Yoga Sutra I-36

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viśokā vā jyotis ̣matī      

"Meditation on the Light Beyond Sorrow Brings Clarity to the Mind"

This Sutra, from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Book One (Samādhipādaḥ), lists one possible method for obtaining clarity of the mind.

viśokā = beyond sorrow
jyotis ̣ = light
matī = to be full of or radiate

The light mentioned here is the divine light that dispels all darkness. In this light there is no suffering. Reflection and meditation upon the nature of and the source of this light is a way to still the mind and end suffering.

There are many ways to understand the light mentioned here. Traditionally, the connection to this light is through the crown chakra at the top of the head. All ancient religions connected light to the divine and used the sun as a major representation of god. Light is fascinating in its nature because we do not see light, but rather it is because of light that we see. Light is also an image of consciousness. It is a non-sectarian reference to something beyond ourselves.

As an astronomer by training, Tammy uses this sutra to explore the relationship between the modern science of astronomy and the ancient traditions of the study of the mind presented in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. How can the study of light, as we know it today, be used as a spiritual guide?

This particular interpretation is based upon a discussion of the sutras with Gary Kraftsow during the July 2005 AVI Teacher Training with the permission of AVI..