These sutras speak of the obstacles that the student can expect to encounter. Patanjali lists so that the seeker will be less likely to blame herself when they happen and think her situation unusual. The 9 obstacles are as follows
Illness Negligence Laziness Dullness Misperceptions Doubt
Failure Cravings Instablilty
These obstacles cause particular circumstances such as mental or physical pain, anxiety, breath irregularities or depression. When these are observed however one must see them as the symptom of a deeper problem of one of the above obstacles. The cure for these problems along the path is to recognize them and focus on one-pointedness, ekagara, to find your practice again. This not a focus which is avoidance of the problem, but a concentration on practice and awareness of the rest of your life, mindfulness of obstacles and how to over come them.
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