Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The eight limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga completely remove the impure inherited tendencies of the mind. First, one practices ethical disciplines and then acquires a good posture for meditation. Then, one is able to obtain an effortless and free yogic concentration. This concentration leads to spiritual insight and the power to break through all bondages of the mind. Verse: II.28
3/13/2019 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 35 seconds
110 – Samskaras: the Mystery of Human Character | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. This lecture constitutes a review of the process by which Yoga leads us beyond mental conflicts and to inner contentment. Mental conflicts come from hidden inherited tendencies from past lives - Samskaras. This idea is Patanjali’s major contribution to psychology. By taking care of these samskaras, we can transcend the conflict between intellect and the accumulated habits and memories.
3/13/2019 • 56 minutes, 38 seconds
109 – Cloud of Virtue: What the Great Prophets Had | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The mind is not the real I, the real I is Purusha. Reason has its limits but this instinctive wisdom goes beyond this. That’s why great prophets could do things and say things whose meaning only become apparent after a long time. They had special insight. They found the whole foundation of truth within themselves. By not using such power for selfish purposes, we are able to prevent a fall. Then only Prarabdha Karma remains. Verses: IV.28, IV.29, IV.30
3/12/2019 • 55 minutes, 46 seconds
108 – The Real Seer is Self-Revealing | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. This lecture contains a detailed analysis of the nature of the real seer, Purusha or Atman, according to multiple approaches. Verses: IV.17, IV.18, IV.19, IV.20
3/12/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 25 seconds
107 – The Unchanging Behind the Changing | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Vivarta Satkaryavada in Advaita Vedanta is reviewed. Nominalism of Buddhism is also explained. Advaita, according to Shankaracharya, is a combination of Absolute Idealism and Realism. Verses: IV.15, IV.16, IV.17, IV.18
3/12/2019 • 59 minutes, 55 seconds
106 – Objects and Minds in Buddhism and Yoga | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. A comparison is made between Buddhist schools of philosophy and Yoga on the question of the relationship between minds and objects. Verses: IV.14, IV.15
3/12/2019 • 51 minutes, 39 seconds
105 – Continuing Our Spiritual Journey across Space, Time, and Lives | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Our tendencies from previous life cycles are re-expressed when put into an appropriate environment. When we suddenly feel at home with a profound philosophical idea, it means we have some previous acquaintance. This allows us to continue our spiritual evolution. Verses: IV.9, IV.10, IV.11
3/12/2019 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 11 seconds
104 – Desires Without Beginning But With an End | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. There are good, bad, and mixed actions. These actions lead to tendencies that will manifest when the appropriate environment is available. Even though there is a separation in time and place, these manifestations form a continuous link. The different kinds of karmas are discussed in this context. These tendencies are without beginning. However, they come to end when we identify ourselves with our transcendental nature. Verses: IV.7, IV.8, IV.9, IV.10
3/12/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 10 seconds
103 – Manifestation of Divinity Already in Man | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. All power is already within us. We remove the obstacles to manifest the divinity within us. Verses: IV.1, IV.2, IV.3, IV.4, IV.5, IV.6
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Kaivalyam, liberation means liberation from ourselves. We are trapped in a cycle of actions, mental impressions, tendencies, and then repeated action. By changing our identification we begin to evolve. Our obstacles are in the form of Klesas, obsessive likes and dislikes. This creates a conflict between what the intellect wants to do and what the mind allows us to do. The root is a wrong identification of who we are. To overcome this, the first step is the practice of friendliness, compassion, admiration, and indifference towards the happy, unhappy, virtuous, and negative. The higher powers mentioned in the Vibhuti-pada can be obtained by birth, herbs, mantras, austerities, and concentration. The only safe ones to practice are mantras and concentration practiced with ethical disciplines - Yamas and Niyamas. Verse: IV.1
3/10/2019 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 39 seconds
101 – Reaching the Soul: Transcendence of Ritambhara-Prajna | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. With Ritambhara-Prajna, the higher intuitive insight also comes with the confirmation that it is true. This knowledge creates a great Vritti that counters the innumerable conflicting Vrittis in the mental system. This knowledge goes beyond all ordinary tools of knowledge such as direct sensory perception or inference. Swami Vivekananda says that a high ideal is necessary to counter all negative ideals. When this Ritambhara-Prajna comes, all accumulated tendencies react with great force. Finally, when even this Vritti is repressed, one reaches a state where all tendencies, Vrittis, have been burnt. Verses: I.50, I.51
3/4/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 56 seconds
100 – Realization is Religion, the Rest is Preparation | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Ritambhara-Prajna is a kind of spiritual intuition filled with infallible truth. It goes beyond all normal human tools of epistemology. A person with this insight is a Rishi, seer. The testimony recorded in the scriptures is the authentic testimony of those endowed with this knowledge. By Guru-Disciple tradition, a line of authentic teachers has preserved this knowledge. Ritam is the harmonizing link we realize in ourselves. The experience of truth is non-remote. Swami Vivekananda says the experience of this truth is religion, the rest is preparation. Verses: I.48, I.49
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Shabda, Artha, Jnana, sound, meaning, and knowledge are still mixed up in Savitarka-Samadhi. At Nirvitarka-Samadhi, the three are no longer mixed, only the resulting knowledge remains and therefore there are no more conflicting thoughts. Prakriti is the source of material evolution in Sankhya philosophy. All of the created things in the mind can be taken back to their unmanifest form in Prakriti. A Yogi withdraws his identification with different evolutes of material nature. It is a process of dehypnotization. By withdrawal of the senses, we reverse evolution. At this stage of meditation, the seeds of past actions still exist, Sabhija, but they do not trouble us much. Verses: I.42, I.43, I.44, I.45, I.46
3/3/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 7 seconds
98 – Sound, Meaning, Knowledge: Together and Separate | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Shabda, Artha, Jnana, sound, meaning, and knowledge are usually mixed up. When we reach Savitarka Samadhi, we are able to gain deep insight into things. At this stage, Shabda, Artha, and Jnana are still mixed up. A Sanskrit verse explains that geniuses are known to have deviations in life if they do not have spirituality. At a higher stage of meditation, Nirvitarka-Samadhi, the three do not mix, memory is purified, and conflicting thoughts subside. Verses: I.42, I.43
3/2/2019 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 17 seconds
97 – Crystal Mind and Blessedness | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Deep inner contentment gives us a feeling of being spiritually rich. When the Vrittis have become weakened, a person’s mind becomes like a crystal. It reflects the light of whatever it meditates upon clearly. This concentration with freedom comes only when it is preceded by the practice of Yamas and Niyamas, the 10 fundamental ethical disciplines. When he concentrates on a holy thought or person, he reflects it clearly. St. John wrote the same about the purest divine love. It is a state of blessedness. Verses: I.17, I.33, I.35, I.41, I.39
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The practices of Pranayama and friendliness toward fellow spiritual seekers can help us conquer our obstacles. Intellectual conviction only goes skin deep. Pravrtti, transcendental experience, will reinforce our belief that we are on the right track. There is also a higher type of experience, which is beyond all sorrow and destroys all doubts. You can tell if it is a valid experience by the result. The result should be a deep-rooted contentment and friendliness towards all. Another method is meditation upon the life and mind of a saint who is beyond all desire. This thought purifies the mind. Verses: I.35, I.36, I.37
3/1/2019 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 35 seconds
96 – Concentration with Freedom is Samapatti | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The higher aspiration of Yoga is to reach a state of Nirodha, complete freedom from obsessive likes and dislikes, Vrittis, of the mind. Before reaching that stage, several stages of concentration are classified: restlessness, dullness, swinging between extremes, and one-pointed. Kshina-Vrtti is a state when the mind’s vrittis have been weakened or transcended. The mind then attains a state of Yogic concentration, which is free. Verses: I.1, I.2, I.41
3/1/2019 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 2 seconds
95 – Mental System is a Mirror Reflecting Our Spiritual Nature | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Patanjali explains that regulating human relationships, Pranayama, transcendental experiences, and meditation on the heart of a holy person can lead to deep contentment. We take on the characteristics of that which we meditate upon. Some dreams give a feeling of blessedness. They can also be a support. The mental system is a mirror which reflects our spiritual nature, Atman or God. The impurities are our obsessive likings and dislikes. When they are cleaned up we reflect our divinity more clearly. The Vedantic analysis of the three states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, and deep sleep is described. Verses: I.33, I.38, I.34, I.35, I.36, I.37
3/1/2019 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 52 seconds
92 – Countering Despair: Four Doors to Peace | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. What makes a Buddha or a Christ is the sense of Atha, the desire for something higher in life. When this higher aspiration comes, obstacles and despair are inevitable. In order to conquer them focusing on one chosen high ideal is recommended. We can conserve our energy resources by a developing an inner filtering mechanism toward negative ideas. The four kinds of relations – friendliness, compassion, admiration, and indifference – are four doors to peace. Proper practice of Pranayama for linking our energy to the infinite cosmic energy can also yield peace when practice with ethical disciplines, Yama and Niyama. Verses: I.30, I.31, I.32, I.33, I.34
