Sutra 20 Shradda-virya-smrti-samadhi-prajna-purvaka itaresham

itaresham: otherwise; at other times; other places.

shradda: self confidence, self assurance, certitude based on gnosis and direct experience, irreversible certainty on the path, conviction.

prajna: intuitive wisdom, inner wisdom, innate wisdom , gnosis, direct perception.

smrti: memory

virya: spiritual strength and enthusiasm

samadhi: spiritual realization

purvaka: accompanied by; Something that proceeds from the prior; I.20; II.34.

Commentary: Yoga is a practice of self discipline. It is not done because it is written in a book, one's parents, society, or teacher has told them to do it. Like the Buddha, who was a practicing yogi, the yogi practices because of a burning desire to learn and know the truth is still alive inside. That practice is joyful because it eliminates the afflictions (kleshas) and suffering (duhkha), it removes doubts, confusion, fear, anger, craving, etc. It does so not through repression, but by wisdom (prajna). That wisdom is experiential due to practice, not book or intellectual knowledge. Knowing our own mind (mindfulness) forms a firm basis of an effective practice. When this direct experience is lacking in our experience, then the yogi turns to effective practices which bring this awareness and beingness together (Cit and Sat) into our direct experiences. This is called bringing the essence presence into the path.

Hence for a yogi, a diligent one pointed practice is one which is continually defeating confusion (avidya) and duhkha (stress). This intensity of practice is not by itself, stressful or effortful. It is never painful (duhkha) or creates harm. Having removed mental discomfort and pain (duhkha), the practice of yoga brings lasting happiness and bliss, eventually. Positive and natural, enthusiasm is key for a successful and functional self motivated practice, while one is best served by keeping in mind and remembering (smrti) the purpose of the practice (nirbija samadhi). This is called taking the result essence into the practice, or merging the base, the path, and fruit as one. The skillful approach which unifies the view, the practice, and the fruit merges as an inseparable unified and strengthened devotion and dedication. It bridges mental fragmentation and corruption, thus the practitioner is able to navigate skillfully remaining on course.

Hence the sutra states, that for those others (itaresham) or at "other times", when asamprajnata (through virama pratyaya or bhava-pratyaya such as in I.18-19) has NOT been sufficient to propel the yogi into nirbija (continuous) samadhi -- to move the yogi forward into complete and unswerving awakening; where the practice of the great purification as in abhyasa-vairagyabhyam to obtain liberation has not been completely successful or when it has been misapplied; then, some further assistance (shradda-vira-smrti) is helpful to bring forward (from the background) the necessary wisdom (prajna) t guide the practice and hence lead one to the fruit (samadhi). The following practices found in Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada, and Kaivalyam Pada guided by the unity principle of yoga, but specifically applied to All Our Relations, occurring inside All Our Relations, and facilitated by All Our Relations without exception, will help catalyze the occurrence of asamprajnata (transcognitive non-dual) samadhi) all the way to nirbija samadhi (the highest samadhi) which culminates in unconditional natural liberation. Now then it is time to augment our practice and ramp it up, so that transcognitive primordial absorption can eventually result (purvaka).

Here purvaka, thus denotes that shradda, virya, and smrti are preparatory practices which catalyze rtam-bhara prajna (sutra I.48) which destroys the old samskaras (seeds of falling back) and procreates the most sublime samadhi. One can ramp up their practice by increasing effort, energy, and enthusiasm (virya); engage upon practices which increases self confidence (shradda) in one's overall practice, surround oneself with an environment that tends to remind us to focus with sacred reverence (smrti); to cultivate that which increases absorption (samadhi) in ever accessible intrinsic wisdom (prajna). Implementing such remedies will positively affect our practice. Here also we are reminded that the practice is intended to evoke the intuition or innate wisdom and bring it forward into effecting an even more efficacious practice until ultimate liberation is realized.

Swami Venkatesananda says, from "Enlightened Living" :

"In the case of others, when such spontaneous realization of the unconditioned does not happen, such realization is preceded by and proceeds from faith or one-pointed devotion, great energy and use of willpower, constant remembrance of teachings and one's own experience, the practice of samadhi (the state of inner harmony), and a knowledge or discernment of such harmony - all of which lead one gradually on to that state of yoga."

In other words, an effective and functional yoga practice automatically creates its own enthusiasm, strength, conviction, proof, zeal (virya), a greater degree of self confidence and centered empowerment, sense of purpose, rememberance, insight, inspiration, and feeling of being connected with All Our Relations. These are excellent sign posts for our practice. A yogi/yogini who is to be successful really needs great courage and strength, but sometimes our practice may be lacking or unskillful. Then we might lose sight of our spiritual focus. then direct insight (prajna) is most helpful. Being inspired transcends practice as such; it transforms it from mere mechanical performance recipes into an active full and integrated all body/mind energy dance with All Our Relations. All that is called for is to intimately know (in pure beingness) and bathe continuously in the fount of that inspiration.

