I,34,35?SPECIFIC METHODS OF DHARANA FOR OVERCOMING OBSTACLES?Breath, sense awarene

Spirituality
#1

[b]I, 34, 35 ? SPECIFIC METHODS OF DHARANA FOR OVERCOMING OBSTACLES ? Breath awareness, higher sense perception

I, 34 Pracchardana vidharanabyam va pranasya
I, 35 Visayavati va pravrittih utpanna manasha sthiti nibandhani

Or the obstacles can be lessened
by forcibly exhaling,
then retaining the prana
during the pause
following the exhalation.

Or another way
to steady the mind
is by binding it to
higher, subtler sense perceptions.
[/b]
M. Stiles

There are differences in the interpretation of these two sutras.

For sutra I, 34, both Iyengar and Swami Shyam recommend the technique of breath control described in the sutra. However, Sw. Satchindananda recommends simply watching the breath rather than focusing on the retention of the breath. He explains that the mind and breath are interconnected and that the breath usually follows the mind and vice versa ? if one is upset, one breathes heavily, conversely if one is concentrated the breath naturally stops. It seems regardless of whether one uses the technique of breath control or breath awareness, the mind becomes still and calm and the obstacles are lessened.

For sutra I, 35, Iyengar interprets this sutra to mean that one should focus on an object with total dedication and devotion which will result in the direct perception of its essence. Whereas Sw. Satchidananda and Shyam say that through meditation, it is possible to experience extraordinary sense perceptions which provide the sadhaka confidence, enthusiasm and faith in his/her practice and encourage our progression. Sw. Satchidananda makes several suggestions. The first is to focus on the tip of the nose without straining but with one-pointed concentration to develop the perception of extraordinary smell. The other is to focus on the tip of the tongue with one-pointed concentration to experience extraordinary tastes without eating.

I suppose these and the sutras that follow all provide different approaches to get the mind to a peaceful, quiet state which is the point. One could try the different approaches to see which one works best and then use that one to reduce the obstacles.

Iyengar, B.K.S., Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. New Delhi, India: Harper Collins Publications India. 1993

Stiles, M., Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Boston, MA: Red Wheel/Weiser LLC. 2002

Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Buckingham, VA: Integral Yoga Publications. 2004

Swami Shyam, Patanjali Yog Darshan, India: International Meditation Institute, 2001, 3rd. edition.

#2

In sutras I-34 to I-38, Patanjali lists five meditation techniques. In the vijnana bhairavara tantra there is a listing of some 112 techniques given in the form of a dialogue between Shiva and his consort Parvati. I’ve searched for some parallels with Patanjali and these are listed below. I’m quoting from the translation in Zen Flesh Zen Bones by Paul Reps. Isn’t it beautiful?

  1. Or when the breath is all out (up) and stopped of itself, or all in (down) and stopped – in such universal pause, one’s small self vanishes. This is difficult only for the impure.

  2. Intone a sound audibly, then less and less audibly as feeling deepings into this silent harmony.

  3. Blessed one, as the senses are absorbed into the heart, reach the center of the lotus.

  4. Devotion frees.

  5.      At the point of sleep when sleep has not yet come and external wakefulness vanishes, at this point being is revealed.
#3

indeed it is very beautiful… :slight_smile:

#4

Personally I find the extended exhalation far more effective in calming my mind, rather than the struggle over the years in watching my breath. Some practices suit some people more than others.