3/1/2019 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 25 seconds
93 – Prana: Cutting New Channels Through the Mental System | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Indifference is a vaccination towards contagious negativity. It is not insensitivity but enlightened sensitivity. Pranayama can lead to peace of mind. The breath is a thin thread linking us to the cosmic energy. Prana cuts new channels through the mental system. When we try to cut new channels, the mind and body may react. The mental system has tendency to run in the same conservative ruts. For this reason, the aspect of religion involving changing the world is always more popular than the aspect of changing ourselves. Verses: I.33, I.34
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. In order to gain inner contentment, Citta-Prasada, we can practice regulating our human relationships according to friendship, compassion, admiration, and indifference. Another method is Pranayama, breath work, but this must be undertaken with proper ethical disciplines, Yamas and Niyamas. Spiritual concentration without hatred or obsessive like is the natural by-product of Citta-Prasada. Along the way, we may also experience things beyond the psychophysical realm. Verses: I.32, I.33, I.34
2/28/2019 • 58 minutes, 37 seconds
90 – Managing Human Relationships: Joy Without Its Opposite | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. There is a conflict between what our mind allows us to do and what the intellect wants to do. For this reason, many unexpected mental obstacles appear when we try to progress in spiritual life. We do selfless work to purify the mental stream. Having joy without its opposite or inner contentment is the key to progressing in spiritual life. We should cultivate friendliness with fellow seekers, compassion for those who are trying to progress, admiration for those who are more advanced than us, and indifference towards negative influences. This preserve mental equilibrium, mental energies, and gives us clarity of mind. Prana is described as the sum total of cosmic energy. Breath is only the gross manifestation of Prana. Verses: I.30, I.32, I.33, I.34
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Obstacles inevitably arise when we take to spiritual life. Bhranti Darshana, false experience is a very dangerous one. It can either come in the form of feeling we have made great progress when we have not or feeling we are not making progress even though we are. Also, there is the problem of not being able to retain higher experiences. The mind sometimes swings back down. Purification is required to stay at a higher plane. Active interest in philosophy and scriptures can provide an intermediate safeguard so we do not need to fall all the way to the bottom when the mind comes down. The types of despair and suffering that are the visible symptoms of these obstacles are also described. Verses: I.30, I.31
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Spiritual practice is bitter at the beginning and sweet at the end. When Japa matures and our mind ascends, we find the obstacles to spiritual practice disappearing. Patanjali gives a comprehensive list of psychological obstacles. Being aware of them clears the way for further progress. A sense of sanctity for spiritual practice, Shraddha, neutralizes most of these obstacles. The first set of obstacles are Vyadhi, Styana, Samshaya, Pramada, Alasya, Avirati – Disease, Languor, Doubts, Carelessness, Lethargy, Pleasure-Seeking. These are the manifestations of the unspiritual Samskaras still in the mind. Verses: I.27, I.28, I.29, I.30
2/28/2019 • 56 minutes, 18 seconds
87 – Grace and Self-Effort: A Lamp Lighted | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. God in Yoga is omniscient, beyond all sorrow, and the teacher of all teachers. A seeker’s spiritual practices prepare him to receive God’s grace. He can then recognize God’s grace as his grace. A spiritual teacher helps lead him to that stage by removing darkness. The theory of Pratika, symbols, is explained. OM is the symbol for the ultimate transcendental reality. It is the substratum of all sound and therefore that of all thought. When we practice repetition of a Mantra, our realization of its meaning goes from gross to the most subtle. At the highest stage, we become completely identified with the meaning of the mantra. Verses: I.24, I.26, I.27
2/28/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 25 seconds
86 – As We Evolve, Our Conception of God Evolves | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. With Shraddha, a sense of sanctity attached to spiritual practice, comes complete awareness, Smrti. An example of the development of modern Japan is given to illustrate the intensity of practice. Devotion to God is another option for intensification. In Yoga, God is the teacher of all teachers, not a conventional creator God. By intense devotion, his qualities of purity, knowledge, and dispassion come to you. The difference between him and a liberated soul is his omniscience. In Nyaya, God distributes the results of all actions to everybody. Vedanta accepts all these but goes farther and says that God is present in the world as the indweller. He enters the world and becomes one with his creation. Verses: I.20, I.21, I.22, I.23, I.24, I.25, I.26
2/27/2019 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 28 seconds
85 – Returning to Our True Home: Intensification of Spiritual Life | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The great Indian sage Patanjali wrote major treatises on Ayurveda, Sanskrit grammar, and Yoga. From Samprajnata Samadhi, mastery of nature, we ascend to Asamprajnata Samadhi, freedom from nature. Intensification of practice means constant regulation of the intake of positive food, both mental and physical. Mild, medium and intense levels of practice are possible. The mind cannot keep quiet so it must be fed good spiritual food. In Vedanta, we find that spiritual life is returning to our true home. There is no vacation from spiritual life. We return to our home. That is the meaning of intense spiritual practice. Verses: I.21, I.22
2/27/2019 • 56 minutes, 52 seconds
84 – This Yoga is My Path: The Characteristic of a Real Yogi | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Smrti, memory, is constant remembrance and awareness. Mindfulness is a modern diluted form of a Buddhist tradition, which practices this Smrti. Shraddha is an untranslatable word, which roughly corresponds to sincerity, dedication, faith, and a sense of sanctity. It allows you to persevere and protects you like a loving mother. It leads to Virya, psychic energy. That leads you to Smrti, a constant remembrance. These are the characteristics of a real yogi. Verse: I.20
2/27/2019 • 56 minutes, 41 seconds
83 – All These Delusions Will Vanish | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Good tendencies liberate us from the bad tendencies but they still do not give freedom. In Shunyavada school of Buddhism, the ultimate reality is beyond all description and non-dual. Desire vanishes and the Soul, Atman, is left in its own splendor. The unmanifest-manifest, Ayakta-Vyakta, the theory of cyclicism is reviewed. When we are able to resolve the effect back into the cause we are freed from it. Some yogis merge into nature and become celestial beings. Others reach the ultimate goal. Verses: I.18, I.19, I.20
2/27/2019 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 52 seconds
82 – Beyond Good And Evil | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Samprajnata Samadhi is mastery over nature. Asamprajnata is freedom from the senses. In Samprajnata Samadhi, the old vrittis are controlled. In Asamprajnata Samadhi, the old vrittis are no longer able to function. We are freed from past tendencies. We are free from the cycle of birth and death. Having transcended the mind, we transcend ordinary knowledge and are established in transcendental intuition. We go beyond good and evil. We are finally able to completely surrender to God. The example of Kumarila Bhatta is given. Verses: I.17, I.18
2/27/2019 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 24 seconds
81 – Asamprajnata Samadhi: Not Only Mastery but Freedom | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Swami Vivekananda says that Samprajnata Samadhi allows mastery over nature, but Asamprajnata Samadhi allows freedom from nature. Buddha had to negate all the hundreds of memories from previous life cycles when he sat for meditation to reach the highest realization. The eighteenth sutra explains that Virama Pratyaya, the negation of impressions, leads us to the highest. The thoughts that come up in meditation can be resolved back into their fundamental cause, the Chitta, mind-stuff. This process of involution is explained. By constant practice, renunciation, Yamas and Niyamas, the mind-stuff is cleaned and we are able to transcend the mind itself. Verses: I.17, I.18
2/26/2019 • 57 minutes, 36 seconds
80 – 25 Cosmic Principles and Mastery of Nature | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Dispassion leads to mastery of nature. The Samkhya philosophy explains the evolution of the material universe from Prakrti to the entire physical and mental world. In addition, there is a sentient witness Purusha. Dispassion leads to Samprajnata Samadhi, concentration filled with transcendental insight, into everything in the material world. This leads to mastery over nature. According to Swami Vivekananda, the second method of concentration is to concentrate directly on Spirit. This leads to freedom from nature. Verse: I.17
2/26/2019 • 54 minutes, 31 seconds
77 – Long Practice of Dispassion Leads to Concentration Filled with Transcendental Insight | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. This lecture begins with the reminder that stable Yoga-Sadhana can only come when we develop a sense of sanctity towards practice. The two stages of dispassion are discussed. In the first, all tendencies remain only as tendencies. We are able to control them through dispassion. In the second stage, even those tendencies are no longer functional. To become established in the first stage of dispassion requires disciplined beneficial spiritual associations. Then concentration only more and more subtle objects become possible in Yoga. In contrast, Vedanta is about a direct inquiry into reality. With concentration, Samadhi, come tremendous skills. Yamas and Niyamas are needed to practice higher concentration. Verses: I.6, I.12, I.14, I.17, II.30, II.32
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. This lecture begins with a review of the chapter order of the yoga sutra classes. The world of Vrittis that constitute our mental world, keeps us in a cycle of activities and tendencies. Yoga helps us to break the cycle and evolve. The first step is to use actions, Kriya Yoga, to generate good tendencies. To break the cycle, the root ignorance of our nature must be removed through continuous practice of discerning wisdom, Viveka-Khyati. Ethics, Yamas, and Niyamas are the foundation for the practice of higher concentration. The lecture ends with a brief introduction to the eighteenth sutra, which tells the method of reaching higher concentration. Verses: I.1, I.2, II.15, II.29, II.30, II.32, I.18.
