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Dreams of the Soul
The Yogi Sutras of Patanjali
by Dr. Daniel R. Condron
BOOK I: The Initial Steps of Self Awareness
Learning How to Learn
Book One presents the essence and framework of what is needed to know the whole mind. Book One begins by explaining the subject matter of this section which is creation and alignment of the minds. Following Book One come three books that provide the details and technical aspects of knowing the mind. Every sutra that follows explains these two key factors. This is very similar to the Bible in as much as the first chapter of Genesis explains and presents the plan of creation. All the rest of the chapters and books of the Bible present the activity and steps necessary to become a Creator.
Sutra 12
The control of these mental activities must be brought about through continuous practice of the will and through the objectivity of undivided attention.
Continuous practice is the determined application, every day, of undivided attention and the use of the will. From this practice, development of memory occurs. The objectivity of undivided attention entails perceiving the essence of situations and circumstances using them to the fullest, without being limited by anything or any form. The brain is an outer reflection of the inner organ of the mind. Will and undivided attention are keys to using both mind and brain. Will is the muscle of the mind.
Place an object, such as a pencil, on the table in front of you. Now try to pick it up. You will notice nothing occurs. Next, pick up the object. Realize, before you were able to move the pencil, you made a decision and created a mental image in your mind’s eye of picking the pencil up off the table. Next, you followed the mental image with action. There is no such thing as try! You either do one action or you do something else.
BOOK II: Overcoming Limitations
The Ego Reacts
Book I presented the initial steps the student takes in Spiritual evolvement. Book II continues building on these steps of mental discipline. Beginning with Sutra 3 the factor of reactions is presented and discussed.
As the student progresses, he encounters within Self egoic reactions of resentment, anger, frustration, rage, hatred, jealousy, self pity and a host of other emotions. These reactions may be recognized as attempts to hold onto and be attached to self-imposed limitations.
As the student builds will power, Self determination, Self honesty, and reasoning, he learns to recognize the conscious mind is the source of these reactions and ceases to blame others for his state of affairs. Thereafter, Spiritual progression is more rapid.
Sutra 4
Ignorance is the cause of all other limitations. The other limitations are the effect, whether they are dormant, weak, suppressed, or in full operation.
The first sentence of this sutra states completely the source of limitations. The cause is ignorance. Weaknesses or faults will be exposed through the desire to learn and the reactions to the environment. Thus exposed, they may be seen for what they are -- temporary. Self knowledge overcomes these weaknesses. A breakthrough in understanding a part of Self not understood before is a result of moving beyond old limitations. Recognize there is no need to limit Self as in the past. There is no going back once a learning has been made a part of Self. An enlightened soul is one who has let go of not’s and negatives, and refuses to find excuses for why something can’t (can-not) be done.
BOOK III: Concentration Becomes Perception
The Five Senses Combine to form the Sixth Sense
The first fifteen sutras present how concentration is to be used, building on what has been presented in the first two books. They present the final steps required before moving into the inner levels of the mind with control.
Understand an object’s essence and the Self is then aware of the history of that object or situation as well as how it was created and brought into being. A person who gains wealth builds that wealth, and more importantly, maintains and adds to that wealth by making sure a part of this wealth is given out freely. There are no accidents. What we produce in life is dependent on our thoughts and attitudes towards ourselves and our environment.
Sutra 17
The sound or word, the individual’s perception of the sound’s meaning, and one’s reaction to that sound or word are often confused because they are blurred together in the mind of the perceiver. By reasoning and concentrated attention on these three, an awareness of the sound of all forms of life is achieved.
Every thing begins with a thought, a mental image, a picture. The word or sound as presented in this sutra represents that thing or object. The language of mind, the universal language, is pictures. A word or vibration is a sound representing symbolically the idea. In the mind of the Thinker, the symbolic word connects the idea with the object perceived. Each individual will perceive a vibration based upon his level of understanding and use of his mind. So also, the degree of reaction or response will depend upon the level of evolution of the human. The less evolved person will react, allowing the environment to control him. Allowing the environment to act first, the person then will react. The initiate will cause the attention to be where he chooses; therefore, receiving clear mental perception of the object of his choice. He has control of Self and mind, choosing an appropriate response.
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