Contemplation: The Mind in the Yoga Sutras – 2
[Exploring Life] The Five States of Mind: Pantanjali (2nd century B.C.) is a pioneer of the mind. The uncharted terrain he ventured into was the inner landscape of the mind. His method was the direct observation of his own mind. In this sense, Pantanjali was both scientist and artist of the inner realm of existence. [...]
Contemplation: The Mind in the Yoga Sutras
[Exploring Life] Introduction to the Yoga Sutras: The Yoga Sutras written by Pantanjali in 2nd century B.C. is consider to be a foundational yoga text. The word Yoga is derived from Sanskrit root yujir meaning to join or to unite. A second meaning is derived from the root yuj meaning to contemplate. Yoga means to [...]
Mental Degradation: Multitasking and the Inner Athelete
[Exploring Life] In Mental Degradation: Multitasking I explored the possibility that multitasking, or the ability to simultaneously process tasks, is a delusion. What really happens in the brain is a rapid shifting of attention between a series of tasks that creates the illusion of simultaneity. This constant shifting of attention is also the basis for [...]
Mental Clarity: Awareness
[Exploring Life] When we become entrenched in our conceptual orientation to the world we limit our ability to perceive and apprehend it from different perspectives. All concepts are, at best, assumptions about reality. Any concept is therefore something less than reality itself. At the same time, we use concepts to construct meaning. If our minds [...]
Mental Clarity: Yoga Sutras – Mental Modifications
[Exploring Life] Patanjali defines Yoga as “the restraint of mental modifications.” (Yoga Sutras 1:2) Restraint means to control and prevent the mind from engaging in processes that cause distress in our thoughts and emotions. In other words, yoga presumes that the mind is responsible for the creation of our own psychological discontent. Suffering, for example, [...]
Mental Clarity: Yoga – The Five States of Mind
[Exploring Life] The Yoga Sutras written by Patanjali in the 2nd century B.C. is consider to be one of the primary texts of yoga. The word Yoga is derived from Sanskrit root yujir meaning to join or to unite. Another important translation comes from the root yuj meaning to contemplate. A sutra is an aphorism, [...]