Sutra 49-conclusion of Book 2 and the Bible

Sutra 49

Pranyama is the regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath with retention. It is to be practiced only after perfection in asana is attained.

Iyengar stresses the fact that this is the only time Patanjali gives a distinct step in the ascent of the ladder of yoga. Patanjali does not specify any specific steps in any other aspect of yoga. Pranayama is thought to be the control or regulation of prana, what yoga considers life’s energy, where all life stems from.

The Bible disagrees completely with this. God is the source of all life and of all breath. Not the air but God within the breath, the spirit, the energy, the creator and the redeemer God is life.

"In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:10)

"is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:15-16)

"When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth." (Psalm 104:29-30)

This is not in the Bible but speaks volumes on how I see yoga helping me mindfully breathe in and out God’s word.

Breathing Out and Breathing In
by A.B. Simpson (1843-1919)

Jesus, breathe Thy Spirit in me, Teach me how to breathe Thee in, Help me pour into Thy bosom
All my life of self and sin.

I am breathing out my own life, That I may be filled with Thine;
Letting go my strength and weakness, Breathing in Thy life divine.

Breathing out my sinful nature, Thou has borne it all for me; Breathing in Thy cleansing fullness,
Finding all my life in Thee.

I am breathing out my sorrow, On Thy kind and gentle breast;
Breathing in Thy joy and comfort, Breathing in They peace and rest.

I am breathing out my longings, In Thy list’ning loving ear, I am breathing in Thy answers,
Stilling every doubt and fear.

I am breathing every moment, Drawing all my life from Thee;
Breath by breath I live upon Thee, Blessed Spirit, breathe in me.

Lord I want to inhale receiving your truths and promises. Lord, I exhale and release all the impurities of my old sin nature and the lies of satan. Keep Breathing in Jesus Today!

What more can I say? How to practice regulating the breath of Christ with mindfulness and love the Bible does not explain. But it is very clear that the air we breathe and the ability to do so is given to us and taken away from us by God. Prana is not God; God is God. But using breath to feel and connect to the breath by the grace of God is an important practice in yoga, to be more connected to Him from whom we've come.

Sutra 50

Pranyama has three movements: prolonged and find inhalation, exhalation and retention; all regulated with precision according to duration and place.

Here Iyengar and Patanjali teach about how the inhalation and exhalation move through the body- both the physical and the spiritual (energetic) sheaths. As we inhale the soul comes in contact with the physical body, as we exhale the physical body comes in contact with the soul. The breathe moves through the five sheaths, or five elements that God created life from: 1 is the physical body, 2 is physiological body, 3 psychological body, 4 is the intellectual body, 5 is the body of joy. With each breath God is massaging our bodies, and with awareness we can be attuned mentally, spiritually, and physically to his direction and calling. How awesome is that! Learning to control and listen to our breath by practicing deep pranayama in retention, inhalation, and exhalation can open us to experiencing God.

Job 12:7-10 - But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. (NIV)

We are not told in the Bible HOW to control our breath but we know that everything we are is God-breathed and the more conscious we are of his breath within us the better we are for it. I think from this sutra talking about how with each breath God touches our physical body, we can learn a lot.

Sutra 51

The fourth type of pranayama transcends the external and internal pranayama and appears effortless and non-deliberate.

When balance is formed and there are no restrictions in the breath at all this stage is reached. Patajlai and Iyengar call it seedless pranayama. Here the movement of breath is without volition or effort, and there is no movement in the mind or consciousness. This is the fourth stage of pranayama. Here I would imagine the yogi would be in complete knowledge with God, in total focus on the true essence of God himself, sitting with Jesus in asana in breath. Oh I hope I can be here someday. God with your grace, I wait patiently for you to take me.

Againt the Bible says nothing about HOW to breathe or HOW not to breathe. I do not believe the Bible either agrees or disagrees with this sutra. It is totally about the pranayama practice in yoga.

Sutra 52

Pranayama removes the veil covering the light of knowledge and heralds the dawn of wisdom.

Once again this sutra makes it seem that the breathing exercises or the pranayama itself is the source. The Bible disagrees completely. We know as Christians that God is Source, that God either gives us wisdom and knowledge or holds it from us. This sutra and the Bible disagree. Our veil is lifted only by God himself.

James 1:5 (NKJV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Sutra 53

The mind also becomes fit for concentration.

This refers to dharana the sixth limb in Yoga’s 8 limb path. After we have mastered self control (discipline) through self study (acknowledgment and repentance), Patanjali and Iyengar say we have more zeal to proceed to samhadi.

