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The obstacles to yoga and the means to overcome them

"The obstacles to yoga and the means to overcome them"


The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a seminal text in the field of yoga and a key source of understanding the philosophy of yoga. One of the main teachings of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is the obstacles to yoga and the means to overcome them. In this article, we will delve into the five obstacles or afflictions (kleshas) that impede the practice of yoga and the means to overcome them as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

I. The Obstacles to Yoga

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali identifies five obstacles or afflictions (kleshas) that impede the practice of yoga. These obstacles are:

  1. Ignorance (avidya): This refers to the state of not understanding the true nature of reality and the self.

  2. Egoism (asmita): This refers to the identification of the self with the ego or the body-mind complex.

  3. Attachment (raga): This refers to the attachment to pleasurable experiences and the aversion to unpleasant ones.

  4. Aversion (dvesha): This refers to the feeling of aversion or hatred towards certain experiences or people.

  5. Clinging to life (abhinivesa): This refers to the fear of death and the clinging to life.

II. The Means to Overcome the Obstacles

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali lays out three means to overcome these obstacles:

  1. Self-study (svadhyaya): This refers to the practice of studying the self and one's own nature.

  2. Devotion to a higher power (Ishvara pranidhana): This refers to surrendering to a higher power or God and seeking guidance and support.

  3. The cultivation of virtues (virya): This refers to the cultivation of virtues such as non-violence, truthfulness, and non-stealing, which help to purify the mind and overcome the obstacles to yoga.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali provides a comprehensive guide to the practice and philosophy of yoga through its identification of the obstacles to yoga and the means to overcome them. It's teachings on inner peace, inner wisdom, and ethical conduct are still relevant today and can provide guidance for individuals seeking to improve their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

III. Ignorance (Avidya)

A. Explanation of ignorance as the fundamental obstacle to yoga B. How ignorance leads to the identification of the self with the ego or the body-mind complex, and the attachment and aversion to experiences. C. How overcoming ignorance is necessary to achieve self-realization and liberation.

IV. Egoism (Asmita)

A. Explanation of egoism as the identification of the self with the ego or the body-mind complex B. How egoism leads to feelings of separation and a sense of lack C. How overcoming egoism is necessary to achieve unity with the ultimate reality (Purusha)

V. Attachment (Raga)

A. Explanation of attachment as the clinging to pleasurable experiences B. How attachment leads to suffering and the inability to let go of desires C. How overcoming attachment is necessary to achieve inner peace and equanimity

VI. Aversion (Dvesha)

A. Explanation of aversion as the feeling of hatred or repulsion towards certain experiences or people B. How aversion leads to suffering and the inability to accept reality C. How overcoming aversion is necessary to achieve inner peace and equanimity

VII. Clinging to life (Abhinivesa)

A. Explanation of clinging to life as the fear of death and the attachment to the body B. How clinging to life leads to suffering and the inability to let go of the ego C. How overcoming clinging to life is necessary to achieve liberation

VIII. Conclusion

A. Recap of the five obstacles to yoga and the means to overcome them B. Final thoughts on the importance of overcoming the obstacles to yoga in order to achieve spiritual progress and liberation.

As we see, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali provides a comprehensive guide to the practice and philosophy of yoga through its identification of the obstacles to yoga and the means to overcome them. The text teaches that the

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