Sutra 41
When the body is cleansed, the mind purified and the senses controlled, joyful awareness need to realize the inner self, also comes.
The Bible agrees that we should keep our bodies, mind, and senses pure and under control. However, Patanjali explains the inner self as god-like. As Christians we are not seeking self, we are seeking clarity and understanding of God. To look at self is not our objective, but rather to look and seek the Holy Spirit and be a holy servant. We do need to cultivate self-awareness in order to not give into our sinful nature and to abide my Gods commandments. However, God is separate from us, his gift of the Holy Spirit within each of us is just that a gift. Our bodies are a temple for God to interact with his people as we interact with love and compassion with one another.
With this sutra in mind read Romans 12 1-13
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do does not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3For by the grace was given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many forms one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
In this sutra, there are two aspects. First, we are to be self-controlled and pure of mind, body, and senses. The Bible agrees and urges this point. We are told to act joyful and be cheerful. When we are incorrect action, being pure of heart, God blesses us with his strength and joy. But the only reason we should seek ourselves is to know our own failures and control our sinful desires in nature. When we have cultivated enough self-awareness to recognize and repent our sin then we know ourselves, and it is ugly. At that point, we should seek to know God with all our will so we might understand the gifts he has given us. The big difference is we are seeking inner awareness to know God, connecting through his word (the Bible) and contemplative focus through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So in this sutra, the Bible both agrees and disagrees.
