Sutra 2.11: Sit

Sadhana Pada: Yoga in Action (Experience the Now)

2.11 Dhyana heyah tad vrttayah

• dhyana = meditation / observation / contemplation
• heyah = overcome / relinquish / renounce
• tad = that / these
• vrttaya = modifications / fluctuations

The mind is so very powerful. It is the mind that will connect us to our truest self. But, it is also the mind that blocks us (through the kleshas of misperception, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear) from seeing this amazing uniqueness that is our nature from birth. The ultimate goal of the yoga sutras is to get us to this place where we can know and live our authentic selves which is why this text is mostly about observing and training the mind.

After Patanjali spent time explaining the various kleshas to us, he goes on to give us a sort of action plan. Last week, sutra 2.10 gave us the directive to be mindful of our thoughts and what we are thinking. This week, he points us in the direction of meditation (dhyana being the first of three stages of meditation we'll learn about later in this book). I see sutras 2.10 and 2.11 as being supportive of each other - being mindful of thoughts a bit more active, and meditation being more about allowing.

In my experience, meditation isn't always easy! It is cumulative, so you often won't see instant results, and sitting/allowing is something we aren't really encouraged or trained to do very well here in the west! So . . . instead of telling you why you should meditate, I'm just going to challenge you to meditate consistently every day this week for at least 15 minutes/day to see what your own benefits may be. Set aside time everyday and either sit and simply observe your breath, or if you'd like a bit of guidance, you can either listen to some of the meditations I created for sutras from the last book or check out my favourite meditation app.

Guided meditations:

• breath meditation (sutra 1.34)
• 5 senses meditation (sutra 1.35)
• go to glow meditation (sutra 1.36)
• inspiring person meditation (sutra 1.37)
• rotation of consciousness (sutra 1.38)
• Insight Timer App

Happy meditating!! I'd love to hear how it goes!     

Sutra 2.11 Meditation overcomes these fluctuations (of the mind)