Thoughts on Detachment from the Yoga Sutras

A book we often reference in our classes and use extensively in our teacher training program is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.  It is a 2500 year old text that very concisely describes the process of spiritual evolution.  It focuses on the inherent spiritual potentials that exist in every human being.  The original text is many short threads of thought woven together.  In the translations, the simple phrases are often expanded with commentary by the translators.

Here is an example of a sutra:  By approach and detachment, the movements still.  (Book 1, Sutra 12.  MSI Translation)

Detachment is often understood to mean that in order to live a spiritual life one must resist desire and live a life of renunciation.  In his commentary on this sutra MSI states that “...the path to freedom does not come from attempting to force down or restrain desires!  That only serves to strengthen them, for they build on the negative energy of suppression and take deeper hold of the mind.”

To westerners the MSI translation has appeal.  We live in a culture that is rich with opportunities for experience.  Knowing that you can pursue a spiritual path as a regular person, with a home, family, job, and yes, desires, might be just what we need to get us started on the path.  All of this isn’t to say that if the life of a spiritual renunciate appeals to you that you shouldn’t give it a try, because there are no guarantees - repression of desire, non-repression of desire, there is no cookie-cutter path that works for everyone.

So the question is, if you don’t need to detach forcibly from everything, what do you need to do?  The first step is really simple - prioritize your spiritual growth.  Then, with spiritual growth at the forefront of your intentions, start exploring.  Find something that fosters a connection with the divinity inside of you, anything that turns your gaze inward and allows you to feel/realize the space out of which everything comes.  If you’re into yoga sit down and do some yoga, tune in to your breathing.  There are a billion and one other options, walk outside, garden, dance, martial arts, cooking - anything you do that helps you grow in a positive way can become a vehicle for spiritual growth.  Whatever you do, do it with intention, keeping your spiritual growth as the motivation and priority.               
-Shannon

The The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali have been translated many, many times.  One of the most useful for modern western readers is the MSI translation, “Enlightnement:  Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” that we reference here.  Two other nice options are “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali”, by Satchitananda and “The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali: A New Translation with Commentary” by Chip Hartranft.