The Bible says to concentrate on God only. So if pranayama helps me concentrate on God in everything I do, then I am all for it. Truly, I am distracted, however I am feeling more blessed each time I call myself back to Godly concentration and contemplation. The Bible agrees with being self disciplined and looking at yourself with a aware eye (self study) as well as concentrating on God. Therefore I think this sutra and the Bible agree. Here is Romans 2: 1-4 and a great reminder of how important it is to study our own ways. Before this passage Paul is telling us how God has made his ways very clear from the beginning of time…

Romans 2

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

Sutra 54

Withdrawing the senses, mind and consciousness from contact with external objects, and then drawing them inwards toward the seer, is pratyahara.

The Bible says nothing about pratyahara. However, it does speak about non attachment to the flesh and flesh serving things. Jesus tells us not to worry about anything, that God will provide. He teaches us to sell everything and seek God. The only way to God is though Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, which lives within each of his children. I think this sutra and pratyahara is a practice that the Bible and Patanjali agree on.

Matthew 6:25

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Ephesians 6:18

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Hebrews 5 New American Standard Bible

In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Sutra 55

Pratyahara results in the absolute control of the sense organs.

With God anything is possible. In Book 2 of Patanjali’s teaching, he teaches yoga as how to achieve much of what God is telling us to do. Follow his commandments, stay focused on him, know our shortcomings while not attaching to them or judging other people's issues. To live in love, free from our human desires and sinful nature. If we can learn to master this through God’s grace and yoga practice, then we will be that much closer to living as Disciples of Christ. Personally, I think I need all the help I can get. God pulls me close and allows me to punish myself by turning away from him over and over again. But he is always there waiting for me to turn back to let him love me again. If yoga can help me know God more deeply, feel his spirit guide me over my own desires, and help me be more aware of God than I am of my own body, I will give it a try. Pratyahara results in absolute control of the sense organs. Well, Jesus walked on water, raised the dead, and healed the blind… I believe anything is possible when you are totally free in the Holy Spirit. God can do whatever he wants, even let me control all my sense organs.

My conclusion:

At the beginning of this Sutra and Bible study of book 2 of Patanjali’s yoga sutras I was not sure what would happen. I was ready to give up yoga, to never practice or teach again. However, God has shown me so much more though this study. I now see where the Bible and God’s word directly disagree with the teachings of Patanjali. But for the most part God’s laws and his wishes for our faith are in agreement with the teachings of yoga. The Bible does not explain the physical laws of the body, it only teaches us about our relationship with God and his relationship with us and all of humanity. God expects us to figure out the how in order for us to do as he says and not give into our sinful nature. Yoga is a discipline that can help us learn self-control, self-discipline, and awareness. It can strengthen and deepen our relationship with God through the study of his Word and awareness of God and his guidance though his Holy Spirit. Thank you for joining me on this first visit into the Yoga Sutras and The Bible. Next I will be going through the 1st book of Patanjali’s teachings and the Bible.

Sutra 34-48

Sutra 34

Uncertain knowledge, giving rise to violence, whether done directly or indirectly, or condoned, is caused by greed, anger or delusion in mind, moderate or intense degree. It results in endless pain and ignorance. Through introspection comes the end of pain and ignorance.


In the Old Testament there are examples from Isaiah and Job where non-violent men were used as sacrificial lambs to prove a point to humanity and Satan in the name of God. Then Christ came to offer forgiveness and a fresh start for us to be born again. Once we repent and change our ways away from violence, greed and anger and live more like Christ example he promised us everlasting life in the kingdom of God. Paul lived a violent life before Christ came and offered forgiveness from his sins. Then with the help of Christ Paul lived out his life with introspection of his past regrets and expressed his love for Christ by following and spreading the word of God to everyone he met.

Titus 1:7-10 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless- not overbearing, not quick tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable one who loves what is good who is self controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Here God is telling us to know his teaching, live a life of purity, and practice self control. He does not say we will not experience pain, nor does it tell us how to control ourselves. The Bible just states over and over again to be loving, hospitable, and disciplined even in the face of pain. It is up to us as individuals to train ourselves to walk with God through our lives, finding comfort in him.

I think that the word of God agrees and disagrees with this sutra. We should stay away from being violent, or having greed, anger, or delusions of mind. But we are almost promised pain, to suffer in the name of Christ. To live without pain is not promised. The promise of God is to have eternal life with him, but first we must master ourselves. It is up to us to turn our focus to God and away from greed, anger, and violence and in doing so the peace and love from God will elevate what physical pain and suffering we may endure in his name.


