Yogasutra: Symptoms of Distraction

The most common thing that people face when they begin walking on the yogic path is the distraction of the mind. While sitting in one place to do several rounds of anuloma viloma (alternate nostril breathing) or 15 minutes of dhyana, the mind wanders in all directions. To bring it back to oneself requires constant awareness. Awareness is but realising that the mind has wandered and bringing it back. We can easily get lost in a train of thoughts. These distractions lead to a disturbed mind that is not at peace. It becomes difficult to focus on the practice and enjoy the benefits of the practice.

What does Patanjali Maharishi have to say about this? In his Yogasutra, he points to four symptoms of distraction and a disturbed mind

Duḥkha daurmanasyāṅgamejayatvaśvāsapraśvāsā vikṣepasahabhuvaḥ

Dukha: Sorrow

Durmanaha: Bitterness, depression, negativity

Angamejayatva: Lack of control over the body. A shaky or trembling body

Shwasa prashwasa: irregular breathing

When your mind is disturbed, have you noticed how abrupt your breathing is. You may take a sudden gasp of breath or exhale forcefully indicating that your thoughts have kept you away from breathing properly. Your body and especially your brain demands oxygen as its occupied with intense thoughts. Anxiety causes shaking of the body. Some people take relaxants to reduce this anxiety. Most of these issues can be taken care of through simple yogic practices and a calmer state of mind. We don’t want our own mind to be an obstacle. Do we? Let us get over this and move forward in our yogic path.