136. Om, this damn odometer!!

The ancient scriptures, originating from over 2,000 years ago, continue to astound us with their timeless wisdom. These teachings, passed down from the source, offer guidance that remains relevant in today’s fast-paced, modern world. The depth of understanding they provide—particularly through texts like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras—reminds us of the eternal nature of human struggles and the pursuit of inner peace.

Currently, we are studying Sutra 1.30 (व्याधि स्त्यान संशय प्रमाद आलस्य अविरति भ्रान्ति दर्शन अलब्ध भूमिकत्व अनवस्थितत्वानि चित्त विक्षेपाः ते अन्तरायाः — vyādhi styāna saṁśaya pramāda ālasya avirati bhrānti darśana alabdha bhūmikatva anavasthitatvāni citta vikṣepāḥ te antarāyāḥ), but Jeff is pausing the progression to share a poignant and deeply personal example of how his own practices have supported him through a recent life challenge. This break allows us to reflect on how the teachings of yoga are not just theoretical but practical tools for navigating life’s ups and downs.

The example Jeff shares highlights how practice (अभ्यास — abhyāsa, or disciplined practice) takes many forms. Recently, he purchased a vehicle, only to later discover that he had been the victim of odometer fraud. The car, which he thought was worth $17,000, is now valued at only $2,000. This financial and emotional blow has weighed heavily on him, as one can imagine. He has found himself waking up in the middle of the night, teetering on the edge of panic attacks.

In response to this challenging situation, Jeff has turned to the mantra Om and journaling as his primary practices for calming the mind. He reflects on the power of the sacred syllable Om (तस्य वाचकः प्रणवः — tasya vācakaḥ praṇavaḥ), as discussed in Sutra 1.27. The following verse, Sutra 1.28 (तज्जपस्तदर्थभावनम् — taj japaḥ tadartha bhāvanam), reminds us to surrender to the vibrations of the universe and cultivate inner steadiness through the continuous repetition of the mantra and focus on its meaning. Through daily chanting and consistent journaling, Jeff has been able to manage the mental turmoil associated with this unresolved issue, using these ancient tools to bring clarity and peace to a difficult situation.