After introducing the restless patterns of the mind in Sutra 1.2 (yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ – yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind), Patanjali gives us a glimpse of what lies beyond. When the mind quiets, we are no longer entangled in thoughts, stories, or distractions. We return to what has always been there: the ("Big S") Self — pure awareness, clarity, peace.
We spend much of our lives identifying with our thoughts: “I am stressed. I am happy. I am not good enough. I am strong.” In truth, these are passing experiences, not who we are. Sutra 1.3 invites us to remember that beneath every emotion and circumstance, there is a steady center — the draṣṭuḥ, the witness within.
When you sit in meditation or take a mindful breath, you may glimpse that spacious awareness. It is not dramatic or flashy. It is a quiet, steady presence. This is the gift of yoga: a pathway back to ourselves.
Bringing Sutra 1.3 into daily life
Sutra 1.3 is a reminder that yoga is not about becoming something new. It is about peeling back the layers until we rest in the truth of what we already are: radiant, whole, and free.
We spend much of our lives identifying with our thoughts: “I am stressed. I am happy. I am not good enough. I am strong.” In truth, these are passing experiences, not who we are. Sutra 1.3 invites us to remember that beneath every emotion and circumstance, there is a steady center — the draṣṭuḥ, the witness within.
When you sit in meditation or take a mindful breath, you may glimpse that spacious awareness. It is not dramatic or flashy. It is a quiet, steady presence. This is the gift of yoga: a pathway back to ourselves.
Bringing Sutra 1.3 into daily life
- On the mat: Notice the difference between doing a pose and witnessing yourself being in it. Can you feel both effort and awareness?
- In breathwork: Try pausing after a deep exhale and simply rest in the awareness that remains.
- In daily life: When emotions run high, gently ask: Who is the one noticing this emotion?
Sutra 1.3 is a reminder that yoga is not about becoming something new. It is about peeling back the layers until we rest in the truth of what we already are: radiant, whole, and free.
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