In the modern world, yoga has often been reduced to a series of physical postures. However, traditional yoga, as taught by Patanjali, goes far beyond that. Imagine trying to meditate or starting your asana practice, but your mind jumps from one thought to another—your to-do list, a past conversation, a sudden idea... You sit down, and close your eyes, but instead of finding calm, your thoughts keep repeating.
How can you progress in your yoga practice? The answer lies in understanding the nature of your mind. According to Patanjali, the true goal of yoga is the transcendence of the ego and connection with the soul. This is why, in the Yoga Sutras, the mind is the central focus of the practice. Without understanding the mind, our practice may remain superficial.
The answer lies in understanding the nature of your mind
So, what states can the mind be in, according to Patanjali?
- Distracted (ksipta): In this state, the mind jumps from one thought to another without clear direction.
- Confused (mudha): Here, the mind is dominated by laziness, lack of clarity, and lethargy.
- Restless (vikshipta): Although there is some level of concentration, the mind is still easily distracted.
- Focused (ekagra): At this stage, we manage to concentrate our thoughts on a single point, helping us cultivate deep self-awareness.
- Controlled (niruddha): This is the state where thoughts are silent, without fluctuations or distractions.
Now that you know these states, you might ask yourself: In what state is my mind today? If it is scattered, what habits are contributing to this? If it is confused, what emotions are affecting it?
Every day, our mind fluctuates between these states.
Every day, our mind fluctuates between these states. The key is to develop the ability to observe it without judgment and cultivate habits that help us calm it. Because in the end, yoga is not just about postures, but about learning to fully inhabit the present moment. Happy practice!
