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Accueil » Accueil » Yoga forms » Yoga sutra: In search of inner balance
THE yoga sutra is one of the fundamental texts of yoga. It is estimated to have been written over 2,000 years ago by the Indian sage Patanjali. These writings are considered to be the supreme reference in terms of practice and philosophy yoga due to its sensestimeless teachings.
The Yoga Sutra is one of the most influential texts in the history of yoga. It has its origins in the depths of ancient Indian history. Its author, Patanjali, was a visionary who helped in the understanding of yoga and meditation.
Before the existence of sutras, yoga was already present in different forms, notably orally from master to disciple. But the yoga was associated with Indian philosophical traditions and to schools of spiritual thought like the philosophy Vedic or Samkhya. The arrival of the yoga sutras brought a clarity and one system to meditation practices, yoga principles and concentration techniques to make yoga accessible to everyone.
To write the sutras, Patanjali was inspired by Vedic texts such as the Upanishads as well as other teachings from master yogis. He brought together these different sources to form a homogeneous and coherent system, which became the basis of modern yoga.
What is the yoga sutra made of? The yoga sutra is the fruit of a compilation of yoga practices and knowledge into a concise and logical text. It was Patanjali who presented these teachings in the form of 195 sutras also called aphorisms divided into 4 chapters. These sutras are not understandable on first reading and require commentary for in-depth understanding.
Patanjali's yoga sutra has stood the test of time. But his interpretation and his use have evolved to meet the needs of our modern society. While the fundamental teachings remain intact, various forms of yoga have emerged such as yoga power vinyasa, THE warrior yoga, THE postnatal yoga or even the kundalini yoga, rely on the principles of yoga sutra to guide their practices. This shows that ancient teachings can be integrated for contemporary purposes. In addition, the adaptation of yoga sutra to modern needs allows yoga to reach more and more people and bring benefits physical, mental et spiritual.
The sutras are a valuable spiritual guide that aims to end human suffering. Indeed, Patanjali identified that agitations of the mind were the main source of human suffering and dissatisfaction.
The yoga sutra holds that suffering is immanent in the human condition. Indeed, our mind would be constantly prey to emotions, desires and thoughts, which leads to a whirlwind of incessant mental fluctuations. According to the yoga sutras, this is what causes varying cycles of pleasure and pain and joy and sadness, thus creating a suffering continuously.
According to Patanjali, the first step to freedom from this suffering is to become aware of how the mind works. It is by observing thoughts and emotions without judgment that a lucid consciousness mental states develop. Furthermore, it is a technique of mindfulness which helps to take a step back from certain reactions as well as to cultivate inner peace.
In addition, to create a space of inner peace, we must look at the yamas and the niyamas, which are ethical principles. The yamas represent the moral values such as non-violence, honesty and detachment. While the niyamas refer to practices of purification and self-discipline with gratitude and self-control. By tuning the two together, a fertile ground for harmony is created.
Then, to overcome mental instabilities, the yoga sutra emphasizes regular practice and detachment. Through the development of a regular practice of meditation, breath control or concentration, the mind becomes detached from the desires and displeasure that cause suffering.
Patanjali's texts are divided into four chapters which are profound explorations of the principles and practices of yoga. It is with this aim that each chapter presents a specific aspect of the yoga journey.
The samadhi pada is the first chapter and constitutes the very essence of the meditative and spiritual path yoga. It begins with the following definition of yoga “Yoga is the stopping of fluctuations of the mind.” Next, Patanjali addresses the kleshas which designate the obstacles met. They include ignorance, ego, aversion to suffering, attachment to pleasures and fear of death. The kleshas are considered to be the disruptors, those who prevent us from reaching a state of tranquility.
Then, Patanjali explores the nature of the mind and how it works. Thereupon he divides the mental states into five categories:
After which, Patanjali encourages developing the discernment right and wrong thoughts to access the deep truth of being. Finally, the culmination of the chapter focuses on the exploration of the samadhi state.
This chapter focuses on the concrete means and the necessary practices For combat difficulties and achieve union with the divine. Sadhana pada or ashtanga vinyasa yoga describes the progressive steps to achieve spiritual realization as well as union with the divine in eight limbs. Inside there are:
Firstly, Patanjali emphasizes theimportance of ethical principles, already seen previously. Secondly, it addresses the asanas, physical postures and pranayamas, breath control techniques. He explains that the postures are designed to strengthen the body et develop flexibility and balance. As for pranayama, it serves the breath control to relieve the mind, purify the body and increase spiritual vitality.
