Posts In: relationship

Some golden rules to guide us!

On our path to keep our mind stable and as serene as possible, we encounter multiple obstacles. The biggest one being probably that we don’t leave alone in a cave! We daily have to interact with people, a lover, children, family, colleagues, friends and more. How does relationships influence our ability to remain stable and find serenity? And most importantly, is there anything we can do about it?

Patañjali’s advice

The good news is YES! Patañjali’s Yoga Sutra I.33 gives us pieces of advice and directions to reflect upon.

maitrī karuṇā muditā upekṣāṇām sukha duhkḥa puṇya apuṇya visayāṇām bhāvanātah citta prasādanam

Patañjali Yoga Sūtra I.33

This advice pre-empts the yama-s and niyama-s of second chapter. Through a mental attitude producing clarity and peace in the mind, we can be on (back) track.

4 attitudes for 4 scenarios

Patañjali highlights four important “directions” or “attitudes” to cultivate in order to live a happier and more fulfilling life, and in order to keep our mind as stable as possible:

a) Maitrī: friendship. To encourage and share in the happiness of those who are content, instead of feeling jealous or envious.

b) Karunā: benevolence and compassion, a keen interest for people who are distressed or experiencing difficulties.

c) Muditā: joy, gratitude and enthousiasm for those whose actions are good and respectful of moral values.

d) Upeksa: distance, disinterest: we do not allow ourselves to be dragged into anything bad, toxic, incorrect or immoral.

Simple and efficient as usual! Thank you Mr Patañjali -))

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?

Throughout the 1st semester 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

Vous avez aimé cet article? Lisez aussi: 

Cultivate detachment with Patañjali

Bibliography

• Commentary of the Yogasūtra of Patañjali by Frans Moors (Liberating Isolation).
• The heart of Yoga from TKV Desikachar