What is Yoga and what are the hindrances which cause mental distractions according to Patanjali?

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras’ are a collection of 196 principles (truisms) that are thought to have been compiled nearly 2500 years ago. During the medieval times, these texts were translated into more than 42 languages; however, they were not much read or referred to until later, when in the 19th and the 20th century these Sutras once again regained prominence. It is thought that it was largely due to the efforts of Swami Vivekananda and the Theosophical Society that the world rediscovered these sutras and their significance.

In the Hindu tradition, ‘yog’ refers to meditation, while the sutras are defined as literary compositions of aphorisms, consisting of various philosophies of life. All schools of Yoga trace back to these texts.

What is Yoga and what are the hindrances which cause mental distractions according to Patanjali??

Maharishi Patanjali, the father of ‘Yoga’, believed to have lived during the 2nd century BCE is best known for his ‘Yoga Sutras,’ a treatise on physical, mental, and spiritual health. Being a doctor and a scientist himself, he prepared a detailed guide on how to achieve Samadhi through ‘yogah cittavrtti nirodhah’ (restraint of mind via yoga).

Yoga is the practice of asana, dhyana, yama and pranayama:

· Asanas (postures) and shat kriyas (cleansing procedures) help in improving the physical health.

· Dhyana (meditation) and dharana (concentration) improves focus and mental health.

· Yama (discipline) and niyama (observance) can be described as universal rules of morality and social conduct curated by sage Patanjali for continuous practice of yog.

· The practices of pranayama (breath regulation) and pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) helps create emotional balance of mind and soul.

Yoga also advocates the importance ishvarapranidhana or surrender to the lord — which encourages development of spiritual health.

Yoga Sutras are divided into 4 Pada (Chapter), in this assignment I will analyze the first book that is ‘Samadhi Pada,’ which consists of 51 sutras.

In Samadhi Pada, Patanjali not only teaches us the meaning and importance of ‘samadhi’ but creates a roadmap for us on how to achieve it. Samadhi is the enlightened state of consciousness, it is the ultimate goal of ‘Yog’ that unites all aspects of being — Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Emotional.

Yoga makes us mindful of our thoughts and surroundings, which gives us the power to control and pause them.

Patanjali’s yoga practice aims to unite the individual self with the lord and one can accomplish this union by regulating and discarding the ever-rising ‘vrittis’ or the “amendments of the mind”. The mind can be balanced through continuous effort, disciple, and training.

The first chapter of Yoga Sutras defines why it is important to concentrate and make certain mental modifications. Our attachment to ‘self’, ‘memory’ and ‘objects (seen and unseen)’ is described as the main cause of mental distress that prevents us from achieving pure bliss and ‘Asmita.’

One cannot practice yoga while staying trapped in the confines of societal prejudices as they act as distractions. One needs to “self-surrender to the lord” and be “absorbed into nature” for experiencing the pure bliss of freedom and the state of balance.

Worldly obsessions, monetary additions are the biggest mental distractions according to Patanjali, they are the cause of pain and pleasure that only lead to worry, pain, and instability of mind.

“Abhyasa-vairagyabhyam tan-nirodhah” — And one can only achieve ‘dispassionate detachment (vairagya) through continuous and disciplined practice (abhyasa).

These mental modifications demand the individuals “earnest, reverential attention and devotion.”

Yoga familiarizes our souls with the true essence of ‘cognitive contemplation’ that no longer craves worldly objects, pains, and pleasures. However, for reaching this spiritual level

All the obstacles to mental stillness are outlined in this text, from worldly desires and pleasures to subjective experiences that result in pain. The text concludes that only letting go of self is the key to end all mental sufferings and pain.

Concentrating and “constant chanting of OM” helps in preventing your thought wandering, keeping you focused in the present, which eventually manifests a balanced state of consciousness. Mindfulness allows self-realization and self-love throw mental modifications

Doubt, disease, laziness, lack of enthusiasm, lethargy, obsession for sense-pleasure, false perception, and despair caused due to unsteadiness in concentration can turn into metal distractions.

Patanjali has explained Yoga Sutra in philosophical as well as therapeutical aspects. These concepts can be developed for curative, preventive, and encouraging aspects for attaining good mental health and a state of Zen.

While accounting, the art of concentration, he also lists the distractions of the mind that lead to the development of ‘vyadhi’ (disease), and their symptoms, including the methods to overcome them.

The cycle of life and man’s indulgence onto pleasures of sense objects leads to constant attraction. From attraction arise desire, then the lust of possession, which leads to passion, worry, and only anger.

From passion comes the confusion of mind, then loss of memory, the forgetting of duty. From this loss comes the ruin of reason, and the ruin of reason leads man to destruction.

Our thoughts are the cause of our mental disdain, and they are ruled by materialistic worries, hence one can only achieve peace by letting go of these desires. Concentration and meditation keep us in control of our thoughts and makes us mindful of our emotions and through practice one can manifest inner peace and freedom getting rid of all hindrances which cause mental distractions according to Patanjali.

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