Sutra 35

When non violence in speech, thought and action is established, ones aggressive nature is relinquished and others abandon hostility in ones presence.

Have you ever tried to fight with someone who will not fight back? Unfortunately, I have been on both sides of this equation and being at peace does help defuse a heated situation. Jesus teaches us to love one another, even to the point of offering food and shelter to our worst enemy.

Romans 12 17-21

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Don't take revenge my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head” do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

God teaches us to be self controlled and even more kind in the face of evil. The Bible and this sutra are in agreement.

Sutra 36

When the sadhake (the yogi) is firmly established in the practice of truth, his words become so potent that what he says comes to realization.

Iyengar gives this example “for instance if we say 'I'll never eat chocolate again, as long as one cell of our body holds back and disagrees with the others, our success is not assured… It is not our mind, but the inner voice of our cells which has the power to implement our intentions'.”

God says ask and you shall receive.

When we believe in complete faith Jesus creates great miracles. There are countless accounts of Jesus' miracles that were granted due to someone's complete faith in him. He healed, fed, and even raised people from the dead when people asked in complete faith. Still today great healing take place in the name of the Lord.

Does great faith mean that every cell agrees and believes? Wavering faith is when even one cell in our body has doubt. Read the many miracles and blessings that took place in Matthew. Especially the account of Peter walking on water, then doubting Jesus and beginning to sink before Jesus reached out his hand to walk him back to the boat. Matthew 15 where Jesus makes it very clear that our hearts intentions through each word we speak is much more important than keeping mans traditions.

I think the Bible agrees with this sutra. We must have clean hearts to create clean words and solid faith in the miracles and promises of God in order to fully recognize him in our lives.




Sutra 37

When absence from stealing is firmly established precious jewels come.

The Bible says it very clearly in the Ten Commandments Thou shall not steal.

Matthew 19 18-30

Then he said to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS; 19 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 20The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" 21Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. 23And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24"Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" 26And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." The Disciples' Reward 27Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" 28And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30"But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

From this passage alone I believe this sutra and the Bible agree. The jewel is the kingdom of heaven and complete knowledge of Jesus. The lesson is to give freely and be content with what we have here in flesh, without hording it or being selfish is a very important lesson Jesus teaches us.


Sutra 38

When the sadhaka is firmly established in continence, knowledge, vigor, valor and energy flow to him.

Sexual mortality varies from culture to culture and age to age. Even in the Bible there are accounts of men having multiple wives, and widowed wives then being married to the husband’s brother. Then after Jesus came things change again. In our culture, as Christians we are taught to save our purity for marriage, before we are married we are to be married in a sense to the word of God. After marriage we become as one in the eye of God, not to divorce or mistreat our spouse. Read Song of Songs, the holiness and purity that comes from making love is amazing.
Song of Songs 6:3 "I am my lovers and my love is mine."

1Corinthians 6:12-18

12 "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"--but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

1 Corinthians 7 1-9
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." 2But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. 9But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.


The Bible says nothing about giving us vigor and valor and energy, but it is very clear that sexual relations should be enjoyed and kept holy. In this case I believe the Bible and this sutra agree.


Sutra 39

Knowledge of past and future lives unfolds when one is free from greed and possessions.

Thou shall not covet. The tenth commandment.

As Christians many believe that there is only one life here on earth. We have one life to live and serve God and then we are in waiting until he comes again to raise us up and take us home to heaven. In this sense this sutra and the Bible disagree.

On the need to be free from greed and possessions the Bible and this sutra do agree. Read Matthew 19 again the story of the rich man. Jesus tells him (us) to go give away all our possessions and follow him.

Matthew 6 25-34 Do not worry, Jesus says not worry about anything, that he takes care of everything in nature and will also take care of us. We are told not to worry and to share, give away and not be greedy in life or love.

In this case this sutra and the Bible are in agreement, however in God we have one life.