2/26/2019 • 53 minutes, 8 seconds
79 – Highest Dispassion: Going Beyond the Three Gunas | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. This lecture beings with a review of Vashikara Vairagya, the first stage of dispassion. The higher vairagya, Para-Vairagya, means going beyond the influence of the three Gunas. The commentators have explained that Pratiprasava, involution, is the process by which these tendencies get dissolved into their causes. At the highest stage, even the desire for Viveka-Khyati, discerning wisdom, is transcended. With concentration, we become filled with Prajna, transcendental insight into the true nature of everything. Examples are given from the life of Sri Shankaracharya. Verses: I.15, I.16, I.17.
2/26/2019 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 3 seconds
76 – Renunciation Becomes a Method of Enjoying this World | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. This lecture begins with a reminder of the mental blocks that come from the accumulated Samskaras in our Antahkarana. We can restrain the Vrittis by the practice of feeding good tendencies and remaining indifferent to the negative tendencies of the mind. Swami then discusses the Ishavasya Upanishad’s concept of enjoying the world by renouncing it. The fifteenth and sixteenth sutras discuss the lower and higher stages of Vairagyam, dispassion. At the higher stage, even the idea of craving for worldly enjoyment vanishes. From dispassion comes Samadhi, concentration, which yields many superhuman powers of the mind. The example of Swami Vivekananda memorizing an encyclopedia is given. The seventeenth sutra lists the types of this Samprajnata Samadhi. Verses: I.12, I.15, I.16, I.17
2/25/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 9 seconds
75 – Detachment Means Identifying With a Higher Ideal | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. This lecture begins with a discussion of the Vedanta and Yoga explanation of the variety of human beings. At the physical and spiritual level, all are the same, but at the subtle personality level, there is a great variety. The goal of Yoga is to become free from the trap of this subtle body, Antahkarana. For that, the practice of Vairagya, dispassion is essential. Swami discusses that in Yoga hermeneutics words have a specific well-defined meaning. The first stage of dispassion, Vashikara-Vairagya, is described as a turning away from the negative towards the positive. The four relations – Maitri, Karuna, Mudhita, Upeksha – are emphasized at this stage. The lecture ends with a Puranic story emphasizing how good deeds performed early in life can save one late in life. Verses: I. 15, I.16
2/25/2019 • 56 minutes, 5 seconds
74 – Directing the Mental River toward Auspiciousness | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. This lecture begins with a discussion of the meaning of the invocation verse describing the great sage Patanjali. Nirodha state, the goal of Yoga is reviewed. We can either rest in our true nature or identify with changing sense phenomenon. The five types of mental impressions, Vrittis are reviewed. We are kept rotating in a cycle of Karma, action, Vrittis, Impressions, and Samskaras, strong tendencies. Vyasa compares this to the river of the mind, which can flow either in an auspicious or negative direction. Practice and Dispassion, Abhyasa and Vairagya, and ethics, Yamas and Niyamas, are the prescribed methods for channeling the mind towards auspiciousness. Verses: I.2, I.3, I.4, I.5, I.6, I.12, I.13
2/25/2019 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 10 seconds
73 – Dispassion Becomes Effortless Like a Continuous Flow of Oil | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Most of us are living under the strangle of mental impressions, Vrittis. We must practice detachment from memories, Smrti. Another important practice is to 1) live as much as possible in the company of spiritual aspirants – Maitri, 2) be compassionate towards good people who are struggling to make progress – Karuna., 3) admire the good - Mudhita, 4) and keep a long distance from those who may hurt our spiritual aspirations – Upeksha. We practice the attitude of the witness. We have many chances, many births to practice. Ultimately, it must become natural, spontaneous, and effortless. This requires a sense of sacredness towards our practice. Finally, we reach the first form of detachment called Vashikara, where even heavenly pleasures are eliminated. The difference between this kind of heaven and the spiritual heaven of some Abrahamic faiths is clarified. Verses: I.12, I.13, I.14, I.15
2/25/2019 • 53 minutes, 37 seconds
72 – The Most Important Practice: The Meaning of Dispassion | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. In order to cross over the ocean of our accumulated tendencies, vrittis, Patanjali says we must practice Vairagya, dispassion. Vairagya comes with a realization of the impermanence of sensory enjoyments as well as a positive refinement of all our tendencies toward something higher. By the repeated practice of Vairagya, our mental blocks and negative tendencies are weakened and our mind begins to flow towards wisdom. Repetition leads to Viveka, discerning wisdom. How can we repeat such a difficult activity for a long time and without interruption? Only through a sense of sanctity and sincerity – Shraddha. I.2, I.12, I.14
2/25/2019 • 57 minutes, 25 seconds
71 – You Are Never Too Late | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture By Swami Tattwamayananda. We feel complete restfulness in Nidra, deep sleep and in Samadhi because there is no other. The difference is the lack of awareness of that knowledge in deep sleep. Awareness is important to make knowledge functional. Desire is replayed in sleep and in memory. Forgetfulness can free us from negative memories and memory of spiritually helpful experiences will take us forward. The best way to refine the mind is by doing good physical actions. We change the composition of the bag of Vrittis that constitute our character. We have much more freedom at the physical level. Verses: I.10, I.11, I.12
2/23/2019 • 53 minutes, 26 seconds
70 – Valid, False, and Imaginary Knowledge All Influence Us | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Patanjali has given us the knowledge to purify and refine the human mind. Mind functions at the level of experiences and reactions. The knowledge of Yoga was transmitted through a succession of teachers and disciples. There are seven major important commentaries in this line. Our mental tendencies, Samskaras, constitute our essential characteristics. The valid tools of knowledge in Yoga are direct perception, inference, and authoritative testimony. Wrong knowledge and imaginary knowledge can also constitute part of our character. Verses: I.5, I.6, I.7, I.8, I.9
2/23/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 23 seconds
69 – Yoga: Destroying the Magnetism of the Mind | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The order of the chapters is explained again. The accomplishments of the three great Yoga sages – Patanjali, Vyasa, Shankaracharya - are reviewed. Vyasa’s description of the mind as a magnet for attracting things is explained. The mind also gets attracted to those things that happen to be around. This magnetic power gives rise to experiences and further vrittis. This accumulation is what prevents us from following through on our sincere desire to lead a good noble spiritual life. Once we are of it, we can link ourselves to our higher dimension. Yoga epistemology is described at the end. Verses: I.2, I.5, I.6, I.7
2/23/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 52 seconds
68 – Experiences that We Identify With Form Our Character | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. When we are not identified with a transcendental ideal, every moment becomes an opportunity to identify with a momentary thought current. The tendencies of the mind and the thought currents they generate naturally reveal our true character. In Asamprajnata Samadhi, we transcend this world of Vrittis. The way is through evolving a higher identity. Asmita is the power of internal identification and Samyoga is that of external identification. Whatever actions or thoughts we identify with are deposited in our Karmashaya, which forms our true character. There are five types of vrittis, some helpful and some not helpful. The are five types of Kleshas, which are irrational mental blocks. By becoming extremely clear about this world of Vrittis, Kleshas, Samskaras, and irrational mental blocks, we naturally begin our journey towards freedom. Verses: I.2, I.3, I.4, II.6, II.12, I.5, II.3
2/23/2019 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 47 seconds
67- How to Take Life in Its Completeness | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. This lecture begins with a discussion of the verse I.2, the definition of yoga as transcendence of the mind. When this is achieved, we rest in our true nature. Otherwise, we identify with the momentary experiences of the mind. The five Klesas, or distractions of Avidya, ignorance, Asmita, egotism, raga, obsessive attachment, Dvesa, obsessive hatred, and Abhinivesa, fear are reviewed. We continue rotating in a cycle of Karma, action, Vrittis, Impressions, and Samskaras, strong tendencies. The lecture ends with a review of the five kinds of Vrittis, emphasizing the Pramana, valid knowledge. Verses: I.2, I.3, I.4, I.5, I.6, I.7
2/23/2019 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 52 seconds
