Essence of the Yoga Sutra

Yoga is explained as a special kind of concentration or absorption of the mind (samadhi), which reveals the true inner essence, whose nature is pure consciousness.

Steadiness of mind, or deep concentration, that leads to samadhi does not come easily to those who are afflicted by stress and suffering, which acts as a constant distraction. The fundamental cause for this suffering, according to yoga, is ignorance about, or lack of connection with, our true nature. From here arise four further afflictions: ego, attachment (to pleasure), aversion (to pain) and the fear of death.

The means for overcoming our afflictions/distractions is practice and non-attachment. Practice is the means for eliminating pain and cultivating the state of samadhi, while non-attachment (objectivity) is the essential companion to practice, which culminates in the highest realization of truth.

There are eight practical steps on the path of yoga: The first four are external (pertaining to the physical body and external life), they act as the foundation for what follows. The remaining four limbs trace the process of the mind inwardly through concentration, meditation and samadhi.

Samadhi is of two main types. The first one is “cognitive” - it involves concentrating the mind on a specific type of object, which can be 1. concrete, 2. subtle, 3. of the nature of bliss or 4. on identity. The second type is transcendental - the mind ceases to function and one is merged in pure consciousness or identity.

Liberation is facilitated by a special faculty called Viveka Khyati. Practice and non-attachment can lead to samadhi, but at the highest level of cognitive samadhi, a discrimination between the subtlest aspects of mind and the essential nature of consciousness is required. Liberation is the choice for consciousness over mind, that results from recognizing the imperfections of the latter and the desire to become permanently absorbed in the supreme peace of being merged in the former.

योगाङ्गानुष्ठानादशुद्धिक्षये ज्ञानदीप्तिराविवेकख्यातेः ॥ २८॥

yogāṅgānuṣṭhānād aśuddhikśaye jñānadīptir āvivekakhyāteḥ

“The limbs of yoga purify the mind and body and cultivate the light of wisdom up to the ultimate level of discrimination (vivekakhyāteḥ) which is the isolation of consciousness from the activities of mind”

guy donahaye