Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is a rather short text, that consists of 194 aphorisms. These short statements called sutras in Sanskrit (literally meaning threads) are philosophical insights that need to be engaged with, wrestled with, and practiced for a long time to understand and to make them our own. We can think of these sutras as threads holding together the fabric that defines yoga.

The teachings expressed in the Yoga Sutras call us to undertake a serious transformation where we understand our True Nature and see our life through the Eyes of the Spirit. Here we’ll gain an elevated view of our life, the same as when we see a vaster vision of the landscape around us from the top of the mountain.

Step by step Patanjali, holding our hands and helping us climb this mountain bringing awareness to the stepping stones as well as to the tripping hazards on the path.

Vishnu resting on Shesha Naga

Next in sutra 1.2, (Yoga is establishing the mind/heart in stillness.) we learn one of the most important requisites of yoga, which is the stillness of the mind and the heart. Here it is worth bringing awareness to the very interesting fact that the Sanskrit language does not make the distinction between the heart and the mind. Therefore when Patanjali states that we need to still our mind (chitta) to be in yoga he also invites us to still our hearts as well. We experience through the mind but not with the mind. We experience through sensations and the heart is the most significant sense organ in our body. So once again we need to establish our heart in stillness as well as our mind to be in yoga. We must relax emotionally as well as mentally and physically to be ready to start this transformational journey up the mountain eventually seeing the vaster vision from the top.

Studying the Yoga Sutras along with other wisdom texts led me to believe that yoga ultimately is the science of inner transformation and the first step that is needed to purify our hearts, so we can see clearly.

If you feel called to discover the path to the sacred in my yoga classes I offer practices beyond the asanas that consist of mental, emotional, and physical exercise, as I share the wisdom teachings of the Indian tradition, guiding my students to align their mind, body, and heart with the subtle forces of nature. By accessing their true selves, students find inner peace and unlock their full potential.

Patanjali is regarded as the compiler of these sutras that were gathered from a long-standing tradition. It is usually dated somewhere between the third century BCE and the third century CE.

Patanjali is a mystical being who has a human body and the tail of the serpent. He appears to be the reincarnation of Shesha Naga, the mighty serpent, embodying strength, energy, and wisdom. (see a picture of Patanjali below)

Shesha Naga the thousand-headed serpent who is essentially a coiled-up energy bundle that was used to create the whole universe. After the work was done and the Universe was manifest still only a fraction of that energy was used so Vishnu decided to utilize it as his lounging station.  (see a picture of Vishnu resting on Shesha Naga below)

Patanjali the complier of the Yoga Sutras

He starts us off by emphasizing the importance of being present as the present moment is the only point of reality where the work and transformation can originate from. Not in the past or future or imagination.