regulation, channeling

My Translation:
Yoga is the art of channelling the fluctuations of mind in order to achieve an undisturbed, peaceful state of mind.

Chitta is the screen on which our world plays.  We do not see the world as directly as we think.  What we see is a combination of sensory input and memory.  Our senses do not give us complete information, but our minds fill in the missing gaps from memory.  All too often though, the screen is disturbed by memories that are not necessarily relevant to the reality we are attempting to perceive.  By a threefold process of letting go, observing without attachment, and finally inspecting these memories when they present themselves, one can gradually weaken their control over the mind.  When this is done with sincere effort, but without straining, peace of mind can be achieved.

atha yoga anushasanam

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

atha- now, which implies that something has come before
yoga- to join, to integrate
anu- within, traditionally
shasanam- to explain, discipline

My Translation:
And now we will delve into the topic of integrating the mind, body, and spirit.

The three entities of mind, body, and spirit are not really separate. They are all part of one whole. A useful metaphor is the holy trinity of Christianity. Mind (the father), body (the son), and spirit (the holy ghost) are all part of on entity self. The Bible says we are made in the image of God. It also says that God is within us. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God”. This is Yoga. Through the integration of these three entities, you will find peace and stillness, and through that you will come to know God.