Meeting Suffering with Yoga
In the Yoga Sutra, Chapter One (Samadhi Pada, the Portion on Contemplation), the goal of yoga is defined as stilling the fluctuations of the mind (citta vritti nirodhah). This stillness is cultivated through disciplined practice (abhyasa) and non-attachment (vairagya). For some—especially those who thrive on structured routines and a strong sense of spiritual commitment—this path may feel clear and direct.
For most of us, however, navigating modern life filled with constant stimuli, competing responsibilities, and unpredictable challenges, Patanjali offers another way. In Chapter Two (Sadhana Pada, the Portion on Practice), he introduces Kriya Yoga, a practical method for purifying body, mind, and spirit. This approach meets us where we are and can be woven into daily life.
When the mind is restless and pulled in many directions, suffering naturally follows. While Patanjali’s Kriya Yoga does not promise to shield us from pain, it does offer a way to transform how we relate to it. In Sutras 2.1 and 2.2, Patanjali invites us to meet suffering with discipline, self-study, and devotion—turning life itself into a practice of awakening.
Yoga Sutra 2.1
Sanskrit: tapaḥ svādhyāyeśvarapraṇidhānāni kriyā yogaḥ.
Translation:
Accepting pain as help for purification (tapas), study of spiritual books (svadhyaya), and surrender to the Supreme Being (Isvara pranidhana) constitute Yoga in practice.
—Sri Swami Satchidananda
Yoga Sutra 2.2
Sanskrit: samādhi bhāvanārthaḥ kleśatanū karaṇārthaś ca.
Translation:
They (the practice of Kriya Yoga) help us minimize obstacles (klesa) and attain samadhi.
—Sri Swami Satchidananda
These verses suggest that personal transformation begins not by turning away from pain, but by acknowledging it as part of our path. In this recognition, pain becomes a tool for purification and a catalyst for awakening.
This mirrors the Buddhist parable of the two arrows: the first arrow represents inevitable pain; the second is our reaction to it—resentment, fear, or aversion—which compounds our suffering. While we cannot always avoid the first arrow, mindfulness can keep us from adding the second.
The Three Pillars of Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga offers a way to work skillfully with overcoming obstacles. It integrates three core practices:
- Tapas – cultivating self-discipline and resilience through conscious effort, even in the face of discomfort.
- Svadhyaya – engaging in self-inquiry and the study of sacred wisdom to understand our patterns and uncover truth.
- Isvara pranidhana – surrendering our actions, intentions, and outcomes to the Divine or Higher Self.
These three pillars are also found in the Niyamas, the second limb of Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga. Patanjali particularly emphasized these three observances to cultivate a sattvic state of mind.
The Bhagavad Gita echoes this spirit. In 9.27, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna:
“Whatever you do, Arjuna, make that an offering. Whether it’s eating, sacrificing yourself, giving help or even your suffering (tapas), offer it to me.”
—The Living Gita, translation by Sri Swami Satchidananda
When we dedicate our actions and even our suffering to something greater than ourselves, they can be transformed from burdens into vehicles for growth and service.
Turning Toward, Not Away
Suffering is not an enemy to be denied or feared. Both yoga and Buddhism teach that by turning toward pain with honesty, awareness, and compassion, we can unlock its hidden lessons. You can read more about these lessons in my earlier post, Why We Suffer: What is Suffering?
Whether through the disciplined triad of Kriya Yoga or the moment-to-moment mindfulness of Buddhist practice, suffering can be reframed, not as punishment, but as a doorway to insight, transformation, deep stillness (samadhi), and liberation (nirvana).
When we meet our pain with presence, we may discover we are not alone. We are human. We are whole. And we are far more capable of healing than we often realize.
Key Takeaways
- Suffering is universal—it shows up in daily struggles, physical pain, emotional wounds, and deep loss. Whether mild or profound, it leaves a mark on our hearts and minds.
- Both Buddhism and yoga recognize suffering as an essential part of the human experience—but also as a doorway to growth, healing, and liberation.
- Mindful awareness of our pain can reveal its deeper messages—grief as a reflection of love, physical pain as a signal for care, and loneliness as a longing for connection.
- Yoga Sutras 2.1 and 2.2 introduce Kriya Yoga as a practice of self-discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender (Isvara pranidhana), offering tools to purify the mind and reduce suffering.
- We don’t have to avoid or deny pain. By meeting it with presence, devotion, and understanding, we move toward healing, resilience, and inner peace.
Reference
- The Living Gita: The Complete Bhagavad Gita : a Commentary for Modern Readers. Integral Yoga Publications, 1988.
- The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. Translated by Swami Satchidananda, Integral Yoga Publications, 2012.