Stacey
Sintra (Portugal)
***
Yoga Sūtra Aphorism 1.12
अभ्यास-वैराग्याभ्यां तत् निरोधः।
abhyāsa-vairāgyābhyāṃ tat nirodhaḥ।
abhyāsa – practice
vairāgya – detachment
tat – that, this
nirodha – restraining
***
I started reciting the Yoga Sūtra aphorisms while watering the garden in the afternoon to help build my confidence in the classes. Then one day, Ganapathiārya asked a question; “Anyone of you are with 20 aphorisms in your mouth? Means, have you by-hearted? Anyone of you?”
A seed was planted!
After that day, it began to sprout. It also came around the time of COVID and both my children had left home which left a space to be filled. So, I had started walking and whilst walking I would take my phone and recite\memorise each stanza after Ganapathiārya chanted them. I started with 5 the first week, then 10 the next, learning by-hearted. I am now up to 25 of Chapter 1 and I can’t seem to stop. My walks have become longer, my sleep better, my memory improved and I found beautiful trails and lookouts which I didn’t know existed. I have one favourite spot where I sit and chant while overlooking the whole of Sintra valley all the way to the Atlantic ocean.
It is not a small thing for me to learn Saṃskṛta and these aphorisms. I am dyslexic and was not identified as such during my school years, which resulted in a deeply traumatic learning experience. Learning Saṃskṛta and the Yoga Sūtra aphorisms has created a new impression of good learning – overriding the bad experiences I had as a child.
I am making a Sūtra book now, watercolouring the pages, and then writing out all four chapters; each chapter will be bound separately and differently with a box to hold them. Overall, my commitment to the teachings of Jivana Yoga and my engagement with Pantanjali Yoga Sūtra’s are slowly taming the system and calming the mind.
I am deeply grateful to Ācārya, my teachers, these sacred teachings, and all of you well-wishers on this Divine path with its constant guidance through Grace.
***
Yoga Sūtra Aphorism 1.21
तीव्र-संवेगानाम् आसन्नः।
tīvra-saṃvegānām āsannaḥ।
tīvra – keen
saṃvegānām – for those with intensity
āsannaḥ – nearest
***