(vairagya). Practice involves tapas (the purifying fire of action). Tapas
is nothing but disciplining the mind through the eight limbs of yoga.
This practice is not complete without faith (sraddha) and courage
(virya). These should be combined with the study of sacred texts and
of one's own behavior (svadhyaya), determination (drdhata), and med
itation (dhyana). In order to gain clarity and calmness of mind, it is
particularly pranayama that has the power to calm the ruffled and va
grant mind.
I have said that the cure for our inherent flaws lies in sustained
practice of the eight petals of yoga. Knowledge of yoga is no substitute
for practice. Since the difficulties lie within ourselves, so do the solu
tions. Nevertheless, Patanjali in his compassion and wisdom offered us
a series of specific aids and remedies, which in a very subtle and pene
trating way act to reform the afflicted consciousness itself. They are of
a refined common sense. These Healthy and Healing Qualities ( vr ttis)
are like a balm we can rub on our skin that gradually penetrates the
skin, muscles, and fiber and relieves the deep pain within.
The Healthy Vr ttis
The first specific advice that Patanjali gives us about these disturbances
I will translate very loosely. "If you are happy, pleasant, and unselfish
in your behavior toward others, obstacles will shrink. If you are miserly
with your emotions and judgmental in your mind, obstacles will grow."
More precisely, what Patanjali said is this. In order to achieve a serene
consciousness, we have to be willing to change our behavior and ap
proach toward the external world. This is for our own good. Certain
treatments, known as the Healthy and Healing Qualities of Conscious
ness, cultivate the mind and smooth the yogic path. They are:
- Maitri-Cultivation of friendliness toward those who are
happy.
II K ' I Y 11• N I; t\1^1