November 2024 week 2

This week in Yin I spoke about this months Sutra, 1:13 - “Exertion to acquire Sthiti or a tranquil state of mind devoid of fluctuations is called practice.” I want to reiterate some thoughts here as I think it is a powerful Sutra and lines up nicely with our intention for ourselves. Last month we learned how Patanjali calms the mind, he said through practice and non attachment and this month he is teaching us about the concept of practice or Abhyasa. “Ardent effort to retain the peaceful flow of mind free of roaming tendencies is Abhyasa.” I reminded everyone in class that there are 195 Sutras written by Patanjali hundreds of years ago as a type of yoga “bible”. Each Sutra is a simple phrase that is left for teachers and students to interpret. I read 3 books to help me interpret the Sutras and below are a few thoughts from the books:

A stable transparent mind perceives with out distortion and does not add its own interpretation. (That reminds me of the four agreements and of Byron Katie’s The Work.)

The problem is our Samskaras (deep grooved patterns) are blocking the minds transparency and suppressing its stability causing it to seek reasons to be disturbed and distracted.

Abhyasa, practice, reverses this condition, restoring and maintaining the minds natural state of stability and groundedness.

Ok so we know the problem - our roaming, disturbed mind and we know part of the solution is practice, but practice what? And how???

One way and possibly the best way to begin is by learning to unite the mind with the breath. How often have you heard about the power of the breath? It certainly seems to be a bit of a “buzz” word in the wellness circle, however this was referenced as a solution to the disturbances in the mind long ago. I also have to say, I do love all this emphasis on the disturbed mind as it reminds me I am not alone in my squirrelly brain!

Simply stated: “To free the mind from disturbance and allow inward one point focus requires breathing.” Sounds so easy and it is! Now the key is practice, practice and more practice

“Breathing is referred to as Pranayama in yoga and with controlled, focused breathing we can actually see our mind as a friend.” Further and this is game changing and healing - the more we practice and stay focused on our breath to calm our mind we can actually create new Samskara’s that are positive, peaceful and easeful. I once heard someone say “Yoga is to help us be easeful, peaceful and useful and if we are not we are a nuisance to others.” If I am not diligent in my spiritual practices, I am absolutely a nuisance to others.

This is all very hopeful for me for a couple of reasons:
First, as I stated I am not alone in having to tame my mind.
Second, breath work is something I am familiar with.
Third, I love the idea of creating new Samskaras that support me rather than burden me.
And finally I love my breathing and meditation practices, I am very comforted during my time in quiet or on my yoga mat and I am now at the point that I look forward to the daily “mini break” I give myself from myself!

Can this Sutra support our intention this month for you? I Am Lightening My Load. Is your mind full of Samskaras that are making you feel heavy? Is there anything in your mind that is weighing you down?
Can you place a little more awareness on your breath this week? Can you carve out time before your day begins to take a mini break from you and your thoughts? Wouldn’t it be great to create new deep grooved patterns in our mind to bring us to comfort and ease??!! Neuroplasticity at its best!

“When mind and breath begin to flow together, all the conditions of Abhyasa are met.” Let’s give it a try.