Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“Different factors affect the mind and
whatever affects the mind affects me,
since we are linked to the mind.
The mind is always in some relationship,
even silence, Maunam,
will become an object for the mind.
So, if we can look at
something auspicious,
I will not be affected.
This is the notion of Īśvara.
However, when such a possibility
doesn’t exist and a person cannot
link with undivided attention,
we require some other means.
e.g. Arjuna doubts Kṛṣṇa
Therefore, we have to accept some other means.
So while Īśvara Praṇidhānā is the highest,
the reality is that other means need
to be offered to quieten the mind.
Here it is Citta Prasādanam.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 33

“In 1.33 four issues are taken which
either disturb the mind or increase
disturbance already in the mind.
e.g. I see someone happy and I become unhappy.
The Bhāvana here is to visualise
something that will help the situation.
An agitated mind is not only a nuisance
for ourselves, but also for others.
So we need to visualise something else.
These four ideas will help us maintain a state
of Citta Prasādanam in different situations.
So, no Īśvara Praṇidhānā, just Bhāvana on
society and our relationships with others.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 33

“In Sūtra 1.34 Patañjali presents strategies to
work with the breath to help calm the mind.
How does the approach outlined here differ
from the Prāṇāyāma practices discussed in
the Bāhya Aṅga Sādhana in Chapter Two?”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 34

“Or,
to calm sensory over–stimulation,
take the activities within the mind
itself as an object to bind the mind,
out of which, steadiness can arise.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 35

“In Sūtra 1.35 Patañjali presents a
practical option to calm sensory
over–stimulation, It’s taking the
activities within the mind itself
as an object to bind the mind,
What would you offer as an
example of a mental activity
that would reflect the strategy
that is being proposed here?”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 35