The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali | Page 6

thirst for any mode of
psychical activity, through the establishment of the spiritual man.
In order to gain a true understanding of this teaching, study must be
supplemented by devoted practice, faith by works. The reading of the
words will not avail. There must be a real effort to stand as the Soul, a
real ceasing from self-indulgence. With this awakening of the spiritual
will, and purification, will come at once the growth of the spiritual man
and our awakening consciousness as the spiritual man; and this,
attained in even a small degree, will help us notably in our contest. To
him that hath, shall be given.
17. Meditation with an object follows these stages: first, exterior
examining, then interior judicial action, then joy, then realization of
individual being.

In the practice of meditation, a beginning may be made by fixing the
attention upon some external object, such as a sacred image or picture,
or a part of a book of devotion. In the second stage, one passes from the
outer object to an inner pondering upon its lessons. The third stage is
the inspiration, the heightening of the spiritual will, which results from
this pondering. The fourth stage is the realization of one's spiritual
being, as enkindled by this meditation.
18. After the exercise of the will has stilled the psychic activities,
meditation rests only on the fruit of former meditations.
In virtue of continued practice and effort, the need of an external object
on which to rest the meditation is outgrown. An interior state of
spiritual consciousness is reached, which is called "the cloud of things
knowable" (Book IV, 29).
19. Subjective consciousness arising from a natural cause is possessed
by those who have laid aside their bodies and been absorbed into
subjective nature.
Those who have died, entered the paradise between births, are in a
condition resembling meditation without an external object. But in the
fullness of time, the seeds of desire in them will spring up, and they
will be born again into this world.
20. For the others, there is spiritual consciousness, led up to by faith,
valour right mindfulness, one-pointedness, perception.
It is well to keep in mind these steps on the path to illumination: faith,
velour, right mindfulness, one-pointedness, perception. Not one can be
dispensed with; all must be won. First faith; and then from faith, velour;
from va lour, right mindfulness; from right mindfulness, a one-pointed
aspiration toward the soul; from this, perception; and finally, full vision
as the soul.
21. Spiritual consciousness is nearest to those of keen, intense will.
The image used is the swift impetus of the torrent; the kingdom must
be taken by force. Firm will comes only through effort; effort is
inspired by faith. The great secret is this: it is not enough to have
intuitions; we must act on them; we must live them.
22. The will may be weak, or of middle strength, or intense.
Therefore there is a spiritual consciousness higher than this. For those
of weak will, there is this counsel: to be faithful in obedience, to live
the life, and thus to strengthen the will to more perfect obedience. The

will is not ours, but God's, and we come into it only through obedience.
As we enter into the spirit of God, we are permitted to share the power
of God.
Higher than the three stages of the way is the goal, the end of the way.
23. Or spiritual consciousness may be gained by ardent service of the
Master.
If we think of our lives as tasks laid on us by the Master of Life, if we
look on all duties as parts of that Master's work, entrusted to us, and
forming our life-work; then, if we obey, promptly, loyally, sincerely,
we shall enter by degrees into the Master's life and share the Master's
power. Thus we shall be initiated into the spiritual will.
24. The Master is the spiritual man, who s free from hindrances,
bondage to works, and the fruition and seed of works.
The Soul of the Master, the Lord, is of the same nature as the soul in us;
but we still bear the burden of many evils, we are in bondage through
our former works, we are under the dominance of sorrow. The Soul of
the Master is free from sin and servitude and sorrow.
25. In the Master is the perfect seed of Omniscience.
The Soul of the Master is in essence one with the Oversoul, and
therefore partaker of the Oversoul's all-wisdom and all-power. All
spiritual attainment rests on this, and is possible because the soul and
the Oversoul are One.
26. He is the Teacher of all who have gone before, since he is not
limited by Time.
From the beginning, the Oversoul has been