Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The science of Yoga
Maharishi Patanjali is a man very hard to understand by a common mind, he has accomplished in mapping a human from the the grossest till the subtlest. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are the most complete and comprehensive  text ever written by any one on the inner journey of a human. There is always a debate  over when they were written, some where between 3000 bc to 5000 bc.   The Yoga Sutras are not a philosophy but a step by step method to become aware of one own being.

The "Sutras" are Aphorisms or compact sentences. There are a 196  Yoga Sutras of Patanjali divided in 4 chapters. Each Sutra is compact and needs a great deal explanation as it's nature and depth of psychological content. Patanjalis Yoga is concerned with liberation through meditation. The first chapter is "Samadhi Pada" a state of evenness where one is total and centered in one self without distractions. In this chapter the Yoga, the modifications of the mind, "Samadhi" and the concept of "Isvarah" God are explained.  

"Sadhana Pada"  the second chapter is the practice of a Yogi.
The chapter starts with a the base conditions to start Yoga " Tapah Svahdyaya Ishvarpranidhanani Kriyayogah" Austerity, selfstudy and surrender of the ego is Yoga of action.
Patanjalis definition of Yoga of action is Kriya Yoga.
Patanjali Yoga is even known as Raja Yoga, the Yoga of understanding and transcending the mind, consciousness is Raja or the king.
"Ashtanga Yoga" Eight limbs of yoga is the heart of Patanjalis Yoga system. There are five major afflictions of the mind of which "Avidya" ignorance of ones own being is the root cause of all afflictions. These are explained in the second chapter "Samadhi Pada".
 
Ashtanga Yoga
  • Yama (personal discipline)
  • Niyama (social discipline)
  • Asana (discipline of body posture)
  • Pranayama ( rhythmic breathing exercises)
  • Pratyahara (inward withdrawal of the senses)
  • Dharana (concentration)
  • Dhyana (meditation)
  • Samadhi (total awareness and evenness"Sama" of ones true self without conflicts)
 
"Vibhuti Pada" The third chapter is the concerned with Yogic Powers.
Nils Bhor the great scientist who discovered the mechanics of Quantum Physics was at a loss when he studied the atom in depth. The nature of atom was such that it was a particle and a wave at the same time, in laboratory studies the behavior of atom was absurd and beyond logic. The same has been told by Maharishi Patanjali, and the  the relation between the observer and the observed.
In the third chapter " Vibhuti Pada" the connection between "Dharana" concentration  "Dhayna" meditation "Samadhi"  total inner oneness and the explanations of understanding the nature of the atomic world inside of a Yogi and the powers which it can generate are explained, the powers only seem supernatural if one does not under the underlined process. If the process is understood so is the effect.The concept of time, the movement of time and understanding the moment "Ksana" and what creates time is explained.

" Kaivalya Pada" the fourth chapter is the last in the Yoga Sutras and explains the the ultimate liberation and total freedom. The difference between the mind, consciousness and witnessing and the soul are explained. Through total understanding of one own self comes total freedom and liberation.
Thought for the Moment
Meditation is born out of non attachment but one can make even meditation an attachment.