Book 1, Sutra 14: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Humility in Practice

Sutra I.14 acts as a bridge between I.13 (which speaks to establishing tireless effort, abhyāsa) and I.15 (which addresses the power of non-attachment, vairāgya). We need to deeply value or be devoted to the spiritual goal in order to commit to the path of Self-realisation. We may begin with mastery of the mind, and then the experience of inner peace, but our main aim is  union with the soul, or the Oversoul, which is union with all souls. Without love of the goal we will not make the effort to still the mind and we will not truly commit to the path.

In the science of Raja Yoga or the science of the mind, we must be devotees of our own souls. Without love and devotion our efforts of stilling and restraining the five vrittis of the mind will be intermittent and not intense and persistent enough. 

This intense and dedicated practice may span a number of our lifetimes. If we have successes in our goals we also need to be careful not to allow ourselves to fall prey to spiritual pride, we must always cultivate humility in practice.

Iyengar says profound wisdom is gained through steady dedicated, attentive practice and non-attachment through applied restraint. However, success may inflate the sadhaka (aspirant’s) ego and we must be careful not to fall victim to spiritual or intellectual pride which may drag us away from enlightenment. Humility should replace pride so spiritual wisdom dawns.

 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/