My Daily Thread

As we reach the end of the Ishwara section in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, we're reminded of the profound nature of this concept. Ishwara, the supreme consciousness, exists beyond the limitations of the kleshas (afflictions), karma, and even prakriti (material nature). By surrendering to Ishwara, we embark on a journey towards spiritual liberation. Sutra 1:25 states, "Tatra niratishayam sarvajna bijam...

Welcome back to the My Daily Thread Podcast! Last week, we thought we were done with karma, but is there anything good about it? Karma, a cornerstone of Eastern philosophy, offers a compelling perspective on justice and balance. The idea that our actions have consequences is not just a philosophical concept but a practical tool that encourages ethical behaviour and personal responsibility. It's li...

In this episode, Jeff delves into the concept of Karma, drawing insights from the Yoga Sutras and Indian Philosophy. He begins by exploring the nature of Ishwara, shedding light on the Kleshas, or afflictions, that cloud our understanding and perpetuate the cycle of suffering. Deeply rooted in ignorance, these Kleshas keep us bound to the material world and hinder our spiritual growth. Jeff then p...

In today's episode, we delve into Yoga Sutra 1:24, which explores the concept of Ishwara (God) as a unique Purusha, untouched by karma and the afflictions (kleshas) that influence human life. This sutra highlights the unique nature of Ishwara, offering a spiritual refuge beyond the cycles of cause and effect that bind most individuals. Reflecting on this can help us better understand the ultimate...

In exploring Ishwara (the concept of God or a supreme being) in the Yoga Sutras, we've moved away from the kleshas (the afflictions or obstacles) and into karma . Central to this discussion is the need for devotion and surrender to Ishwara , which Patanjali offers as an alternative path for attaining the state of yoga.  While some may approach yoga through personal effort and practice (abhyasa) or...

In Yoga Sutra 1:24 , Patanjali introduces the concept of Ishwara , a special kind of Purusha (consciousness) untouched by ignorance, karma or the fruits or storage of karma. This distinction places Ishwara in a unique position compared to other souls, as it is free from the afflictions and limitations that bind ordinary beings. Through this sutra, Patanjali is helping us explore and define the ide...

The Yoga Sutras offer timeless wisdom, and one such snippet from Patanjali that we are working with today is Sutra 1:23, Ishwara Pranidhana . This sutra presents the concept of surrendering to a higher consciousness, inviting us to let go of our ego and allow something more significant to guide our path. By surrendering to this higher power—whether we call it Ishwara, God, or simply universal cons...

In Yoga Sutras 1:23 and 1:24, Patanjali introduces the concept of Ishwara pranidhana , or surrender to Ishwara, as a path to achieving yoga. This idea of surrendering to a higher consciousness invites us to let go of the ego and allow a more profound, unchanging reality to guide us. Jeff, in reflecting on his week, shares how his own experiences have been a series of small and large acts of surren...

In our exploration of Yoga Sutra 1:24, we turn to Christopher Isherwood and Swami Prabhavananda's book How to Know God for a deeper understanding of this verse. According to their interpretation, Ishwara is not influenced by the ignorance that typically clouds human perception. This distinction sets Ishwara apart as a pure, untainted consciousness unaffected by the afflictions that bind us, such a...

In this discussion, we jump straight into Yoga Sutra 1:24, diving deeper into the concept of Ishwara. This verse takes us further down the rabbit hole of understanding Ishwara, a principle that differs significantly from the idea of God as presented in the Judeo-Christian traditions. While traditional Western views often portray God as a personal deity involved in the world and its affairs, Ishwar...

In Yoga Sutra 1:23, Patanjali introduces the concept of "Ishvara pranidhana va," which translates to "surrender to the God principle." This idea suggests that one can achieve the state of yoga not only through personal effort but also by surrendering to a higher power, a principle that transcends individual ego and effort. For some, the word "God" might trigger a visceral reaction, stirring up dis...

The concept of Ishwara, or God, in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, particularly in Sutra 1:23, can lead one down what might be called the "Ishwara rabbit hole." This phrase captures the deep and potentially confusing dive into surrendering to a higher power. The key term in this verse is "pranidhana," which translates to surrender. The notion here is to relinquish control significantly when our best-laid...

As we delve deeper into the realm of Ishvara in Yoga Sutra 1:23, it's easy to feel like we've gone "down the rabbit hole," exploring the complex and often nuanced concept of divinity as presented by Patanjali. This sutra marks the introduction of Ishvara, or the Lord, into the philosophy of yoga. True to his style, Patanjali gives us a term—in this case, Ishvara—and then proceeds to define it thro...

