Perhaps the most well known of all yoga scriptures are the Yoga Sutras. Here, the sage Patañjali lays out the steps to reach the highest stages of consciousness. When looked at the text from a tantric view, it has hidden messages that help to accelerate the process and make it more accessible to all.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra is an ancient Sanskrit yogic text that is globally recognized as an infallible guide to discovering the eternal joy and ultimate freedom that is the birthright of every human being. It is believed to have been written about 2000 years ago(though the timeline is disputed). This comprehensive scripture on yoga consists of four sections, exploring the subjects of samadhi (super conscious experience), sadhana (spiritual practice), vibhuti (benefits and yogic powers), and kaivalya (supreme liberation). The aim is to understand how these ancient teachings can be practiced and applied in modern life.
Essentially, the Yoga Sutras organizes the philosophical ideas of the day into a central structure. Sutra means 'thread', and each sutra represents one thread in the rich and complex tapestry that is yoga. The threads are drawn together through four chapters: Contemplation, Practice, Accomplishments, and Absoluteness. They take the reader through an explanation of the theory of yoga, the practical methods for achieving enlightenment, the development of supernatural powers as a result of practice, and the nature of final liberation and the transcendental self. You may already be reaching for your pinch of salt, but if you allow your mind to remain open, there are some valuable insights to be gained…
“We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. We can be serene even in the midst of calamities and, by our serenity, make others more tranquil. Serenity is contagious. If we smile at someone, he or she will smile back. And a smile costs nothing. We should plague everyone with joy. If we are to die in a minute, why not die happily, laughing? 136-137” – The Yoga Sutras
