Yoga is the experience of oneness, or union with the all of
all or God.
Patanjali states in his Yoga Sutras 1.2., in order to
experience Union with the One or God, we must modify the fluctuations which
normally occur in our mind, in Sanskrit, chitta vritti nirodha.
Let’s take a closer look at its meaning.
YOGA = to yoke, to
join, to unite
CHITTA =
consciousness
VRITTI =
fluctuations
NIRODAH = cessation"
or "removal
Note: The controlled mind should not be confused with
suppressed thoughts. The thoughts and emotions remain, but in deep meditation,
the mind becomes still and one-pointed. This mastery of deep stillness is
called nirodha.
The fluctuations that occur in our mind refers to desires,
aversions, attachments, ignorance and the ego's sense of “I” and “me” and
“mine”.
By identifying with the fluctuations of the mind, life
becomes like a roller coaster ride of madness.
Then what is our solution?
One way to get free of attachment of the fluctuations is to
cultivate the witness consciousness, to become a neutral observer of our thought
and actions. The witness in us is simple awareness, the part of us that is
aware of everything — just noticing, watching, not judging, just being present,
it is being here now.
