Yoga Sutra – Chapter 2 Sutra 29

I’ve been dancing around Sutra 2.29 in two recent articles. The first was “Tapas & Relationships” and just yesterday as I was exploring Sutra 2.31. I didn’t have any intention to write about it until a recent debate began between myself and Bob Weisenberg on the comment thread of one of his Gita Talks posts. The debate broke off after I wrote a length reply that got lost in the commenting system. I will be using this post to pick up the thread. Sorry for the delay Bob.

A Table of Contents

On the face of it Sutra 2.29 seems like a straightforward list of “ashtanga” the 8 limbs of Yoga:

1. Yama – your attitude toward your environment.
2. Niyama – your attitude toward yourself.
3. Asana (physical practices)
4. Pranayama (breathing practices)
5. Pratyahara (quieting the mind)
6. Dharana (focusing the mind)
7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (integration / being present / clear perception / …)

For an overview of Yoga it seems to be in the middle of nowhere – but it’s actually strategically placed:

• It’s not in the 1st chapter – which is about Samadhi – which, interestingly, is the last item on ashtanga list. If you can relate to and experience what is described in the first chapter – then you don’t need this list. If, like most people, you don’t then the 2nd chapter is there to help you.
• The 2nd chapter is about practice – the things you can do to get to a point where you will be able to take on the 1st chapter.
• The 2nd chapter starts with an explanation of why practice is required – to overcome obstacles. It explains about the different kinds of obstacles and how they effect us.
• Only then, when we have some perspective and understanding about what it is we are trying to do, a system of tools is introduced in Sutra 2.29.

Weight of Practices

A table of contents can be, and in the case of Yoga in the west, is misleading. Let’s have a look at the number of sutras that are dedicated to the topics.

• Yama & Niyama (external and internal attitudes) take up a better part of what remains of the 2nd chapter – 16 sutras.
• Asana (physical practices) is mentioned in 2 sutras and in a 3rd sutra in which it shares a place with breath.
• Pranayama (breathing practices) is mentioned in 4 sutras and shares a 5th in which it shares a place with asana.
• Pratyahara (containment of the senses) is mentioned in the last 3 sutras of the 2nd chapter and serves as a transition into the 3rd chapter.
• Dharana, Dhyanama & Samadhi (which make up the domain of meditation) take up the entire 3rd chapter – 55 sutras.

How does this reflect on your practice? Are you practicing asana or Yoga?

Samkhya Separates – Yoga Integrates

What set me on this path was a parallel I believe exists between this list and the philosophy of Samkhya. Samkhya is one of the ancient philosophies of India and is closely related to Yoga. Samkhya is a practical philosophy based on a number of assumptions:

• There are two ultimate realities: Spirit (Purusa) and Matter (Prakrti).
• The universe had a beginning – a “first movement” or “first cause”.
• The “first movement” is beyond the intellect – so there’s no point in pursuing it intellectualy.
• It is better to work with what is there now – a dynamic universe which arises from Spirit & Matter.

Samkhya then goes on to describe a process of evolution from which our “current universe” arises:

1. From a meeting of Spirit & Matter evolved Gunas.
2. From a meeting of Spirit & Matter came an Intelligent Will.
3. From Intelligence Will evolved Separation and individuation.
4. From Separation evolved Mind and thought.
5. From thought evolved Sensing.
6. From Sensing Qualities evolved the Subtle Elements of Nature.

It seems that Ashtanga is a process that retraces the path set out by Samkhya:

In my experience it is rare to find such a tight, thorough & systemic coupling of philosophy and actionable practice. I have a great respect for it and for my teachers who have introduced it to me in a way that is professional, inspiring, relevant and caring.