66 – What Is Left is the Buddha | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Atha comes due to the things of life not adding up. The negative movement should be accompanied by a positive progression. The system of vrittis, and the Antahkarana – Manas, Ahamkara, Buddhi, Chittam – is reviewed. It is absolutely to purify the mind of negative desires since “the tiger does come.” You chisel out the unnecessary parts of the rock and what’s left is the Buddha. Our true nature as the witness, aware, non-participating, and self-aware is described. Verses: I.1, I.2, I.3
2/23/2019 • 58 minutes, 37 seconds
65 – Atha: The Spiritual Fitness of the Seeker | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Meaning of words can be conventional or can be etymological. Atha means fitness for taking to spiritual life or Yoga. You can take practice Yamas and Niyamas or take refuge in God to gain fitness. At the end of the dark night of the soul comes complete submission to God. The earlier stages of Kshiptam and Vikshiptam, restlessness, can be overcome. By reaching Nirodha, we become free from conflicts, the cycle of Karma and Vrittis and the duality of experience. Verses: I.1, II.2
2/23/2019 • 58 minutes, 42 seconds
64 – If You Bring Light, Darkness Goes Away Immediately | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Swami Vivekananda’s example of a worm crawling out of the way of the train is used to illustrate the way human beings have the choice of freedom from slavery to nature. The philosophy of spiritual evolution in Sankhya philosophy as an ascending set of identities is reviewed. Tarakam is the saving inner wisdom. Akramam means it comes all at once, not gradually as in the four stages of traditional learning. In the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, it says that if you switch on the light, the darkness goes away immediately, not stage by stage. All dark corners of the heart get illumined at once. The lecture then starts with Samadipada with the first verse. Atha is the feeling that life is not adding up. Verses: III.55, III.56, I.1
2/23/2019 • 55 minutes, 44 seconds
63 – Running Away or Running Towards Something Higher? | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. If we get tempted after reaching a high level of Samyama, we will have to take many more births to get back on the real track. A great king renounced his kingdom but got attached to a baby deer. He had to be reborn as a deer, then as a human being and finally reached liberation. We should always be aware of the dangers. The goal of yoga is not to run away from danger but to run toward something higher: our spiritual ideal. Samyama on individual particles of time leads to an awareness of impermanence. This understanding yields discerning wisdom, Viveka. Verses: III.50, III.51, III.52
2/23/2019 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 53 seconds
62 – Renunciation of Powers Opens the Gate to Freedom | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with a review of the three great Indian sages of Yoga: Patanjali, Vyasa, and Shankara. Samyama on good qualities helps us to regulate all external relations. The ultimate goal of yoga is to go beyond all sense enslavement. This is the meaning of Parinama Dukha and Atha. It is a desire for something higher. That is why the first step of Yamas and Niyamas emphasize the ability to restrain the senses. That discipline allows us to naturally renounce all Yogic powers that come to us. Otherwise, downfall comes through attachment, pride, negligence, and complacency. If we renounce all worldly enjoyments coming from powers, then all of the seeds of worldly desire will be roasted completely. Verses: III.51
2/23/2019 • 55 minutes, 36 seconds
61 – Regulating Relations With All to See God Everywhere | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with a review of Prarabdha, Sanchita, and Agami Karma. The mind becomes steady when the spiritual idea, the God idea comes automatically. Then, life and death are both spiritual experiences. The four qualities – friendliness, compassion, admiration, and indifference- towards the happy, unhappy, virtuous, and negative help us to regulate all external relations. They are essential for achieving Chitta Prasada, clarity of mind needed for spiritual life. By Samyama on these qualities, we acquire these qualities. The highest devotee sees God everywhere and everything in God but at the same time knows how to deal with negative factors. Verses: III.23, III.24
2/23/2019 • 55 minutes, 13 seconds
60 – Prarabdha Karma: The Karma Responsible For This Life | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. By analyzing your own samskaras you get an idea of your previous lives. This is part of the Kamra Vritti Chakram, wheel of actions and tendencies. We get an intuition. Samyama on the distinction between external form and perception allows a yogi to disappear from sight. Swami Vivekananda could memorize a book in one reading due to his concentration. Karma is the residue of an action. There are different kinds of Karma, which are working themselves out, could work themselves out in the future, or will only be accumulated in the future. A Yogi’s knowledge of these things in his own body allows him to know the time of his death. God’s grace allows him to deflect some of the already fired arrows and let them run their course even after a Jivanmukta stops making new Karma. Verses: III.18, III.19, III.20, III.21, III.22, III.23
2/23/2019 • 59 minutes, 36 seconds
59 – Yogic Intuition: Going Beyond Reason in Spiritual Life | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Instinctive concentration does not lead to the freedom of Yogic intuition. At the higher level fo creative work and in mysticism, a faculty of higher intuition develops. It goes beyond reason but it does not contradict reason. You analyze the scriptures with reason, but it doesn’t give the full picture without intuitive understanding. At the highest level, you become one with what you contemplate. By Samyama, we can separate sound, meaning, and our reaction and therefore learn the universal dimension of sound. Proper Yama and Niyamas are needed to prevent these powers from becoming a liability. Verses: III.17, III.18, III.19
2/22/2019 • 1 hour, 10 seconds
58 – A Yogi Can Cognize the Whole World | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Patanjali systematically classifies the mental powers that come with mental purity, concentration, Samyama. By Samyama on changes in Dharma, Lakshana, and Avastha, past, present and future become generally clear. Samyama on sound, meaning, and knowledge disentangles the three, allowing understanding of animal sounds. The same Samyama on behavior patterns of people around, allow detection of Samskaras and past lives. Verses: III.16, III.17, III.18
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Yogic powers are nothing supernatural, they are a natural consequence of mental purity and concentration. That’s why Swami Trigunatitanandaji felt quite certain that Jesus Christ was a yogi and a painting installed on the altar with Christ in a Yoga posture. The thirteenth sutra mentions changes in Dharma, Form, Lakshana, time, and Avastha, state. By taking the position of witness and becoming detached we can gain insight, through Samyama, into the past, present, and future of things. Ramana Maharishi said that when the mind turns inward it functions as Atman. Krishna’s smile is a wise man’s smile. He sees through you and understands everything. Verses: III.13, III.14, III.15, III.16
2/22/2019 • 1 hour, 45 seconds
56 – All Past Impressions Washed Off | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Swami describes once again the lake of accumulated samskaras, impressions, and memories, which constitute our character. The practice of Yamas and Niyamas can take us out of the trap of these accumulated tendencies. Even if we cannot, we can surrender ourselves to God. Then we can move towards the positive, naturally, the negative go away. If you are a Buddhist, you don’t need to be concerned about this option that Patanjali points out. Their goal of Nirvana is very much related to the Nirodha state. It is not a state of repression but a state of transcendence. The tenth sutra says one then is able to permanently dwell in a state beyond the influence of Samskaras. Verse: III.10
2/22/2019 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 54 seconds
55 – Where Do Our Invisible Mental Blocks Come From? | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with a review of the great contributions of the Indian sage Patanjali. The three Klesas, distractions are Raga, obsessive attachment, Dvesa, obsessive hatred, and Abhinvesa, fear. Their root is Avidya and Asmita, Ignorance and Identification with experiences. It seems simple to identify with our transcendental dimension and therefore end all difficulties but in reality, an endless cycle of Karma, Vritti, Samskara, Vasana from past lives create invisible mental blocks. Yamas and Niyamas, good mental food and good deeds purify the character and allow us to eventually remove our deep-rooted samskaras. With the Nirodha-Parinama stage, all such obstacles are removed. Verses: III.9
2/22/2019 • 58 minutes, 24 seconds
54 – Reaching Freedom: Facing all Temptations with Indifference | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Nirodha-Parinama is the highest level of mental transformation. Sankhya philosophy’s explanation of the creation of the world is reviewed. Transformation also takes place at the level of our mind. At the highest level, we have perfect awareness with the ability to choose to focus on things with freedom. By this power, all of our Samskaras and obstacles get conquered. With the practice of Yamas and Niyamas, these conflicts will be much reduced. Still, every seeker before reaching Nirodha will face the temptations and obstacles from all previous lives. Having this knowledge prepares us to remain indifferent to the negative obstacles that come. Verses: III.9, III.10
