Swadharma

e second aphorism of the Yoga Sutra defines
yoga from the mental perspective yogaschitta
vritti nirodha: yoga is the elimination of mental
fluctuations. Patanjali then goes on to explain
what this means, why it is important, and how
to achieve this state. e late Mircea Eliade, who
headed the department of religion at the University
of Chicago, wrote in his classic book Yoga:
Immortality and Freedom: ‘Instead of knowing
through forms and mental states, as formerly, the
yogin now contemplates the essence of all objects
directly.’ Yogic techniques of pranayama, pratyahara,
and dharana, are developed to give a direct
experience of Consciousness, the true nature of
the individual self. is is not mediated or interpreted
through anyone. It is a very direct, personal,
individual experience.
When the mental fluctuations are removed
from the mind, they no longer cloud the mind.
e mind becomes completely still and clear. It
sees its true Self. is state of the mind is exceptionally
aware and perceptive. It is incredibly
focused, relaxed, balanced, and capable of
great achievements. Research being done here
at Harvard, MIT, and various other universities
on many different meditation techniques is showing
a clear effect on the human brain, particularly
the prefrontal cortex. at area of the brain
is more developed in advanced meditation practitioners.
Swami Satyananda, the founder of the
Bihar School of Yoga, says that yoga is the transformation
and tremendous evolution of the human
mind.