My Daily Thread

In Yoga Sutra I.33 , Patanjali presents a powerful formula for achieving a peaceful and balanced mind. The sutra reads: "maitrī-karuṇā-muditopekṣāṇāṁ sukha-duḥkha-puṇyāpuṇya-viṣayāṇāṁ bhāvanātaś citta-prasādanam" or, in translation: "By cultivating attitudes of friendliness (maitrī) toward those who are happy, compassion (karuṇā) for those who are suffering, joy (muditā) toward those who are virtu...

IN REMEMBRANCE. R. Sharath Jois.

We've been delving into Sutra 1:33 of the Yoga Sutras , exploring its timeless insights on cultivating friendliness, compassion, joy, and equanimity to bring clarity and steadiness to the mind. Jeff shared a personal story that highlighted another essential lesson embedded within yoga practice: the importance of avoiding pramada —carelessness. Jeff admitted that, while chanting this sutra from mem...

In Yoga Sutra 1:33 , Patanjali offers us a universal method to cultivate inner peace and mental clarity by adopting specific attitudes toward different situations. This sutra, expressed in Sanskrit as: "Maitrī-karuṇā-muditā-upekṣāṇāṁ sukha-dukha-puṇya-apuṇya-viṣayāṇāṁ bhāvanātaḥ citta-prasādanam" translates to: "By cultivating attitudes of maitrī (friendliness) toward those who are happy, karuṇā (...

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali , written around 200 CE, continue to offer us timeless guidance on finding peace and steadiness within ourselves. In Sutra 1:33  Patanjali emphasizes the value of cultivating Maitrī (मैत्री) , an attitude of friendliness toward those who are happy. This simple yet powerful practice encourages us to meet others' joy with warmth and genuine kindness, transforming how we...

In Yoga Sutra 1:33 , Patanjali offers us a profound piece of wisdom that transcends any single tradition or belief system. This verse, expressed with the beauty of the Sanskrit language, begins a series of practices from Sutra 1:33 to Sutra 1:39 that are designed to guide us toward citta vritti nirodhah (चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः) , the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind. Patanjali's practices here...

As we continue discussing the nine Antarayas (obstacles) from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras , it's essential to remember that yoga is ultimately about taking action . Patanjali tells us that the path to achieving yoga is through abhyāsa (अभ्यास) —consistent practice—and vairāgya (वैराग्य) , or non-attachment. Together, these two pillars help us overcome obstacles, guiding us toward inner peace. The prac...

In our study of the Yoga Sutras , we arrive today at Sutra 1:32 as we continue the exploration of Pranidhana (dedicated practice) and the Antarayas (obstacles). After introducing the nine obstacles in Sutra 1:30 and the physical and mental challenges that can accompany them in 1:31, Patanjali now guides us toward a path out of these struggles. Sutra 1:32 emphasizes the practice of "eka tattva abhy...

In this episode of the My Daily Thread Podcast , we continue exploring ways to add peace and calm to our everyday moments. As another week passes, we pause to bring more insight into our daily lives, cultivating mindfulness and connection to the present. With the completion of our study on Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 1:31 , we're moving forward with new practices and reflections aimed at grounding us i...

In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras , Sutra 1:31 enhances our understanding of the nine Antarayas (obstacles) by describing the symptoms that often accompany them: duḥkha (दुःख) , daurmanasya (दौरमनस्य) , aṅgamejayatva (अङ्गमेजयत्व) , and svāsa-praśvāsa (स्वास-प्रश्वास) . These manifestations are significant, as they reveal the physical and mental impact of encountering these obstacles on our yogic path. D...

In our ongoing study of the Antarayas (the nine obstacles described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras), we come to the final one: Anavasthitatvāni (अनवस्थितत्वानि) , or instability . The respected scholar Edwin Bryant defines   Anavasthitatvāni as the inability to maintain any state one might have attained, especially Samādhi (the profound state of meditation and union in yoga). This wavering of sta...

Continuing our exploration of Antarayas (obstacles) from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras , particularly Sutra 1:30 , we've reviewed the first seven obstacles and their unique challenges. Today, we consider Alabdhabhūmikatva (अलब्धभूमिकत्व) , the eighth obstacle, which, along with the ninth, is particularly dangerous because if left unaddressed, it can lead us to abandon our practice entirely. The Sanskrit...

In exploring the obstacles to our practice, we often uncover deep layers of our own history, including past traumas that shape much of our current experience. Trauma can have a profound influence on our lives, often leading us to react in ways that are automatic, even unconscious. For Jeff, part of this involves what he calls his "edgy ex-medic" side—a part of him that can be brash or blunt, a sid...

