Chanting
Chanting a text is a traditional way to help the individual to memorize that text. Chanting also has the effect of calming the emotional/sensory part of the mind (the manas). Click on the links below to hear videos of Teacher Scott chanting. Click on the links below to listen as often as you like, and then practice chanting with Teacher Scott until you have learned.
Invocations--Click on the Bolded Text
The Invocation to Ganesha is an ancient prayer to Ganesha that was taught to me by Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute.
The Invocation to Patanjali is traditionally chanted before chanting the Yoga Sutras.
Ganesha Gayatri Mantra is often chanted before giving a reading or consultation. It is one of many Gayatri Mantras.
Saraswati Gayatri Mantra is a secret mantra that was passed down through a tantric tradition.
The Invocation to Saraswati is an ancient prayer to the goddess of wisdom, learning, and the arts. The tune was taught to me by Dr. Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute.
Surya Gayatri Mantra is one of several gayatri mantras to the sun. Chant this one for clarity of insight before doing consultations or readings.
The Chant to the Guru is chanted in appreciation of the effort and energy that the guru has given for the student.
The Invocation to Patanjali is traditionally chanted before chanting the Yoga Sutras.
Ganesha Gayatri Mantra is often chanted before giving a reading or consultation. It is one of many Gayatri Mantras.
Saraswati Gayatri Mantra is a secret mantra that was passed down through a tantric tradition.
The Invocation to Saraswati is an ancient prayer to the goddess of wisdom, learning, and the arts. The tune was taught to me by Dr. Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute.
Surya Gayatri Mantra is one of several gayatri mantras to the sun. Chant this one for clarity of insight before doing consultations or readings.
The Chant to the Guru is chanted in appreciation of the effort and energy that the guru has given for the student.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali--Click on the Bolded Sutra
Samadhi Pada (The Chapter on Samadhi--Supreme Meditative Awareness)
Sutra I.1: Now the teaching on Yoga
Sutra I.2: Yoga [is defined as] the stopping of [undesirable] thought patterns in the mind.
Sutra I.3: Then the seer [possesses] an abiding in his/her own true form.
Sutra I.4: Otherwise [there is] an identification with the thought pattern.
Sutra I.5: The thought patterns are of five types. They can cause suffering or be free from suffering.
Sutra I.6: [The five types of thought patterns are] Right Knowledge, Wrong Knowledge, Conceptualization, Sleep, & Memory.
Sutra I.7: [The three types of] Right Knowledge are direct perception, inference, and knowledge from a spiritual tradition.
Sutra I.8: Wrong Knowledge is an error [in thinking or perception] that is not established in the true essence.
Sutra I.9: Conceptualization is devoid of objects and follows from verbal knowledge.
Sutra I.10: Sleep is the tamasic mind pattern that depends on thoughts being absent.
Sutra I.11: Memory is the retention of an experienced object.
Sutra I.12: That stopping [of undesirable thought patterns happens] through practice and detachment.
Sutra I.13 Practice is the effort in that stopping [of undesirable thought patterns].
Sutra I.14 This [practice should] also [be done] for a long time, without interruption, properly and with attention, repeatedly, and with firm grounding.
Sutra I.15 Detachment is the the mastery of consciousness in someone who no longer thirsts for things that are seen or heard about.
Sutra I.16 The highest form of this [detachment] is the non-thirsting for anything material [that is caused] by Knowledge of Spirit.
Sutra I.17 Samadhi [with objects] follows in stages: material objects, the subtle nature of material objects, the instruments of perception & the mind, and finally the discriminative faculty of the mind [that reflects Spirit].
Sutra I.18 The other [Samadhi happens] first with the practice of ending thoughts--only Samskaras (impressions left from experience) remain.
Sutra I.19 [The nature of their] existence is the cause [of Samadhi] for celestial beings and [yogis] who have merged with subtle matter.
Sutra I.20 For everyone else, informed faith, heroic inner strength, developed memory, and knowledge from Samadhi [with objects] is required as a precursor [for the other Samadhi].
Sutra I.21 [Samadhi is] accessible for those who have pervading intensity [in their practice].
Sutra I.22 Therefore there is also a distinction between light, medium, and intense [practice].
Sutra I.23 Or [Samadhi can be obtained] through devotion to a personification of Spirit.
Sutra I.24 The Personification of Spirit--īśvara--is a special Self that is untouched by the seeds of suffering (e.g., ignorance, desire, etc.), by actions, by the fruits of actions, and by the storehouse of karmas.
Sutra I.25 In that [īśvara], the seed of all-knowing is highest.
Sutra I.26 Because [īśvara] is not contained by time, this wished for one [was] also the teacher of those who came before.
Sutra I.27 The praṇava [the sound oṃ] is the [sound] symbol of that [īśvara].
Sutra I.28 This recitation [of oṃ] [produces] direct knowledge of its meaning.
Sutra I.29 From this there is also an acquisition of inward consciousness and the disappearance of disturbances.
Sutra I.30 These disturbances or obstacles throw the mind about: Sickness, Rigidity, Doubt, Madness/Intoxication, Laziness, Attachment to Worldly Objects, Confused or Roaming Perception, Failure to attain a grounded state, and Unsteadiness."
More Sutras will be coming soon. Translations by Teacher Scott. (C) Copyright Scott Roos 2020.