“You can plumb to the depths of a well, but the depths of the mind are unfathomable.”
– Indian proverb

Growing up with a Catholic Dad & Methodist Mom, I was raised in a Catholic church attending mass every Sunday and CCD every Wednesday.  I went to confession on a weekly basis until I was confirmed at the age of 13.  At this time, my parents let me decide to continue with this specific structured religion …or not.  I strayed away from what seemed to me like religious programming carrying with me the incredible stories I heard along the way.  It wasn’t until I found the practice of yoga and the study of the yoga sutras that I can say I am, once again, interested in religion and philosophy.

I am inspired by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the visions of great seers whose perceptions transcend beyond time and space.  Finding a profoundly rich view of what this world is all about and how I relate to it, revealing over time, my own true nature.  Based on the teachings of masters T. Krishnamacharya and his son T.K.V Desikachar, Gary Kraftsow has transmitted these teachings in a simple way which I am able to integrate meaningfully into my daily life.

The following sutras have been the focus & foundation of my studies thus far:

Sutra 1.1  atha yoga anusanam
Now is set for authoritative teaching on yoga.

Sutra 1.2  yoga citta vrtti nirodhah
Yoga is the ability to direct and focus mental activity.

Sutra 1.3  tada drastuh svarupe avasthanam
With the attainment of focused mind, the inner being establishes itself in all its reality.

Sutra 1.4  vrtti sarupyam itaratra
Otherwise, we identify with the activities of the mind.

Sutra 1.12 abhyasa vairagyabhyam tad nirodhah
Control over the mind’s fluctuations comes from persevering practice and non-attachment.

Sutra 1.20  srddha virya smrtti samadhi prajna purvakah itaresam
For the others, faith engenders energy that reinforces the memory, allowing concentration on wisdom.

Sutra 1.24 klesha karma vipaka asyatih aparamrstah purusa visesah isvarah
God is supreme being free from all causes of suffering — from actions, their consequences and all latency.

Sutra 2.1 tapah svadhyaya isvara pranidhanani krita yogah
Tye yoga of action is a way of discipline involving self reflection based on the sacred texts, and surrendering the fruits of action to a higher force.

Sutra 2.33  vitarka badhane pratipaksa bhavanam
When harassed by doubt, cultivate the opposite mental attitude.

References from The Essence of Yoga by Bernard Bouanchaud