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The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali succinctly outlines the art and science
of Yoga meditation for Self-Realization.

It is a process of systematically encountering, examining, and
transcending each of the various gross and subtle levels of false
identity in the mind field, until the jewel of the true Self comes
shining through.

When Patanjali codified, or compiled the Yoga Sutras, it was not
that a new system was created, but rather, the ancient practices
were summarized in an extremely organized and terse way.

While the Yoga Sutras are thought to be as old as 400
BCE, archaeological evidence and other texts suggest that the
methods described in the Yoga Sutras were being practiced as
early as 3000 BCE. Oral tradition states that the period may be
even longer.

yogash chitta vritti
nirodhah ||2||

yogah ( yogaḥ) = (nom. sg. m. from yoga ( yoga)) yoga
chitta ( citta) = (iic.) all that is mutable in human beings; thoughts
vritti ( vṛtti) = (iic.) thought-wave; mental modification; mental whirlpool; a
ripple in the chitta. A vritti alters perception like a misconception, or as waves
on the surface of a pond obscure or distort our view of the bottom.
nirodhah ( nirodhaḥ) = (nom. sg. m. from nirodha ( nirodha)) to
find tranquility; to control

Yoga is the union of body, spirit and soul. In yoga physical exercises
(asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and exercises with
special breathing techniques (mudras) are being combined to one
routine. Yoga is a holistic approach to a healthy body and optimally
and harmoniously working organs. You will experience mental balance
and contentment. Through the regular practice of yoga you will not
only gain general health, but you will also enjoy increased mental
clarity, a better memory and more flexibility if faced with life changes.
You will also become much more patient, a prerequisite for a fulfilled
daily life, good friendships and deep partnerships.

Chitta: aligning perception with the truth
And this is how it always is for our own perceptions, though we may
not be aware of it. Our perceptions of the world are skewed.
And the truth you perceive will be conditioned by which of these two
types of mindsets you happen to be in. Perceiving the world as it
actually is: this is the state that Patanjali ( , Patañjali) refers to
as yoga.
The purpose of yoga is to lift this veil – and thus give you the gift of
truth. Only when this veil has been lifted, can you begin to genuinely
perceive reality and yourself. This is an experience that can totally
change your life.

Vritti: misconceptions with many ramifications
Vritti, which literally means “waves,” refers to all elements that can
affect mutable chitta. In terms of the mind, this entails thoughts, and in
terms of the body diseases, as well as changes wrought by aging.
Vrittis alter perception much as misconceptions do. For example, we
tend to reach conclusions concerning a person’s occupation based on
their outer appearance, i.e. a person wearing overalls is presumed to
be a carpenter, housepainter or the like; and a person in a white coat is
presumed to be a doctor, pharmacist or the like. And thus we’re
unlikely to pay close attention to a person in overalls if they give us
advice on how to deal with diabetes. But this is a mistake, since we
have no way of knowing whether this person is really a doctor or not.

avidya asmita raga dvesha abhiniveshah kleshah ||3||

avidyā-asmitā-rāga-dveṣa-abhiniveśaḥ kleśāḥ ||3||

avidya ( avidyā) = (nom. sg. f.) ignorance; confusion; lack of insight
asmita ( asmitā) = (nom. pl. f./acc. pl. f.) self centeredness; identification
with the human body and that which is alterable in human beings
raga ( rāga) = (iic.) desire; attraction; wish; belief that outer circumstances are
responsible for good luck
dvesha ( dveṣa) = (iic.) dislike; aversion; belief that outer circumstances are
responsible for unhappiness
abhiniveshah ( abhiniveśaḥ) = (nom. sg. m.
from abhinivesha ( abhiniveśa)) deep seated anxiety; fear of death; will
to live
kleshah ( kleśaḥ) = (nom. pl. m from klesha ( kleśa)) the burdens on
the spiritual path

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