> > All the major commentaries define II.47 > > as the release of effort and tension > > once a posture is attained. Posture is > > the context for this sutra and includes > > Patanjali's discussion of meditation upon > > ananta (the endless) as another means to > > actualize the settled state of asana. > > cardemaister: > Well, we think it's possible that the result > of successful practice of TM could be called > 'anantasamaapatti'! > Apparently it was very important to Patanjali how to gain the effortless poise. According to Patanjali the best way to attain mental and physical poise is the state of samadhi. Hatha Yoga came much later in Indian history. So, Patanjali's 1.39 may have been totally misunderstood! Let's review what we know: I have two sources here at hand. The first, by Swami Satchidanada, who writes 'Or by meditating on anything that one chooses, which is elevating.' Swami goes on to say that one can choose anything to meditate on, just as you infer also. Johnston says: 'Or meditating on what is dearest to the heart.'
Maharishi Patanjali says (1.28) 'Let there be soundless repetition of the [pranava] and meditation thereon.' Y.S., Book 1 V. 28 So, in Y.S. 1.39 we can interpret that to mean that there should be soundless repetition of the bija mantra, i.e. meditation. You can look this up with Mullquist to verify what I am saying. Note: There is really only one 'Yoga', and it is concerned with mental activity, as Patanjali states: 'yogash chittavritti nirodha' which as you know means, 'Yoga is mental activity cessation.' or as Charles Johnston translates: 'Spiritual conciousness is gained through control of the versatile psychic nature.' Y.S., Book One V. 2. Read more: Subject: Re: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali From: Richard Williams Newsgroups: alt.meditation.transcendental Date: November 27, 2000 http://tinyurl.com/6ju553t
