If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali devotes several verses to the discussion of sense objects and how we perceive them. He says these objects have an existence that does not depend on our perception of them. […]
In the fourth section of the Yoga Sutras, we learn more about finding our true, higher self. As you’ve probably learned by now if you studied the sutras, we need to let go of the small self—the ego—which keeps us stuck. Patanjali explains that vasanas, or personality traits, develop from a lifetime (or many lifetimes) […]
As we become more immersed in our yoga practice, we notice something amazing. Yoga is a tool for removing obstacles! The practice helps transform our lives and teaches us who we truly are. Fear dissipates, we feel calmer and more connected, and we find inner strength. Reverend Jaganath Carerra tells us this transformation is innate […]
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 […]
Samyama, you’ll recall, refers to practices that help us understand ourselves and how we fit in the universe. It is a process of coming closer to truth. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali gives us many ways to gain self-knowledge. With Self-Knowledge, We Can Obtain the Strength of Elephants! By samyama on the strength of elephants […]
Who am I? (Or who are you?) What is the meaning of life? What is time? If you’ve wondered about questions like these, you may want to explore the yogic practice of samyama. Samyama helps yogis understand who we are and how we fit into the world as we know it and as we have […]