Sutra Squad

Ep. 18 - Sutra 1.23 On the Only Shortcut in Yoga

This week we explore the only “shortcut” offered in the Yoga Sūtra - that by offering full surrender to the divine of our understanding we may accelerate or even reach enlightenment, bliss, and samādhi.  We will spend a moment to discern the difference between “religion” and “spirituality”, and how yoga itself is not a religion (while certainly having roots in religious tradition) and instead explore yoga as a spiritual practice of devotion.  We will explore the qualities of divine presence, the personal journey to this awareness and understanding, and look for paths to deepen this practice of surrender in our lifelong journey toward Truth.

Ep. 17 - Sutras 1.15-16 On the Nature of Detachment

This week we explore the other side of the “formula” by which we achieve yoga & look at the second component - vairagya - detachment.  We explore what it means to discover the nature of our physical desires in an effort to transcend them, and deepen that transcendence to the point at which we can perceive divine spiritual energy & presence.  The journey within to examine the seeds of our worldly desires is an immortal practice of self-study, and while challenging at times, is crucial to our journey toward Truth and Freedom.

Ep. 16 - Sutras 1.13-14 on the Nature of Practice

This week we go deeper into the essential formula by which we achieve yoga & look at the first component - abhyāsa - practice.  We explore what it means to be firmly established in a practice, and how we sustain our practices over extended periods, and throughout the duration of our lives.  Examining our actions as practices - which are intentional, which have become mindlessly habitual - is a critical step in developing the self-awareness needed for deep and sustained loving practice of yoga.

Ep. 15 - Sutra 1.12 On Practice and Detachment

This week we look at the core of our practice to achieve the state of yoga - practice & detachment.  We are called to cultivate a deep, lifelong, uninterrupted practice while also letting go of our attachments to outcomes & achievement.  Navigating this razor edge paradox is a balancing act that calls us to stay in constant presence & curiosity…

Ep. 14 - Sutra 1.3 On the True Self Shining Forth

This week we complete the powerful trilogy of the opening of the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali with sutra 1.3 that describes the outcome & end result of yoga.  We will explore the idea of the seer or the observer as the “true self”, and how we can allow that true self to shine forth when we achieve yoga.