Sutra's 22-33
Sutra 22
The relationship with nature ceases for emancipated beings, its purpose having been fulfilled, but its processes continue to affect others.
In other words, nature (sin, ego, intelligence, senses of perception, etc...) does not stop around us even when we are not being affected.
I have not experienced this emancipation or union with God. I feel lucky to have glimpses and times of grace. However, when I read this sutra it makes sense for those saints that do live in God’s constant grace. Even though they are focused, it does not mean that all those around them are not affected by nature.
If we could all live sinless lives, not affected by our senses and emotions, but just in love with God no matter the circumstances around us, don’t you think the Israelites or even Adam and Eve would have? We are sinners. Very few get to live on earth emancipated from nature, in total connection with God. This is why we need Jesus, he did this from birth to resurrection. He is our example. But more, he died to let us keep trying to learn to manage our thoughts, awareness, and senses. Without Jesus, relationship with God would be lost. Living outside of nature's impact is very hard. Only with God’s grace is it possible.
I think the Bible agrees that even if someone (Jesus) lives and is not affected by nature, those around him still are.
Sutra 23
The conjunction of the seer with the seen is for the seer to discover his own true nature.
Seer: being the soul, or for Christians, I believe the Holy Spirit
Seen: being our perception of self, our human/flesh nature, even our sinful nature
This sutra is saying that in soul (Holy Spirit), is present to help us discover our true purpose- to be in relationship with God.
Iyengar commentary says “ if this association is fed by ignorance, it leads the master towards enjoyment, desire, and ailments and binds him. But if non-attachment is developed, it leads to detachment and renunciation. If the master maintains constant watchful awareness of his consciousness, associates with nature without attachment and remains a witness, nature leads its owner, the soul, to freedom.”
Again, the sutras are coming from a relationship with self, how to overcome this obstacle of relating to and through things, rather than from our source God. Jesus teaches to love God above all and love each other as Christians. If we learn to relate to everything from and with love, unattached, then maybe we can live more as God teaches and more like Christ did.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:36-46)
Acts stood out to me because after the thousands asked and received forgiveness from their sins and accepted Jesus as their redeemer, the Holy Spirit began to act within them. They then showed their detachment from the ways of this world, by giving up their possessions and trusting God to provide for them. They ate and taught of the greatness of Jesus from house to house with gladness, and singleness of heart. To me singleness of heart means, they only focused on Jesus and his teachings, which was only possible after they accepted Jesus’ gift and lived by the Holy Spirit’s leading. I think it is a beautiful example of the seer at work in this sutra. History provides ground to back up the rest of this sutra, although the Holy Spirit worked wonders with these lucky souls, around them was war and sin.
Sutra 24
Lack of spiritual understanding is the cause of the false identification of the seer with the seen.
In Iyengar's commentary he restates the importance for us to understand that the mingling of nature (the seen, our flesh selves) and the soul ( Holy Spirit, God) can either lead to emancipation and union with God or can stop our progress all together as we focus on OUR desires and emotions.
It is very important that we understand God’s word, to live by the Bible. God has given us this great book to explain his relationship with us. He does not focus on who we are, but explains who he is in relation to us and how we can be in his grace. It is important for us all to remember that our spiritual understanding (avidya) comes from God rewarding our will, our intention to follow his law and live by his word. In order to do that it is important to study the Bible and his law daily. For God gives us knowledge. Here are three examples of the importance of knowing and following God's word.
"He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." Luke 24:45
"But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.'" Matthew 16:23
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. ” Matthew 7:24-27
I think that Sutra 24 and the Bible agree. When we focus on the desires of man and not the desires of God, we remain shackled to the earth. However, when we focus on God’s word and gain spiritual understanding, we progress away from sin and towards God.
Sutra 2: 25
The destruction of ignorance through right knowledge breaks the link binding the seer to the seen. This is kaivalya, emancipation.
As you probably already know, unless you have been living and graced by the contemplative life for a long while, we are more prone to living focused on human issues (finances, family, chores, work etc…) than naturally turning our mind to God. This sutra is saying that when we have mastered this ignorance and set our focus on God, through right knowledge of his word, we are no longer bound to nature. In other words, we are emancipated from the flesh and walking with God and the Holy Spirit, which in yoga, is freedom. As Christians, attaining freedom in Christ and emancipation from fleshly desires and emotions is living in love.
