Now, begins Yoga….

Thus, begins the yoga sutras of Patanjali.

Yoga, the word derived from the word yuj, means to yoke, to connect. to link; it implies that it’s the
beginning of a process that connects; a process that creates a link – The process that connects and links
three aspects of one’s being.

YOGA IS A TOOL, A STRATEGY, A SKILL

THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO ACHIEVE
CONSCIOUSLY ESTABLISHED GOALS

• Body (that we can sense and differentiate from the environment, with the help of sense organs)
• Mind (that with which we can experience the body)
• Breath (that which links the above two)

This means that there is nothing to imagine or mystical about yoga.

Yoga begins when we sense, perceive and experience – accurately.

The word yoga also means – Yukthi.. a strategy.

It implies that Yoga is a TOOL and STRATEGY to apply.

What is a tool?

I need to open a lock I use a key. Key is a tool that works on the lock to unlock or lock it – as I need it.
I need to go a place. I choose a vehicle depending on how soon I want to go and how much energy
(money) I have in store with me to achieve my goal. Vehicle is thus a tool to help me get what I want.

When we say yoga works on the body, mind and energy and also call yoga as a tool, it means that I apply
the tool to get what I want from my body, mind and energy. The better I learn to apply the tool my
body, mind and energy with respond to my needs appropriately.

So yoga is thus an INVISIBLE, SUBTLE TOOL that has to be applied on the body, body, mind and energy.
Today I am so identified with these three aspects, that to an extent I feel that I applying the tool on
myself. That’s is why there is so much resistance initially.

Yoga thus is not just to connect, but a strategy to connect all the three aspects of my being consciously.

This also means that, I have to apply the tool strategically to strategically connect three aspects of my
being and be with ease in the process.

Sri Krishna states – yoga is skill in action.

So Now begins yoga implies…now learn the ‘how of action’.

YOGA IS SKILL IN ACTION

NOW BEGINS YOGA THUS

IMPLIES

NOW LEARN THE ‘HOW OF

ACTION”

I come to yoga, (or any sought of seeking happens) as deep inside I feel that I haven’t got what I wanted
from whatever I have got so far. If I haven’t got what I really wanted from what I have worked and got
so far then it implies deep inside I have a longing to experience more pleasantness and not the current
level of pleasantness is not as abundant as I want it.

It implies that I am currently experiencing dukham. Could be little dukham but it is dukham.

So YOGA thus teaches us how to live experientially. Experientially means that by doing I experience a
change. By doing I experience the experience of doing. Since it’s a tool that I am applying on myself, my
mind, my body and my energy the tool leaves me changed.

Yoga thus could be the beginning of the process, the process and end; the end again is a beginning of a
next process.

Yoga thus is a progressive approach to attain the highest one aspires for.

In the process of learning to live how to existence is made of healing happens – physical diseases, career
challenges, relationship challenges etc get resolved as I am now more present to see and deal with what
happens around me appropriately.