नमस्ते | namaste

yama niyama āsana prāṇāyāma pratyāhāra dhāraṇā dhyāna samādhayo'ṣṭāvaṅgāni

'Self-control, discipline, posture, breath, interiorisation, concentration, meditation and absorption are the eight pillars of enlightenment.' (YS 2.29)

Inofensiveness, authenticity, honesty, moderation and non-attachment constitute self-control. Upon establishing oneself (as in "great vows") in (1) ahiṁsā, inofensiveness, all hostilities cease; (2) satya, authenticity, power over reality manifests; (3) asteya, honesty, all riches are gained; (4) brahmacharya, moderation, full vigour is acquired; and (5) aparigrahā, non-attachment, the knowledge of one's own cause arises.

Purity, contentment, effort, self-study and surrender constitute discipline. Through (the repetition of) (1) śaucha, purity, comes detachment from the material, joy, the capacity for concentration and the knowledge of one's own nature; (2) saṁtoṣa, contentment, brings supreme happiness; (3) tapaḥ, effort, destroys impurities and builds the perfection of the body and the senses; (4) svādhyāya, self-study, leads to the higher source of understanding; and (5) iśvara praṇidhānā, surrender, to supraconsciousness.

Stable and comfortable is the posture, where without effort, the infinite being within is reached. From then on, dualities cease to disturb.

The next step is to calm the flow of the life-force, which removes the veil from the inner light and renders the mind fit for concentration.

To withdraw the senses and turn them inwards, towards the seer, results in their absolute control.

Concentration is binding the mind to a single point or object.

Flowing consciousness is meditation.

When subject and object become one and identity is lost, that is absorption (or supraconsciousness).