y.S. 1-1

The first chapter in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali is called the Samādhi Pāda – the chapter on Samādhi (which I describe as "Profound Absorption into PERFECT WHOLENESS" when I write it with a capital "S" and profound absorption when written with a lower case "s" -- my own distinction). It’s in this chapter that Yoga and its characteristics are defined. This chapter also covers what the prerequisite objective toward attaining the ultimate goal of Yoga is, what gets in the way of Yoga, and what can be done about it.

The very first sūtra begins with atha, which literally translates as “now” and implies an auspicious beginning. Atha is not a term that is used lightly; it conveys that “we are getting down to some serious business, right NOW” and because we are not joking or playing around here, success is certainly eventual (how long just depends on the person, you).

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