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. (1 John 4:7-21)
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' (NIV, Mark 12:28-30)
The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these. (NRSV, Mark 12:31)
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (NIV, Romans 13:8-10)
I also think God agrees with this sutra although it is he that gives us love, and he who gives us understanding. It is up to us to master our will and learn to live in love and God in all situations. I imagine doing this would give great peace and love to our hearts all the time and create freedom in our hearts and souls.
Sutra 26
The ceaseless flow of discriminative knowledge in thought, word and deed destroys ignorance, and the source of pain.
Iyengar puts it best, "The seeds of false knowledge are to be burnt up through uninterrupted yogic practices to maintain an unbroken flow of discriminative intelligence".
This is meditation, and mantra. Many psalms reflect on the importance of constant thought drawn to God, and love; the importance of prayer spread out through every day. This is Christian contemplation, where even when we are not studying the Bible, we are in constant focus on God. In yoga, this practice is called Bhakti yoga, the path of devotion, and the study of scripture is called Jnana yoga. The practice of concentration and contemplation are also important in the eightfold path of yoga in Dharana and Dhyana. Both are important to practice constantly so we do not get trapped in earthly desires, emotions, or in other words, in sin.
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither..." Psalm 1:1-3
Sutra 27
Through this unbroken flow of discriminative awareness, one gains perfect knowledge which has seven spheres.
There are seven frontiers to be integrated between the seen (nature, flesh) and the seer (soul, Holy Spirit). They are: the body, the senses, energy, mind, intellect, consciousness, and the soul. According to this sutra, each has its own individual identify. Through our will to meditate on God, God will give us awareness of this sevenfold awareness/ knowledge. In Iyengar's book it states, “According to Patanjali, the seven states (spheres) of conscious awareness are: emerging consciousness, restraining consciousness, sprouted or individualized consciousness, tranquil consciousness, attentive consciousness, fissured or rent consciousness and ripe or pure consciousness.” He goes on to give many other variations of these seven states of consciousness. He sums it up by saying a simple description of the seven spheres is “knowledge of body, knowledge of energy, control of the mind, stability in intelligence, knowledge gained by experience, absorption of various flavors that life offers, knowledge of the self.” To sum up Iyengars words, when we learn to control our body, energy, mind (both movements within and judgment), and therefore master acting rightly in all situations, we become luminous. From this luminosity or righteousness, we have total awareness of our core being (Holy Spirit) and supreme knowledge, and surrender ourselves to God’s will completely.
Once again the Bible focuses on God’s relationship with us and this sutra focuses on our relationship to self, In order to overcome the flesh. For this sutra I agree, in order to do what God says we have to master our own will, however, since God does not explain 7 spheres of consciousness in the Bible I am not sure if this is how he made us. For me to be able to discern this sutra I am going to have to continue mastering my will, with God’s grace. From meditation experience I can say that I believe I have experienced these layers of consciousness within myself. Which is why in yoga I study asana (body), pranayama (breath or energy), mediation, and scripture study and try to bring all this awareness into my daily life, always asking God for guidance and praying for him to help me surrender and hear his will. In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul writes about being a servant of God. He states the importance of whole self awareness and how through God's grace and for God’s glory comes the only way to maintain this awareness.
1 Corinthians 9 Paul writes:
15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, [2] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Sutra 28
By dedicated practice of the various aspects of yoga impurities are destroyed, the crown of wisdom radiates in glory.
First lets review the 8 limbs for yoga. There are many different branches of yoga, but the limbs are the same for everyone according to Patanjlai, no matter which branch you are drawn to practice. The limbs are:
Yama and Niyama’s (for Christians our ten commandments)
asana: awareness of body
pranayama: awarenes of breath or energy
pratyahara: awareness of the senses and sensory transcendence (for Christians- awareness of our sinful natures and mastery of will to follow God’s commandments)
Dharana: concentration (meditaion on God’s word, nature, sin etc..)
Dhyana: contemplation (meditation on God)
Samadhi: union with God living in full awareness
This sutra says that when we practice yoga’s limbs with dedication and love, God will grace us with his presence. We will live for and with God on earth. In his commentary, Iyengar also states that “ this wisdom and achievement keep us innocent and free of pride.” For when practicing yoga we know that it is God that is giving us his grace, not us achieving it. For Christians practicing yoga this should be easy for we already know in all of life we can be filled with gratitude to Jesus, and in yoga practice it is no different. I keep being drawn to the fact that we have to seek God at all times. This passage from Psalm 119 stands out:
"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:9-11
Sutra 29
Moral injunctions (yama) fixed observances (niyama), posture (asana) regulation of breath (pranayama), internalization of senses towards their source (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and absorption of consciousness in the self (samashi) are the eight constituents of yoga.
