More on Perceptions from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

In the last blog I wrote on perceptions, I noted how easy it can be for humans to misinterpret things. 
Our state of mind, the fluctuations of the mind, plays a large part in how correct we are in our perceptions or how far off we are in them.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutra discusses the importance of stilling the fluctuations of the mind to help gain right perception.  The translation of the sutra is from B.K.S. Iyengar's book, Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.


Y.S. 1.5 vrttayah pancatayyah klista aklistah
The movements of consciousness are fivefold.  They may be cognizable, non-cognizable, painful or non-painful.

Mr.Iyengar explains that pain can sometimes be hidden in the non-painful state and the non-painful may be hidden in the painful state.


Y.S. 1.6 pramana viparyaya vikalpa nidra smrtayah

They are caused by correct knowledge, illusion, delusion, sleep and memory.

So, the fivefold modifications of consciousness are based either on real perception, or correct knowledge that is based on fact and proof; or on unreal or perverse perception; or illusion, which can be fanciful or imaginary knowledge; knowledge based on sleep, and memory.
These five fluctuating states can either disturb or help a sadhaka (yoga practitioner) to attain emancipation.

This will depend on right or wrong perceptions.

According to Mr.Iyengar in Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali he says,

 "wrong perceptions (viparyaya) are gathered by the senses of perception and influence the mind to accept what is felt by them.  Fanciful knowledge (vikalpa) causes the mind to live in an imaginary state without consideration of the facts.  Memory (smrti) helps one to recollect experiences for right understanding and sleep (nidra) exists in space without a place, and is filled with dormancy."

Correct knowledge (pramana) though is direct knowledge from the core of the being. Direct knowledge leads one beyond the conscious state.

Y.S. 1.7 pratyaksa anumana agamah pramanani
Correct knowledge is direct, inferred or proven as factual.

Mr. Iyengar writes that correct knowledge is based on three kinds of proof: direct perception, correct inference or deduction, and testimony from authoritative sacred scriptures or experienced persons.

At first, we need to check our logic and reasoning to ensure that it is correct.  To do this we need to awaken our intelligence. 
According to B.K.S. Iyengar,

"The practice of asana brings intelligence to the surface of the cellular body through stretching and to the physiological body by maintaining the pose.  Once awakened, intelligence can reveal its dynamic aspect, its ability to discriminate.  When what is wrong is discarded, what is left must be correct."

Y.S. 1.8 viparyayah mithyajnanam atadrupa pratistham
Illusory or erroneous knowledge is based on non-fact or the non-real.

Y.S. 1.9 sabdajnana anupati vastusunyah vikalpah
Verbal knowledge devoid of substance is fancy or imagination.

Y.S. 1.10 abhava pratyaya alambana vrttih nidra
Sleep is the non-deliberate absence of thought-waves or knowledge.

Y.S. 1.11 anubhuta visaya asampramosah smrtih
Memory is the unmodified recollection of words and experiences.


This is just a very quick look at how our own perceptions can be tainted and turned into mis-perceptions.
To change this - yoga helps us to live in the present moment.  The more present we truly are, the more correct our perceptions will be.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com