"Yoga Sutra" - Wisdom in Ancient India and its application to the present day

Yoga Sutra
The Yoga Sutra is a literary central to yoga philosophy, compiled by the ancient Indian philosopher Patanjali. This scripture presents a path to yoga practice and spiritual exploration, and continues to influence many people to this day, not just exercise and health practices, but as a compass for a deeper understanding of human nature and the function of the mind. This article explores the structure, content, its impact on modern society, and its depth through comparisons with other philosophies.
Structure and content of Yoga Sutra
The Yoga Sutra is divided into four chapters (pada). Each chapter focuses on a different theme, each detailing the philosophy, practice, spiritual achievements and ultimately the goals of yoga. This systematic structure provides the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of yoga theory and practice.
1. Samadhi Pada (The Chapter of Samadhi)
The first chapter, Samadhi Pada, presents the fundamental philosophy of yoga. This chapter clearly shows the essence of yoga, defined as "to stop and stop the function of the mind." The term "mind" here refers to the entire mental activity such as thoughts, emotions, and memories, and controlling these movements is said to be the first step towards the ultimate goal of yoga.
- Samadhi Pada provides detailed explanations of various states of the mind, and provides a deep discussion of the preparation stages of the mind to reach the "samadhi," a state in which the function of the mind is still. The state of mind is categorized by concentration and purity, and through these categories we present a path to deepening self-awareness.
- Practical methods such as darana and meditation (dhyana), are also mentioned, and specific approaches to calm the functioning of the mind are introduced. It is said that when the work of the mind calms down, the true self (Purusha) is revealed, opening the way to realizing the truth.
2. Sadhana Pada (Practice Chapter)
"Sadhana Pada" emphasizes the practical aspects of yoga. In particular, this chapter systematically explains the "Eight Branches (Ashtanga Yoga)" and shows the paths that yoga practitioners should take in stages. The Eight Responses incorporate the philosophy of yoga into a concrete code of conduct, and consist of the following eight steps:。
- Yama (ethics) - Ethical code of conduct such as non-violence, honesty, non-territorial, abstinence, and non-greed.
- Self-discipline such as naiyama (autonomy), cleanliness, satisfaction, penance, learning, and devotion to God.
- Asana (seat method): Keeping a comfortable and stable posture.
- Pranayama (control method) - Control breathing and adjusting life energy (prana).
- Pratyahara (control of senses) - Turning the consciousness of the five senses inwards.
- Darana (concentration) - Concentrating the mind on one object.
- Dhyana (meditation) - To maintain focus and calm the mind.
- Samadhi: A state in which the mind is completely stationary and experiences a sense of unity with the object.

This chapter shows the path that will allow you to progress in stages of spiritual growth and ultimately lead to Samadhi by carefully practicing these steps one by one. In particular, Yama and Niyama are the ethical foundations of yoga practices, highlighted as important elements for building inner peace by controlling self-centered desires and encouraging consideration for others.
3. Vibhuti Pada (Chapter of Supernatural Ability)
Vibhuti Pada explains the supernatural powers that can be obtained by controlling the mind and deepening concentration, namely "siddhi." This chapter suggests that a variety of psychic powers can be achieved through specific meditation practices that go beyond physical and cognitive abilities. For

However, Patanjali does not see these supernatural abilities as the ultimate goal of yoga. Rather, these abilities are indicators for practitioners to assess their own progress, and state that their true goal is deeper self-awareness and liberation beyond psychic powers. It is emphasized that obsession with psychic powers requires caution as they risk deviating from their true goals.
4. Kaivalya Pada (Seiji)
The final chapter, Kaivalya Pada, describes the ultimate goal achieved through yoga practice: liberation. Kaivalya means that the soul (Purusha) is completely independent from the material world (Puruciti) and establishes itself as a pure being.

This chapter provides a detailed explanation of liberation from the bondage of the mind, that is, escape from reincarnation. It is said that by gaining true self-awareness and relinquishing away all material attachments, you can experience eternal freedom and peace. This state is not merely liberation from suffering, but rather a state of perfect blooming of the true self, filled with ultimate happiness and peace.