This speaks only of yoga. These are the 8 limbs or constituents of yoga. The Bible says nothing about yoga practice, good or bad.
Sutra 30
Non-violence, truth, abstention from stealing, continence, and absence or greed for possessions beyond one’s need are the five pillars of yama.
These are the five pillars of yama. Does the Bible agree that we should not be filled with hate or violence? That we should not lie, that we should not steal, or have sex out of wedlock? And lastly, does the Bible tell us not to be greedy? Yes, the Bible agrees with all of these. These are the included in both our 10 commandments and as warnings from God as the seven deadly sins.
The seven deadly sins, more properly called the seven capital sins, are the sins to which we are most susceptible because of our fallen human nature. They are the tendencies that cause us to commit all other sins. They are called "deadly" because, if we engage in them willingly, they deprive us of sanctifying grace, the life of God in our souls. The seven deadly sins are pride, covetousness (also known as avarice or greed) , lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. Of these, in our yamas is avoiding greed, anger, and lust. The last 5 commandments also talk against violence, unfaithfulness, lying, and greed.
You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s." ( Exodus 20)
I believe God and the Bible agree that we should follow our yamas.
Sutra 31
Yamas are the great, mighty, universal vows, unconditioned by place, time and class.
Yes God wants us all to follow these laws, or they would not be written in the Bible. I agree that they are not conditioned on time, because Moses, and Jesus both addressed them.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (NIV, Romans 13:8-10)
Yes the Bible and this Sutra agree.
Sutra 32
Cleanliness, contentment, religious zeal, self-study and surrender of the self to the supreme Self or God are the niyamas.
Yamas are seen as the universal social practices; niyamas are individual practice.
Cleanliness : In the Bible cleanliness has a lot of meanings, before Jesus to be unclean meant much more than to be dirty. It meant you were an outcast from your community. Even worse, you may have been left to die. But after Jesus, cleanliness comes to mean two things- clean in mind and clean in body. Here are a few passages to speak of both. Being clean of mind and clean in our actions mean much more than having clean feet and not smelling in God’s world.
· 15 When you spread our your hands in prayer, I will hid my eyes form you; I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, Isaiah 1:16
· 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
· Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24
To be clean is to be right with God, to be humble, and ask forgiveness from our sins. This is only possible through the Lord Jesus Christ. We are so lucky to have him. Live a clean life in Christ. Confession is very important as is righteous practice.
Contentment: Yes the Bible agrees we need to be content with what we need, not what we have or what we want.
· 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
· 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Philippians 4:11-12
· 6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and [1] we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Religious zeal: Yes, we should have zeal and be on fire for God. It is important to study God’s word, for those who do not study cannot know it. But it is equally if not even more important to follow God’s word for those who are educated in it.
17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17
I agree that religious zeal is important, being regular in study and prayer is what God wants us to do.
Self study and then surrender of the self to God:
The Bible focuses on the importance of us to surrender to God’s commands, and his leading through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The entire book emphasizes this. Self-mastery or the mastering of our will is also illustrated throughout, the importance to follow God’s will not our won. Self-study is spoken against, however because it leads only to self-centeredness. But to know our own sinful nature as individuals and to overcome our own desires is important. As Christians, we need to remember to ask for God’s grace and live in gratitude for without Jesus none of this would be possible. Refer back to 1 Corinthians 9 in sutra 27.
From this study I believe God would agree that living the niyamas is right.
Sutra 33
Principles which run contrary to yama and niyama are to be countered with the knowledge of discrimination.
This sutra is saying that if someone is feeling anger, then he/she should cultivate joy instead. If someone is violent then they should cultivate non-violence. Going against ones natural tendencies in order to do what is right. Without this awareness of our sinful nature, and our will to practice what it right in God’s eyes in every situation, we will have no foundation.
I believe not only must we follow these principles but more importantly have discrimination when we read anything that is not from the Bible. Look at life through the discernment eyes of God’s word. What would love do?
· 7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:7-14)
I think the teachings of Jesus in the Bible agree with the basic concepts of this sutra and the yamas and niyamas.
