The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are divided into four sections. The first three discuss contemplation, spiritual disciplines, and the divine powers yogis can achieve with practice. The fourth section is about evolution as a yogi, which begins with spiritual insights. You’ve likely learned or read about evolution as a scientific principle. But what is evolution […]
The first three sections of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali lead the yogi to the understanding that yoga practice — especially deep meditation — will give him or her amazing powers. The powers themselves are not the important thing, though. It’s the ability to transcend time and illusion that is a yogi’s true reward. In […]
I remember the first time I heard the term spiritual egoism. A master yogi I greatly respect was giving a talk on meditation. He warned that seasoned yogis—especially those we sometimes refer to as “rock star” yoga teachers—are just as in danger of being slaves to their ego as anyone else. In the Yoga Sutras, […]
When you think of the concept of bodily perfection in yoga, what comes to mind? If you’re like many Westerners, you’re thinking of toned abdominal muscles, flexibility, and maybe even a cool designer wardrobe that shows off that yoga body. According to the Yoga Sutras, yogis can achieve bodily perfection in yoga. But for a […]
While a dedicated yoga practice can give us super-physical powers, those powers can become obstacles. At least that’s what Patanjali says in the Yoga Sutras (sutra 3.38). I can think of at least one way this would be true. If we become attached to such superpowers, we may lose site of the fact that we […]