Yoga Sutra 40

Sutra 40 Cleanliness of body, mind developed disinterest in contact with others of self-gratification. Cleanliness (purity) of spirit and faith in Jesus Christ are much more important than taking a shower when it comes to being a servant of God. Iyengar says “Purity and cleanliness protect the body and make it a fit home for…

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Yoga Sutra 39

Sutra 39 Knowledge of past and future lives unfolds when one is free from greed and possessions. Thou shall not covet. The tenth commandment. As Christians, many believe that there is only one life here on earth. We have one life to live and serve God and then we are in waiting until he comes…

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Yoga Sutra 38

Sutra 38 When the sadhaka is firmly established incontinence, knowledge, vigor, valor and energy flow to him. Sexual morality varies from culture to culture and age to age. Even in the Bible, there are accounts of men having multiple wives, and widowed wives then being married to the husband’s brother. Then after Jesus came things…

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Yoga Sutra 37

Sutra 37   When absence from stealing is firmly established precious jewels come. The Bible says it very clearly in the Ten Commandments Thou shall not steal. Matthew 19 18-30 Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU…

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Yoga Sutra 36

Sutra 36 When the sadhake (the yogi) is firmly established in the practice of truth, his words become so potent that what he says comes to realization. Iyengar gives this example “for instance if we say ‘I’ll never eat chocolate again, as long as one cell of our body holds back and disagrees with the…

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Yoga Sutra 34

Sutra 34 Uncertain knowledge, giving rise to violence, whether done directly or indirectly or condoned, is caused by greed, anger or delusion in mind, moderate or intense degree. It results in endless pain and ignorance. Through introspection comes the end of pain and ignorance. In the Old Testament, there are examples from Isaiah and Job…

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Yoga Sutra 33

Sutra 33 Principles which run contrary to yama and niyama are to be countered with the knowledge of discrimination. This sutra is saying that if someone is feeling anger, then he/she should cultivate joy instead. If someone is violent then they should cultivate non-violence. Going against one’s natural tendencies in order to do what is…

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Yoga Sutra 32 the Niyamas

Sutra 32 Cleanliness, contentment, religious zeal, self-study, and surrender of the self to the supreme Self or God are the niyamas. Yamas are seen as the universal social practices; niyamas are individual practice. Cleanliness: In the Bible cleanliness has a lot of meanings, before Jesus to be unclean meant much more than to be dirty.…

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Yoga Sutra 35

Sutra 35 When nonviolence in speech, thought and action is established, one’s aggressive nature is relinquished and others abandon hostility in one’s presence. Have you ever tried to fight with someone who will not fight back? Unfortunately, I have been on both sides of this equation and being at peace does help defuse a heated…

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Yoga Sutra 29- 31 Yama’s

Sutra 29 Moral injunctions (yama) fixed observances (niyama), posture (asana) regulation of breath (pranayama), internalization of senses towards their source (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and absorption of consciousness in the self (samashi) are the eight constituents of yoga. This speaks only of yoga. These are the 8 limbs or constituents of yoga. The Bible…

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