Now the Practice Begins: Reflections on Patanjali’s Sutras
“Now the practice begins.” These are the powerful words that open the Yoga Sutras as shared by Patanjali.
Atha yoga anushasanam (1.1)
Now, the practice of yoga.
From this first sutra, Patanjali guides us deeper into the heart of yoga, defining it as:
yoga chitta vritti nirodhah (1.2)
the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
In simple terms, the practice of yoga is about stilling and quieting the mental energy that often keeps us unsettled and out of sorts.
Stilling the Mind
In yoga philosophy, stilling the mind refers to quieting the mental activity—often described as the constant fluctuations or chatter of thoughts, emotions, and perceptions—that can cloud our awareness and prevent us from experiencing clarity, peace, and self-realization. This concept comes from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, particularly in the second sutra: Yoga chitta vritti nirodhah – “Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.” According to Patanjali, yoga’s objective is to reach a state where these mental fluctuations become quiet, thereby creating space for the practitioner to experience their true nature—beyond thoughts, ego, and external identities.
Why Is Stilling the Mind Important?
In daily life, the mind is often in a state of turbulence, constantly processing information, reacting to experiences, or replaying past events and future worries. This restless activity can create stress, anxiety, and disconnection from the present moment. Stilling the mind allows us to:
- Connect with our true self: Beyond the surface-level thoughts and emotions, there’s a deeper, unchanging aspect of ourselves that yoga calls Purusha (pure awareness or the true self).
- Experience peace and clarity: When the mind is still, it becomes like a calm lake, allowing us to see things as they are rather than through the distortion of mental chatter.
- Cultivate discernment and wisdom: A quiet mind can distinguish between what is real and what is an illusion, helping us make more aligned and conscious choices.
- Live with greater ease and joy: Without being pulled in different directions by our thoughts, we can experience life with a sense of flow, presence, and inner freedom.
Know your Self
Most modern yoga practices stop at Patanjali’s second sutra: they aim to calm the mind, offering much-needed relief from the chaos of daily life. And that is a beautiful, worthy goal. But Patanjali didn’t stop there. Patanjali invites us to take the next step. He essentially says, We quiet the mind so that we can know ourselves better. We still the mind so that we can live in love and joy, with greater ease.
Tada drashtuh svarupevasthanam (1.3)
Then the seer abides in itself, resting in its true nature.
This distinction—stilling the mind to KNOW OUR TRUE SELF—is essential in understanding the manner of practice I offer. It sets it apart from what is practiced in studios across town and the nation. In our practice, quieting the mind for deeper introspection, is where the deeper work begins. Beyond, or perhaps beneath, the stillness resides the Atman center, our authentic self, the spark of the Divine that is unique to each of us and unites us all. In other words, our intention is not simply to still the mind but to awaken to the fullness of who we are—body, mind, and spirit, through breathing, moving, and resting.
Why is Knowing your Self Important?
If we do not get clear about who we are, we will accept the form assigned or expected from the culture and context in which we exist. I know first-hand the dis-ease that comes from trying to be someone other than your true self. Brene Brown describes is as the effort to “fit in” rather than belonging in your full nature. Patanjali, continues in Sutra 4. He explains it simply.
vr̥tti sārūpyam-itaratra (1.4)
Otherwise, the seer takes the form of the modifications of the mind.
Yoga philosophy prioritizes knowing our authentic self because it sees this as the key to true freedom (moksha) and lasting happiness. In yogic terms, our authentic self—often called Purusha or Atman—is the unchanging, pure consciousness that exists beyond the mind, ego, and external identities. However, daily life and mental fluctuations (chitta vritti) create layers of illusion (maya) that obscure our true nature.
By peeling back these layers, yoga helps us reconnect with our essence, leading to a life of clarity, peace, and purpose, or in Patanjali’s terms, samadhi. This pursuit of Bliss is central to the practice to:
- End Suffering: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras teach that much of human suffering arises from misidentifying with temporary aspects of ourselves—like our thoughts, emotions, or social roles. We become trapped in cycles of desire, fear, and attachment. By knowing our authentic self, we can detach from these false identities and find lasting inner peace.
- Live with Purpose and Joy: The deeper we understand ourselves, the more we align with our true values and purpose. When we live authentically, life feels more meaningful and joyful. Yoga philosophy sees this as the foundation for living in harmony with others and the world.
- Cultivate Inner Freedom: True freedom comes from self-knowledge. When we know who we are at our core, external circumstances have less power to shake us. We become less driven by societal expectations, comparisons, or the need for external validation.
- Deepen Connection: Ironically, getting to know our authentic self also strengthens our connection to others. Yoga teaches that beneath our individual differences, we all share the same essence—pure consciousness. This recognition fosters compassion, empathy, and a deeper sense of unity with all beings.
- Integrate Mind, Body, and Spirit: Knowing our authentic self means integrating every aspect of our being—mind, body, spirit, and breath—into a state of wholeness. This is what yoga (union) is ultimately about: not escaping the world but living consciously, fully IN IT from the truth of who we are.