The influence of Yoga Sutra on modern times
The influence of Yoga Sutra is also extremely large in modern society, and its guiding philosophy plays an important role, especially for those seeking mental health and self-growth. While modern society faces a variety of mental challenges, including stress, anxiety, and loneliness, Yoga Sutra offers effective means and philosophy to address these challenges.
For example, meditation to calm your mind in your daily life and deep breathing techniques to reduce stress are based on the teachings of this scripture. Meditation is widely used in modern society, and its effectiveness has been proven scientifically. Meditation not only allows you to regain quietness in your mind and reduce stress and anxiety, but also helps you to deepen your self-awareness and build a foundation for a more fulfilling life.


The practice of yoga asanas (poses) is also widely accepted as a tool to improve physical and mental health. Asanas not only increase body flexibility and muscle strength, but also balance the mind and body and reduce stress. Furthermore, breathing techniques (pranayama) allow you to regulate your body and mind energy and maintain a more gentle state of mind.
For modern readers with critical thinking, the teachings presented by Yoga Sutra offer universal wisdom due to its philosophical profoundness, whilst being flexible to respond to scientific questions. In particular, the importance of meditation and self-exploration is attractive to those seeking to find solutions within their work and living environments. In modern society, we are constantly exposed to external stimuli and information, but Yoga Sutra shows us the path to regaining internal tranquility and rethinking the essence of the self.

Comparison of Yoga Sutra and Buddhist Philosophy
The Yoga Sutra also has many similarities with Buddhist philosophy. Both teach us the path to calm our minds and freeing us from worldly desires, but there are differences in ultimate goals and approaches. In Buddhism, the goal is to Nirvana (nirvana) and teaches that focus on selflessness and the sky. Nirvana is a state of liberation from all suffering and means the disappearance of your personal ego.

On the other hand, Yoga Sutra places importance on Purusha (the true self) and aims to realize its existence. Purusha is the essence of the individual and the pure consciousness itself. Kaivalya refers to the state in which Purusha becomes completely independent from the material world and regains its original brilliance.
In addition, there is a similarity between Buddhism's Eightfold Path and Yoga Yama-Niyama. The Eightfold Path is the eight paths to destroy suffering, including right views, right thoughts, right words, right actions, right life, right effort, right thoughts, right meditation. These codes of conduct play an important role in encouraging compassion for others, self-discipline, and building inner peace.


However, each interpretation and purpose differ slightly depending on the cultural context. While Buddhism emphasizes the notion of selflessness and places emphasis on letting go of the attachment of the ego, Yoga Sutra emphasizes the perception of the true self and understands the essence of the individual. In this way, while sharing a common goal, the two pursue human spiritual growth from their own unique perspective within their respective philosophical frameworks.
Testimony from practitioners and their use in modern society
Many practitioners have testified to internal change through training based on the Yoga Sutra. In particular, it has been widely reported that its effects include relieving stress, improving concentration, and deepening self-awareness. For example, according to the experiences of one practitioner, through Ashtanga yoga, he felt a sense of unity between the mind and body, and was able to achieve a more stable mental state in his daily life.
The teachings of the Yoga Sutra are also applied to the leadership and education of modern organizations. The value of this is being re-evaluated through mindfulness programs that incorporate meditation and efforts to emphasize mental and physical health as part of work style reform. These programs not only reduce employee stress and increase productivity, but also promote a more collaborative and creative work environment.


Meditation and yoga practices have also been introduced in educational settings, helping students to improve focus, reduce stress and create a more peaceful learning environment. It is also expected that deepening self-awareness will help students to unlock their full potential and lay the foundation for a more fulfilling life.
summary
From its ancient times to the present day, Yoga Sutra continues to influence many people as a scripture that combines deep spirituality and practicality. Its philosophy and system of practice serves as a guide to promoting spiritual freedom, social harmony and ethical life, beyond mere personal growth.
By deep understanding of this scripture and incorporating it into your daily life, you will be able to gain wisdom to build a richer life. The Yoga Sutra is not merely a classic text, but continues to provide effective wisdom in modern society, and its teachings will be a compass for us to live a more peaceful and happier life. Meditation and yoga practices are powerful tools for deeper exploring the inner self, deepening true self-awareness, and are effective ways to deal with stress and anxiety in modern society.
The teachings of Yoga Sutras can not only promote self-growth, but also serve as the foundation for building a better society. Encouraging compassion for others and ethical action will pave the way for creating a more collaborative and harmonious society. This ancient wisdom will not lose its value in modern society and will continue to affect many people in the future.