2/22/2019 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 33 seconds
53 – Effortlessness is the Sign of Freedom | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The practice of Yamas and Niyamas determines whether concentration leads to freedom or to slavery. In Samadhi-Parinama, one great meditative Vritti is able to counter the multifarious vrittis to a great extent. It is a blissful, effortless thought current which is natural to the mental system. At the stage of Ekagrata-Parinama, we reach Samprajnata Samadhi and mental conflicts are settled. The rest of the lecture discusses the fundamental philosophical question: are these mental transformations real or only apparent? What is the relation between cause, Karana, and effect, Karya? Verses: III.11, III.12
2/21/2019 • 53 minutes, 38 seconds
52 – The Emergence of a Secondary Personality | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The four fundamental values of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha are discussed. Yoga sutras teach the method for treating the disease of Sarvarthata, mind chasing after every kind of thing by indirectly purifying the mental system through the practice of Yamas and Niyamas. Ekagrata, one-pointedness, allows us to learn from our experiences. In spiritual life, we actually develop a secondary personality, which witnesses the first personality and slowly develops into our spiritual personality. When concentration, Ekagrata, is achieved, the same cognition, Pratyaya, comes in a stream and there is no conflict. The mind becomes sharp and you do not forget. Verses: III.11, III.12
2/21/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 28 seconds
51 – Problem of Fragmentation of Mind | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with a review of the contributions of the Indian Sage Patanjali. Then, the stages of mental concentration are reviewed. In the context of Vibhuti Pada, it is a transition from Sarvarthata, many-pointedness, to Ekagra, one-pointedness, and finally to Nirodha, transcendence. The distinction between deep sleep and Nirodha is a question of being aware of your experience. Verses: III.11, III.12, III.9
2/21/2019 • 58 minutes, 33 seconds
50 – Prajna: Attaining the Light of Pure Awareness | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Shankaracharya’s enormous accomplishments stemmed in part from his single-pointed focus. In Ashtanga Yoga, we get disciplined in Yamas and Niyamas, moral excellence, then at the physical level you are able to exert tremendous energy without strain, and Samyama gives mental equilibrium. As a result, we develop a new perspective, which is not based on practical benefit. We gain Prajna, a clear stream of thought which is not obstructed. It is knowledge established in pure awareness. Through Samprajnata Samadhi we can concentrate on different planes of spiritual experience. Later, there is Samadhi without any Vritti at all. Through these practices, you begin to develop a reduction in mental distractions and strengthening of one-pointedness. Verses: III.5, III.6, III.7, III.8, III.11
2/20/2019 • 57 minutes, 13 seconds
49 – Yearning For Freedom and Spiritual Transformation | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Higher concentration can intensify evil tendencies. Our real level of evolution can be judged by the natural characteristics of the mind. Yamas and Niyamas prepare us for spontaneous effortlessness. The stages of Samyama correspond to different stages of effort, with Samadhi being effortless. The desire for transcendence, Mumukshutvam or love for a higher ideal naturally brings Yamas and Niyamas. Verses: III.4, I.23
2/20/2019 • 58 minutes, 34 seconds
48 – A Genius’s Natural Concentration Versus a Yogi’s Free Concentration | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. A genius has a natural concentration in one area of specialization. A yogi has control over his concentration. He can concentrate on any topic he chooses. With both, there is effortlessness, but a Yogi has complete alertness and control of his will. A yogi has freedom. In ordinary natural concentration, there is slavery to the object of concentration. The difference comes from the foundation of Yamas, Niyamas, and Vairagya. Dharana and Dhyana can transform our lives through the mastery of the senses. The unit of Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi together are called Samyama. Whatever symbol, Pratyaya, we concentrate on is used as a tool to reach the all-pervading transcendental reality. Verse: III.4
2/20/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 18 seconds
47 – The Language of Samadhi is Silence | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The importance of Yamas as an ethical foundation and Niyamas as a way of conserving energy is reviewed. Without them, the practice of advanced Asanas and Pranayamas can be dangerous. Pratyahara is reviewed and Swami expands on the notion that the mental power to restrain the senses must be greater than the restlessness of the body energy. The topic of Samadhi is defined as the transcendental dimension of Dhyana, meditation. There, the subject, object, and meditation process merge. The language of Samadhi is silence. Sri Ramakrishna said knowledge merges in the Vedas, the Vedas in Gayatri, Gayatri in Om and Om in silence. Verse: III.3
2/20/2019 • 55 minutes, 30 seconds
46 – Fixing the Mind on One Point | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The distinction between Dharana, attempting to fix the mind on one thought, and Dhyana, the continuous uninterrupted fixing of the mind on one point is made. Dharana is also called Manana, continuous contemplation around a single idea or sutra in the context of Vedanta practice. The levels of Mantra practice are reviewed in this context. At the highest level of concentration, subject, object, and the process of knowing merge. A review of Sankhya philosophy’s 23 cosmic evolutes is given. The important philosophical distinction between Parinama, real transformation, and Vivarta, transfiguration is introduced. Verses: III.1, III.2
2/20/2019 • 57 minutes, 16 seconds
45 – The Mind Becomes Your Inner Guide | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Turning the mind inward and away from the senses forces us to confront our tendencies and impressions. These have been accumulated from innumerable life cycles. When we are able to be fully established in Pratyahara, the mind then becomes our spiritual guide. In ordinary contemplation, we provide a counterfocus for the mind. In Dharana, the mind is held at a point such as the lotus of the heart. Shankara gives a practical suggestion for beginners. Meditate with eyes half-open as if looking at the tip of the nose to avoid falling asleep but not so wide as to let visual objects distract you. Verses: II.54, II.55, III.1
2/20/2019 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 57 seconds
44 – Pratyahara: Turning the Mind Inward | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Pranayama practiced with Yamas, Niyamas, and detachment lead to concentration. Otherwise, it leads to excitement and restlessness. Pratyahara is the ability to withdraw the mind from the senses. When that happens, we are no longer enslaved by the senses. Instead, our mind flows in the opposite direction. One result is we have the ability to concentrate because sense distractions cannot take our mind away. With this kind of concentration on ideas and the corresponding sounds and words, scriptures can be memorized. Verses: II.51, II.52, II.53, II.54
2/20/2019 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 51 seconds
43 – Stages of Pranayama: Harmonization of Breath and Energy | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. With the perfection of Yamas, Niyamas, and Asanas one becomes qualified to practice pranayama, breath control. Four stages of pranayama are discussed. An example from the life of Sri Ramakrishna of the highest stage of Pranayama is given. It can be very dangerous to practice such techniques without a teacher and requisite Yamas and Niyamas. Verses: II.49, II.50, II.51
2/20/2019 • 1 hour, 18 seconds
42 – Deep Contemplation: Perfect Study and Effortless Posture | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Self-study, Svadhyaya, can be interpreted as mantra repetition, Japa. The four stages of mantra experience from the gross verbal level to the highest experience are explained. Perfect surrender to God yields the highest perfection in Samadhi, concentration. At this stage of studying the sutras, we start to gain a deeper understanding of the previous sutras. Asana, posture, becomes steady and effortless when the mind concentrates steadily on a transcendental idea through Yamas and Niyamas. Pranayama, breath control, is briefly explained. All practices must come as part of a natural progression. Verses: II.44, II.45, II.46, II.47, II.48, II.49, II.50
2/20/2019 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 33 seconds
41 – Niyamas: Utilization of Mental Energy | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The Chittam, mental reservoir, accumulates tendencies and impressions from all of our previous life cycles. It is like a lake with many layers. A great spiritual seeker who has become completely pure will be able to see to the bottom of the lake - the eternal present. Aparigraha, total independence cleans up the lower layers of the lake. Becoming indebted to others robs us of spirituality. Saucha, external purity leads to detachment from physicality. Internal purity means mastery of the senses and feeling inner completeness. Santosha means inner transcendental joy even in the midst of scolding or doing unpleasant things. Tapas leads to physical and mental powers, which must be renounced in order to function. II.39, II.40, II.41, II.42, II.43
