114. Ignorance, my mental affliction.

In our exploration of Yoga Sutra 1:24, we turn to Christopher Isherwood and Swami Prabhavananda's book How to Know God for a deeper understanding of this verse. According to their interpretation, Ishwara is not influenced by the ignorance that typically clouds human perception. This distinction sets Ishwara apart as a pure, untainted consciousness unaffected by the afflictions that bind us, such as egoism and desire.

One of the critical insights from Isherwood and Prabhavananda's text is the notion that 'devotion to a personal ideal of God brings with it a natural inclination to humility and service.' This devotion, in stark contrast to the 'dryness of intellectual discrimination,' provides a guiding light. Intellectual discrimination can often become sterile and detached, but devotion invites the highest form of love, a love that transcends selfish desires and fosters a deep sense of connection and reverence. This kind of devotion sweetens the spiritual path, adding warmth and depth to our practice.

This perspective is particularly relevant when considering the kleshas, or mental afflictions that Patanjali outlines in the sutras. Ignorance (avidya) is identified as the root of all other kleshas, leading to egoism, craving for pleasure, and avoidance of pain. When we act from a place of ignorance, our actions are often driven by the strength of the ego, seeking to assert itself and fulfill its desires. This ego-driven behaviour is precisely what we aim to transcend in yoga.

To align ourselves more closely with the teachings of Patanjali, we must strive to act not from ego, but from a place of humility and service. This shift is not just a change in behavior, but a powerful tool in dispelling ignorance, which is the source of our misguided actions. By actively cultivating humility and focusing on serving others, we can empower ourselves to move away from the self-centred impulses of the ego and towards a more selfless, spiritually aligned way of being. This is the true essence of surrender to Ishwara—letting go of ego and ignorance and embracing a path of devotion, humility, and love.