Book 1, Sutra 13: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Abhyasa (Practice)

Our minds are in a constant state of vibration, fluctuation and modification, dependent on what we are feeling, seeing, tasting, smelling, touching and hearing. These modifications distort our ability to see clearly. Practice or abhyasa is the effort to steady these fluctuations and align the mind with the soul.

This requires unwavering effort. The saying goes we take two steps forward and one step back. We need to pick ourselves up again and again when we stall, fall or hit an obstacle.

Our main task is constant, tireless practice (abhyasa). Abhyasa is not intermittent, it is the continued practice of citta vritti nirodah (restraining the mental fluctuations) that enables us to reap the reward of intense concentration and then ultimately samadhi or union.

References

Patañjali, & Bailey, A. (2013). The light of the soul : its science and effect : a paraphrase of the Yoga sutras of Patañjali. London.

Bryant, E. F. (2015). The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali. North Point Press.

Iyengar, S. (2012). Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. HarperCollins UK.

Paramhansa Yogananda. (2013). Demystifying Patanjali: The Yoga Sutras. Crystal Clarity Publishers.

Satyananda Saraswati, Swami. (2013). Four chapters on freedom : commentary on yoga sutras of Sage Patanjali. Yoga Publications Trust.

Sounds True. Second Initial. Michael Singer 2024-2025 The Michael Singer Podcast [Audio podcast]. Website. https://resources.soundstrue.com/michael-singer-podcast/