Day 8 Sutra 1:30: Disease, dullness, doubt, carelessness, laziness, sensuality, false perception, failure to reach firm ground and slipping from the ground gained – these distractions of the mind-stuff are the obstacles.
These obstacles often show up in comments that people make such as “I can't meditate/Is yoga really the right path for me” (doubt). Or “it's hard to meditate” (laziness). Or “I'm not flexible enough to do yoga” (false perception) . Or “my mind is too busy to meditate” (dullness). And then there are the physical, mental and spiritual ailments – lower back issues, stiffness, stress...
Patanjali tells us that these nine obstacles or distractions are to be expected and commonly occur on the yogic path. So it is not necessary to mentally beat yourself up when they happen to you or to be discouraged when they occur.
The nine obstacles are:
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Physical illness/disease
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Dullness
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Doubt
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Carelessness
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Laziness
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Sensual cravings
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False assumptions or incorrect thinking
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Failing to reach specific stages of the practice
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Inability to maintain the level of practice attained and losing what you have gained
(if you don't practice or use it, you will lose it).
The obstacles are there to challenge and test you and especially to help you develop self-understanding and to stretch your capabilities. They are predictable parts of the journey to still your mind-stuff.
Patanjali lists these obstacles to help us to have faith and to maintain our commitment to the practice.
We are all susceptible to these obstacles. From time to time, I've wondered if yoga is the right path for me. Or I sometimes slip back by not maintaining my daily asana practice or allowing my meditation practice to slip. Tremendous self discipline is required for Samadhi or self-realisation.
But it is comforting to know these distractions are not unusual. You may take one step forward and then two steps backward.
The trick is to get back to practising again. Sometimes you may need to do a short workshop to get you back into the swing of practising. Or re-immerse yourself by doing a week-long retreat (click here to learn more about my Goa, India Retreat, 1st - 8th March 2018). Or going back to attending classes...
Remember that the key to overcoming the distractions of the mind is to focus on one thing.
When you falter be compassionate and understanding to yourself (compassionate to the unhappy). This is another way to still your mind.
Practice Tip: Continue Your Journey into the Breath Meditation practice or choose something else to focus on - see Day 7.
