PART 20 – Chapter 1: Verses 32-33: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Prompted by verses 32-33, 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:

• Restlessness, anxiety, suffering and disturbance exist because you think you need to be doing something. People often assume that applying a magical formula of activities in their life will result in a peaceful and fulfilled life.

• The point of Yoga and meditation practice is to be yourself as you really are right now. It is not about chasing a premeditated ideal with it’s fruits waiting for your attainment somewhere in the future. Practice gradually allows for the revelation of the stability and peace which is innate to your clarified, and unconditioned internal state. This is really your true state. Once this begins being consistently revealed via practice, the universe works to sustain this awareness within your consciousness such that it feels natural or effortless.

• Existing and resting in the eternal stillness is practicing meditation proper. It is not about getting caught up about going through the motions of techniques or mantras. Techniques and mantras are designed to assist your reaching of stillness, and are to be put aside once stillness is revealed. Dwell in the stillness rather than a technique.

• Meditation is not the time to begin analyzing or brainstorming ways in which you can tinker with your life. Save such mental planning for a time outside of your routine meditation practice.

• Seeking to cultivate your compassion and empathy for others is beneficial for Self-revelation. If you want to experience more peace among your peers, be peaceful to your peers. Giving care to something/someone enhances the care it/they will give back to you.

• You start making more opportunities for yourself once you start changing the way you feel inside and towards others. Seek to cultivate this.

• Practice of pranayama or placing attention upon the rhythm of your breath guarantees the overcoming of all obstacles. This ought to be carefully considered or focused upon in the same way you would carefully listen to a dear friend in conversation.

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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