2/20/2019 • 58 minutes, 2 seconds
40 – The Natural Consequences of Perfection in Yamas | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Nonviolence can be practiced at three different levels. At the highest level of all ethical disciplines, they become a natural characteristic. The words of a person perfected in truthfulness, Satya, have great potency. When a person has perfected lack of theft, Asteya, all jewels come to him. In order to progress, these temptations must be renounced by connecting to a higher ideal. A person established in continence, Brahmacharya, gains higher powers. If you are established in non-covetousness, you are able to see to the bottom of your mental lake and into your past. Perfection in physical cleanliness, Saucha, leads to detachment from physicality. Verses: II.35, II.36, II. 37, II.38, II.39, II.40
2/20/2019 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 9 seconds
39 – Ahimsa or Nonviolence: Direct and Indirect | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Posture becomes steady when we keep one transcendental thought, which is beyond body consciousness. Even indirect approval of evil creates mental obstacles in meditation. Each discipline has three stages of practice: beginning, practicing and perfected. The special example of Ahimsa is discussed. Vyasa explains that you will get back what you have given. This thought will protect you from temptation. Verses: II.33, II.34
2/20/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 39 seconds
38 – Countering the 27 Types of Mental Pollution | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The Yamas, ethical disciplines, form the basis of spiritual culture. The Niyamas, practices of purity and concentration, generate energy. Niyamas without Yamas can be dangerous. A spiritual seeker becomes aware of his Vitarkas, negative thought currents. By holding to a high spiritual ideal, we automatically counter all negative thought currents. The 27 types of negative thought currents are discussed and we are reminded of the great danger of being tempted by them. Verses: II.30, II.31, II.32, II.33, II.34
2/20/2019 • 57 minutes, 11 seconds
37 – Yamas Form Foundation, Niyamas Generate Positive Energy | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The obstacles we face in spiritual life are signposts. They tell us what we need to do to progress. Asana, posture, should be steady and pleasant. A real teacher will tell you the dangers of practicing complicated Pranayama, breathing exercises. The Yamas are discussed. Satya, truthfulness, should be spoken of but in a pleasant way. All five Yamas, Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha, nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence, and non-covetousness should be practiced at the action level and at the mental level. They are universal to higher human culture. The Niyamas are observances to divert energy into healthy channels. They are related to purity, internal and external, and concentration. The four healthy social relations are mentioned again in this context – friendliness, compassion, admiration, and indifference – towards the happy, suffering, virtuous, and negative. Verses: II.30, II.32
2/20/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 53 seconds
36 – Seven Stages of Spiritual Discernment, Ashtanga Yoga as the Method | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with a review of the goal of yoga, the power of Kriya-Yoga, selfless action, self-study, and self-surrender, the Kleshas, obstacles that we encounter, and how the Yoga Sutras teach us the tricks of the mind to allow us to get out of the bondage of our obsessions. The cause of suffering is the mistaken identification with material nature and the method of liberation is discerning insight, Viveka-Khati, Prajna, or complete awareness. The seven stages of Viveka-Khati are outlined. Then the famous Ashtanga-Yoga is introduced and the Yamas are introduced. Verses: II.26, II.27, II.28, II.29, II.30
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. When a person reaches the stage of Parinama Duhkha, a divine discontentment, then spiritual discernment liberates from the ignorance of our true nature. In Vedanta, we say that each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest the divinity within by controlling nature, both external and internal. This can be done through Karma-Yoga, selfless action, Bhakti-Yoga, love of God in everything and everybody, or Raja-Yoga, psychic control as described in the Yoga Sutras. In the twenty-sixth sutra, this freedom is attained through the practice of Viveka-Khyati, uninterrupted higher discerning faculty. Verses: II.24, II.25, II.26
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Nirodha does not mean the destruction of human sensitivity but developing a higher spiritual sense. A great spiritual teacher’s lack of Samyoga allows him to filter out the negative but without being insensitive. The Yogi is able to control his reactions to experiences. He can handle all five Kleshas, distractions. These Kleshas are accumulated from previous actions. They form a conspiracy against you doing what you intellectually know will be good for you. It is by cutting through the root of ignorance that you become free from the influence of Kleshas. Verses: II.24, I.2, II.3, II.25
2/19/2019 • 59 minutes, 45 seconds
33 – World is a Gymnasium, You Don’t Live in a Gymnasium | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Yoga and Vedanta do not remove problems, they help us to confront them from a different perspective. The world is your gymnasium. You don’t live in a gymnasium but you use it. By Samyoga, the identification with the world, we are led step by step to transcending the world. It is not nature that is a problem, it is our ignorance about our relationship to nature and our true nature that creates a problem. Sometimes the world gives us blows to help us to evolve and other times we seek out higher culture willingly. Verses: II.17, II.22, II.23
2/19/2019 • 1 hour, 27 seconds
32 – The Whole Universe is a Vehicle for Our Realization of Freedom | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Self-awareness of our knowledge allows it to become practically useful and to become wisdom. Freedom is a state of inner completeness beyond the desire for any further freedom. The Sankhya theory of creation enumerates the categories of material and mental nature. This whole world is an instrument that helps us to realize our true nature. This nature is explained in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad as a dialogue between Janaka and Yajnavaklya. It is Atma-Jyoti, the light of Atman or consciousness. It is the light of all lights, the revealer of all revealers, the essence of all knowledge. Verses: II.18, II.19, II.20, II.21
2/19/2019 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 24 seconds
31 – The Nature of Awareness and Self-Awareness | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The seer can be found in the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states. This is analyzed in the Mandukya Upanishad. In Vedanta, that which is changing is not absolutely real. The seen objects change, but the seer does not change. The process of knowing in Yoga and Vedanta has to be divided into the knowledge of an object and knowing that you know the object. In Vedanta, these two processes come together. When we get an intuitive knowledge of the self-awareness after long years of meditation, then we become aware of our nature as the eternal subject. Verse: II.20
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The witness is aware but not a participant. This idea is common to both Buddhism and Vedanta. In the Bhagavad Gita, it is explained that you should be able to see inaction in action. You should see that your senses and mind are engaged in action but that Atman itself is not involved in action. The three gunas – sattva, rajas, tamas – are explained and the process by which we develop more sattva guna is also explained. Verse: II.18
2/19/2019 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 48 seconds
29 – The Mind is a Magnet: The Power of a High Ideal | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with the story of how Indra disguised himself as a pig and enjoyed life with a she-pig and children. The other angels came and pierced the body of the pig and he laughed and immediately understood his situation. In the same way, when higher Duhkha comes, there can be a quantum leap in our perspective. We get identified with our body and mind. Vyasa says mind functions as a magnet attracting objects according to its nature. When we purify it and link it to a high ideal we are able to receive and attract a higher percentage of helpful things. Verses: II.15, II.17
2/19/2019 • 53 minutes, 14 seconds
28 – Try to Worry About Something Higher | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Culture begins when we start looking for something higher. That is Parinama Duhkha and it is the prerequisite for yoga. We can indeed acquire a new perspective. Life and death are a continuous process of spiritual growth over many lifecycles. The classical example of Jada Bharata, the King who was reborn as a deer and then as a man who had this Duhkha. The cause of this Duhkha is the identification between the seer and the seen. A dog will enjoy a piece of meat more than a human being because its identification with its senses is far greater. As we evolve, our sense of identification also evolves. Verses: II.15, II.16, II.17
2/19/2019 • 57 minutes, 14 seconds
