105.Atheist, agnostic or recovering Mennonite boy.

Welcome back, everyone! Today's episode might feel like stepping into a new world—like you, Alice, realizing you're no longer in Kansas. We're diving into the concept of "Ishwara," or God, which can be a prickly subject for some. We understand if this topic makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck. But hang with us—don't give up on the podcast just yet!

Jeff brings us back to Patanjali's teachings, emphasizing that the mind is constantly crafting stories. According to Patanjali, the way out of these mental narratives is through practice (abyasa) and non-attachment (vairagya). Remember, "vairagya" begins with "vi," meaning colourless, symbolizing freedom from the colourful distractions that cloud our minds. This path of practice and non-attachment is one way to achieve the goal of yoga, but as we discussed yesterday, there's also Ishwara Pranidhana—surrender to Ishwara.

For those of you who are atheists, agnostics, or like Jeff, a recovering Mennonite boy, encountering the idea of surrendering to God might stir up some mental fluctuations or citta vrittis. Jeff's friend Martin, for instance, places his faith in self-reliance, which is a powerful approach. But it does lead to a critical question: where do you turn when your self-confidence and beliefs are shaken or challenged?

As we wrap up, we leave you with this question to ponder over the weekend. It's a thought-provoking inquiry that aligns with our ongoing exploration of the Yoga Sutras, offering practical and spiritual paths to consider on your journey.