To an ideologue or religionist, shradda, is interpreted and translated as faith, conviction, belief, but that is merely another pramana (citta-vrtti) or distorted view and limited conditioned assumption. Patanjali does not advocate citta-vrtti as the path, even as a temporary measure. Shradda as confidence and certitude thus has to be distinguished from conviction, loyalty to doctrine, or faith. The latter is due to a chronic lack or state of separation. Conviction is a diversion and poor substitute at best for true prajna, self knowledge self confidence, true meaning, an integral identity (integrity), order and meaning in life based on direct experience and gnosis. Shradda is to be cultivated through the resultant self confidence based on direct yogic experience.

The Natural Primordial awareness as unending wisdom-mind is timeless and inexpressible Dharmadhatu (the realm of the unending, limitless, and everpresent Buddha Mind.

“The basis of mind is free from all fabrication and beyond existence and nonexistence, since it is inexpressible Dharmadhatu. Until confidence in realization is attained, mind must be purified of all habitual phenomena, and wisdom and merit must be accumulated. Mind is continuous because, when it become Dharmakaya, it is unending and timeless. That is why it is called unending wisdom mind.”

~ White Sail, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche

When the mind is fragmented or obstructed (kleshic) then confidence (shradda), zeal, and clarity of direction in our practice may be diminished, lost, and thus doubt may set in such as in chronic cynicism, despair, or nihilism. That would create a significant impediment toward realizing a successful practice. Authentic yogic practice matures the mind. The practitioner awakes their intuitive transcendental wisdom which is beyond conceptual thought. This maturity destroys doubt. It creates more than confidence, but something which is called irreversible or transcendental faith. Thus practices based on faith and belief which are bereft of direct experience must be abandoned, where faith is replaced by wisdom; i.e., direct realization. In fact, irreversible faith in the yogic path occur when results in the practice occur. There is no external magic wand to become dependent upon that is separate from our practice and direct experience. This will destroy doubt. When we lack inspiration and enthusiasm, then practice. When we are inspired to practice, then it is easy to practice. When All Our Relations is our practice, then practice as the path is no longer separated from the basis of the practice or its fruit.

Practices which produce tangible direct results ( direct clear perception or vidya) will increase inner gnosis (prajna), self confidence based on self knowledge, conviction, and hence belief in the innate buddhanature (self). This increase of trust in the practice results in an increase of feeling good about one's life and "self". To be certain this inner "Self" realization is NOT the egoic mind. It is not a belief in a separate independent self (ego). This trust is not placed in separateness, independence, autonomy, cynicism, paranoia, escapism, nor nihilism, but rather the direct realization, integration, and resultant experience of a deep heartfelt omnipresent connection of interdependence which comes from an effective yoga practice. As the connection deepens, so does the love, enthusiasm, happiness, joy, fulfillment, and sense of completion. This true omnipresent "self" confidence is the basis of a resultant self assurance. This trust and conviction then is not about trusting an external belief system, the dictates of others, other groups of people, authoritative scripture, presidents, dictators or supremists, but rather it based on an inner non-dual realization. It is the result of a direct connection with the self-intelligent fount of all wisdom. When one becomes aligned with universal jnana (knowledge) as primordial wisdom, the need for substitute systems of trust ceases. In a paranoid, competitive, and egoic based consumer/materialistic society, many people wind up as a result with chronic ongoing trust issues. Deep and total trust afforded by the integral experience of yoga is very empowering. This trust. although not realized in the novice, can never-the-less be glimpsed and partially related to in the beginner. Hence this trust, confidence, and self assurance can eventually mature as the yoga practices reveal the true non-dual nature of the omnipresent all pervasive primordial mind, which has never left us, but we have failed to recognize (continue to ignore).

So confidence, gnosis, conviction, inspiration, and enthusiasm go together. The practice can be heightened and encouraged by remembering and being reminded (smrti) of what a yogi passionately is devoted toward (nirbija samadhi). As the yogis dedication to his/her practice matures, both the process and the result become more naturally accessible and self perpetuating. The only obstruction is lack of wisdom; i.e., confusion. This happens through effective practices and if one is lucky, others who are on the path of liberation such as spiritual friends, teachers or sangha. Here these methods can become invoked as remedial safeguard (as a practice to increase the practice), when our practice needs a boost. As such shradda, virya, smrti, and prajna, can help us to become focused and engaged in our practice, but should only be seen as a temporary adjuncts toward reestablishing an effective practice which provides its own natural inspiration, spiritual passion, insight, enthusiasm, and encouragement as these all come naturally through increased alignment, integration, and union. Hence they are considered to be provisional teachings (as distinguished from a direct practices). Here an effective practice perpetuates itself, is self instructing, self liberating, as it increases prajna (insight) virya (spiritual strength, inspiration. and courage), shradda (centeredness and self confidence), and re-memberance (smrti) of All Our Relations. so that our practice doesn't fade or become mechanical or deadened.