We are continuing our exploration of Yoga Sutra 1:23, which introduces the concept of Ishvara, or the Lord. This sutra marks a significant divergence from the Sankhya philosophy, which does not include the notion of a divine being or supreme consciousness. The inclusion of Ishvara differentiates the Yoga tradition from Sankhya, highlighting a path that incorporates the possibility of surrender to...

Today, we're diving deep into the concept of Ishwara Pranidhana , a topic that feels like a rabbit hole with endless layers to explore. This principle, which centers on devotion and surrender to a higher power, is pivotal in understanding the spiritual paths laid out in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. In this episode, Jeff summarizes and expands on the commentary of Ishwara Pranidhana as presented in the...

Jumping right into today's podcast, we delve into the concept of Ishwara Pranidhana , which appears in the 23rd verse of the first chapter of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. This idea of surrendering to a higher power, known as Ishwara , plays a pivotal role in the practice of yoga, and we'll explore its significance further in today's discussion. While we'll touch on the attributes of Ishwara in more de...

We've been exploring profound insights from yoga and meditation masters, drawing from commentaries on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and most recently, from Jeff's teacher, Shri O.P. Tiwari—a revered master of Hatha Yoga and a profound guide in all things yoga. These teachings offer us a deep well of wisdom, illuminating paths for both personal growth and spiritual development. In the podcast, Jeff...

Welcome back, everyone! Today's episode might feel like stepping into a whole new world—like you, Alice, realizing you're not in Kansas anymore. We're diving into the concept of "Ishwara" or God, which can be a bit of a prickly subject for some. If this topic makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck, we understand. But hang with us—don't give up on the podcast just yet! Jeff brings us back...

  Today, we continue our journey through the Yoga Sutras, arriving at Sutra 1:23. This sutra introduces a new element to our discussion: the Sanskrit terms "Isvara" (the lord), "Pranidhana" (surrender), and "Va" (or). These words form the foundation of our exploration today as we delve into Patanjali's expands our choices for achieving the ultimate goal of yoga.   Jeff brings in a personal story t...

In today's episode, we're revisiting our exploration of Sutras 1:21 and 1:22 from the Yoga Sutras. As we delve deeper, we'll enrich our understanding with insights from Harihariananda Aranya, who introduces us to the Sanskrit term' samvega.' This term holds great significance in both yoga and Buddhism, and its profound meaning is challenging to fully express in English. This is precisely why Dr. Z...

In recent podcast episodes, we've been delving into the Yoga Sutras, specifically Sutra 1:21. This sutra introduces the concept of "tivra," a Sanskrit word that translates to "keen." The idea of keenness is crucial—not just in a general sense, but in how it applies to life and our commitments. It's worth reflecting on: Are you keen right now? Are you fully engaged in your pursuits? As we move forw...

  In Episode 101 of My Daily Thread , we are "tivra" (keen) to usher in a new century of episodes, marking a fresh chapter in our exploration of yoga, philosophy, and personal growth. So, "Welcome to the Next Century!" in which we continue our journey with renewed energy and focus.   Jeff opens the episode by reminding listeners of the rich discussion from Episode 100B with Dr. Zoe Slatoff. He enc...

In the 100th mission recap of the Daily Threads podcast, we are honoured to have Dr. Zoe Slatoff as our guest. Dr. Slatoff is a professor of yoga studies and Sanskrit at Loyola Marymount University, she has a deep and extensive background in both the academic and practical aspects of yoga. And a strong Ashtanga Yoga practice. Her unique perspective makes her an invaluable voice in our discussion t...

Let's go! Welcome to this auspicious 100th episode of My Daily Thread. Today, Jeff shares the journey that inspired him to take on this podcast project. We all know how easy it is to lose faith in institutions like medicine or the church. For Jeff, it was yoga that he lost faith in after his divorce. However, the teachings of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras helped him rediscover its transformative power....

Tomorrow marks a significant milestone for us – it's our 100th episode! Be sure to attend the special 100th mission recap with Dr. Zoe Slatoff. It will be an insightful and celebratory episode you won't want to miss. In today's episode, we delve into the practical aspects of the concepts of Shraddha, Virya, and Smriti from Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 1:20. These foundational principles are not just the...