27 – Raja-Rishi: Both a King and a Sage | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Duhkha is not a negative philosophy of life, it takes a realistic and complete view. Sankhya philosophy explains the evolutes of material nature both mental and physical. Our difficulty is that we identify with these and forget our transcendental dimension, Atman. We can eradicate suffering by having a comprehensive perspective toward the reality of our life. We break the identification between the seer and the seen. Such a person does not become inactive. Rather, a Raja-Rishi is a person who has the dynamism of a king and the wisdom of a sage. Verses: II.15, II.17, I.2, II.16, I.6
2/19/2019 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 8 seconds
26 – The Greatest Bliss is Desirelessness | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with the second topic of Sadhanapada: Duhkha-Caturvyuha. It goes into detail about the nature of suffering. By evolving a higher sense of suffering, we evolve spiritually. At first, we suffer from Samsara-Duhkha, the results of our evil tendencies accumulated from previous lives, and Tapa-Duhkha, the constant fluctuation of the mental system. Parinama Duhkha is the sense that even while surrounded by wealth, friends, and happy situations, they will not last for long. It is related to Atha, the state of being ready for Yoga. Vyasa says the bliss of higher spiritual consciousness is still at most one-sixteenth of the bliss of desirelessness. Though we cannot practice that now, Patanjali helps us to recognize the causes of our obsessive desires. The realization itself reduces the intensity of the problem. Verses: II.15, II.16, II.17, I.1
2/18/2019 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 8 seconds
25 – Review: The World of Human Mind | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with a review of the structure of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The sutras teach us how to befriend the mind and achieve a state of perfect mental poise. The psychological obsessions of Raga, Dvesa, and Abhinivesa are reviewed. The five stages of concentration are also reviewed. The sum total of all these mental tendencies you have accumulated by action is called your Karmashaya. The Samskaras can come from this life or the previous life. The purpose of yoga is to come out of the rotation of action, impressions, and tendencies. Verses: I.1, I.2, II.1, II.3, II.12
2/18/2019 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 57 seconds
24 – The Sensitive Eye of the Yogi | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Viveka means the ability to understand what is real and worthwhile. The first kind of Duhkha, suffering, described in the fifteenth sutra is Parinama Duhkha. It is the understanding that happy and unhappy experiences are changeable. Yudhishthira says in the Mahabharata that the greatest wonder is that every day we see people dying, but we think we will be immortal. This Duhkha is possible only for Yogis and people with spiritual insight. Tapa Duhkha is suffering due to not getting what we want. Buddha’s example of his concern for the welfare of all human beings is given for Parinama Duhkha. It is helpful in spiritual life. Samskara Duhkha comes from actions that create grief prompted from Vasanas from remaining in the Karmashaya. Vyasa says a Yogi develops a sensitive eye and is able to see future suffering before it happens. This is the Heya, the problem to be eradicated. Verses: II.15, II.16
2/17/2019 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 45 seconds
23 - Avoiding Future Suffering by Identifying the Source of Suffering | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. In Sadhana, the first step is selfless action, Kriya Yoga. The second part of the Sadhanapada discusses the quadrangle of Dukha, suffering. Suffering comes from constant slavery to changeable sensory experiences. Ultimately, the awakening of Viveka-khyati, discerning wisdom, removes the root of this suffering. The ethical disciplines of Yama and Niyama lead us away from pampering the senses. The sixteenth sutra mentions how we are able to avoid future suffering by the practice of such discipline. Verses: II.15, II.16
2/17/2019 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 20 seconds
22 - Every Day You Can Start a New Life | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Through selfless action, Kriya Yoga, we begin the process of weakening our obstacles. Through meditation, we nullify their external manifestations. Through Pratiprasava, counter-evolution, we find the subtle causes of our obstacles. Yoga gives solutions and methods for changing your destiny by evolving your Karmashaya, your accumulated tendencies constituting your character. A simple story is narrated to drive the point home. Spiritualizing all of our secular activities, we do not separate out what the intellect wants to do and what our mind actually allows us to do. The nature of dreams is then discussed to illustrate the concept of our subtle mental tendencies. Verses: II.1, II.10, II.12
2/17/2019 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 2 seconds
21 - Why Do We Behave the Way We Behave? | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Patanjali explains the reason why we behave the way we behave through the concept of Karmashaya. It is the sum total of all the residual effects of all positive and negative actions we have performed in this life or in previous lives. According to Mimamsa philosophy, these residual effects also have a cosmic dimension in determining the circumstances we may encounter in the world. Yoga teaches that knowing this, we can change our destiny. The practical application is that all good deeds and thoughts can be added to our Karmashaya and at the moment of death, we may have good thoughts fill our mind to take us forward in our spiritual journey. Kriya yoga, meditation, and Pratiprasava remove internal obstacles, Kleshas. By this process, the light of Prajna, wisdom begins to open up as we begin to realize the real inner obstacles we face. Verses: II.10, II.11, II.12
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins by pointing out the trap of Raga, Dvesa, and Abhinivesa that we are in. In order to counter this self-defeating negativity, Patanjali recommends Pratiprasava, counter-evolution. When we are able to track the cause of our hatred, obsessive attachment, or fear back to experiences in this life or previous lives, immediately we start becoming free from it. For spiritual seekers, surrender to our inmost transcendental nature by opening the heart in prayer or spiritual practices is the most powerful method. Our negativity and cynicism may try to stop us from doing it, but if we take the first step, the mind itself will evolve and the next step becomes clear. Do not try to get the whole roadmap before starting the spiritual journey, you yourself will evolve on the journey. Verses: II.8, II.9, II.10
2/17/2019 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 26 seconds
19 – Transcending Fear and Obsessions | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with a review of the three common types of Kleshas: Raga, obsessive attachment, Dvesa, obsessive hatred, and Abhinivesa, fear. Through the tracks of Vrittis and Samskaras, we travel back to memories of fear, hatred, or attachment. Real happiness comes when we reach transcendental joy or blissfulness. This link to transcendental joy is illustrated in the Katha Upanishad by the three boons Nachiketa asks of Yama. He evolves from asking for satisfaction in the world, then heavenly satisfaction after death, and finally for the truth about his own nature and of all reality. This highest transcendental thought will take us beyond fear and obsession. Verses: II.3, II.7, II.8, II.9
2/17/2019 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 9 seconds
18 – Who am I? | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins by explaining Asmita, the apparent identity of the seer and the seen. This allows Raga, obsessive attachment to enslave us. At the same time, Dvesa, obsessive hatred comes to enslave us. Swami gives the famous imagery of a chariot from the Katha-Upanisad to explain the power of controlling the senses and linking the mind to Atman, our transcendental nature. Lastly, Abhinivesa, the fear of death can also be countered by the knowledge of reincarnation. Verses: II.6, II.7, II.8, II.9
2/17/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 31 seconds
17 – Our Misinterpretation of What We Are | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins with explaining Yoga philosophy and Vedanta philosophy’s approaches to defining our fundamental misunderstanding that we are a psychophysical mechanism. We take the unreal to be the real. In Yoga, this is a cognitive error, but in Vedanta, this is taken as a fundamental category for the explanation of reality. Then the power of genuine surrender to God is illustrated by the example of a bohemian turned into a saint through contact with Sri Ramakrishna. Verses: II.3, II.4, II.5, I.8, II.1, I.28
2/17/2019 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 20 seconds
16 – Attaining Inner Contentment and Clarity of Mind | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The lecture begins by reminding us of the importance of the doctrine of reincarnation. The four external relations of Maitri, Karuna, Mudhita, Upeksha are once again recommended to counter the psychological obstacles of spiritual life. Citta Prasada, inner contentment, is the goal. It is to be obtained through Pratyak Cetana, awakening to our transcendental nature. The method is Japa, repetition of a holy name, with concentration on the meaning. Four levels of mantra repetition are discussed. According to Bhagavata Purana, the highest devotee of God is one who feels the presence of God in all beings and feels the presence of the whole of creation in God. Verses: I.33, I.30, I.31, I.32, I.29, I.23, I.28.
