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RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

Introduction to the Yoga Sutras

Can yoga help in solving problems?

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of the greatest books ever written on yoga. Through the use of sutras (thread ideas), Patanjali explains the essential principles of yoga which can enrich your life in countless ways.

All Yogas

Beyond the Thoughts and Emotions

Patanjali wrote that yoga is chitta vritti nirodha, control or direction of the waves of consciousness (our habitual thoughts and feelings.) As we transcend them, we dwell in our true nature, the soul.

Going beyond thoughts and emotions, we find the atman (the inner self, the soul, the true self). Allow yourself to become free of the thoughts and feelings which normally bombard your awareness. The goal of yoga is to become free to abide in the true self.

  • Patanjali was a great yoga master and teacher who lived approximately 2200 years ago
  • He wrote that yoga is the control or direction of the waves of consciousness
  • When we control the waves of thoughts and feelings, we dwell in our true nature
  • One begins by witnessing their thoughts and feelings
  • The next step is to release these thoughts/feelings in order to clear the consciousness
  • Focusing on a dominant flow of awareness — such as harmony — can lead to deep peace

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