206. Svādhyāya. Ah, self-study and reflection ...
My Daily Thread draws inspiration from Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, using them as a foundation for deeper exploration. While rooted in these ancient teachings, we also find parallels in modern thought. Yesterday, we referred to James Clear’s insights from Atomic Habits and Dr. Rangan Chatterjee’s approach in Make Change That Lasts. Their ideas on behaviour change and habit formation align closely with Yoga Sūtra 2:1 and the principles of Kriyā Yoga—the yoga of action.
These concepts are fundamental to all aspects of practice. Kriyā Yoga consists of three key elements:
Tapas – self-discipline and the effort required for transformation
Svādhyāya – self-study and reflection
Īśvara-praṇidhāna – surrender to a higher power or the unfolding of life
Today, we focus on Svādhyāya, which means self-study. This can be understood in two ways: the study of sacred texts that offer wisdom and guidance and the introspective practice of observing our own thoughts, behaviours, and patterns. Through Svādhyāya, we begin to recognize the unconscious habits and beliefs that shape our lives.
As we deepen our understanding, we start to see how these concepts—tapas, svādhyāya, and īśvara-praṇidhāna—are not separate but interconnected. Self-discipline (tapas) fuels self-study (svādhyāya), and the insights gained from self-study help us surrender (īśvara-praṇidhāna) to a greater wisdom.
Through practice, these ideas merge into a lived experience, guiding us toward transformation on and off the mat.