We can easily go wrong when we take yogic practices and translate them into English words, concepts, and Western contexts. As a specific example, shradda, which is most often translated as "faith", should not be seen in the normal Western context where faith means "blind belief", unquestioned acceptance or firm conviction in a doctrine, loyalty to or trust in an ideology or religion, or another person's authority. Rather in yoga, shradda is neither faith, belief, or loyalty in that sense. Spiritual shradda means focused onepointed focused intention to awaken. It is thus the strengthening of one's intent, dedication, determination, and confidence in realizing the natural innate maturation process of the unified will to enlightenment, awakening, liberation. It is the unification of the ultimate mind of enlightenment (ultimate bodhicitta) with its expression in thought, word, and deed. It is the activation and ripening of the unborn intrinsic latent seed source (isvara) that is embedded within all. In Buddhism it is the manifestation of one's inherent Buddha Nature as the final goal and outcome of the practices. Thus it is not faith in the practices, but the result of being consciously connected with the intent itself. It comes down to having faith in one's own mind and ability to awaken -- faith in one's own essential nature and thus practicing to cultivate that awareness (swarupa). It is thus taken for granted that buddha nature permeates every being as innate wisdom-- as the ultimate true nature of mind or bodhi-mind. This inner faith thus reflects the essence of innate awareness/wisdom. It is faith in our native intrinsic wisdom, which when it blossoms forth is self revealing, self liberating, and joy filled. Because the common man lacks memory of "direct experience" because it has been beaten out of them at an early age, they lack understanding of its profound meaning.

How is this spiritual shradda awakened one may ask? As an analogy, a cup of tea is placed on the table. The cook says that it is lemongrass and honey. The server confirms this. I smell it, look at it, and analyze it. I may have some faith that it is true, but only when I put it to my lips and taste it directly, place it on my tongue, swish it in my mouth, and swallow it, will I know with confidence what is meant by the taste of lemongrass and honey tea. Then after that direct experience, I can with confidence pick up that same tea cup and expect (through smrti/memory) with surety (shradda), that this is lemongrass and honey tea even before I sip it the second time. Extrapolated into each and every moment, one learns to trust in the ever present presence of a great all encompassing non-dual primordial wisdom. That shradda as an entirely spontaneous expression; it is akin to inspiration naturally shared and expressed.

Just so, in authentic yoga, the sadhak may be curious; while the guru, disciples, and scripture may say this or that, but only after tasting it directly and having some direct experience will one know the benefit that grows into one taste -- samadhi as unbounded and unconditional wholeness and primordial wisdom.

Thus various practical methods may help a little in this regard such as studying inspiring works, satsang, darshan (sitting in the presence of enlightened beings human or otherwise), but nothing is better than authentic yogic practices (such as the eight limbed practice), simplifying our life styles, engaging upon a deeper connection with spiritual friends and/or a spiritual community, living in an inspiring spiritual environment, removing distractions (aparigraha), tapas, isvara pranidhana (the practice of listening for and surrendering to the eternal teacher/teachings in All Our Relations, eating pure and sattvic food, assimilating clean air and water (saucha), practicing the hatha yoga kriyas, meditation (dhyana), the practicing of the other yam/niyams such as found in astanga yoga, the practice of layanam such as found in the dharanis, pranayama, mantra, samyama, etc. All these will act synergistically to empower one's practice affording direct experience.

In the present context, we can say that those who have not learned to recognize the true nature of mind, ultimate bodhicitta, are only able to exchange themselves for other beings and to try to eliminate the suffering of others through prayer, visualization, and empathizing with others. However, if one knows how to recognize the true nature of mind, and mixes or merges the exchange of self and others with the recognition of mind nature, this is the best possible way to practice this exchange.

The ultimate awakening of bodhicitta includes the realization that the true nature of all living beings is utterly free from all the varieties of temporary, conceptual confusion that normally deludes them. In fact, all beings share the true nature of phenomena (dharmata), which is emptiness. All beings have awareness-wisdom (rigpa'i yeshe), the luminous clear light of the nature of reality. The true nature of all living beings is the expanse of primordial purity (kadag ying). This essence is present in all living beings, and it never leaves them, but they fail to recognize it. Recognizing it is the ultimate awakening of bodhicitta.