2/17/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 7 seconds
15 – Your Best Friend is Happy When You Are Happy | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Ignorance, Avidya, is discussed from the viewpoint of Yogacara Buddhist philosophy, Yoga Philosophy, and Vedanta. In Vedanta, there is no evil, there is only error. The solution to the obstacles that we face when we take to spiritual life is sticking to one ideal of practice, Abhyasa, and dispassion, Vairagya. Four fundamental relations regulate external contact. Maitri is being friendly with those who are happy when you make progress in spiritual life. Karuna means being compassionate towards those are trying to make progress but are struggling. Mudhita means genuinely admiring the virtues of virtuous people. Upeksha means filtering out and remaining indifferent to ideas and influences that may take us off track. Verses: II.4, II.30, II.31, II.32, II.33
2/17/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 31 seconds
14 – Becoming Aware of Your Obstacles | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The root distraction, Klesa, is Avidya, ignorance of our true nature. The Vedantic idea that Avidya consists of concealment of truth and then a projection of a false superimposition is explained as the root of all Klesas. When you start your spiritual life, you start swimming against the natural current so psychological obstacles start being felt. The main ones are disease, conflicts, doubts, carelessness, laziness, inability to renounce old pleasure seeking patterns, and false experiences. According to the Bhagavad Gita, the sign of a great yogi is his inner contentment and lack of obstacles. Verses: II.1, II.3, II.4, II.30
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The three aspects of Kriya yoga -Tapah, self-control, Svadhyaya, self-study, and Ishvara-pranidhana, self-surrender – are reviewed. Then, the distractions, Klesas, of obsessive attachment, Raga, obsessive hatred, Dvesa, and fear, Abhinivesa are explained. Attempting to practice the disciplines of Kriya yoga neutralize Klesas. As a result, an inner filtering mechanism develops to counter our negative tendencies. Verses: II.1, II.2, II.3
2/17/2019 • 53 minutes, 54 seconds
12 – Using Actions to Turn away from the Senses | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Vairagya, dispassion, means saying no to sense pleasures and the instinctive tendencies of the mind. Four stages of Vairagya are described. The real meaning of Nirodha is not a wishing away of negative realities but putting an end to false identification. Tapah, self-control, Svadhyaya, self-study, and Ishvara-pranidhana, self-surrender constitute Kriya yoga. Tapah is not a military discipline, which brings the mind down to the level of the body. Svadhyaya means reading good books with a sense of sanctity while avoiding unhealthy mental food. The famous metaphor of the chariot and charioteer is used to explain the difference between letting the senses run our life and controlling our minds through a transcendental link. Verses: I.12, I.15, II.1
2/16/2019 • 1 hour, 42 seconds
11 – How to Begin and How to Continue Yoga-Sadhana | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Vairagya, dispassion begins to arise when we acknowledge the changeability of all empirical experience. We are able to begin when we practice good actions to neutralize negative inherited tendencies, Samskaras. According to the Bhagavad Gita, fear of failure can be overcome by reminding ourselves that all good actions yield good tendencies, which will bear fruit either in this life or carry us forward in the future lives. To be able to continue, we must have constant communion with spiritual ideas through good company and study. Verses I.12, I.13
2/16/2019 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 21 seconds
10 – Karmashaya: Turning Away from the Senses and Changing Your Destiny | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Swami explains the individual dimension of Karmashaya, which constitute the sum total of all of the impressions you have accumulated from previous actions. Then the cosmic dimension of Karmashaya is explained according to Mimamsa philosophy. Vyasa famously compares the mind to a river that either flows towards auspiciousness or negativity. Abhyasa and Vairagya, practice and dispassion are explained as the way to free oneself from the tyranny of the senses. Verses: II.12, I.12, I.15
2/16/2019 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 13 seconds
9 – What We Want to Do and What the Mind Allows Us to Do | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Swami begins by reviewing the five stages of mental concentration. He then graphically describes the common problems faced by most spiritual seekers at the Viskhipta stage. The seeker swings between restless and concentrated states. The formation and characteristics of inherited Vrittis are discussed. The five types of Vrittis are reviewed. Sublimating desires for something higher is recommended. Practice, Abhyasa, and Dispassion, Vairagya are then explained in that context. Verses: I.2, I.5, I.12
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Swami begins by briefly explaining the eight stages to reach the highest goal, Asamprajnata Samadhi. The fundamental cycle of Karma, Vritti, Samskara, Vasana, Sankalpa is reviewed. He then emphasizes the universal ethical disciplines, Yamas: non-violence, Ahimsa, truthfulness, Satya, non-stealing, Asteya, continence, Brahmacharya, and non-covetousness, Aparigraha. Verses: I.18, II.29, II.30
2/16/2019 • 56 minutes, 12 seconds
7 – Controlling Vrittis with One Vritti | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. Swami explains the Yogachara Buddhist notion of momentariness of experience. He then explains the cycle of action, Karma, mental modification, Vritti, and then strong potent tendency, Samskara. By gathering the mind into one great modification, the diversity of conflicting Vrittis can be controlled. This is called Samprajnata Samadhi. Finally, the important disciplines of non-receiving, Aparigraha, and self-study, Svadhyaya are discussed. Verses: I.12, I.13, I.14, I.15, I.16, I.17
Lecture by Swami Tattwamyananda. Swami begins by reviewing the importance of love for the end to be attained to sustain practice, Abhyasa. Then, he explains in brief the Sankhya system's division of creation into an inactive consciousness, Purusha, and the active unconscious material, Prakriti. From Prakriti, the mental and physical universe evolve. Then, they involve back into Prakrti in a cycle. The three gunas – sattva, rajas, and tamas – of Prakriti are also explained. Verses: I.12, I.13, I.14, I.15, I.16
2/16/2019 • 53 minutes, 51 seconds
5 – Real Meaning of Citta Vritti Nirodha | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. After a brief review of the 5 types of subtle mental tendencies, Vrittis, repeated practice, Abhyasa, is explained. Along with that, Vairagya, dispassion and the dimensions of practice are explained. Then, the common misconception that Citta Vritti Nirodha refers to a complete cessation of all thought is corrected. The real meaning of Citta Vritti Nirodha is complete freedom from all obsessive mental tendencies, Vrittis, and therefore a transcendence of the slavery to the mind and senses. Verses: I.2, I.12, I.13, I.14
2/16/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 7 seconds
4 – Nothing is Lost: Lord Krishna’s Assurance | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The fundamental concept of Samskaras, deep-rooted mental tendencies we are born with, is explained. Lord Krishna’s assurance in the Bhagavad Gita that no spiritual effort is lost is explained in the light of inherited Samskaras from previous lives. All good deeds and thoughts, Karmas, add to our spiritual bank balance. Only by repeated effort, can negative Samskaras be countered by positive Samskaras. Verses: I.6, I.10, I.11, I.12
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The five stages of mental concentration are elaborately explained. The three major tools of epistemology, Pramana, accepted in Yoga are explained. False and imaginary knowledge are also distinguished and the method of countering false knowledge with valid knowledge is explained. Verses: I.2, I.5, I.6, I.7, I.8, I.9
2/16/2019 • 1 hour, 44 seconds
2 – Concentrating the Mind | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. The five stages of mental concentration are explained. The components of the mental system, Antahkarana, are also explained. The varying sets of epistemological tools accepted by different schools of Indian Philosophy are also given. Finally, the Yogic conception of God and its relevance is emphasized. Verses: I.2, I.3, I.4, I.5, I.6
2/16/2019 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 44 seconds
1 - Befriending the Mind | Patanjali Yoga Sutras | Swami Tattwamayananda
Lecture by Swami Tattwamayananda. An outline of the 6 schools of theistic and 6 schools of atheistic Indian philosophy is given. Swami explains that the Yoga Sutras give a comprehensive guide to the mind and how to befriend the mind. He emphasizes the importance of Yamas and Niyamas in order to successfully practice higher spiritual disciplines. Verse I.1 describing the prerequisite state of mind for practicing Yoga is explained. Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda is recommended as the best English guide to the Yoga Sutras.
