Revealed February 3, 2026 12:05PM
Yoga Journal’s archives collection is a curated assortment of articles initially printed in previous points starting in 1975. This text first appeared within the July-August 1983 problem of Yoga Journal.
Fashionable definitions of yoga typically embody phrases resembling steadiness, concord, well being, and peace. Whereas these qualities are definitely fascinating, and have to be created earlier than one can enter the state of fixity, or yoga, they aren’t included within the definition Patanjali provides us in his Yoga Sutras, the traditional second-century B.C. exposition typically accepted because the bible of yoga.
There, within the second verse of the primary chapter, he defines yoga with a easy Sanskrit phrase, Yogas citta vrtti nirodah, which suggests “the decision of the agitations of the thoughts.” Patanjali explains within the first a part of the Sutras that cessation of the mind-stuff should come from a whole fixity of the thoughts; by fixing the thoughts, it turns into one-pointed (ekagrata), and this course of leads in the end to the dearth of fluctuations known as yoga.
By understanding Yogas citta vrtti nirodah, one can higher perceive fixity. Citta, Patanjali’s phrase for thoughts, really means pure consciousness, an idea that encompasses the three Samkhya philosophical phrases manas, ahamkara, and buddhi. As a result of yoga is an utilized philosophy primarily based on Samkhya, you will need to perceive precisely what Patanjali meant by “thoughts” to be able to perceive nonetheless it.
Manas is the portion of the thoughts that features mechanically, by way of varied mind facilities. It regulates breath, coronary heart fee, and digestion, controls progress and restore, and directs the expansion of a kid. It can’t be known as “decrease thoughts” as a result of it carries out exceedingly advanced features and thus frees different components of the thoughts for research, thought, and creation.
Ahamkara is greatest translated as ego. It distinguishes the “I” from the “not I.” It is very important be aware how a well-functioning ego is just not an obstacle to the apply of yoga; an over-reaching ego and the attachment to the view of actuality that ego brings (asmita) are impediments. A yogi doesn’t destroy the ego, however reasonably destroys the bounds of egoism.
The phrase buddhi comes from a Sanskrit root which means “to know with the interior being;” buddhi is that a part of the thoughts wherein creation, mind, will, thought, and instinct perform. It’s the purification of buddhi that enables the yogi to transcend the limitation of the non-public to know the infinite.
Thus, citta is delined by Patanjali as “mind-stuff.” which incorporates manas, ahamkara, and buddhi; this citta is the thoughts that have to be delivered to a state of fixity if yoga is to be skilled.
The following time period of Patanjali’s definition is vrtti, which suggests agitation. It implies a random, chaotic motion with no sample. Nirodah, the ultimate phrase of the phrase, is probably the most controversial one, and has been variously translated as “cessation,” “suppressing,” or “quieting.” Right here, it’s translated as “decision.” This means that the person thoughts as soon as existed in a state of equanimity with common thoughts, however has turn into increasingly more agitated over time by way of separation. This may be understood if one accepts the idea that particular person thoughts has advanced from common thoughts, and the fixed state of motion away from the unity of cosmic thoughts has produced growing layers of agitated citta, or mind-stuff.
Due to this fact, Yogas citta urtti nirodah may be elaborated as: yoga is a state of being wherein all points of the thoughts are not agitated, as a result of these agitations have been resolved again into their unique state of equanimity.
The best way to Quiet Your Thoughts, In response to Yoga
The remainder of the Sutras is an outline of this state of equanimity, and an evidence of attain it and its results.
Consider a Single Precept
How, then, does one go about fixing the thoughts, and upon what ought to it’s mounted? Patanjali is sort of clear in his reply to this query. In Chapter I, “On Focus,” he begins his dialogue in verse 32:
“So as to counteract these (distractions) (the yogi ought to resort to) the apply (of focus) on a single precept.”
This sutra tells us that first, there’s a treatment to the fixed fluctuations of the thoughts, which create our unhappiness, and second, this treatment is the method of focus or fixity.
