yoga sutras chapter 1 lecture 2

Question 1

v. 12: stilling the mind

Answer 1

the practice of medidating to freeze thoughts in the mind to achieve viraja(state of mind free of desires)

Question 2

v.13 abyasa: what it means to practice meditation?

Answer 2

Means to focus mind on object usually a mantra like om. Whenever the mind wanders you must consiously bring back the mind to focusing on that object.

Question 3

v.14: three steps to mastering meditation to reach a grounded state when mind is fixed on object

Answer 3

1. Do it for a long time
2. Practice consistently
3. Have respect for practice and goal

Question 4

describe viraja

Answer 4

this is a state of eliminating desire which is caused from experience resulting in memories. One must say no to desire to the point where they reach the highest state where one is able to control mind and control their desires. when one reaches this state they are no longer interested in anything material.

Question 5

V. 17 The four states of meditation before you reach the highest state of samadhi prayaya

Answer 5

4 levels:
1. beginning to focus on object
phase 1: aware that you are meditating and what the object is made of
phase 2: lose awareness of everything but the object
2. Begin to percieve subtle entities that make up the object in-percievable by the traditional mind
1st phase: percieve small things but still aware of time and place
2nd phase: awareness of time and place disappear and object appears to become infinite and all pervasive
3. Mind penetrates into deeper entities that make up the cup and reaches a state where the conciousness becomes aware of the mind distinguishes itself form it and the yogi reaches a state of extremem happiness.
4. Asmita- mind becomes so transparent that the conciousness sees it’s own reflection through the mind.The concious begins to identify with itself rather than the mind.
5. Final stage- conciousness sees itself through itself and becomes aware of it’s own nature.

Question 6

v.19:not all yogis make it to the highest state three qualities are required to do so:

Answer 6

Many yogies become immersed in lower states that are blissful. A yogi must have faith, energy to control the mind, keep goal in mind and be able to distinguish the purusha from the mind.

Question 7

Surrender to ishvara

Answer 7

theistic vaishnavas want more than just liberation by atman and believe by concentrating on a mantra (sound manifestation of ishvara) they liberate to a state where they will have an eternal relationship with god.