The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is the primary text of Raja Yoga – the path of concentration and meditation. The Sutras, or thought-threads, are at least 4,000 years old and cover the yogic teachings on ethics, meditation, and physical postures. They also provide guidance for dealing with situations in everyday life.
I first read the Yoga Sutras during my yoga teacher training and continue to reference it. This particular version, with translation and commentary by Swami Satchidananda, is the most widely read. He was the founder of the Integral Yoga Institute, where I originally trained. I had the pleasure of experiencing satsang (asking the enlightened guru/teacher questions on Truth) with Swami Satchidananda at the IYI Ashram. His wise, yet very practical, voice comes through in this book. I highly recommend it as a guide for mastering the mind, even if you do not practice the asanas (physical postures).
FAVORITE INSIGHTS
“Without practice, nothing can be achieved.” (p. 3)
“The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.” (p. 3)
“The entire outside world is based on your thoughts and mental attitude. The entire world is your own projection.” (p. 5)
“Things outside neither bind nor liberate you; only your attitude toward them does that.” (p. 5)
“If you control your mind, you have controlled everything. Then there is nothing in this world to bind you.” (p. 6)
“The Seer, or true you, reflects in the mind which is your mirror.” (p. 7)
“When the mind ceases to create thought forms…it becomes as clear as a still lake and you see your true Self.” (p. 7)
“If you detach yourself completely from all the things you have identified yourself with, you realize yourself as the pure ‘I.’ In that pure ‘I’ there is no difference between you and me.” (p. 8)
“There is nothing but energy everywhere…behind the different forms of energy is one unchanging consciousness or spirit or Self.” (p. 8)
“By changing your mind you change everything.” (p. 9)
“The sources of right knowledge are direct perception, inference and scriptural testimony.” (p. 12)
“Non-attachment should not be misunderstood to be indifference.” (p. 23)
“Even the desire for liberation is a bondage.” (p. 24)
“The secret is that any desire without any personal or selfish motive will never bind you.” (p. 25)
“Once the mind becomes pure and steady you experience a steady happiness.” (p. 29)
“A focused mind gains power, and when that powerful mind concentrates on an object the entire knowledge of that object is revealed to it.” (p. 32)
“As you think, so you become. Knowingly or unknowingly, you imbibe the qualities of the thing named.” (p.48)
“You need not fight to stop a habit. Just don’t give it an opportunity to repeat itself.” (p.67)
“The mind should be purified first, then it is easy to control the senses.” (p. 80)
“Anything that will elevate your mind and remind you of your true Self should be studied.” (p. 81)
“Only the light of understanding will remove the darkness of ignorance.” (p. 88)
“The ego is the reflection of the true Self on the mind.” (p. 89)
“Raga and dvesha, likes and dislikes, are impediments on the spiritual path.” (p. 90)
“Happiness is already in us. Wherever we go we reflect our happiness onto people and things.” (p. 91)
“Knowledge comes only through experience.” (p. 92)
“Life is experienced by the mind through the body. The body is only a vehicle or instrument.” (p. 98)
“Real pleasure comes from detaching ourselves completely from the entire world, in standing aloof–making use of the world as a master of it.” (p. 101)
“All life is a passing show. If we want to hold it, even for a minute, we feel tension.” (p. 105)
“If we don’t want to listen, nature teaches us her lesson by putting us into a tight corner.” (p. 109)
“A liberated person can come into the world and be useful to it but is not affected by it.” (p. 109)
“To understand, we should stand under.” (p. 111)
“The world is our factory. As we pass through we are shaped every minute by different experiences.” (p. 113)
“‘Tuning in’ means to go in, to understand ourselves, to ‘know thyself’ first.” (p.119)
“If we only look within, we will see the Light as if we were seeing our own image in a mirror.” (p. 122)
“When the vow of ahimsa is established in someone, all enmity ceases in his or her presence because that person emits harmonious vibrations.” (p. 130)
“Even a bit of ahimsa is enough to elevate us to a higher state.” (p. 131)
“By the establishment of truthfulness, Yogis get the power to attain for themselves and others the fruits of work without doing the work. In other words, things come to them automatically…And if you are always truthful, if no lie comes from your mouth, a time will come when all you say will come true.” (p. 131)
“If we are completely free from stealing and greed, contented with what we have, and if we keep serene minds, all wealth comes to us.” (p. 133)
“Another way of stealing things is by not letting others use them.” (p. 134)
“The richest person is the one with a cool mind, free of tension and anxiety.” (p. 136)
“Changing all these world situations is not in our hands. We are not going to stop all these things. But what is in our hands is the ability to find joy and peace right here and now.” (p. 136)
“If we are not strong mentally and physically, we can never gain real spiritual wealth.” (p. 137)
“The inner sun is in your solar plexus; the moon at the base of your spine. In order to become united, they must come together. This is known as the prana-apana union. The energy that flows down should be turned up and returned to the source.” (p. 143)
“We must be ready to receive…That is why preparation–developing virtues like yama and niyama–is very important.” (p. 144)
“Either give everything to the world, to the community of your fellow people, or give everything to God.” (p. 151)
“When the tranquil mind attains purity equal to that of the Self, there is Absoluteness.” (p. 203)
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