Challenge Friendliness
Verse 33 is usually a stunning one to those that consider yoga as life-negating; it offers with the significance of relationships between folks and the way that may carry fixity to the thoughts:
“The projections of friendliness, compassion, gladness, and equanimity towards objects (be they) joyful, sorrowful, meritorious, or demeritorious—(result in) the pacification of consciousness.”
There are highly effective psychological ideas at work within the dynamics of this sutra. Patanjali means that the coed of yoga ought to challenge friendliness towards the joyful objects, or folks, and compassion towards the unhappy. This means an involvement with others and a consideration for his or her plight. It implies that the yogi doesn’t choose others, however observes them with friendliness and compassion. The yogi takes delight within the good fortunes of others and doesn’t secretly really feel glad about their misfortunes.
Within the second a part of the verse, Patanjali tells us that fixity of thoughts can also be enhanced by cultivation of emotions of gladness towards the meritorious, and he means that one ought to apply equanimity towards the demeritorious. His phrases are just like these utilized by Jesus Christ when he recommended to a mob that the guiltless amongst them ought to forged the primary stone on the hapless lady they had been judging. In response to Patanjali, one doesn’t withdraw from evil, however actively practices the constructive state of equanimity if confronted by an individual or scenario that expresses it.
Follow Breath Management
Within the subsequent verse, 34, Patanjali states that fixity will also be obtained by attaining management over the breath:
“Or (restriction is achieved) by (the managed) expulsion and retention of the breath.”
The connection of breath and psychological states has been mentioned by historic yogis in addition to fashionable psychologists. Within the January third, 1983, problem of the Mind-Thoughts Bulletin, proof is cited suggesting that “the nostril is an instrument for altering cortical (mind) exercise.” Thus, the teachings reported by Patanjali are being confirmed within the laboratory. These teachings state that by harmonizing the breath, not solely do metabolic processes turn into altered to specific a quieter state, however emotional fluctuations are additionally stilled. Thus, fixity of each the physiological and psychological side of self is obtained.
Nevertheless, Patanjali doesn’t train the reader the methods of pranayama (breath management); his dialogue focuses on the efficacy of such apply for acquiring the state of yoga, the state of fixity of the vrttis. It’s implied all through the Sutras that to be able to be taught methods, one should discover a certified trainer.
It ought to be famous that the thirty fourth sutra emphasizes the exhalation and retention points of pranayama. Exhalation is symbolic of launch and give up of the contents of thoughts; retention is symbolic of sustaining this state of vacancy. Exhalation is related to cooling, calming energies. That is the trail to fixity of thoughts. Calming doesn’t come from taking over one thing else, however reasonably from letting go of the agitations already current by exhaling them after which progressively growing one’s potential to take care of this stillness by way of retention of breath.
Use Your Senses
Verse 35 presents one other avenue that the yogi can take when in search of the state of yoga:
“Or (restrictions come about when) object-centered exercise arisen which holds the thoughts in steadiness.”
The technical time period for this course of is visayavati. It means concentrating the powers of the thoughts on one type of heightened sensory consciousness. For instance, focus on the tip of the nostril develops a unprecedented sense of scent. Different sensory organs can be utilized, resembling contact, style, or sound. It’s the strategy of focus on these senses that enables the thoughts to enter the state of fixity. It ought to be remembered that this potential won’t happen until the apply is diligent. As well as, purity of apply is critical; a frivolous perspective towards creating these talents will inhibit progress.
Faucet into the Coronary heart Chakra
The following suggestion Patanjali makes about creating fixity of thoughts is in Verse 36 and is:
“Or (restriction is achieved by psychological actions that are) sorrowless and illuminating.”
