The History of Meditation and Mindfulness - Part 2 - Patanjali

RobertMitchell -
This is the second article on the history of mindfulness and meditation. Click the image below to read the first one. 
The History of Meditation and Mindfulness - Part 1.
Have you heard that Meditation and Mindfulness are New Age Fads? Read on to learn about the actual history of meditation…
The Meditation CourseRobertMitchell

I explained in the first article that at some point around the 2nd century BC in India, Yoga was associated with spiritual and philosophical traditions practiced by the ruling warrior class (Kshatriyas) and others. Patanjali was ascribed to the authorship of several Sanskrit texts, the most well-known in the West being the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali teaches a framework for Yoga - the eight limbs of Yoga:

  1. Yama: Ethical Behaviour
  2. Niyama: The practice of self-discipline
  3. Āsana: Posture
  4. Prāṇāyāma: Regulating the breath
  5. Pratyahara: inward focus
  6. Dhāraṇā: Concentration
  7. Dhyāna: Meditation
  8. Samādhi: Connection

Each limb refers to a specific practice of Yoga. However, Patanjali's wise insight into the ideal relationship with the mind is central to Yoga.

Ptanjali describes this by stating that "Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ". Translated from Sanskrit, this means "Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind". This means the purpose of Yoga is to calm the activity of the mind.

"Stilling the fluctuations of the mind" ends the repetitive, persistent mental activity that can block our ability to connect. We can find balance and harmony and achieve our full potential through a deep connection to nature and others. 

This is a slightly different perspective to that of the Bhagavad Gita, which I explained in the previous article. The Gita focuses on Karma Yoga (the selfless Yoga of action).

Patanjali's focus is on Raja Yoga or meditation. The Yoga Sutras are more introspective than the Bhagavad Gita. 

These are complimentary paths to stilling the mind, both ultimately leading to connection.

It's just the emphasis that is different. Patanjali's work isn't focused on Karma Yoga. He emphasises inner discipline and meditation, not action in the world. It is a recipe for managing the mind and our behaviour.

In this way, the Gita and the Yoga Sutras are aligned. Both see meditation as a way to find meaningful connection.
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In the next articles, we'll explore how these ancient Indian concepts influenced the development of Buddhism and their eventual journey to other parts of Asia.

Until then - Namaste! 🙏