dṛsta-ānuśravika-visaya-vitṛsņasya vaśikāra-saṃjñã-vairāgyam
Patañjali yoga-sūtra I.15
To rise to a state of pure consciousness, one must first cultivate detachment.
This week, following on from last week’s sutra (yoga-sutra I.12), we will dwell a little more on the fundamental concept of vairāgya: detachment or letting go. Patanjali is telling us here in essence: To rise to a state of pure consciousness as well as deep happiness, one must first cultivate detachment.
“Mastery in this detachment is achieved when, in full awareness, the desire for sensory objects and for subtler enjoyments that we have heard of but never experienced, has disappeared.” (Commentaire de Frans Moors du sūtra I.15 – Translated by Valérie Faneco)
Krishnamacharya* said he measured the “level” of a yogi not in his capacity to perform postures but in his level of detachment, in his capacity of letting go. Interesting, isn’t it?
Professor Krishnamacharya (1888-1989)
He was one of the most influential yoga masters of modern time. Over the course of his long life he shared his knowledge of Yoga as a holistic healing discipline with thousands in his own country and with many others who came to study with him from Europe and America. The yoga-sūtra of Patanjali constitutes one of the pillars of his teachings. Read More.
The teachings of Patañjali yoga sūtra
Yoga tradition holds the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali (YS) to be the foundational texts of classical Yoga philosophy. Describing and analysing in depth the human mind/psyche, it offers to reflect on the human condition and the options we have on hands to reduce suffering. There is no doubt the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali (YS) has withstood the test of time and is as relevant today as it was a millennia ago.
Patañjali & you in 2021?
For that reason I am thrilled to pass it on to my students. Throughout the 1st quarter 2021, I will be highlighting a selection of key sūtras in my yoga & Meditation classes, mingling physical and breath practice to Yoga Philosophy (classes schedules click HERE) Classes available at Lisbon Studio Urbanbliss Lisboa or online.
Celine Chambat
Yoga teacher in Lisbon & Therapist
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