Sutra 22 Mrdu-madhyadhimatratvat tato'pi visesah

Commentary: Progress toward samadhi depends solely on the strength of our focus, aspiration, intent, inspiration, and wisdom. Increase the focus with such a priority, and rapid progress will be experienced as a result. Clearly Patanjali is saying that if we are normally fickle lacking in intensity in our passion for yoga, if we are easily distracted or allured, unfocused, dissuaded, and insincere in our practice and intention. Then our success in yoga will be delayed or adversely affected. Conversely, if our practice and passion for yoga is strong, enthusiastic, sincere, undivided, attentive, and given the highest priority, then success will be insured. Those who merely dabble in yoga, as a fad, as an egoic accouterment, fancy, or ego gratification will find that they are wasting their time holding onto such a counterproductive approach. The evolutionary and creative impetus to join together in community, compassion, and in the context of a universal wisdom and love, which is an innate motive force latent within all beings. In many humans it remains ignored, not recognized, numbed out, dormant, or asleep. For a practicing yogi it is awakened, to a lesser or greater degree through practice which removes obstructions and obstacles.

Through the aforesaid methods, we eventually become naturally ardent practitioners (samveganam) of the highest caliber (adimatra). The nearer (asannah) we get to realization, the closer aligned we are with our unconditioned natural mind or true self, and synergistically the stronger (tivra) the intensity of natural inspiration, enthusiasm, dedication, attentive devotion, and zealousness will spontaneously manifest, so that self discipline becomes completely transformed (adhimatra) where an effortless self perpetuating divine passion manifests in a self supporting manner.

So as we become more dedicated to our practice in I.21-22 we also become dedicated to realizing our highest evolutionary potential - the highest self (purusa). Next, it is fitting that Patanjali dedicates Sutra 23-29 to the practice of Isvara Pranidhana to indicate that success is not a matter of individual will power or individual intention alone, but rather it involves an transpersonal but intimate affirmation. Also see the discussion in Pada II.1, 32, 45 on isvara pranidhana as a niyama practice) as well as III.1 (Kriya Yoga). As a path of surrender to the ultimate intimate transpersonal, isvara pranidhana, is a "non-practice" practice in the sense that it is non-willful -- as in "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". As such a sincere and dedicated practice becomes equated with an integrated, inspired and devotional practice (abhyasa-vairagyabhyam).