My Daily Thread

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...

In today's episode, we focus on Sutra 1:20, particularly the concepts of Shraddha and Virya. Shraddha represents knowledge accompanied by tranquillity and serene confidence in our understanding and path. Virya, conversely, signifies the strength required to sustain us through the more challenging parts of our journey. These elements are crucial as they guide us towards the ultimate goal stated in...

Welcome to My Daily Thread! Before we dive into today's content, let's hear from the team: From Pete, remember - subscribe to the podcast. From Zig, remember - join our retreat in San Pancho, Mexico. From Jen, remember - go to the website www.jefflichty.com Hahaha! That's the extent of our commercials for today. Now, let's return to our main topic: reviewing Shraddha, Virya, and Smriti. We've been...

Jeff reminds us that Dr. Zoe Slatoff will join us for the 100th episode to discuss Sanskrit. This episode will dive deep into the intricacies of Sanskrit and yoga philosophy, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in these topics. In addition, mark your calendars for February 2025! Ziggy and I are hosting an intimate retreat in San Pancho, Mexico, where we'll immerse ourselves in Ashtanga Y...

Welcome to the 95th episode of My Daily Thread! Wow, we're closing in on the milestone of our 100th episode. At My Daily Thread, it's time for our "50 Mission Recap." I'm excited to announce that Dr. Zoe Slatoff, a Sanskrit scholar and author from LMU in Los Angeles, will join us for the 100th bonus episode. We'll delve into Sanskrit and all things yoga philosophy, making it an episode you want to...

Yesterday, we consulted the AI guru ChatGPT and found it incredibly helpful. As we delve into today's discussion, we continue exploring the snowball effect depicted in verse 1:20 of the Yoga Sutras. This verse illustrates how we begin with the small snowball of Shraddha, and as it rolls down the hill, it gathers momentum, growing larger as we add Virya. This momentum continues to build upon itself...

On this hump day, we're diving into an essential topic: strength. Yesterday, Jeff shared an inspiring story about an ultramarathoner who sped by him and his son on a mountain trail, perfectly embodying the concept of "virya," or energy and vigour. If you missed it, be sure to drop back and listen to that episode—it was indeed a great one.   Today, we're exploring what it means to be strong in our...

Jumping into the podcast today, we draw wisdom from Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras, specifically Sutra 1:20. This sutra teaches about Shraddha, a profound concept that translates to knowledge accompanied by tranquility. Also understood as faith, Shraddha sets the foundation for vigorous action in your chosen pursuits, guiding you with a serene and steady focus. Tiwariji, a revered teacher of Jeff's...

Welcome to My Daily Thread, a podcast that adds wisdom to your day. Recently, we've been delving into the concept of Shraddha from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, specifically Sutra 1:20. This powerful concept has been a central theme in our discussions, and we've been exploring the nuanced definition provided by Hariharananda Aranya, who describes Shraddha as "knowledge associated with tranquillity." Bu...

We have reached the end of the week, and we hope you've found this journey with the My Daily Thread Podcast enriching and insightful. If you're enjoying the podcast, please subscribe or follow so you don't miss any future episodes.   Yesterday, we delved into the concept of Tristana, a foundational element of Pattabhi Jois's teachings. For those who missed it or want a more detailed exploration, y...