‘Yoga is stilling the fluctuations of the mind’. Sutra 1.2 by Patanjali. In this sutra, Patanjali describes the goal of Yoga. I had learned about it in class, but because it is part of this month’s philosophical focus, I decided to read the sutra and its commentary properly. It’s the first time I am reading a sutra myself.
In the book I read, translation and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, he writes; “For a keen student this one sutra would be enough because the rest of them only explain this one.” My curiosity is sparked.
Satchidananda explains the levels of the mind. He explains there is a natural condition of the mind: a peaceful state. The fluctuations of the mind – or in his words ‘the modifications of the mind-stuff ’ – disturb that peace. ‘All the differences in the outside world are the outcome of your mental modifications’.
He gives an example. He asks us to imagine that you have never seen your father before, and that he returns when you are ten years old. He knocks on the door. You open it and see a strange face. You run to your mother and say, “Mama, there’s a stranger at the door.” Your mother comes, sees her long-lost husband, and receives him with joy. She introduces him as your father. You say, “Oh, my Daddy!” A few minutes earlier he was a stranger; now he is your father. Did he change? No. He is the same person. You created the idea of “stranger” — and then replaced it with “Daddy.”
Satchidananda concludes: “The entire world is based on your thoughts and mental attitude. The entire world is your own projection. That is why Yoga does not bother much about changing the outside world. Things outside neither bind nor liberate you; only your attitude toward them does that.
I practice this in my daily life. To see these fluctuations of the mind. To observe what the mind does and pause. To not respond instantly. I’ll be honest; I find it extremely difficult. However, in the moments when I am able to do so, my life feels much easier and lighter. This book is the best, I am loving reading this sutra. I feel like a super-yogi.
“There is nothing wrong with the world,” Satchidananda continues. Oh no. He lost me. Super-yogi down. My mind closes immediately. The great teachers always go this one step further and I never join them.
Nothing is wrong? Really? How? Why? Man, I wish I would understand what they mean. But I don’t. Not only do I not think there is nothing wrong with the world, I also have a really hard time understanding how to relate to this. How can I resist people in the world trying to divide us, without discriminating myself? Without making them into a ‘them’ and the “right” people into an ‘us’? Can I resist their ideas without resisting the people? Can I hate the ideology but love the person? Can I see my mind creating the idea of strangers instead of family? How do I take a stand against the opinions of others without hardening my heart?
I don’t know. I’m upset. Another great teacher, Ram Dass, once said; “The world is perfect as it is, including my desire to change it.” That last part calms me down a bit. However, isn’t that desire to change the world itself a fluctuation of the mind that we’re trying to still with yoga?
Maybe the more sutras I will read, the more I practice, the more I understand. Or the more questions I’ll have. Or maybe I will be able to see these fluctuations of the mind and still live in that natural, peaceful state. I don’t know. What I do know is that this book is going to make my mind fluctuate. A lot.
Esther is a writer, creator, and yogi from Amsterdam. She is a student and Karma Yogi at Studio 108 and does her best to be kind, gentle, and to laugh whenever she stumbles.
