Day 41: Sutra 1.4: Vritti Sarupyam Itaratra
If we're not in practice, we take on our thoughts and start to identify with them.
Sutra 1.4: Vritti Sarupyam Itaratra
Vritti - Thought waves
Sarupyam - Mirrored, Identified
Itaratra - Otherwise, at other times
Yoga Sutra 1.4, Vritti Sarupyam Itaratra, serves as a warning: when we are not regularly in practice of the eight limbs of yoga, we lose ourselves in the patterns of our thoughts. Instead of being present and self-aware, we become entangled in the external world, allowing our thoughts, emotions, actions, and words to define us. This identification with our mental fluctuations is the root of all suffering. Without practice, we cannot separate ourselves from chaos—we become the chaos. This is why a consistent eight limb yoga practice is essential.
What Does It Mean to Be in Practice of the Eight Limbs?
The Western world has largely reduced yoga to a commercialized practice of physical postures. That’s why I’ve explicitly stated “be in practice of the eight limbs” so that there’s no confusion. When people hear “we have to be in practice of yoga,” they often assume this means rolling out a mat and doing poses. But this misunderstanding limits yoga’s transformative power. True practice extends far beyond the physical—it is a holistic path that integrates philosophy, ethics, and self-inquiry.
I know this firsthand. This past week, I found myself swept up in my own thoughts. If you’ve been following my recent posts, you know what I mean. I took one idea and built an entire world around it.
It wasn’t that I abandoned my routine. I was meditating twice a day, chanting, and practicing asanas. Yet, I wasn’t fully engaging with the Yamas and Niyamas—the foundational ethical principles of yoga. Without properly working through the first four limbs of yoga, I couldn’t access the deeper states of understanding. My teacher, Rolf, recently illustrated this beautifully in a diagram we discussed during our last meeting about the Eight Limbs of Yoga. I then copied his diagram to teach to a group of Yoga Sutra Study Students, who I gathered with online on Thursday morning. I’m posting the screenshot of it here, so you can check it out. (Side Note: the next Yoga Sutra Study starts in late March, and I’d love for you to join us! Here’s the link.)
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: A Roadmap to Liberation
In Chapter 2 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Eight Limbs of Yoga are introduced as a structured path toward spiritual freedom. When we neglect these practices, we become consumed by our thoughts and begin to identify with them. This past weekend, I experienced this firsthand.
I latched onto one statement about the word alcoholic—whether it was necessary for me to adopt this label. This thought spiral played out according to the five types of mental modifications outlined in Sutras 1.5-1.11. (I taught the five thought spirals earlier, in an earlier blog post - check it out if you want more info.)
Right Knowledge: One person stated their belief that embracing the term alcoholic was necessary.
Wrong Knowledge: I misperceived that everyone in the room felt the same way.
Imagination: I envisioned scenarios where I was unwelcome in meetings because I refused the label.
Memory: I recalled past moments where others had expressed similar views, reinforcing my internal conflict.
Sleep: I barely slept throughout the whole weekend, as my mind oscillated between surrendering to the label and becoming an activist trying to change AA.
By Friday night, I convinced myself that everyone in AA resented me. I cried as I rode my bike to a meeting, feeling utterly alienated. That night, I surrendered and introduced myself as an alcoholic, even though I still find the word outdated and problematic. But more than anything, I realized I no longer wanted to suffer. I’ve said what I need to say, and now I make peace with it.
The Freedom of Letting Go
As the weekend progressed, I recognized that my suffering stemmed from my attachment to ideology. Eckhart Tolle says, If you are suffering, look at what you are clinging to. It was obvious—I was clinging to my resistance.
The first Yama is Ahimsa—non-violence, non-harming. I saw how I was harming myself and others by creating conflict over a label. The most loving action I could take was surrender and just take it on. So, I let go.
Today, I woke up feeling free. I meditated, did my laundry, attended a yoga class, and went to a meeting. It was small, and when asked if I wanted to share, I found myself saying, No… I don’t have anything to say today. I just don’t have any trauma I need to unpack. I feel really good. I feel really settled.
And that was the truth. Wow. This is what freedom feels like. This is what it means to be in practice.
Sutra 1.4: A Reminder to Stay in Practice
Sutra 1.4 reminds us that without practice, we identify with our thoughts. It is almost like a veiled warning: Stay in practice! Keep moving from misunderstanding to understanding. For me, this realization came through surrender. And my god, it feels good. I believe this was my spiritual assignment—to learn the lesson of letting go and, in doing so, to find peace.
This is the work of yoga. This is the path to freedom.
Last Call! Your Journey Starts February 10
This is your final reminder—our Online Pranayama & Meditation 100-Hour YTTstarts Monday February 10!
This program is for you if:
✔️ You’re a yoga teacher or dedicated practitioner wanting to deepen your knowledge
✔️ You want to lead meditation & pranayama with confidence
✔️ You’re ready to develop a structured personal practice with guidance from expert teachers
By the end of this training, you’ll:
🧘 Have a solid mantra meditation practice
🌬️ Be skilled in teaching pranayama and breathwork
📖 Understand the philosophy and science behind breath & meditation
🎤 Lead a community workshop to apply what you’ve learned
This is your last chance to secure your spot before doors close!