Swamiji- “Some who have attained higher levels (videhas) or know unmanifest nature (prakritilayas), are drawn into birth in this world by their remaining latent impressions of ignorance, and more naturally come to these states of samadhi.”
Iyengar- “In this state, one may experience bodilessness, or become merged in nature. This may lead to isolation or to a state of loneliness”
This sutra speaks of those who have progressed along the path far enough to become bodiless, but not far enough to be completely merged with Samadhi. They still have a few latent samskaras left have returned to this world, in a form of an element or an angel. They must be careful to make sure to continue on not be tricked into thinking that they are in Samadhi. This does not happen to most people, most are reborn as human.
1.20 shraddha virya smriti samadhi prajna purvakah itaresham
Swamiji- “Others follow a five-fold systematic path of 1) faithful certainty in the path, 2) directing energy towards the practices, 3) repeated memory of the path and the process of stilling the mind, 4) training in deep concentration, and 5) the pursuit of real knowledge, by which the higher samadhi (asamprajnata samadhi) is attained.”
Iyengar- “practice must be pursued with trust, confidence, vigor, keen memory and power of absorption to break this spiritual complacency”
Swamji and Iyengar approach this sutra very differently, Iyengar chose to tell the story of a man who had reached this level of Samadhi and gotten stuck only to take three lifetimes to return to his sadhana and progress.
Swamiji chooses instead to outline 5 attitudes and experiences which help along the path
1- shraddha – a belief that you are moving in the right direction. This belief is in yourself and not outside sources such as a guru or institution.
2- virya – inner conviction for your path, what helps you when you are low to continue
3- smriti - “constant mindfulness of treading the path”
4- Samadhi – being aware of and willingness to proceed the different stages of Samadhi
5- prajna – higher wisdom cultivated through the use of the “razor-sharp tool of Samadhi”
1.21 tivra samvega asannah
Swamiji- “Those who pursue their practices with intensity of feeling, vigour, and firm conviction achieve concentration and the fruits thereof more quickly, compared to those of medium or lesser intensity.”
Iyengar- “the goal is near for those who are supremely vigorous and intense in practice”
It is true that the yogini who has both time and conviction will progress faster than others. However, swamji points out that its preferable to have little time but much conviction than to have lots of time but little conviction. I hope this to be my saving grace….. J
1.22 mridu madhya adhimatra tatah api visheshah
Swamiji- For those with intense practices and intense conviction (1.21), there are three more subdivisions of practice, those of mild intensity, medium intensity, and intense intensity.
Iyengar- “There are differences between those who are mild, average and keen in their convictions”
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