210. Panhandling for wisdom.
Sometimes, wisdom doesn’t just arrive effortlessly—we have to panhandle for it, searching for insights in ancient texts, personal experiences, and even unexpected places. Yoga Sūtra 2:1 reminds us that Kriyā Yoga, the yoga of action, offers a structured way to cultivate wisdom through tapas (discipline), svādhyāya (self-study), and Īśvara praṇidhāna (surrender). Swami Satchidānanda’s commentary expands on tapas, breaking it into three essential aspects: physical, verbal, and mental discipline. Each practice helps refine our awareness and create clarity of mind, body, and spirit.
Satchidānanda references Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gītā, where Krishna speaks about tapas—not as blind austerity but as a tool for transformation. Having explored physical tapas, today we turn to verbal and mental discipline.
Verbal tapas requires mindfulness in speech. Krishna teaches that our words should be:
Truthful (satya)—aligned with reality and spoken with integrity.
Beneficial (hitam)—spoken with kindness and a sense of purpose.
Peaceful (priyam)—cultivating harmony rather than harm.
This can be more challenging than it seems. Jeff jokes about how he often finds himself finishing others' sentences—a habit many of us share. Sometimes, we talk just to fill space or assert ourselves, rather than truly listening. The old saying reminds us that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Practicing verbal tapas means not just speaking consciously but also listening with presence and patience.
Krishna also describes mental tapas, which involves cultivating serenity of mind, goodwill toward others, self-control, and purity of nature. Maintaining clarity and calmness is a profound discipline in a world filled with distractions and mental clutter. The ability to self-reflect—to examine our thoughts, reactions, and patterns—is itself a form of mental tapas. This ties directly back to Kriyā Yoga, as described by Patañjali.
So, where can you bring more awareness to your words today? Can you practice pausing before speaking, ensuring your words contribute to peace, truth, and benefit? And mentally, are you cultivating a mindset of clarity and kindness? These small but powerful shifts in awareness help us refine our practice and deepen our connection to the yogic path.
