The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: The Book of the Spiritual ManPatañjali
Religion
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: The Book of the Spiritual Man
Patañjali
Yoga -- Early works to 1800
9. Predication is carried on through words or thoughts not resting on
an object perceived.
The purpose of this Sutra is, to distinguish between the mental process
of predication, and observation, induction or testimony. Predication is
the attribution of a quality or action to a subject, by adding to it a
predicate. In the sentence, “the man is wise,” “the man” is the
subject; “is wise” is the predicate. This may be simply an interplay of
thoughts, without the presence of the object thought of; or the things
thought of may be imaginary or unreal; while observation, induction and
testimony always go back to an object.
10. Sleep is the psychic condition which rests on mind states, all
material things being absent.
In waking life, we have two currents of perception; an outer current of
physical things seen and heard and perceived; an inner current of
mind-images and thoughts. The outer current ceases in sleep; the inner
current continues, and watching the mind-images float before the field
of consciousness, we “dream.” Even when there are no dreams, there is
still a certain consciousness in sleep, so that, on waking, one says,
“I have slept well,” or “I have slept badly.”
11. Memory is holding to mind-images of things perceived, without
modifying them.
Here, as before, the mental power is explained in terms of mind-images,
which are the material of which the psychic world is built, Therefore
the sages teach that the world of our perception, which is indeed a
world of mind-images, is but the wraith or shadow of the real and
everlasting world. In this sense, memory is but the psychical inversion
of the spiritual, ever-present vision. That which is ever before the
spiritual eye of the Seer needs not to be remembered.
12. The control of these psychic activities comes through the right use
of the will, and through ceasing from self-indulgence.
If these psychical powers and energies, even such evil things as
passion and hate and fear, are but spiritual powers fallen and
perverted, how are we to bring about their release and restoration? Two
means are presented to us: the awakening of the spiritual will, and the
purification of mind and thought.
13. The right use of the will is the steady, effort to stand in
spiritual being.
We have thought of ourselves, perhaps, as creatures moving upon this
earth, rather helpless, at the mercy of storm and hunger and our
enemies. We are to think of ourselves as immortals, dwelling in the
Light, encompassed and sustained by spiritual powers. The steady effort
to hold this thought will awaken dormant and unrealized powers, which
will unveil to us the nearness of the Eternal.
14. This becomes a firm resting-place, when followed long,
persistently, with earnestness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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