Sutra 1.15
दृष्टानुश्रविकविषयवितृष्णस्य वशीकारसंज्ञा वैराग्यम्॥१५॥
dṛṣṭānuśravika-viṣaya-vitṛṣṇasya vaśī-kāra-saṃjñā vairāgyam
Translation:
- Non-attachment is the mastery of consciousness experience by one who is free from desire of sense objects, heard or described. -CT
- The consciousness of self-mastery in one who is free from craving from objects seen or heard about is non-attachment. – SS
- Dispassion is the controlled consciousness of one who is without craving for sense objects, whether these are actually perceived or described in scripture. – EBF
Vocabulary:
saṃjñā—known, full knowledge, declaration, consciousness
vaśī-kāra—mastery, exert of control
vitṛṣṇa—non- desire, non-thirst, non-clinging, one free from craving
viṣaya—objects of sensory experience, sensual objects
dṛṣṭa—seen, experienced, visible, perceptible
ānuśravika—repeatedly heard from scriptures, hear or described
Key Concepts:
Non-Attachment, Renunciation, Dispassion. Patanjali describes vairāgya as the absence of craving for sense objects. Examples:
- Partners
- Food
- Drink
- Power
It is important to note that the commentary on this sutra suggests that to truly embody this aspect means to be neither attracted to or overly adverse to any sense objects. Real detachment is indifference in the way that you don’t waste energy on being detached, even when something is readily available. This sutra suggests that our desires should be under our control as opposed to controlling us.
Our desires are always there, so it is unrealistic for us to expect that we will be without desire. This takes discrimination, even before the mind goes out to the senses, the knowledge of if the object of the senses is helpful, harmful, useful or distracting. Satchidananda says, “The mind should not just go out and grasp as it wants.”
Detachment from the senses allows the mind to be peaceful and rest. When the senses are under control you can place your mind on the present moment, on the task at hand. You can choose when to engage the senses and when not to engage.
Mental activity dissipates the mind.
Vairagya literally means colorless. I feel this is important because this points us in the direction of experiencing the world as it is, without the veils of our vritti-s or mental activities. These vrtti-s when allowed to color our experience keep us from being in the present moment and experiencing the world as it is. Mental activities also cause us to want to seek out what we recall to be pleasurable and to avoid what we considered painful, overlaying our past onto the present moment.
This gives me the visual image of a snow globe. When we experience the world without mental activities we have a crystal clear experience, that leaves no marks on our psyche as samskaras, karmic impressions. When we let our mental activity cloud our judgment, then it is like stirring up a snow globe. Our view is clouded by all the activity and the pieces all settle in a new pattern, as new samskara, a new karmic impression.
When our mind is tossed with passion, desire and aversion then it hinders us from being in the present moment and aware of our true nature. Discriminating knowledge is the key to non-attachment.
Lastly, when we have selfish desires, (the mind going out) they lead to karmic binds to the cycle of action and reaction. When our desire is selfless it is nonbinding, free from karmic repercussions. What in the world life for its own sake? Living, practicing for the sake of others leads to joy and peace. If you have to be greedy be greedy in the service of others.
This doesn’t mean that you do not take care of your self. Food, clothes, yoga, meditation and all of your self-care is vital in equipping oneself for the service of others.
Empower every moment. Let your practice not be mechanical with the mind go out. Give your life and your practice a deep purpose, by shining the light of your whole heart and mind on all that you do.
KEEP UP YOUR MANTRA PRACTICE!
- 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
Asana:
Do 5X Rounds. Do more if you like.
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.
Reflections
- Am I aware of my own attachments?
- How can I develop non-attachments without suppressing myself?
- One thing that I want to develop more detachment from in my life is?
- How is my mantra practice going?
What does this remind me of? Other stories, scriptures, or teachings.