Sutra 1.12
अभ्यासवैराग्याभ्यां तन्निरोधः॥१२॥
abhyāsa-vairāgyābhyāṃ tan-nirodhaḥ
Translation:
- These mental activities are controlled by practice and non-attachment. -CT
- These mental modifications are restrained by practice and non-attachment. – SS
- The vrtti states of mind are stilled by practice and dispassion. – EBF
Vocabulary:
nirodha—discipline, cessation, control, restrain
abhyāsa—repetition, practice
vairāgya— non-attachment, dispassion, renunciation
Key Concepts:
How do we stop the activity in our minds?
Patanjali suggests practice and detachment. He defines these in the sutras to come.
This concept of controlling the mind through practice and detachment is old.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna speaks to Arjuna, ” Without a doubt, the mind is unsteady and difficult to restrain; but by practice, Arjuna, and by indifference to worldly objects, it is restrained.” (V1.35)
We all have daily practices, whether we are aware of them or willing to acknowledge them . These practice include our habits and routines, our copping mechanisms and our mental activities.
Mantra Practice - Keep at it!
Memorizing a word or phrase can be a really helpful tool for redirecting our mental state throughout the day.
In the Yogic Tradition Sanskrit mantra has been used for this purpose. Sanskrit has been used for this purpose due to its inherent metaphysical qualities. Other languages have been used in this same way such as Hebrew.
When we use sacred languages it has the power to not only change the state of our mind by redirecting it but it also by changing the vibrational quality of the mind.
Create your own mantra. It doesn’t need to be in a sacred language, unless you want it to be. It should be something that feels powerful to you! Something that resonates with your entire being, all the way to your core. It should be in the present tense as if you are speaking to yourself from your own inner wisdom. The part of yourself that knows your true brilliant nature.
Here are some examples, or make your own. Write it down. If you have a 6X Book keep it there. Repeat it as many times a day as you can.
- OM or AUM
- I am love.
- I am abundant.
- I am truth.
- Everything is as it should be.
- I determine my own experience.
Sanskrit Mantras
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।
ॐ शांतिः शांतिः शांतिः ॥
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो मवन्तु ॥
Lokāḥ Samastaḥ Sukhino Bhavantu॥
May all beings everywhere attain happiness and freedom.
Oṁ Asato Mā Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Mā Jyotir Gamaya
Mṛtyur Ma Amṛtam Gamaya
Oṁ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ
Lead me from the unreal to the real
From darkness to the light
From mortality to immorality
Om Peace Peace Peace
Practice
Watch for changes in the Pranayama/Meditation Section of Practice!
Prayer:
Guide me to that which is in my highest good. Help me to distinguish what nourishes my soul and what deteriorates my being. Lead me down the path of wisdom so that I may show up fully in each moment. Let my study be enlightening and fruitful. Allow my practice to benefit all beings. – Namaste
Pranayama:
Practice 5 Rounds. If you want to do more, do Pavanamuktasana before the Namaskara-s or do more rounds.
Belly Breathing
- Lie on you back, with your knees bent and heels close to the hips.
- Place your palms on your belly between the navel and bottom ribs with the tips of the middle fingers touching.
- Start Ujjayi Pranayama.
- Start to breath deep into the belly. Let the tips of the fingers move apart on inhalation. Hold the breath comfortably.
- Exhale completely, let the finger tips come back together. Pause, hold the breath comfortably.
- Continue for 5 Minutes.
Yoga Nidra
Get comfortable in Savasana and listen to the Yoga Nidra audio file. You can practice Yoga Nidra anytime that you feel tired and need a quick recharge or when you want to relax, like before bed.
Yoga Nidra
Reflections
- What are my daily practices? Tv watching, meditation, asana, thinking I am….., thinking others………
- Am I willing to look at myself honestly and my rituals and habits honestly? The good and the bad.
- How am I finding the Mantra Practice? Can I remember my mantra throughout the day?
- How capable am I at controlling my mind?
What does this remind me of? Other stories, scriptures, or teachings.