The Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali

- through Fabrice Groult

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The Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali are the source of the teaching of Yoga. There are several parallels between the sutras and the Buddhist texts. They are indeed part of these fundamental texts resulting from a common corpus of non-sectarian knowledge, existing since time immemorial.

The Yoga-Sutras, written between the XNUMXnd and XNUMXth centuries, are attributed to Patanjali who would have transcribed these aphorisms cut like crystal to say the essential in a few words. Some commentators maintain that several authors are hiding behind the name of Patanjali in view of the differences in style throughout the text. Never mind. The mystery that surrounds each of his words from the heart of the centuries only makes them more powerful.

The whole path of yoga is transcribed here, going beyond all dogmas, because we are facing the history of consciousness. The reader is guided in his practice of yoga, on the path of meditation that leads to the expansion of consciousness to achieve self-knowledge.

Thousands of translations have tried to render most faithfully these Sanskrit words having almost the magic power of mantras. We discover in this small illustrated manual magnificent mandalas and the very accessible translation of Alistair Shearer, nourished by his fascinating commentary which sheds light on the reading of the sutras. We feel, however, that we may never discover its secret. Because the Yogas-Sutras address our most mysterious part. They nevertheless deliver precise indications which help us to set out on the path to rediscover our lost totality: "Freedom is a self-sufficient state of mind that desires do not affect, and where the mind no longer seeks to appropriate what which is perceived or what the scriptures promise”.

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Fabrice Groult

Fabrice Groult is an adventurer, photographer and Buddhist who has traveled the world since a young age. After studying Buddhism in India, he embarked on an eighteen-month journey through Asia that took him to the Himalayas, where he discovered his passion for photography. Since then, he has traveled the world capturing images of Buddhist beauty and wisdom. He was a guide for ten years, and is now a journalist with Buddhist News.

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