Johnston, C. (1912). The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: The book of the spiritual man. New York: The Quarterly Book Department.

​

Food

​

“7. Lust is the resting in the sense of enjoyment.

This has been explained again and again.  Sensation, as, for example

the sense of taste, is meant to be the guide to action; in this case, the choice of wholesome food, and the avoidance of poisonous and hurtful things.  But if we rest in the sense of taste, as a pleasure in itself, rest, that is, in the physical side of taste, we fall into gluttony, and live to eat, instead of eating to live”.  Pg. 42

 

Exercise

​

“46. Right poise must be firm and without strain. 

Here we approach a section of teaching which as manifestly a two-fold meaning.  The first is physical, and concerns the bodily position of the student, and the regulation of breathing.  These things have their direct influence upon soul-life, the life of the spiritual (woman/man/person), since it is always and everywhere true that our study demands a sound mind and a sound body.  The present sentence declares that, for work and for meditation, the position of the body must be steady and without strain, in order that the finer currents of life may run their course.

 

It applies further to the poise of the soul, that fine balance and stability which nothing can shake, where the consciousness rests on the firm foundation of spiritual being.  This is indeed the house set upon a rock, which the winds and waves beat upon in vain.

 

47. Right poise is to be gained by steady and temperate effort, and by setting the heart upon the everlasting.

Here again, there is the two-fold meaning, for physical poise is to be gained by steady effort of the muscles, by gradual and wise training, lined with a right understanding of, and relation with, the universal force of gravity.  Uprightness of body demands that both these conditions be fulfilled.

 

In like manner the firm and upright poise of the spiritual (woman/man/person) is to be gained by steady and continued effort, always guided by wisdom, and by setting the heart on the Eternal, filling the soul with the atmosphere of the spiritual world.  Neither is effective without the other.  Aspiration without effort brings weakness; effort without aspiration brings a false strength, not resting on enduring things.  The two together make for the right poise which sets the spiritual (woman/man/person) firmly and steadfastly on (her/his/their) feet. (Pgs. 62-63)

 

Prayer/Meditation

 

“49. When this is gained, there follows the right guidance of the life-currents, the control of the incoming and outgoing breath.

It is well understood today that most of our maladies come from impure conditions of the blood.  It is coming to be understood that right breathing, right oxygenation, will do very much to keep the blood clean and pure.  Therefore a right knowledge of breathing is a part of the science of life.

 

But the deeper meaning is, that the spiritual (woman/man/person), when (she/he/they) has (have) gained poise through right effort and aspiration, can stand firm, and guide the currents of (her/his/their) life, both the incoming current of events, and the outgoing current of (her/his/their) acts.

 

Exactly the same symbolism is used in the saying: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a (woman/man/person); but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a (woman/man/person)…Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart…out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, uncleanness, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  Therefore the first step in purification is to keep the Commandments.

 

50. The life-current is either outward, or inward, or balanced; it is regulated according to place, time, number; it is prolonged and subtle. The technical, physical side of this has its value.  In the breath, there should be right inbreathing, followed by the period of pause, when the air comes into contact with the blood, and this again followed by right out-breathing, even, steady, silent.  Further, the lungs should be evenly filled; many maladies may arise from the neglect and consequent weakening of some region of the lungs.  And the number of breaths is important, so closely related to health, that every nurse’s chart records it.

 

But the deeper meaning is concerned with the currents of life; with that which goeth into and cometh out of the heart. (pgs. 64-65)