The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali is perhaps the most celebrated yoga text, and for good reason. While the text was compiled for serious yoga aspirants for the purpose of reaching enlightenment, the Sutras, and the 8-fold path within them, are powerful tools for anyone. The Sutras are mini-meditations that can be contemplated as stand-alone meditations, but they are also threads that make up an entire tapestry of the yoga practice. Contemplating them can help stabilize the mind, u

This is an illustration of the temptation of the Buddha by Mara, the demon king (aka Lord of the Senses, aka Lord of Death). I am not trying to convert anyone to Buddhism! This story has a teaching that we all can enjoy and benefit from. Before I go into the story, I want to talk about Mudras, which are hand shapes that represent certain energies. Mudras are used in yoga, Indian dance, and other places as well. In this illustration we see many fearful things attacking the

Avidyā = spiritual misunderstanding, not knowing, ignorance Avidyā is regarding the impermanent as permanent, the impure as pure, the painful as pleasant and the non-Self as the Self. --Sutra 2.5 the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali This sutra is essentially saying the same thing in many ways. God as you see it, the energy of the universe---is a cosmic vibration of joy and love that creates all things. We are all made of that energy. According to this philosophy, heaven is just ano

The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali is perhaps the most celebrated yoga text, and for good reason. While the text was compiled for serious yoga aspirants for the purpose of reaching enlightenment, the Sutras, and the 8-fold path within them, are powerful tools for anyone. The Sutras are mini-meditations that can be contemplated as stand-alone meditations, but they are also threads that make up an entire tapestry of the yoga practice. Contemplating them can help stabilize the mind, u