At the Yoga Palace, we often draw inspiration from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a tiny ancient manuscript that’s inspired at least 2500 years worth of reflection and practice from Yogis, mystics, philosophers and academics alike.
Patanjali defines Yoga as the “Stilling of the patterns of consciousness,” the art and science of gaining control of the mind so that its distractions no longer prevent us from seeing things the way they really are. For more about this definition of Yoga, you may like to read this article on the meaning of Yoga according to Patanjali.
For anybody who has attempted meditation or simply living mindfully, it is obvious to see that stilling the mind is no easy feat. When the Buddha sat under a tree for 40 days and gained victory over the mind, it was described as him being assaulted and tempted by the god of Hell and his entire legion of demons! Those who follow the path of Patanjali have a similar battle to face. Although the metaphor of a battle is only partly valid – it requires skill, consistency and a very subtle type of effort rather than force. If in meditation, you try to fight with your mind, this will create even more mental fluctuations – exactly what you are trying to avoid! Instead a very subtle skill must be honed, the ability to let go of whatever distraction is present and return to the object of meditation.
Even if we spend a great deal of time in meditation, it doesn’t afford us the luxury of escaping from the ups and downs of daily life. And, unless you are a monk, you are going to be spending much more time in the so-called real world than in meditation. So, this is often where the most important spiritual work must be done: learning to cultivate an attitude of non-reaction.
Meditation (or other mindful practices) is one pillar of the inward journey, and learning how to deal with daily life is the other. In his usual paradoxical and reality-bending way, Patanjali describes these aspects as two opposite but interconnected tools to aid the aspirant on the journey towards mental stillness. In the Yoga Sutra, they are known as practice (abhyasa) and non-reaction (vairagya).
Practice & Non-Reaction in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (Chip Hartranft’s Translation)
1.12 Both practice [abhyasa] and nonreaction [vairagya] are required to still the patterning of consciousness.
Here Patanjali is making it clear that both practice and nonreaction are essential. If you practice meditation all day long, but are still stirred up by daily life, then the mind cannot be stilled. Likewise, if you cultivate a sense of detachment in daily life, but you cannot keep your mind still in meditative absorption, the mental stilling process is impossible.
1.13 Practice [abhyasa] is the sustained effort to rest in that stillness.
The mind has a practically infinite amount of available distractions: you may feel discomfort, restlessness, random thoughts, memories, desires, or doubts about the practice… like Buddha facing the army of demons, there are many forces that would have your mind wander. So, sustained effort is needed. Making an effort to rest may sound paradoxical, but this is very typical of Patanjali’s style and is designed to make you think. What kind of effort leads to rest? It is a very subtle effort that doesn’t create more ripples of consciousness and it takes time to master.
1.14 This practice becomes firmly rooted when it is cultivated skillfully and continuously for a long time.
When the practice is firmly rooted, meditation will no longer seem like a struggle. But, to get to this stage the subtle skill must be honed with a great deal of practice.
1.15 As for nonreaction [vairagya], one can recognize that it has been fully achieved when no attachment arises in regard to anything at all, whether perceived directly or learned.
Now Patanjali describes non-reaction, the other essential pillar of the stilling process. He immediately gives us the final goal of the practice: to be undisturbed by anything that happens: including events you experience or past memories. This may seem like a very lofty goal, but remember the ultimate purpose of Yoga is complete freedom from the shackles of physical existence.
1.16 When the ultimate level of nonreaction [vairagya] has been reached, pure awareness can clearly see itself as independent from the fundamental qualities of nature.
Only when the mind cannot be disturbed can we see its true nature. Here Patanjali addresses the central problem of human existence: that we mistake our everyday world for pure awareness. You may have heard it said that you are not your mind and body… if so, then what are you? According to sages like Patanjali, your true nature is pure awareness, but somehow the ego hijacks this and you find yourself in the limited state of “I” consciousness. The way out of this predicament is to recognise that the subjective sense of awareness itself, the real “I” is completely separate from the sensations and thoughts that mistakenly appear to belong to you.
This subject would require another article, but basically he is saying that we do not see things how they are. We think our experiences are reality, but they are just like waves in the sea of pure awareness. Or rather, you think you are the wave when you are really the entire ocean.
Practice & Non-Reaction Work Together
Practice (abhyasa) and non-reaction (vairagya) complement each other like yin and yang on the yogic path. When you meditate, abhyasa manifests as the disciplined effort to catch your wandering mind and gently return it to your chosen focus. This continuous returning—whether to the breath, a mantra, or a visualization—strengthens your mental control through consistent practice. This same principle of abhyasa extends to disciplined asana sessions, regular pranayama, conscientious application of ethical principles, and study of sacred texts.
Non-reaction (vairagya)—the yin aspect—is the process of learning to maintain equanimity during life’s disruptions, observing and releasing difficult emotions without reaction. This subtle skill allows you to witness experiences without becoming entangled in them.
These complementary forces work like the two wings of a bird—both need to be equally balanced if you don’t want to fly in circles! With sustained practice, your mind becomes more controlled and less reactive. With deepened non-reaction, your meditation naturally improves as your inner landscape grows calmer. Together, abhyasa and vairagya create the foundation for genuine transformation on the yogic path.
Philosophy Workshops at The Yoga Palace, Cambodia
At the Yoga Palace in Kampot, Cambodia we offer workshops on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as well as other texts from a variety of spiritual tradition. We believe that, while ancient, these teachings are relevant to daily life – perhaps more so than ever in the age of endless digital over-stimulation. Our mission is to bring the healing power of Yoga to as many people as possible, while also supporting the local owner of our center and bringing increased tourism into the country. Cambodia, known has the kingdom of wonder, has a rich ancient history, being home to one of the biggest Hindu empires that ever existed. It is the perfect place to learn how to embody the teachings of the ancient eastern sages!