Who (be quiet) Are You?

Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.12-1.14.

I.12. abhyāsa vairāgyābhyāṁ tan nirodhaḥ

Swami Jnaneshvara:

These thought patterns (vrittis) are mastered (nirodhah, regulated, coordinated, controlled, stilled, quieted) through practice (abhyasa) and non-attachment (vairagya).

Swami Venkatesananda:

The right understanding and the realization of the real nature of these five categories of mental states, is gained by (1) right exertion, and (2) the simultaneous, effortless and wise avoidance of the distracting influences. The latter includes the non-arousal of cravings and attractions that compound one’s confusion, and the steady perception in the inner light that the mistaking of the mental states for the undivided intelligence, is both the cause and the effect of the clouding of the light. Such perception is sufficiently strong and wise to know that the intelligence is forever uncoloured by ignorant waywardness.

I.13. tatra sthitau yatno ‘bhyāsaḥ

Swami Jnaneshvara:

Practice (abhyasa) means choosing, applying the effort, and doing those actions that bring a stable and tranquil state (sthitau).

Swami Venkatesananda:

Any steady and continuous or persistent and vigilant endeavour to stand firm in the understanding of the truth of the indivisibility of cosmic intelligence is known as spiritual practice (right exertion).

I.14. sa tu dīrgha kāla nairantarya satkārā ’ ‘sevito dṛḍhabhūmiḥ

Swami Jnaneshvara:

When that practice is done for a long time, without a break, and with sincere devotion, then the practice becomes a firmly rooted, stable and solid foundation.

Swami Venkatesananda:

But, when is one said to be well grounded in practice?
When this spontaneous awareness or cosmic consciousness continues without interruption, for a long time, and one is devoted to it with all one’s being, in all sincerity and earnestness.