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The Philosophy of Yoga  (Yoga Sutra 1.13)

What is the real nature and process of practice?

"Tatra sthitau yatnah abhyasah"

"There in the light of Supreme Consciousness, in a standing position, with concentrated mental effort is practice (abhyasa)."

Practice means being able to keep firm attention with all its psychic energy on Purusa (the seer, the soul). Practice means stopping the fluctuations and oscillations of the mind and to reach a state of steadiness.

The practitioner is advised to practice intensely all the yogic principles, from yama (ethics) to dhyana (meditation, observation). These embrace all disciplines: moral, ethical, physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual.

How does one develop concentrated practice?

"Sa tu dirhakla nairantarya satkara sasevitah drdhabhumih"
Yoga Sutra 1.14

Practice of concentration, contemplation and meditation on Purusa ( individual soul) and Brahman (universal soul) becomes firmly grounded when it has been cultivated for a long time, constantly, continuously, and uninterruptedly with earnest attention.

Attention is produced by self-discipline, protected by health (chemical, biochemical and hormonal powers) and energized by self-confidence and self-security.

Profound wisdom is gained through steady, dedicated, attentive practice, and non-attachment through applied restraint. However, success may inflate the sadhaka's (seekers) ego, and he should be careful not to become a victim of intellectual pride which may drag him away from enlightenment. If this happens, he should re-establish his practice by taking guidance from a competent master, or through his own discrimination, so that humility replaces pride and spiritual wisdom dawns.

This is correct practice.

Paraphrased from:
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali
B.K.S Iyengar


The Textbook on Yoga Psychology
Rammurti Mishra, M.D.

Philosophy of Yoga Archives:
Invocation Chant
Yoga Sutra 1.13
Yoga Sutra 1.15
Yoga Sutra 1.16
Yoga Sutra 1.17
Yoga Sutra 1.18
Yoga Sutra 1.19
Yoga Sutra 1.21 & 1.22
Yoga Sutra 1.23 - 1.26
Yoga Sutra 1.27
Yoga Sutra 1.28
Yoga Sutra 1.29 & 1.30
Yoga Sutra 1.31
Yoga Sutra 1.33
Yoga Sutra 1.35 & 1.36
Yoga Sutra 1.37
Yoga Sutra 1.39
Yoga Sutra 1.40
Yoga Sutra 1.41 & 1.42
Yoga Sutra 1.43
Yoga Sutra 1.44
Yoga Sutra 1.45
Yoga Sutra 1.46
Current Yoga Sutra