PART 15 – Chapter 1: Verse 29: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Prompted by verse 29, ch.1 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Ryan sets out to both shed light on how one can authentically develop in their spiritual practice, as well as on some common trappings throughout the process. Here is a dot-pointed summary of the key ideas, themes and discussion points:

• Experiencing Samadhi does not require one to be in the midst of performing any stereotypical spiritual act, such as being in lotus position, in seated meditation practicing techniques, or chanting hymns. Revelation is not fundamentally hitched to any particular circumstance or activity. Samadhi may occur in any given moment as it is available in all moments, no matter how mundane that moment may appear. Applying spiritual practice in all moments, which are all really just the one eternal moment, aids in coming to this realization.

• Meditation clears away the gunk (attachments) within one’s awareness that is limiting revelation. Remaining calm yet as alert as possible is the key to effective meditation. Here you are becoming receptive to the flows of grace that are always present and available.

• Trying to make revelation happen usually does not work. Hopes and expectations will stop it from happening. When you aren’t paying attention to it, you will notice the results.

• No technique, ‘other’ individual, or formula is responsible for your awakening but you.

• Being enlightened means knowing who you are beyond name and form without fluctuation. Reading books on enlightenment, meditation and spirituality assists your mind in understanding what is happening during Samadhi or enlightenment experiences, allowing for more effective integration into one’s consciousness. When one’s spiritualized mental framework is strongly built, they can effectively live from this space more naturally until the reading of scriptures is no longer required.

• Teachers are invaluable in the spiritual process. A teacher who is sharing only their memorized or rehearsed spiritual knowledge holds no real potency in their teachings. Effective teachers are those who have to some degree attained experience in authentically embodying the Eternal Self.

This discussion is by Ryan Kurczak during the ‘Yogic Scriptures and Meditation Group’ at ‘Asheville Yoga Center’. Ryan is Kriya Yoga Teacher in the lineage of Roy Eugene Davis and Paramahansa Yogananda.

For a complete discussion on the Yoga Sutras in the light of Kriya Yoga, please see:

26-Hour Downloadable Yoga Sutras Course

and the book: Kriya Yoga: Continuing the Lineage of Enlightenment.

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