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Patanjali's Yoga SutrasBOOK III: Supernormal Powers
We have heard from various sources he chose Swami Aranya's translation below for two reasons. In the mid-70s, this text was the most complete and scholarly available. Then again, the book was only in the hands of a few Indian scholars -- having been published by Calcutta University Press in 1963. So there was little chance that TM students would stumble on the virtual word-for-word versions of the sutras they had paid thousands of dollars for. Unfortunately for the Movement's claims of trademark on the siddhi techniques, Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali, by Swami Hariharananda Aranya, became available in an inexpensive paperback version copyright 1983 by State University of New York Press, Albany (still in print). The first few verses parallel the Maharishi's explanation of how to use the sutras, a process known as Samyama or Sanyama. At the end of meditation, after you have ceased the mantra, "fall back onto that silence" for 15 to 30 seconds. Then quietly introduce the faintest idea of the first sutra, "Friendliness," "falling back onto silence" again. After 15 seconds, repeat. This simple technique may be repeated 2, 4, 8, or more times for each sutra according to your program instructions. The Maharishi explained that the brief fixation on the sutra constituted Dharana; the automatic flow of ideas on the purpose of the sutra is Dhyana; and that when one's trance is deep enough that only that process remains, not even the thought of the (small) self, then Samadhi exists along with the other two processes. This is clear samyama -- the technique meant to bring about supernormal abilities. To Western ears, the Maharishi's techniques sound most like those used to deepen trance in both auto- and hetero-hypnosis. Techniques that allow one to be convinced of anything -- that one is a chicken flying in front of an audience, for instance. We have no objective way to know whether the Maharishi represents Patanjali's teaching well.
Sutras used in variations of the TM-Sidhi program are highlighted in boldface.
1. Dharana is the mind's (Chitta's) fixation on a particular point in space.Return to Sutras Page
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Creation has two sides: intelligence, which is the cause of everything, and the manifestations of intelligence, which are the physical and psychological features of the everyday world. Because Transcendental Meditation directly approaches intelligence, rather than the manifestations of intelligence, it solves problems by introducing harmony and well-being at the most basic level, and not by dealing with problems themselves. That's why it is so effective.
Consider this example: The gardener supplies water to the root of a tree. That water, that nourishment, then reaches all parts of the tree - leaves, branches, flowers, fruit - through the sap. We can think of the sap as analogous to intelligence and the green leaves or yellow flowers as analogous to the manifestations of the intelligence. The leaves and flowers are the intelligence of the sap, after it has been transformed. So intelligence - like the leaves and flowers of a tree - appears as the many different forms of manifest life. Those manifestations include every aspect of existence, from the material and physiological, through the psychological, intellectual, and spiritual. All of those features of life come from transformations of intelligence. In meditation, we directly meet this essential intelligence. Therefore, we have the possibility of nourishing all of its other levels, and thus all levels of manifestation, in a way that is harmoniously related to the whole universe.
How is Transcendental Meditation different from the various other forms of meditation?
Maharishi: The basic difference is that Transcendental Meditation, in addition to its simplicity, concerns itself only with the mind. Other systems often involve some additional aspects with which the mind is associated, such as breathing or physical exercises. They can be a little complicated because they deal with so many things. But with Transcendental Meditation there is no possibility of any interference. So we say this is the all-simple program, enabling the conscious mind to fathom the whole range of its existence.
Transcendental Meditation ranges from active mind - or performing mind - to quiet mind - or resting mind. In this resting mind, one has purity and simplicity, uninvolved with anything other than the mind, uninvolved with any other practice. In Transcendental Meditation, because we deal only with the mind, we nourish all expressions of intelligence.
The mind meditates, gains Transcendental Consciousness and brings about transformation in different fields of manifestation. All fields of life, which are the expression of intelligence, are nourished or transformed and made better through experiencing Transcendental Consciousness.
The mind, of course, is always concerned with other aspects, such as the physiology of the body, the environment, and the whole universe for that matter. But since Transcendental Meditation deals only with the performance of the mind, from its active states to its settled state, it remains unconcerned with those other aspects, though it deals with them all, because intelligence deals with them all. -- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, unknown interview, copyright presumablyheld by Maharishi Vedic University, The Maharishi Foundation, or another group within the TM family.
Cults come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Categories of cults that are recruiting successfully today include: Eastern meditation: characterized by belief in God-consciousness, becoming one with God. The leader usually distorts and Eastern-based philosophy or religion. Members sometimes learn to disregard worldly possessions and may take on an ascetic lifestyle. Techniques used: meditation, repeated mantras, altered states of consciousness, trance states.
Religious: marked by belief in salvation, afterlife, sometimes combined with an apocalyptic view. The leader reinterprets the Scriptures and often claims to be a prophet if not the messiah. Often the group is strict, sometimes using physical punishments such as paddling and birching, especially on children. Members are encouraged to spend a great deal of time proselytizing. (Note: included here are Bible-based neo-Christian and other religious cults, many considered syncretic since they combine beliefs and practices). Techniques used: speaking in tongues, chanting, praying, isolation, lengthy study sessions, many hours spent evangelizing, "struggle" (or criticism) and confession sessions.
Political, racist, terrorist: fueled by belief in changing society, revolution, overthrowing the "enemy" or getting rid of evil forces. The leader professes to be all-knowing and all-powerful. Often the group is armed and meets in secret with coded language, handshakes, and other ritualized practices. Members consider themselves an elite cadre ready to go to battle. Techniques used: paramilitary training, reporting on one another, guilt, fear, struggle sessions, instilled paranoia, long hours of indoctrination. -- Captive Hearts, Captive Minds, Lalich and Tobias, Hunter House, 1993.