I have a question about past and future lives. Which was brought up by God in passage Luke 9: 27 when Jesus tells his disciples “ I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

Does that mean that they will not die, because as I study I believe we have evidence that all died in the name of Jesus. Many not a very pleasant death at all. So what did Jesus mean by that statement? Since they are all dead and he has not yet returned. Could he be speaking of their souls and not their flesh, being in heaven or continuing to work in his name here until his coming? Could past and future lives exist? Until we are chosen or have proven our souls worthy by God to ascend, have they then ascended leaving their flesh, but never experiencing the pain of dying? So is it possible to live with God as Jesus is, sitting at his side. This sutra leads me to think it is possible to ascend spirit, and would God give those of us who keep trying chances again and again? I do not know, and I do not question much in doctrine, but this subject: future and past lives. Can we leave this in-between-place of being and be only pure souls, light and free? Is there another way to eternal life with Jesus before the next coming of Christ and the end of this time? In Sutra 43 God stressed Romans 8 Life through the Spirit, to me; which tells us how we are God’s children and how to know his spirit and be co-heirs with Christ. Can we ascend before, and would God give, normal following sinners that are working towards him in imperfection, more time than one mortal life to sit at his side. Is he not also the creator of our spirit, our souls and the source of all life? As Christians, Jesus should mean more to us than air. These passages have made me think about his greatness. I still am questioning this doctrine; that there is only one life. Maybe there is only one soul, but God gives us life or takes it away, or raises us to be at his side forever in free spirit, one, together, his Church, and he brings us up when he wants? In a way there is only one life because we don’t remember the others at birth, we are all born infants to forget and start again. See… I’m still questioning... but the Bible is showing me my heart and not the doctrine here!  Wow!






Sutra 40

Cleanliness of body, mind developed disinterest in contact with others of self-gratification.

Cleanliness (purity) of spirit and faith in Jesus Christ are much more important than taking a shower, when it comes to being a servant of God.

Iyengar says “Purity and cleanliness protect the body and make it a fit home for the seer. Consequently it no longer leans towards sensual pleasures and tends to refrain from contact with other bodies. ….” As a temple or a church is kept clean each day, the inner body, the temple of the soul, should be bathed with copious supply of blood through asana and pranayama.”

Revisit the passage from 1 Corinthians 6: our bodies are the temples, a gift from God. Another passage that stands out to me is Luke 11 33- 36 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden or under a blow. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you,”


Cultivating a clean heart and wisdom through the word, along with the calming and purifying physical and mental effects of a regular asana and pranayama practice will help us stay clean physically and mentally when we are faced with unclean situations. I think this sutra and the Bible agree, when we are clean in spirit it is much easier not to fall for mans illusions of grandeur and stay on a straight path in Christ.


Sutra 41

When the body is cleansed, the mind purified and the senses controlled, joyful awareness need to realize the inner self, also comes.

The Bible agrees that we should keep our bodies, mind, and senses pure and under control. However Patanjali explains the inner self as god-like. As Christians we are not seeking self, we are seeking clarity and understanding of God. To look at self is not our objective, but rather to look and seek the Holy Spirit and be a holy servant. We do need to cultivate self awareness in order to not give into our sinful nature and to abide my Gods commandments. However, God is separate from us, his gift of the Holy Spirit within each of us, is just that-a gift. Our bodies are a temple for God to interact with his people as we interact with love and compassion with one another.

With this sutra in mind read Romans 12 1-13
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.


In this sutra there are two aspects. First, we are to be self controlled and pure of mind, body, and senses. The Bible agrees and urges this point. We are told to act joyful and be cheerful. When we are in correct action, being pure of heart, God blesses us with his strength and joy. But the only reason we should seek ourselves is to know our own failures and control our sinful desires in nature. When we have cultivated enough self awareness to recognize and repent our sin then we know ourselves, and it is ugly. At that point we should seek to know God with all our will so we might understand the gifts he has given us. The big difference is we are seeking inner awareness to know God, connecting through his word (the Bible) and contemplative focus through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So in this sutra the Bible both agrees and disagrees.


Sutra 42

From contentment and benevolence of consciousness comes supreme happiness.

To be content with what God has given us and to share it in kindness is a running theme in the Bible. The more we practice right action, the more confident we are in our ability to do so in difficult situations and the less guilt, blame, and fear we hold within us. When I know I have done the right thing even when faced with difficulty, I feel light and happy knowing I did what God has instructed me to do. I cannot speak for anyone else, but from my conversations with others this reward is quite universal.
1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” I think the Bible is telling me to be content and benevolent in all my doings for great gains = happiness.


Sutra 43

Self discipline burns away impurities and kindles the sparks of divinity.

