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Illustration, Śrī Dakṣiṇāmūrti
A yogi knows their own true Self and practices self-control. They
integrate their divine better nature with their lower selfish nature.
Yoga = union, relation (requires balance)
A sadhaka is a person who aims at and believes in such attainment.
They make a sincere effort to progress along their spiritual path.
Sadh = exertion, practice (requires a goal)
Śrī Patañjali ... gave general principles and used specifics only as
examples. For instance, in delineating objects for meditation... he
simply gave various possibilities to choose from and then concluded:
Or by meditating on anything one chooses which is elevating.
These great vows are universal, not limited by class, place, time, or
circumstance. --Yoga Sutra 2:31
Among the devotees there is no distinction due to birth, education,
colour, race, wealth, occupation, and the like. --Bhakti Sutra 72
Moral disciplines which regulate our relationship with others.
Observances designed to organize our personal daily lives.
Focusing inward, forgetting one's self during a creative act, etc.
Binding the mind to one place, object, or idea.
Continuous flow of cognition toward that one object.
Intention of kindness in thought, word, and deed.
Right use of words for the welfare of all.
envying another. Being attentively present when others are sharing
their story, not mentally taking others' valuable time nor
discounting their feelings.
the desire for the Great. Literally, "walking in Brahman." The
actor, the act, the recipient of the act, and the results of the
action are all part of a unified field, Oneness, or Divine
Presence, depending on your cosmology. From this place of
sacredness, the boundary is set to leave excess behind and live
within the limits of enough.
others. Clinging to people, material, and mental possessions only
weighs us down and makes life a heavy and disappointing experience.
When we practice letting go, we move ourselves towards freedom and
expansion. Use worldly things for their intended purpose, without
a feeling of ownership nor being owned by them.
The quality of being aligned in our relationship with others, with
the task at hand, and with ourselves.
Do not allow outside influences to disturb your inner tranquility.
Literally "complete acceptance." To develop this state of mind we
can remind ourselves when feeling overwhelmed and stressed that
behind our anxieties and tensions we have a vast reservoir of
creativity to solve problems individually and collectively. The
obstacles we face can be seen as opportunities for positive
personal and collective transformation.
growth. Accepting pain as help for purification. Literally "that
which generates heat."
mundane, relative knowledge. This includes study of one's own
self. We become like the news, literature, and company we imbibe.
Examine the stories we tell ourselves and realize that these
stories create the reality of our lives.
Thy Will be done. When you unite your individual will with that of
a higher principle, all egotism, pettiness, and selfishness fall
away. Practiced during meditation.
Meditation style depends on individual temperament. I prefer silent
meditation. You can find tips in the links below.
Relaxation Response by Herbert Benson
Meditation instructions by Mildred Mann
Meditation instructions by Swami Abhedananda
How to be a Yogi by Swami Abhedānanda
📜 How to Live Quietly by Annie Payson Call (PDF)
Practical Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill
Wisdom literature, AKA scripture
With Each & Every Breath: A Guide to Meditation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
