How to Change Your Mind “abhyasa vairagyabhyam tan nirodhah” (Chapter 1, v. 12) - Patanjali Yoga Sutras By practice and detachment these can be stopped. Patanjali presents one of his most practical verses here. The author is referring to methods for calming the citta and thus allowing the practitioner to enter the state of yoga. “Abhyasa” is translated as determined action or practice, and “vairagyabhyam” as surrender or supreme detachment. All the practices of yoga can be subsumed under one of these techniques. Determined action is discipline, focus, one-pointedness. The practitioner of yoga is required to apply him/herself in order to still the agitations of the mind. But letting go of one’s attachment to the achievement of the goal of enlightenment is also considered an important part of the formula. Vairagyabhyam therefore can be considered an expression of strength: the strength to allow, to receive, to be. The metaphor of a river can make these concepts more clear. In order for a river to exist, there must be two things, banks and water. If there are only banks with no water, there is a dry gulch. If there is water but no banks to give direction and shape to the water, there is only a swamp. But with the banks of abhyasa to give shape and the water of vairagyabhyam to give flow and release, there is a river of awareness.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:34:38 +0000
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