In the Random Sutras Catagory of this blog is a little game I like to play. I take my Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and randomly flip to a page and then ponder the Sutra. Hopefully inspiring thought and inspiration for yoga practice or discussion. The Yoga Sutras are a manual for the study of yoga (some refer to it as the yoga bible). My translation and commentary is by Sri Swami Satchidananda.
My first selection is from Book 2--Portion on Practice Sutra #5:
"Ignorance is regarding the impermanent as permanent, the impure as pure, the painful as pleasant, and the non-Self as the Self."
What is the Self? The Self is everywhere and all things are the Self. All things are nothing but the Self and when we begin to see the Self as different objects, this is ignorance. Example: When I say I am sick, it is not really the Self that is sick. It is my body that is sick. When I say I am so upset that my dog died. It is really my feelings and emotions that are upset not the Self.
In speaking of therapy this is a very important understanding to grasp. Understanding that ones feelings are mere modifications of our mind and emotions. When this is realized then there is nothing that can disturb us in this world. Things will come and go but we will know we are not connected with them. Under all conditions we will know that we are united with the Self.
