Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra: The eightfold path

Does human life come with a user manual???

Have you ever wondered if human life comes with a user manual? It’s quite fascinating to think about. After all, every electronic gadget we own comes with a detailed instruction manual on how to use it to its fullest potential. But when it comes to our own lives, we tend to just wing it and figure things out as we go along.

Believe it or not, the human life does have a purpose. We were not just born to eat sleep, work, reproduce, and repeat. There is a higher purpose which we are not aware of. But there is a path to follow that might lead us to realize the purpose.

This road map is presented in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra as the Eightfold Path, also known as Ashtanga.

As you read each point, just notice how each step is a preparation for the next until you are ready for the ultimate communion.

I. Yama: It mainly deals with moral consciousness and ethical integrity in our interpersonal lives. It includes:

1. Ahimsa– Non-violence
2. Satya– Truthfulness
3. Asteya– Non-stealing
4. Brahmacharya– Celibacy
5. Aparigraha– Non-possessiveness/ non-greediness

Once we follow these and establish good moral conduct, now is the time for some spiritual discipline.

II. Niyama: These are a set of rules for self-discipline

1. Saucha– Cleanliness or purity of mind and body
2. Santosha– Contentment
3. Tapas– Austerity
4. Svadhyaya– Self-study
5. Isvara pranidhana– Surrender to thee

These rules need to be imbibed to make them a part of our daily lives.

III. Asana: This step is to prepare you physically for the spiritual practice which is not a piece of cake. It strengthens your body through the daily practice of yoga asanas.

IV. Pranayama: Now it’s time to master your breathing. It might sound simple but if you do it correctly then it takes care of your emotional physical and mental well-being. Such is its impact! The power of correct breathing.

These 4 points basically took care of our external well-being. Now it’s time to turn inwards.

V. Pratyahara: When we turn inwards, it is important to detach from external stimuli. Hence, Pratyahara means withdrawal. Not being affected by outside stimuli but focus on our inner consciousness.

That is the stage when whatever happens around you, hardly effects your mental peace and well-being.

VI. Dharana: Now once you have turned inwards, you are ready for concentration (Dharana). In this stage we prepare ourselves for dhyana/ meditation. So here we learn to slow our thinking process and try to focus or concentrate on a single object.

VII. Dhayana: Now when you have mastered your physical posture and breathing pattern, and you are focused inwards, you have built adequate strength and stamina to sit for meditation (dhyana) where your single focus sublimes to a stage when you are in a state of consciousness without keen focus.

VIII. Samadhi: Patanjali describes this stage as a state of ecstasy. From meditation, you transcend yourself and become one with the Universal power or Brahman. This is the stage of Divine connection where you feel connected to all living things. You become one with the Universe.

How beautifully each stage leads to the other as if preparing us for the final game. It may not be easy to follow strictly but we can at least try to imbibe as much as we can for a healthy and happy life and for our spiritual progress. It may take many lifetimes to reach the ultimate 8^th stage but at least we can try and live a meaningful, purposeful, and content life.

Reference site: Reference site: What are the 8 Limbs of Yoga (Detailed Guide) (drishtiyogaschool.com)

PS: This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023