Articles
Articles, Current Events, Essays, etc.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapter 1, Sutra 16 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Randall Krause   
Monday, 01 March 2010 16:41

"That dispassion is of the higher kind, transcendent, supreme, when it is the freedom from all craving for the attributes, gunas, arising through the realization of the spiritual self, purusha." Swami Veda Bharati

Explanation: As was stated previously, when the mind becomes still, the Seer rests in his own nature. But so long as the mind is attached to nature, the stillness of mind, though attained, is broken again as the mind craves. As a practitioner practices vairagya, his/her non-attachment slowly extends to more things. When the practice of dispassion/non-attachment extends all the way to the most subtle building-blocks of nature (called gunas), so that the practitioner does not crave even them, that is called paravairagya, supreme dispassion. It is this supreme non-attachment that allows the mind to finally remain still without seeking the satisfaction of cravings. This is the culmination of knowledge and the entrance to liberation.

A further very good explanation is given Here.

This document is also found in hymla.com and on facebook.

 
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapter 1, Sutra 15 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Randall Krause   
Thursday, 25 February 2010 08:38

"The mastery established by someone who has lost all craving for the matters of experience or enjoyment, whether perceived with physical senses or heard of in the tradition and scriptures (as of the subtle worlds), is called dispassion." Swami Veda
Bharati

Explanation: This sutra defines vairagya, dispassion or non-attachment. Non-attachment is built up through a process. At first one seeks to begin building strength to resist attraction and attachment by limiting indulgence. Once that is successful, then one can eliminate certain sensual enjoyments and strengthen a spirit of renunciation. As the practitioner becomes increasingly aware of the benefits of this practice, the will strengthens, and one can further increase his dispassion. This sutra makes it clear that mastery means not being attached to not only sensual enjoyment experience but also things heard about from the scriptures. Direct experience of the effects of attachment and of the peace when there isn't attachment increases the strength of detachment.

This document is also found in hymla.com and on facebook

 
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapter 1, Sutra 14 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Randall Krause   
Sunday, 21 February 2010 08:16

"That practice, however, becomes firm of ground only when pursued and maintained in assiduous and complete observance for a long time, without interruption and with a positive and devout attitude." Swami Veda Bharati

Explanation: The reason for practice is to create a new habit of calmness, and the practice has to be strong enough to overcome the old very entrenched habit of restlessness. Forming a new habit always takes sustained effort over time. To overcome restlessness requires a very focused and devoted effort, practiced regularly (daily or in every moment), with discipline, knowledge of the goal and of the proper method, and reverence for the practice.

This document is also found in hymla.com and on facebook

Last Updated on Sunday, 21 February 2010 08:48
 
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapter 1, Sutra 13 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Randall Krause   
Saturday, 20 February 2010 11:39

"Between those two, practice (abhyasa) and dispassion (vairagya), the endeavor towards stillness and stability (sthiti) of the mind-field is called practice." Swami Veda Bharati.

Explanation: The mind does not become permanently stable and calm by mere choice or by wishful thinking. It takes effort to purify the emotions, reduce agitation, and train the mind to be one-pointed. The action and effort made to calm the mind and make it steady, calm, and stable is called abhyasa, practice. The greater the energy, devotion, and enthusiasm in the effort, the sooner will the practice be established and the goal reached.

This document is also found in hymla.com and on facebook.

 
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapter 1, Sutra 12 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Randall Krause   
Monday, 08 February 2010 19:18

"The control of those vrttis occurs through practice, abhyasa and dispassion, vairagya." Swami Veda Bharati

Explanation: Because, as was specified in the second sutra, yoga is the cessation or mastery of the vrittis, the yogi seeks to do just that, and the means to do so are practice and dispassion. Practice means the practices that develop discrimination, which must be done with strong mental, moral and physical discipline to be effective, and dispassion means reducing attachments, i.e., lessening the thought that "this is mine." Swami Rama explained non-attachment as one would do when a guest in someone's house: everything is there for you to enjoy but not to take.

This document is also found in hymla.com and on facebook.

 

 

 


Page 1 of 31