This episode focuses on the idea of liberation in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra (Patanjala-yoga-shastra). We touch a little on how Patanjali's system inherits key aspects from the Upanishads, and then focus on the first four sutras of chapter one, which constitute what is known as the classical definition of yoga. From these foundational sutras, it is possible to get a solid sense of how Patanjali frames a simple definition of Yoga, the nature of the problem of ignorance that Yoga intends to address, and the nature of the liberated state. Crucially, the discussion lends nuance - in a surprising way - to the common notion that Yoga - as "union" - is the desired end of our practices.
All content for Lost Ways of Knowing is the property of Matthew Krepps, Circle Yoga Shala and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
This episode focuses on the idea of liberation in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra (Patanjala-yoga-shastra). We touch a little on how Patanjali's system inherits key aspects from the Upanishads, and then focus on the first four sutras of chapter one, which constitute what is known as the classical definition of yoga. From these foundational sutras, it is possible to get a solid sense of how Patanjali frames a simple definition of Yoga, the nature of the problem of ignorance that Yoga intends to address, and the nature of the liberated state. Crucially, the discussion lends nuance - in a surprising way - to the common notion that Yoga - as "union" - is the desired end of our practices.
Our sense of what is meaningful is tied directly to our sense of what is real. Humans need to feel that their hopes, beliefs, efforts, and relationships are grounded in something that transcends their own lives, something more substantial than their own personal concerns. This moreness is the sense of the real. Without that sense there is no meaning in life. In this episode we look at some of the work of cognitive psychologist and philosopher Dr. John Vervaeke of the University of Toronto, who has put forth several ways that we come to know the real, and hence to experience meaning. Along the way we’ll speak of Yoga as a system of embodied practice that addresses each of these ways with great facility.
Lost Ways of Knowing
This episode focuses on the idea of liberation in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra (Patanjala-yoga-shastra). We touch a little on how Patanjali's system inherits key aspects from the Upanishads, and then focus on the first four sutras of chapter one, which constitute what is known as the classical definition of yoga. From these foundational sutras, it is possible to get a solid sense of how Patanjali frames a simple definition of Yoga, the nature of the problem of ignorance that Yoga intends to address, and the nature of the liberated state. Crucially, the discussion lends nuance - in a surprising way - to the common notion that Yoga - as "union" - is the desired end of our practices.
