7 Keys to Practice Yoga Sutras

Make choices that lead to stable tranquility: In yoga, one of the central principles against which all decisions in life are made is the question of what will bring us in the direction of a stable tranquility (1.13) is practice.

Cultivating and training our self in this art of decision making will consistently lead us in the direction of inner peace and Self-realization. We need to repeatedly ask our self, "Is this useful or not useful? Will this lead me in the right direction or the wrong direction?" Then, one can move in that direction with conviction, and in a spirit of non-attachment.

Reaffirm our conviction regularly: Of the core attitudes to develop and reaffirm, none is more important than conviction and persistence (1.20). Often we seek the emergence of kundalini, the spiritual awakening, but the first form of that to emerge is determination. It says, in a strong voice, "I can do it; I will do it; I have to do it!"

Perpetually having this attitude as a companion will keep one going when the path seems to be filled with obstacles. With this attitude, the same ego that is seen as an obstacle becomes a best friend. Paradoxically, determination goes hand-in-hand with letting go, surrender.

Be vigilant of the coloring of thoughts: The joy of deeper meditation comes through removing (1.5) the mental obstacles (1.4) that veil the true Self (1.3).

It is extremely useful to be ever mindful (1.20) of what colors the mind, particularly as it applies to attractions, aversions, and fears (2.3). By being gently, lovingly mindful of the colorings both in daily life and at meditation time, they can gradually be restricted (2.4). This increasingly thins the veil over the true Self (1.3).

Use 1 simple solution for 27 forms of negativity: There are many positive suggestions in the Yoga Sutras for actions, speech, and thoughts, including the five Yamas of non-harming, truthfulness, non-stealing, remembering the creative force, and non-acquisitiveness (2.30-2.34). However, we often are not able to completely live up to these high standards. Whenever our actions, speech, or thoughts are contrary to these principles, they may be accompanied by anger, greed, or delusion. They may be mild, medium, or intense. Thus, there are 27 combinations of these three triads (2.34). Though we may never have counted the combinations in this way, we are all familiar with the diverse way in which negative emotions can cause problems. However, there is a single principle in dealing with these (although taking effort and attention), that is to retrain the mind by repeatedly reminding it that this is going in the wrong direction, and will bring you nothing but unending misery (2.33, 2.34). While this can sound as an oversimplified solution, it is extremely effective in clearing the mind, and is well worth studying and practicing every day. It opens the door for subtler meditation.

Train the mind to be one-pointed: There are several predictable obstacles on the inner journey, according to Patanjali. These include illness, dullness, doubt, negligence, laziness, cravings, misperceptions, failure, and instability (1.30-1.32). However, there is a single antidote that deals extremely effectively with these, and that is to train the mind to be one-pointed (1.32). Whether the means of one-pointedness is mantra, a short prayer, a remembered principle, or being focused in the work we do, this seemingly simple practice is profoundly useful. It must be practiced and experienced to be fully appreciated.

       Witness everything: There is a single process that threads its way throughout the Yoga Sutras. That is to systematically observe, explore, set aside with non-attachment (1.12-1.16), and go beyond each of the levels of reality and our own being. The meaning of witnessing is a simple formula: 

Witnessing = Observation + Non-attachment

To witness everything involves systematically disentangling from the thought patterns (1.4), witnessing thoughts (1.6-1.11), cultivating remembrance or mindfulness (1.20), moving through the levels of awareness (1.17), and dealing with the gross (2.1-2.9), the subtle (2.10-2.11), and the subtler (3.9-3.16)
Witnessing our thoughts is a most important aspect of Yoga practice. Witnessing the thought process means to be able to observe the natural flow of the mind, while not being disturbed or distracted. This brings a peaceful state of mind, which allows the deeper aspects of meditation and samadhi to unfold, revealing that which is beyond, which is Yoga or Unity.

Discriminate at all levels: The entire science of Self-realization of Yoga rests on discrimination (viveka). Discrimination is used to make choices that bring stable tranquility (1.13). The purpose of the eight rungs of Yoga is discrimination (2.26-2.29). Razor-like discrimination (3.4-3.6) is used to separate the seer and the seen (2.17), so as to break the alliance of karma (2.12-2.25), and to get past mistakes of ignorance, or avidya (2.5). The subtler discriminations involve many subtle experiences (3.17-3.37, 3.39-3.49), as well as mind and consciousness (3.50-3.52, 3.53-3.56), with the highest discrimination leading to absolute liberation

Ask ourselves: One of the most simple, straightforward, and useful ways to practice discrimination is to reflect on our actions, speech, and thoughts, and ask ourselves: "Is this useful or not useful? Helpful or not helpful? Is this taking me in the right direction or the wrong direction? Is it better that I do this or do that?" We need to measure our responses on the basis of what brings us closer or further away from Self-realization. We need to ask ourselves questions such as these, and answers will definitely come to us through discrimination.