Recipe for Bliss by Katie Banfield
The first time I made chocolate chip cookies I followed a recipe on the back of a Nestle® Toll House Morsels bag. I carefully measured the ingredients and combined them according to the instructions given. The result was a batch of the tastiest treats I'd ever eaten. The best part was, I made them myself. Months later, I tried to make those same cookies without the recipe. I relied on memory and common sense, as well as faith and creativity. Unfortunately, the result was a far cry from the intended goal. The lesson in this story is that recipes exist for a reason, to guide you on the path of creation. Of course, you can always go to the store and buy a bag of Chips Ahoy®.
However, if your tastes are like mine, you will settle for nothing less than the real thing, even if it calls for a little extra effort.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali offer us a recipe for bliss. Like the Nestle® Toll House cookie bag, this text presents the reader with a list of essential ingredients, an order to combine them, and a predicted yield. Now, if you are satisfied with less than complete bliss, or you have already reached it, you needn't bother with the recipe. But, if you are looking for guidance on the path to true happiness, the Yoga Sutras are a good place to start.
According to Patanjali, Bliss comes when you recognize your connection to the Divine force that underlies all life. It is the aim of Raja yoga and can only be realized by gaining control over the "mind stuff." Again, if you have already achieved true non-attachment, this book is not essential reading. For the rest of us, it may be read repeatedly and put into practice on a daily basis.
Setting a goal of studying Patanjali's Eight Fold Path is like preheating the oven. There is no use buying the ingredients unless you have heat to cook them with, or in this case, a desire to reach Bliss. Once you have ignited the fire within, the rest is simple. There are eight essential ingredients in this recipe. According to Patanjali, they should be added in order, with the guidance of a teacher. The order is as follows:
- Abstentions
- non-harming;
- truthfulness;
- non-stealing;
- continence;
- non-greed
- Observances
- purity;
- contentment;
- accepting but not causing pain;
- study of spiritual books;
- self-surrender
- Steady Postures
- Study of the Breath
- Withdrawal of, or non-reliance on the Senses
- Concentration
- Meditation
- Bliss
In addition to explaining the order of preparation for Bliss, Patanjali offers advice on how to find quality in your practice and the possible dangers of straying from the recipe. He leaves room for creativity, but warns you to keep to your ultimate.
It may take many years to prepare this recipe and there will be obstacles along the way. I can't say that I have ever seen the final product, but I am enjoying the process of creation. There is satisfaction to be gained in the addition of each ingredient. If you don't believe me, try making chocolate chip cookies sometime. Before placing them in the oven, taste a spoonful of dough. Although it may not be the same as a cookie, the taste is full of the same sweetness and love.