Continuing with Yoga Sutra 1:30 , we arrive at Bhranti-Darshana (भ्रान्ति-दर्शन) , one of the nine Antarayas or obstacles in the path of yoga. Bhranti-Darshana refers to delusion, specifically a false understanding of reality. According to the Yoga Kosa from Kaivalyadhama, it is defined as "a delusion about the nature of reality or one's own achievements." Essentially, it represents a distorted or...

The Antarayas (obstacles) in the practice of yoga can create significant disturbances in both mind and body. These nine obstacles, introduced by Patanjali, are challenges we all face at various stages of our journey. Among them, Avirati (अविरति) —the attachment to sensory pleasures—can be particularly challenging. One of the remedies Jeff offers to address Avirati and other Antarayas is the practi...

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, after the section on Ishwara Pranidhana (surrender to a higher power), the Antarayas (अन्तरायाः) , or nine obstacles, are introduced. These obstacles can disrupt the practice of yoga, both physically and mentally, and prevent us from moving forward in our spiritual journey. The nine obstacles are: Vyadhi (व्याधि) – Illness or physical disease. Styana (स्त्यान) – Me...

In today's practice, we continue working with the concept of avairati (अवैरति), which refers to non-indulgence or restraint from sensory desires. This idea of sensuality is central to our journey as we seek to cultivate a balanced approach to life. Avairati does not mean the complete rejection of sensory experiences but rather a mindful disengagement from the attachment to these experiences. It is...

In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras , Chapter 1, Verse 30, we are introduced to the antarāyas (अन्तरायाः), or obstacles, that hinder our progress on the path of yoga. These obstacles are distractions and challenges that arise on our journey toward self-realization, creating turbulence in the mind and preventing us from resting in our true nature. One of the obstacles we're currently exploring is avairatiḥ...

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali outlines the antarāyas (अन्तरायाः), or obstacles, that impede our progress on the spiritual path. These obstacles distract the mind and prevent us from achieving samādhi (समाधि), the ultimate tool for reaching the goal of yoga. Working through the antarāyas is an essential part of the yogic journey, as they represent the challenges we face in both our inner and outer...

In Yoga Sutra 1:30, Patanjali describes nine obstacles, known as antarāya (अन्तरायाः), that prevent the mind from reaching a state of concentration and ultimately residing in its true nature, or svarūpa (स्वरूप). These obstacles create mental disturbances and hinder us from progressing on our spiritual path. As Patanjali reminds us, yoga aims to overcome these obstacles to experience clarity and s...

In Yoga Sutra 1:30, Patanjali outlines nine obstacles (antaraya) that disrupt the path of spiritual practice, and among them is pramada . Today, we're focusing on pramada , often defined as carelessness, negligence, or a lack of spiritual and mental awareness. In essence, it represents a kind of laziness—not in the physical sense, but more in terms of our mindfulness, discipline, and dedication to...

In Yoga Sutra 1:30, Patanjali describes the obstacles that prevent the mind from achieving a state of focus and clarity. These obstacles are called Antarayas (अन्तरायाः) and are fundamental barriers to spiritual progress. The sutra states: 1.30: "Vyādhi-styāna-samśaya-pramādālasyāviraṭi-bhrānti-darśanālabddha-bhūmikatvānavasthitatvāni cittavikṣepāste 'ntarāyāḥ" In Devanagari: व्याधि-स्त्यान-संशय-प...

In Yoga Sutra 1:30, Patanjali outlines nine obstacles, known as Antarayas , that impede progress on the path of yoga. These obstacles cause disturbances in the mind, preventing it from attaining the focused state necessary for spiritual growth. The verse reads: 1.30: "Vyādhi-styāna-samśaya-pramādālasyāviraṭi-bhrānti-darśanālabddha-bhūmikatvānavasthitatvāni cittavikṣepāste 'ntarāyāḥ" In Devanagari:...

In today's discussion, a teacher training student raised a fundamental question: "Why Sanskrit? Why chant in Sanskrit?" It's a common question, especially for those new to yoga and its more profound philosophical traditions. For many, chanting in Sanskrit can seem unfamiliar or even unnecessary. However, understanding the value of this ancient language brings clarity not only to the practice but a...

In today's episode of My Daily Thread , we delve into Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, focusing on Sutra 1:30, which outlines the significant obstacles ( अन्तरायाः, antarāyāḥ ) that disrupt the yogi's journey toward mental steadiness. These obstacles, including व्याधि (vyādhi), स्त्यान (styāna), and संशय (saṃśaya), among others, are not just mere hurdles but profound challenges that every practitioner enc...