Sutra 1.16
तत्परं पुरुषख्यातेर्गुणवैतृष्ण्यम्॥१६॥
tat-paraṃ puruṣa-khyāter guṇa-vaitṛṣṇyam
Translation:
- Higher non-attachment is the detachment from even the gunas, due to identification with Purusa. -CT
- When there is non-thirst for even the gunas due to the realization of the Purusa, that is supreme non-attachment. – SS
- Higher than renunciation is indifference to the gunas. This stems from perception of the purse, soul. – EBF
Vocabulary:
guṇa- primary forces of nature, three constituents of nature
vaitṛṣṇyam—non-attachment, desirelessness
khyāti—discernment, due to identity
puruṣa—self, seer, consciousness
Key Concepts:
Non-attachment from personal desires and enjoyment is a renunciation from rajas and tamas guna in the mind. It is a development of a sattvic state of mind. In this state of mind, the yogin doesn’t create new desires or aversion in the citta, no new samskaras. And old samskaras, are under control, however, they are still there, lying dormant until triggered.
In this sattvic state of mind, the yogins mind is peaceful and calm. This allows for a contemplation of the gunas and purusa. This is where discriminative knowledge is cultivated. In this state of mind, the experience of pure consciousness is available, the experience of divine grace. Even if only momentarily, once the yogin experiences this state burns off the karmic impression dormant in the mind. This elevates ones practice beyond the guna beyond being attached to even a sattvic state of mind.
Our practices are important because they help to create the right environment to experience divine grace. We can see ourselves as tiny seeds, only when the soil, the water, the sun, and temperature are all just right, will the little seed sprout. Changing form requires the right conditions for growth.
That is why our practices, such as asana, pranayama, meditation, gratitude, devotion, and surrender are all so important. They create the fertile ground for us to experience grace, for us to be transformed. Our practices create the right environment to burn off old patterns and to create new patterns.
KEEP UP YOUR MANTRA!
- 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
Keep Up Your Mantra 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:
5 Rounds each side. 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
When we want to change the patterns of our mind, it is often more helpful to add new patterns, that slowly take over the old, rather than to try and renounce our old pattern right away. The perfect replacement pattern, one that instantly changes the quality of the mind, is a gratitude practice.
Try it now!
Take out one sheet of paper, fill it with as many things that you can think of that you feel grateful for today. You can also do this for a specific topic, for a specific person or object in your life.
- What practices create the best environment for my mind to be peaceful?
- Does asana practice make my mind calm and peaceful? Pranayama, Yoga Nidra, Meditation?
- How did I feel after doing the gratitude practice?
- How can I find ways to be more grateful through out the day?
- How is my mantra practice is going?
What does this remind me of? Other stories, scriptures, or teachings.