Our human nature is to sin. It takes great discipline not to sin. There is only one man that has lived his whole life without ever sinning, that man is Jesus. Everyone else has sinned to one degree or another. Yoga is a great way to train ourselves to be disciplined in action, thought, and deed. Learning how to not lose focus on God, how not to judge, hate, or react to each other in any way other than being loving and full of humility.

Romans 8 13-17

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live because those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit that makes you a slave again to dear but you received the Spirit of sonship and by him we cry “Abba” father The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. If indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Self discipline is very important as practicing Christians. It is vital to being a son and daughter in the Lord. It also is vital in being like Christ. So I believe that this sutra and the Bible agree with each other.


Sutra 44

Self study leads towards the realization of God or communion with one's desired deity.

This sutra is talking about self study in two ways: knowing our bodies and how each of us as individuals can be healthy, clean, and light, and also self study of actions and thoughts, in relation to others and God. Asana helps to know our body- how it moves, feels, and reacts to situations. Asana also helps us to know our minds- where we waver from Godly thoughts and into earthly longings.

The Bible talks about self study in relation to not judging others before you look at yourself.
Luke 6 41-42 Jesus says “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, brother let me take the speck out of your eye, when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank our of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye.

We have to look at ourselves, admit our failings and repent our sins or we will not be able to change from our sinful nature to Godly sons and daughters of God. We must not judge others but study ourselves. How else will we know our own weaknesses? I believe Bible study with self reflection and contemplation is vital to learn the difference between God guiding us and our own desires guiding us. Therefore I think the Bible and this sutra agree, but we are not the pure ones, we are seeking self to realize our sinful desires and actions that keep us separate from God. We have to know our flesh in order to repent and ask God for his grace to overcome our failures. Then we have to know our selves so we can control ourselves to follow Gods law, study our relationship with God and recognizing Gods word in us. That is most important to the Christian yogi.


Sutra 45

Surrender to God brings perfection in Samadhi.

Samadhi is when the yogi no longer is bonded to earthly desires and is always in union with God.


The Bible and this one disagree, it is not OUR surrendering that brings us to Samadhi (eternal life with God) but by Gods grace.

Ephesians 2 1-10
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body [1] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But [2] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


Surrendering to our Faith in Jesus Christ and having the self control to stay in constant prayer and servitude brings us in relationship with God. But only God's everlasting love and grace can bring us to him, all we can do is our best. We never truly know as Christians if we have achieved apostleship until God lets us know. Read Paul's letter explaining this struggle of not knowing while acting in total faith, surrendering to his calling, graced by God, to live his life teaching the Gospel with every breath

1 Corinthians 9 is long but it is filled with wisdom, it says:

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? 8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. 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.

I believe that the Bible and this sutra disagree, God graces us with Samadhi we do not surrender to him, we prove ourselves faithful and holy in heart and he graces us with eternal life by his side. We have to work for it not surrender to it, what we are surrendering to is his leading.

Sutra 46

Asana is perfect firmness of body, steadiness of intelligence and benevolence of spirit.

This sutra is teaching about asana as a practice to cultivate a strong, clean body, steady mind for focus and spiritual study, and a kind spirit. I found nothing for or against asana practice in the Bible.
Iyengar says “the definition of asana is whatever asana is performed; it should be done with a feeling of firmness, steadiness and endurance in the body, goodwill in the intelligence of the head and awareness and delight in the intelligence of the heart. This is how asana should be understood, practiced and experienced.”

Sutra 47

Perfection is an asana is achieved when effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached.

Again the Bible teaches nothing about doing asana. Actually the Bible is not much of a how to handbook. It is a relationship book in my opinion. God explains what laws to follow in order to live a pure life in Christ. He tells us about his kingdom and history and family. But he does not tell us how to be loving, kind, generous. He just tells us TO be. He does not tell us how to think of him always, he just tells us that we need to. So for this sutra I believe that Patanjali's how to do asana is worth listening too. Iyengar says in asana the yogi “can be considered firm in his postures when preserving effort is no longer needed. In this stability, he grasps the physiology of each asana and penetrates within, reaching the minutest parts of the body. …. In this way he develops a sensitive mind. With this sensitivity he trains his thinking faculty to read, study, and penetrate the infinite.”

Sutra 48

From then on the sadhaka is undisturbed by dualities.

The Bible says nothing about asana or practicing anything in order to train our minds and bodies to focus and study him. In this sutra Iyengar is saying that Patanjali says the point of asana is to put an end to dualities within our body, mind and souls. That no pairs of opposites can exist for the yogi who has perfected asana, we become one- body, mind, and soul.

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.