172. Mother Teresa, light us up!

In our exploration of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, we continue to find timeless wisdom that guides us toward inner stability and peace. Let’s review some recent verses before delving into Sutra 1:36.

1:33 reminds us of the power of cultivating maitrī (friendliness), karuṇā (compassion), muditā (joy), and upekṣā (equanimity). These practices transform our relationships and help purify the mind.

1:34 emphasizes the connection between the breath and the mind, teaching us how the regulation of breath can stabilize and clear mental disturbances.

1:35 introduces the cryptic notion of sensory perception as a means to steady the mind. While some interpret this as referring to extraordinary sensory experiences, Jeff offers a more grounded perspective rooted in the mindfulness of Vipassana meditation, particularly the profound method taught by S.N. Goenka. Observing subtle bodily sensations, as in Vipassana, can lead to remarkable clarity and stability of the mind, as Jeff recounts from his own transformative experience.

Now we arrive at 1:36, expressed in Sanskrit:
विशोका वा ज्योतिष्मती।
Viśokā vā jyotiṣmatī.
This translates to: “Or by concentrating on the supreme, blissful light within, the mind becomes stable and free from sorrow.”

Swami Satchidananda interprets this as turning the mind inward to focus on the inner radiance or divine light, which is inherently free from sorrow and disturbance. This cryptic sutra invites diverse interpretations, allowing practitioners to approach it in ways that resonate personally.

Jeff offers his perspective through a story from his first trip to India and his encounter with Mother Teresa. Her ability to embody selfless service and unwavering inner peace amidst the suffering she witnessed offers a living example of accessing this “light within.” Her presence itself seemed to radiate the blissful stability that Patanjali describes.

Through these sutras, we are reminded of the myriad paths to inner stability, whether through relationships, breathwork, sensory awareness, or focusing on the light of divine bliss. The journey is deeply personal, yet the goal is universal: a stable, serene, and sorrow-free mind