Part 8 Yoga Sutras Chapter 1 verse 12-14

The discission on sutra 12 continues from the previous recording in this series of lectures on the first chapter of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Sutra 13 and 14 are also discussed.

The purpose of yoga practice is to unify our fragmented awareness and restore consciousness to its whole. Normally our human consciousness is fragmented. We are attached to what we think we are, and we sustain that story by repeating thoughts, behaviors and friendships that fragment our awareness. To achieve a higher level of consciousness we need to cut out the things in our lives that keep us bound in a lower consciousness.

By letting go of the things that come into our awareness when we meditate and just remain as the witness they disperse and loose power over us. By fighting them or focusing on them we strengthen our attachment to them. When we have practiced yoga long enough and strengthened our awareness through meditation, we can do things that are not necessarily in our highest good because we are strong enough and can remain awake and alert. When we are fully awake, we are no longer influenced by external circumstances.

Recorded in 2009 at the first “Yogic Scriptures and Meditation Group” hosted by the Asheville Yoga Center. Presented by Ryan Kurczak, Kriya Yoga teacher authorized by Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda.

A deeper discussion of the Yoga Sutras can be found here: https://kriyayogaonline.com/downloadable-courses/kriya-yoga-sutras-26-hour-meditation-training-course/