Namaste.
With great respect and love, we begin this study group on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
We met during Mukunda’s Workshop in London this April and decided to pursue his suggestion of a study group. We intend to use this platform to facilitate our deeper understanding of the Yoga Sutras in pursuit of svadhyaya (self-study). We invite you to join us and share your knowledge and understanding with our beginner’s group.
We are using Mukunda’s book, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, as our primary text and are complementing it with other translations of the Sutras. The Sanskrit text and interpretation of the sutras is taken from Mukunda’s book. Parts of our discussions of the sutras which rely on the other commentaries will be noted.
We will approach the Sutras using Krishnamacharya’s view that each of the four chapters is specific to 4 archetypal students. These four types/paths (1) are
- Devotional ? Bhakti Yoga ? Chapter 1: Samadhi Pada - On Being Absorbed in the Spirit.
- Selfless Service ? KarmaYoga - Chapter 2: Sadhana Pada ? On Practices for Being Immersed in the Spirit.
- Meditation ? Raja Yoga ? Chapter 3: Vibhuti Pada ? On Supernatural Abilities and Gifts.
- Wisdom ? Jnana Yoga ? Chapter 4: Kaivalya Pada ? On Absolute Freedom.
Using these guidelines, we will seek to identify our individual archetype and make use of the appropriate sutras to further our sadhana.
Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jay ? Victory to the True Self
Jagadambe Mata ki Jay ? Salutations to the Divine Mother
(1) Based on class notes, the Introduction of ?Yoga Sutras of Patanjali ? as interpreted by Mukunda Stiles?, Spirit’s Path ? a sharing (posted by Mukunda, August 28, 2005)