virama pratyaya abhyasa purvah samskara seso nyah
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.18
vrama = cessation
pratyaya = cause
abhyasa = practice
purvah= past
samskara = impressions
seso= remain
nyah = other
I drew some foot prints to represent the remaining past impressions.
tivra samveganam asannah
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.21
tivra = vigorous
samvaganam = enthusiasm, passion
asannah = brings nearer
This one seems to say that if there is vigorous enthusiasm then you will get nearer to illumination. The fire is to represent vigorous enthusiasm and the people (and dog) around the fire are illuminated by it.
sraddha virya smrti samadhi prajna purvaka itaresam
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.20
sraddha = faith
virya = vigour
smrti = memory
samadhi = contemplation
prajna = wisdom
purvakah = precedes
itaresam = for the others
Did a slightly abstract drawing, where I tried to include aspects of faith, vigour, memory, contemplation and wisdom.
bhava pratyayo videha prakrti layanam
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.19
bhava = birth
pratyayo = cause, seed
videha = bodiless beings
prakrti layanam = merged with nature
I drew a picture of mount Fuji to represent the feeling when you see something beautiful and it takes your breathe away and you disappear for a moment and only the beautiful view exists – maybe that’s touching the edge of merging with nature.
vitarka vicara ananda asmita rupa anugamat samprajnatah
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.17
vitarka = reasoning
vicara = reflecting
ananda = bliss
asmita = oneness
rupa = form
anugamat = happens
samprajnatah = [samadhi] with consciousness
I drew a flower to represent the kind of consciousness described in this sutra.
tat param purusa khyateh guna vaitrsnyam
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.16
tat = that
param = supreme
purusa = clear consciousness
khyateh = realization
guna = the three qualities
vaitrsnyam = free from desire
For this one I thought it would be a kind of freedom so I drew a picture to try and represent that 🙂
drsta anushravita visaya vitrshnasya vasikara samjna vairagyam
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.15
drsta = seen
anushravita = heard
visaya = objects
vitrshnasya = who has control over desires
vasikara = mastery
samjna = consciousness
vairagyam = aligning with what is
I feel that this isn’t just about asceticism and renouncing things we want, and could also be something we naturally grow into or already are without realising it. Similar to the unconditional love that a parent has for a child that is just giving, doesn’t need anything in return and just flows out without any effort.
Before recycling cardboard boxes, why not make a house or something else from them first?
If you have smaller ones, could make cars or a train or boats. If you have long thin ones, could make a slide for kids or toy cars, strengthened with cushions underneath.
sa tu dirgha kala nairantarya satkara sevito drdha bhumih
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.14
sa = this
tu = and
dirgha = long
kala = time
nairantarya = continuous
satkara = earnestness
asevito = well attended to
drdha = firm
bhumih = ground
I drew the tree roots to represent firm grounded-ness and the people are doing a balance pose, to represent continued earnest practice.
tatra sthitau yatnobhyasa
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.13
तत्र स्थितौ यत्नोऽभ्यासः
tatra = there
sthitau = situate, settle
yatna = effort
abhyasa = practice, repetition
This is much easier said than done!
As well as yoga and exercise, I find drawing seems to help..
What helps you settle your thoughts?
abhyasa vairagya abhyam tan nirodah
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.12
abhyasa = practice, repetition
vairagya = aligning with what is
abhyam = together
tan = they
nirodah = supress, restrain
This could be interpreted in so many ways.
I quite like the idea that it means take repeated action towards what you think you want, but without attachment to the result of the action. While trusting that even if it doesn’t work out the way you hoped, it somehow brought you closer to what you ultimately want.
I made these with my son Dan in lockdown and some of them are still alive and healthy!
To make some terrariums you will need:
Put in the sand or gravel first if you them, then the earth, then moss and decorate with pebbles and twigs if you like. Spray or sprinkle some water over the moss and put the lid on the jar. Put the terrariums somewhere you can enjoy them!
To care for the terrarium, occasionally open the jar and add fresh water if needed.
Grace Kishino 