Patanjali continues with the withdrawal of the senses which consists in direct your attention inward to forget about external distractions. This step prepares for the concentration where the mind focuses on one point. It is a stopover which allows you toalleviate mental variabilities and develop inner stability.
Then, the philosopher introduces the meditation which is none other than a sustained concentration on a chosen meditative object. Gradually, the ultimate state of deep meditation where the ego fades and only the mind united with the meditative object takes hold. It is an experience of bliss.
This sutra lists the different supernatural abilities that yoga allows you to manifest. What does this sutra refer to? To the ability to become very large or very small; to mastery of the 4 elements; to knowledge of past and future lives and to understanding the thoughts of others.
But Patanjali highlights guard towards theattachment to these powers. Indeed, although these appear attractive, they can become distractions and pitfalls in front of the spiritual realization. If an attachment is created, the yogi risks becoming detached from the ultimate goal of yoga: liberation from the cycle of suffering and divine union.
Moreover, the wise man returns to the interest of detachment and some mental clarity. These are useful to avoid getting closer to the powers that be. Indeed, detachment allows one to remain free and far from this desire for acquisition and mental clarity allows one to remain aware of the spiritual objective.
Then, the chapter reminds us that the ultimate goal is not the search for extraordinary skills but rather Self-realization. These should not be motivated by selfish intentions. Regular practice of yoga determined by detachment and deep understanding is the only solution for lasting spiritual evolution.
The final chapter represents the culmination of the spiritual quest towards yoga. Here the objective is liberation from the cycle of samsara, which means the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. This sutra explains that the cycle of suffering can be cut by liberation from material attachments and desires.
Subsequently, the kaivalya pada invites us to explore the nature of the Self and the divine. Moreover, Patanjali emphasizes that the true essence of life is independent of mind, body and emotions. It also states that the Self is pure and free from all attachment, while the divine is the source of all creation and consciousness. Moreover, transcend your ego unifies existence and releases illusory identifications that cause separation and suffering.
Samadhi teaches that divinity is in every human being, but that humans are too distracted by the entertainment created by our minds. It's over there meditation that Men can meet and contact the inner divinity. When emotions and thoughts do not overwhelm you, a feeling of calm and peace arises, thus you experience coming into contact with your divine nature. Moreover, the outcome of samadhi is the exploration of the state where the mind achieves deep meditation as well as complete absorption.
Furthermore, this sutra directs towards understanding of universal consciousness. The awakening of this consciousness gives rise to the breakdown of the feeling of individuality and isolation to make way for that of a shared space with other yogis. Furthermore, by detaching ourselves from emotions and thoughts, humans open themselves to the divine presence hidden in each individual.
The eight branches of the yoga sutra offer a complete guide to achieving fulfillment and well-being at all levels.
The yamas represent the ethical principles which guide behavior towards oneself and others. There are five of them which are as follows:
The niyamas are the five personal practices that help to cultivate a healthy relationship with yourself and nourish your spiritual development. They are effective in strengthening your inner well-being, here they are :
Asanas are the postures that yogis practice during their session. The objective is to cultivate physical and mental stability in several stages:
Pranayama aims to control and regulate the breath to balance the body's vital energy. Thus pranayamas have several forms:
Pratyahara consists of remove the senses from their attachment to external distractions and to focus on one's innermost self, by following a certain path:
The dharana takes care of concentration. It guides yogis towards self-control by developing concentration on a specific object, following the following points:
Here, yogis dive into the experience of expanded consciousness and a union with its inner essence. To do this, you must:
As mentioned previously, samadhi is the ultimate achievement of yoga. Thus, the mind achieves total absorption of pure consciousness. The ego fades away in meditation achieved in connection with the universe. It is unconditional bliss.
The Yoga Sutra is a text written by Patanjali over 2,000 years ago. This aims to end human suffering but also to achieve Self-realization as well as unify with divinity via several chapters :
Furthermore, these chapters are themselves governed by 8 branches :
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POSES Studio Paris – Yoga, Pilates, Barre
21 Rue des Filles du Calvaire, 75003 Paris
POSES Studios
6 rue de l’échquier, 75010 Paris
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