Pada 1, Sutra 34 Sanskrit Verse Pracchardana-vidharanabhyam va pranasya Translation Or by the controlled expulsion and retention of the breath. Interpretation Control the breath and you control the mind. The two are virtually inseparable in regards to accessing various states of consciousness. We are a psychosomatic unit and breath is the energetic link between the soma (or body) and the psyche (or mind). It is a well known fact that calmness can be induced by deep rhythmi

Pada 1, Sutra 33 Sanskrit Verse Maitri-karuna-muditopeksanam sukha-duhkha-punyapunya-visayanam bhavanatash citta-prasadanam Translation The pacification of consciousness is attained by cultivating friendship towards happiness/the happy, compassion with pain/the sorrowful, delight in virtue/the virtuous, and indifference towards the wicked. Interpretation This verse describes the proper attitude one must cultivate towards others, being dispassion with empathy, which in turn wi

Pada 1, Sutra 32 Sanskrit Verse Tat-pratisedhartham eka-tattvabhyasah Translation In order to prevent these blocks/distractions one should concentrate on a single truth. Interpretation A definition of both the devil and hell is an undisciplined mind. A dispersed mind achieves no depth whether pragmatically, philosophically or spiritually. Inner Awareness can only grow when the mind is directed inwardly with energy and perseverance. Hence the importance of daily relentless

Pada 1, Sutra 31 Sanskrit Verse Dukkha-daurmanasyangam-ejayatva-shvasa-prashvasa viksepa-sahabhuvah Translation They (the distractions / the blocks / the obstacles) have the accompanying disruptions of pain, depression, tremor/restlessness of the body and irregular breathing. Interpretation In the previous verse Rishi Patanjali enumerated the distractions / blocks / obstacles of the mind that interfere with it turning inwards to uncover Truth. In this verse, he indicates a