Links to Related Resources & Longer Articles:

• Exploring the Bhagavad Gītā as a Vinyāsa Krama starting with Chapters One to Six…
• Īśvara Praṇidhānā appears as a Sādhana Upāya at three unique reference points…

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“Patañjali, in the Samādhi Pādaḥ or Book One, introduces
two primary paths for cultivating a Dhyānam Sādhana.
Firstly, that of Jñāna Dhyānam where the Prayatna is Viyoga.
Here, the Bhāvana is to unlink from the activities of the Citta.
Secondly, that of Bhakti Dhyānam where the Prayatna is Yoga.
Here, the Bhāvana is to link to and direct the activities of the Citta.
Both Sādhana can lead the practitioner towards the same goal,
the unalloyed abiding inherent within the source of perception.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One

“In Yoga Sutra Chapter One, the role for
Īśvara Praṇidhānā in the  Samādhi Yoga section can
be as an appropriate Upāya for a Śikṣaṇa situation,
Here, its purpose is in turning inwards. as in
realising what is consciousness, through a Japam
Mantra practice within an Antar Aṅga Sādhana.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 23

“The more you try to know Īśvara,
the more you come to know your self.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 29

“Further, it is possible to relate to Īśvara
through certain symbols or Japa and
eventually reach a state where you know your
true nature and don’t have problems in your life.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 29

“Simultaneously, two things happen.
There is inside us something other than a dead body.
This is the principle of consciousness.
When Īśvara Praṇidhānā is developed more and more
‘That’ which is inside you appears.
You know your self because obstacles are absent.
Through the absence of obstacles, the passage is clear
and ‘That’ which is there appears.
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 29

“If you don’t know your self, how
can you think of something, which
is more than you, or higher than you?
Anything other than this is Vikalpa.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 29

“From that journey inwards
towards experiencing the
transparency of awareness,
something more, an absence
of obstacles as distractions.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 29

“In Sūtra 1.29 Patañjali suggests there
is a dual outcome to our Japa Sādhana.
Both as an experience of Cetana and also
as an absence of obstacles as distractions.
How can this be so?”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 29

“The Yoga of cause and effect.
Animate and inanimate.
Spirit and matter”
– Paul Harvey on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Two