In sutra 1.2 of the “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,” Patanjali defines the state of Yoga as the cessation of the fluctuations of mind. Then in sutra 1.12, he offers a 2-step method for how to stop those fluctuations and thus how to attain Yoga. He tells us that through practice (abhyasa) and non-attachment (vairagya), we will be able to stop identifying with our thoughts and be able to see the true reality of who we are. At that point, we have reached enlightenment –the realization of the oneness of being, eternal bliss.
My interpretation on this sutra is as follows: Let’s start with practice. For me, whether it’s my physical practice or stillness/meditation there needs to be consistency. A dedication to the practice. Through consistent practice we begin to feel comfortable, more at ease, steady, and our intuition strengthens. Then non-attachment comes into play. Almost like magic we slowly begin to feel less attached to external. For example, we focus less on what our friends are doing, what our family member said to us that we’ve been replaying in our minds, or what’s going on at work.
I often say to my students while I teach to find the perfect balance of effort and ease in a pose. To me this is a good interpretation of the Sutra. For example, in down dog we are focused on alignment, placement of our hands, our energy drawing up and back… but also a surrender, breathing into it, finding comfort in the pose. A letting go, despite the effort. I find this to be the goal off my mat as well. Effort being the practice and ease being the non-attachment or surrender.
Since the inception of this pandemic there is a lot of uncertainty and fear. I am so eternally grateful to this practice for keeping me steady in my emotions. My practice allows me to release blockages in my physical body. These blockages are created by emotions we hold onto. It feels so good to move through the asanas, breathe into them and then let them go. There are a lot of narratives right now. Many of which are continuing to promote fear and anxiety. During mediation we learn non-attachment to these narratives and for me personally this has been so freeing. Remember, many of these narratives in the media may not even play out.
A great teacher once said that if everyone meditated for only five minutes a day we could change the world. I believe this to be true. Patanjali also talks about planting seeds (thoughts), and how these seeds blossom into our outer reality. What we focus on expands. I’ve talked about this concept in my yoga and journaling workshops. During my personal meditation I envision seeing my friends and family without fear. I envision my daughter attending school without a mask, laughing with her friends. I also allow myself to feel all the feels of my vision, which is freedom, safety and love. If we all did this as a collective what an amazing reality we would all have.
Join Peggy for a pop-up meditation class, where you can practice non-attachment on Sunday, January 24th at 10:45am at Oyster Bay Yoga. Click here to register