This verse is usually accepted to imply that the yogi can acquire fixity by concentrating on the radiance and stillness of the guts chakra or middle. It’s believed that this web site symbolically embodies the sunshine of the interior being. By concentrating on the purity of the symbolic coronary heart, one turns into like that purity, expressing radiance and readability. All through historic literature on meditation, each within the Hindu and Buddhist custom, one regularly encounters references to the “lotus of the guts,” the middle from which mild and peace emanate. Patanjali means that focus upon this middle throughout meditation apply brings with it the qualities of the middle itself:calmness, effulgence, and love.
Ponder Individuals Who Have Quiet Minds
The following different Patanjali suggests for creating fixity is to focus on those that have achieved fixity already:
“Or (restriction is achieved when) consciousness is directed to (these beings who) have conquered attachment.”
This verse (37) states that fixity will also be obtained by concentrating often upon those that have achieved fixity. It’s believed that the thoughts takes on the traits of what it contemplates. In Western psychology, the thoughts is to be thought of the supply of thought; although is the product of the “black field” termed “thoughts.” Due to this fact, within the conventional Western psychological method, all we have to do to grasp the thoughts is learn the way the black field works. That is attribute of the mechanistic view of the human being, which dissects to grasp.
In Jap psychology, particularly the psychology of the Yoga Sutras, thought is taken into account an vitality related to the thoughts; it shapes the thoughts. Thus, by considering the thoughts or nature of people who’ve achieved fixity, the thoughts of the coed begins to tackle the type of this thought after contemplation, and turns into just like the thoughts of the individual contemplated. This course of may be termed considering the thoughts of the guru, and fixity is thus achieved.
Replicate on Your Desires
Verse 38 provides nonetheless one other avenue to fixity:
“Or (restriction is achieved when consciousness) is resting on the perception (arising from) desires and sleep.”
This verse implies that fixity may be obtained not solely by focus upon the aware processes of thoughts, but additionally upon the unconscious ones resembling desires. As a result of readability and fixity don’t simply embody our daytime ideas, Patanjali means that the coed of yoga can acquire perception by observing the contents of desires and considering these contents throughout meditation. This supplies a type of psychotherapy whereas concurrently creating fixity of the thoughts.
Be Constant
Lastly, a most fascinating level of fixity is obtainable within the final sutra on this collection, quantity 39:
“Or (restriction is achieved) by way of meditative-absorption as desired.”
This provides the yoga pupil an incredible freedom. One can obtain fixity of thoughts by considering one of many particular factors provided above or one can focus the thoughts on any severe curiosity, a philosophical level, a mantra, or the apply of asanas. This might not suggest extra strongly that it’s the strategy of fixing the thoughts that creates the fixity reasonably than the item of focus. Patanjali provides up a wide range of choices. The scholar should select one and keep it up in every day apply. This diligence will probably be rewarded with calmness, and this calmness is the start of dwelling within the state of yoga.
An fascinating comparability may be made for these seven paths to fixity of thoughts and the standard varieties of yoga. Using relationships and focus on the guru’s thoughts can each be thought of Bhakti (devotional) Yoga. Focus on the event of upper sense perceptions is just like Tantra; contemplation of desires and the interior radiance is like Jnana (psychological) Yoga. Pranayama might be likened to Hatha or Raja Yoga. Thus, the seven options Patanjali makes about creating fixity of thoughts and the state of yoga can be utilized as a path to that fixity.
The significance of this idea is that Patanjali doesn’t distinguish one of many seven options for creating fixity as higher than one other. He simply makes the options, and it’s for the coed, maybe together with the recommendation of a trainer, to decide on probably the most applicable path. Maybe the trail will change at totally different occasions of life. However to be able to acquire the state of yoga, you will need to choose an acceptable avenue and maintain it with out judging the paths of others. Acquiring this state is just not solely a success of particular person potential, but additionally a shining instance for others of the potential of perfection that exists inside us all.
*All translations of the verses on this article are from The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali: A New Translation and Commentary by Georg Feuerstein; Folkestone, Kent, England: William Dawson & Sons Ltd., Cannon Home, 1979.
