What do you think of the yoga sutras?

[bodhimind]

I stumbled upon this site: http://www.swamij.com/yoga-sutras.htm

It is based off the texts of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. He gives tons of metaphorical explanations as well in form of pictures. Just wondering how "accurate" his explanations are in perspective of GWV?

[bodhimind]

Just to give some examples of his diagrams:







I was comparing it to Jhanananda's translation. But I was wondering if these explanations were good, then I can use it as a commentary to help understand my mind better.

[Jhanananda]

I translated the Yoga-Sûtra of Patañjali about 10 years ago.  In preparation for my translation I collected as many English translations that I could find for review, then I worked on my translation.  After I was done with my translation I then reexamined the other translations and found that none of the translators seemed to understand the Yoga-Sûtra of Patañjali.  So, I recommend that you read my translation and compare it to.

The thing that I find too common is too few people understand the fruit (phala) of the contemplative life.  Both Siddhartha Gautama and Patañjali described the fruit (phala) of the contemplative life in much the same way; however, no one today seems to understand them, other than the members of this forum.  So, just remember, "We know a tree by its fruit (phala)."  Most notably, the commentary that you provided a link for did not seem to discuss the fruit of attainment.

Please note I moved the topic to the Hinduism thread.

[bodhimind]

I just gave it (your translation) a very thorough study and I have to say it's a pretty damn amazing text. It amazingly matches whatever I've read on GWV and even includes the "luminous" charisms haha. Volume Two literally corresponded to the Eightfold Path.
 
I'm a little confused at some parts though, I hope you can help shed some light.

At one point it says that the luminous charisms arise only after some of the siddhis such as recalling past lives, knowledge of karma, becoming invisible by sight/sound/etc, or even the flow of insight through contemplation of the polestar (I believe it was volume III). My question is, since I am able to experience charisms such as the mental tingling or the tinnitus-like "divine ear element", why is it that I can't recall my past lives at will? Do the charisms need to be "full-scale" in a way? Maybe I do not have a sustained jhana state? Also, would I need to contemplate on the mental impressions?

Volume four was the volume that really got my head splitting as I was struggling to understand what everything meant. I guess that only means that I do not yet have the experience to be able to comprehend it.

For example, it is said that the "Gunas" are activity and inertia (I hope I'm right): States of distinct/indistinct and States of definite/indefinite. Apparently when the "cloud of truth" is reached, these gunas fulfilled their purpose and are reabsorbed into pure consciousness. What does this even mean? It sounds so abstract.

Also, i understand that from the viewpoint that karma is a storehouse of latent impressions (psyche), but why it is that for a contemplative these things are not good, bad or neutral? Does this mean that the discriminatory faculty does not exist?

Lastly, there was this bit: "an object's existence does not depend on a single mind". And then it follows: "An object is perceived depending on whether the mind has been touched by it". What does the word 'mind' here mean? Do they mean a discriminating mind or pure awareness?

Would this adhere to the quantum physics interpretation where if you observe something, the probabilities collapse from a cloud of them and hence become a tangible, certain, perceivable state? I don't know, I'm just throwing out relevant devices to help understand this principle.

Sorry for so many questions, i'll keep the rest until I'm able to attain insight on them haha.

[Jhanananda]

I just gave it (your translation) a very thorough study and I have to say it's a pretty damn amazing text. It amazingly matches whatever I've read on GWV and even includes the "luminous" charisms haha. Volume Two literally corresponded to the Eightfold Path.

It is always best to keep looking for a good translation of a mystic's writing, because when you find it, then you may find other versions so far off the track that they only lead to confusion.
 

I'm a little confused at some parts though, I hope you can help shed some light.

At one point it says that the luminous charisms arise only after some of the siddhis such as recalling past lives, knowledge of karma, becoming invisible by sight/sound/etc, or even the flow of insight through contemplation of the polestar (I believe it was volume III). My question is, since I am able to experience charisms such as the mental tingling or the tinnitus-like "divine ear element", why is it that I can't recall my past lives at will? Do the charisms need to be "full-scale" in a way? Maybe I do not have a sustained jhana state? Also, would I need to contemplate on the mental impressions?

Good point.  I take it as one of the flaws in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, but as you pointed out, there is so much in it that is like the Pali Canon, that either he had parallel experiences, or he borrowed heavily from the Pali Canon.

Once you have mastered stilling your mind there is no need to contemplate upon the mental impressions.  Until then, contemplation upon the mental impressions serves as good mindful self-awareness.

Volume four was the volume that really got my head splitting as I was struggling to understand what everything meant. I guess that only means that I do not yet have the experience to be able to comprehend it.

For example, it is said that the "Gunas" are activity and inertia (I hope I'm right): States of distinct/indistinct and States of definite/indefinite. Apparently when the "cloud of truth" is reached, these gunas fulfilled their purpose and are reabsorbed into pure consciousness. What does this even mean? It sounds so abstract.

It sounds like you understand the gunus, but are having trouble understanding the "cloud of truth."  The "cloud of truth" is the 8th samadhi.  It cannot be understood, until one experiences it.  After that one is fully liberated.

Also, i understand that from the viewpoint that karma is a storehouse of latent impressions (psyche), but why it is that for a contemplative these things are not good, bad or neutral? Does this mean that the discriminatory faculty does not exist?

When you come from the "cloud of truth" (8th samadhi) there is no good, bad or neutral.  It just is, and it all represents habitual behavior.

Lastly, there was this bit: "an object's existence does not depend on a single mind". And then it follows: "An object is perceived depending on whether the mind has been touched by it". What does the word 'mind' here mean? Do they mean a discriminating mind or pure awareness?

It is like the philosophical question, "Does a tree falling in the forest, and no one sees it, does it make a noise?"  Trees fall in the forest all of the time.  In fact I saw 2 trees fall in the forest 2 summers ago.  So, neither a tree, nor a planet, or a particle needs someone to perceive it to exist.  It just does.

Would this adhere to the quantum physics interpretation where if you observe something, the probabilities collapse from a cloud of them and hence become a tangible, certain, perceivable state? I don't know, I'm just throwing out relevant devices to help understand this principle.

Sorry for so many questions, i'll keep the rest until I'm able to attain insight on them haha.

The basic problem that I have with quantum physics is physicists, who are not contemplatives, are trying to express enlightenment, when they are not enlightened.  One cannot think one's way to enlightenment.  Nor is enlightenment just the product of reading a bunch of books.  One has to give up everything, spend a great deal of time in meditation, and learn to follow the charisms to their end to become fully liberated and enlightened.