Chapter 2 Sadhana Pada (21-30)

Sadhana Pada 21

For this one reason all that is seen must be perceived by the true self.

The existence or the very meaning of the object is but the sum and substance of the subject's fragmentary experience, brought on by the ignorant polarization. This fragmentary experience is the contact with pain.

Sadhana Pada 22

Those who attain this perception of unity in nature are no longer bound to it. All others are.

To him who has attained fulfillment, when the (unreal nature of the polarization of experiencing is truly understood, the contact with pain ceases: the only way to avoid pain is never to be separated from it (as the experiencer)! Yet, the potentiality of polarization (separation) and the consequent contact with pain exist in other, ordinary circumstances. Hence, even an enlightened person may still experience pain when not in the total awareness of non-separation.

Sadhana Pada 23

Perception of unity in nature and the true self merge creating a force that frees us from the needs and bondage's of life. One becomes a master of ones self, no longer a slave to nature.

When the polarization of the experiencing has taken place, the subject's desire for awareness of its own nature and its own voluntary and involuntary powers of action causes or acts as a link or contact between the subject and the object (Here the "subject" is the fragmented concept of self, and the "object" is both the sense-experience and the external sense-object.)

Sadhana Pada 24

A lack of true awareness will keep us bound to the needs and cravings of nature.

Obviously, all this is due to the ignorance of the spiritual truth or oneness. Ignorance alone is the cause for the polarization the fictitious separation which is the sole cause for the desire to become aware of "another" and for the contact of "the other".

Sadhana Pada 25

By severing the bonds of nature and remaining in union one reaches absolute freedom and emancipation.

When that ignorance is dispelled, the polarization, (separation, division or fragmentation and the consequent conjunction or contact of the experiencer and the experience is rendered meaningless. It is given up. This is liberation for the seer who is pure experiencing or the undivided homogeneous consciousness, which alone existed. Liberation is not isolation nor independence from another, but union in the sense of non-division.

Sadhana Pada 26

One must continually separate truth from illusion.

Briefly, the constant unbroken awareness of this truth alone is the means to the ending of this ignorance and its retinue.

Sadhana Pada 27

There are seven aspects that must be practiced before we reach a state of absolute truth.

This awareness is keen, intense and operative even in the field of the first seven of the eight states or limbs of yoga-practice whose description follows: this practice should therefore not be a mechanical, unintelligent, dull routine.

Sadhana Pada 28

With devoted practice in these aspects of Yoga, impurities and obstacles are eliminated and true wisdom in its essence shines.This awareness shines resplendent with the light of intelligence, when the inner psychic impurities that becloud the vision of truth have been eliminated by the intelligent practice of the "limbs" of yoga.

Sadhana Pada 29

These seven aspects are self restraint, universal laws, sacred posture, regulation of breath, control and restraint of the senses, concentration and meditation. With their practice comes the eighth aspect of Yoga. This is a state of being absolutely absorbed in the source of life.

Discipline, observances, posture, exercise of the life-force, introversion of attention, concentration, meditation and illumination (at-onement) are the eight limbs of yoga or the direct realization of oneness. Hence, these limbs should all be practiced together, intelligently, so that the impurities of all the physical, vital and psychological limbs maybe eliminated.

Sadhana Pada 30

In the practice of the first aspect the following is considered. Non-violence, honesty, non-stealing, celibacy, study of scripture and not possessing or consuming that which is unnecessary. These are universal laws.

When the light of intelligence or the awareness of the truth illumines the mind-stuff, psychological order comes to prevail which is manifest as the following articles of natural self-restraint or discipline: non-violence, perception of what is or truth, non-hoarding, an effortless movement of the total being in cosmic homogeneous essence, and non-covetousness. (The fourth article also specifically refers to continence or chastity.)