Yogas (yo-gas) = Yoga
Citta (chit-ta) = of the mind-stuff
Vrtti (vrit-ti) = modifications
Nirodhah (ni-ro-d-hah) = restraint
The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.
In Sutra 1.2, Pantanjali begins his explanation of yoga by stating that its primary purpose is to restrain and control the fluctuations of the mind. “Mind-stuff”(citta vrtti) refers to the mental stress caused by the ego, or “I” feelings that activate the desiring part of the mind which is attracted to outside things through the senses (Satchidananda, 1990). When the ego and desiring mind are active, peace (Samadhi) is not possible. According to Sri Swami Satchidananda, “the entire outside world is based on your thoughts and mental attitude. The entire world is your own projection“. In other words, we create our own reality (world) by giving meaning – via making ‘stories’ and attaching them - to all of the events, relationships, and issues we experience in our lives. The insight of this Sutra is that through practicing Yoga we can control our thoughts simply by becoming aware of them. Fortunately, one of the few things we do have control over in life is our attitude and the way we think! From this perspective, happiness and peace become a matter of individual choice, not a condition dependant on external circumstances beyond our control.
Practicing “Nirodhah”
How do we achieve nirodhah, or “thought control”, and put it into daily practice on and off the yoga mat? Patanjali says there are five kinds of citta vrtti, divided into “good” and “bad” types – the good are characterized by selfless (and the bad by selfish) thoughts. The regular practice of Yoga helps to make clear the quality of our thoughts. How are we to know whether our thoughts are selfless or not? Satchidananda states “we have to watch carefully the moment a thought-form arises in the mind. We become analysts. This itself is Yoga practice – watching our own thoughts…”. If there is no selfishness behind your thoughts, they will bring you peace; by extension, selfish thoughts will bring you physical and mental discomfort, not feelings of happiness.
Given that the original focus of Yoga was largely spiritual, not physical, its practices were based on sitting meditation, breathing exercises, chanting, and other forms of ‘sense withdrawal’ to cultivate thought awareness. In the 1400’s the first Hatha Yoga Pradipika (posture guide) was created and included only 15 poses! The largely asana (physical posture)-based Hatha Yoga practice that dominates in the West today originated in 1900 with Krishnamacharya (1888-1989). For many HBHY Hot Yoga practitioners, the physical benefits of the asana practice are so powerful it is easy to forget how the yoga operates at the mental and spiritual level until we are faced with a challenging life event and/or can’t practice yoga for a few weeks.
Sutra 1.2 tells us via regular yoga practice, we take the peace and equanimity we find on our yoga mat into everyday life. The aphorism reminds us that happiness and meeting life’s challenges are achieved by letting go of our ‘stories’ about the past and future and cultivating equanimity, mindfulness and acceptance in the moment of now.
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