yoga sutras chapter 2: 18-28 lecture

Question 1

verse 18 why are we here in these bodies:

Answer 1

1. seek pleasure form material nature

2. achieve liberation

Question 2

verse 20: what is purusha:

Answer 2

it is the power of the conciousness which is absorbed in various states of the mind. These various states of the mind and material nature exist to gratify and absorb purusha. Once purusha uses the mind to realize that there is nothing but suffering in the world they will try and achieve liberation.

Question 3

verse 23: seer and the seen coming together in what is known as samiyoga and what is it’s cause?

Answer 3

samiyoga is the power of the possesor(atman) and the power of the possesed (prakrithi) in union with one another. Ignorance is the cause of this and is the glue that binds them together.

Question 4

verse 25 what happens to samiyoga when ignorance is eliminated?

Answer 4

when ignorance is eliminated the connection between the seer and seen are eliminated and purusha is free from it’s bondage with the seen (prakrithi)

Question 5

verse 26: how do I eliminate suffering

Answer 5

atman must engage in vivekha (discrimination between mind and self) by practicing the 8 limbs of yoga which minimize kleshas and reveal the true nature of sattva which is knowledge that will help discriminate the self from the mind.

Question 6

verse 27: what are the 8 limbs of yoga

Answer 6

1. yama-absetentions
2. niyama-observances
3. assanas-postures
4. pranayama-breath control
5. pratyahara-withdrawl of the senses
6. Dharana-concentration
7. Dhyana- medidation
8. Samadhi-absorption

Question 7

Summary

Answer 7

embodiment causes samiyoga which causes suffering which is caused by ignorance which can be eliminated by realizing that the self and the mind are different which can be achieved by practicing the 8 limbs of yoga.