In short, yoga philosophy guides us toward our authentic self so we can live with freedom, peace, and love, unaffected (or at least with increased resilience) by the ups and downs of life. From that grounded place, we become more open to connection, creativity, and the deeper joys of being human.
To that I say, Amen!
How Yoga Works
I like to describe the practice of yoga as 3 parts: breathing, moving, and resting, or pranayam, asana, and dhyana meditation. But these are simply preliminary practices that, as a Yoga Guide, I can offer in support of the ultimate practice of swadyaya, or self-study. Each component is essential to the process and the objective of cultivating a state of Bliss (samadhi).
- Dhyana (Meditation): Meditation in yoga is a powerful tool for knowing our true self. By bringing the mind into stillness and quieting its constant fluctuations, meditation creates space for deeper self-awareness. In this state of calm presence, we can observe thoughts and emotions without attachment, allowing the layers of false identity—formed by external expectations and mental patterns—to gently dissolve. Over time, meditation reveals the authentic self, the steady and unchanging part of us beneath the noise, where peace, clarity, and true freedom reside. Sitting in silence, focusing on the breath or a mantra, helps calm the mental waves. With consistent practice we become more intimate and familiar with what is, thereby expanding our capacity to notice and experience what is also.
- Pranayam (Breathwork): Breathwork, or pranayama, in yoga is a powerful practice for self-discovery. The breath serves as a bridge between the body and mind, revealing our inner state with each inhale and exhale. By consciously controlling and observing the breath, we become more aware of our emotional patterns, physical sensations, and mental fluctuations. Breathwork helps us release tension, quiet the mind, and connect with the present moment, creating space to listen to our deeper selves. Attentive, controlled breathing helps regulate the nervous system by internally massaging the vagus nerve and creates mental stillness by providing an internal focus on the breath, whether it’s a simple natural exchange or an active, energizing control technique. Over time, this practice uncovers hidden truths and brings us closer to our authentic essence.
- Asana (Physical Practice): Moving through physical postures with mindfulness prepares the body and mind for stillness. Movement moves lymph, the bodies natural waste management system and the breath (for the most part) removes that waste from the body. Additionally, effort in holding the body postures (if only for a single breath) is a natural complement to the intellectual efforts of the brain. This somatic experience (in the body) facilitates greater proprioception (mind-body awareness) and interoception (awareness of the state of the union).
- Swadyaya (Self-Inquiry and Reflection): More than simply reflecting on our thoughts or actions, svadhyaya encourages a practice of honest self-inquiry, revealing the patterns, beliefs, and attachments that shape our experience. Through this process, we learn to observe ourselves with curiosity rather than judgment, peeling back the layers of conditioning and false identities. It’s a journey of discovering our authentic self—the part of us that exists beyond the roles we play, the thoughts we think, or the emotions we feel. By cultivating svadhyaya, we gain clarity and insight into our true nature, reconnecting with the inner wisdom and steady presence that has always been there. Exploring the patterns of our mind and asking, Who am I beneath this mental noise?, can bring clarity and peace. Swadyaya facilitates a stillness both beyond and beneath the mental fluctuations of the mind, an ease we call sukha and a state we call sattva.
Stilling the Mind Isn’t About Stopping Thoughts
A common misconception is that stilling the mind means eliminating all thoughts. Instead, it’s about observing and letting them settle naturally, without getting caught up in their stories. It’s a practice of non-attachment—allowing thoughts to arise and pass like clouds in the sky, without grasping at them or pushing them away.
Ultimately, stilling the mind creates space for self-awareness, connection, and the experience of unity (yoga), which is the essence of yoga philosophy.
Questions for Reflection
When you wrap up your next yoga practice, as you reanimate your body and gently come back to the now, I invite you to reflect:
- Did you find even a brief moment where the mind stuff—the busy thoughts, the mental chatter—quieted and calmed?
- Did you learn something about yourself—perhaps something new or something remembered? Maybe about your body, your mind, your breath, or your spirit?
- Did you touch something within you that stirred a desire to share it? A feeling, a memory, a sensation, or perhaps a deeper truth that is now ready to be seen?
In this connection—when we touch something real and share from that place—joy grows. Even in the midst of suffering, we can find meaning and a sense of shared humanity. This connection is the heart of what we do at Life’sWork Yoga. It’s not better or worse than what you might experience in other yoga spaces, just different. It’s a practice of deepening and listening, of uncovering what’s already within you, waiting to be known and shared.
Invitation to Share from Your Abundance
As I close this love letter, let your hands rest gently at your heart. Receive this blessing as an invitation to share from the abundance that is uniquely yours. Whatever that abundance may look like today—love, strength, patience, resilience, or kindness—let it nourish you within and then, as your capacity allows, let it flow outward.
May you breathe deeply and move freely.
May you labor lovingly and live vibrantly.
May you be intimately connected with Prana, with your authentic self, and with all beings.
Namaste.
