Sublime

Every time you do something feel, “May this be dedicated to God.” If you constantly remember to do this, the mind will be free and tranquil.

Yoga involves preventing the mind from being molded into these permutations, the vṛttis, the impressions and thoughts of the objects of the world, such that puruṣa can regain its autonomous nature.

The same trick can be used in emptying the mind of thoughts. Tell the mind, “All right, you have that much, and I’ll take the rest away.” After a while say, “This also seems to be unwanted; let’s take this away also.” You remove them little by little. That’s why Patañjali is so careful in forming the thoughts into different groups.

There are almost 200 sūtras, traditionally divided into four sections. The first is the Portion on Contemplation (Samādhi Pāda) which gives the theory of Yoga and a description of the most advanced stages of the practice of samādhi, or contemplation.

Cultivating a yoga practice is not just about physical flexibility and strength. Cultivating awareness is not about race, gender, or class—it’s about waking up to who we are and our place in the world. That is why we start with the yamas.