Yoga s

102 YOGA SŪTRAS
got too small of an engine, then a tug which is a small boat with an overlypowerful
engine can pull it along. Similarly if another boat has a large enough
engine which is defectively operating, it too can be pulled by a powerful tug. It
is a question of how long such a tug would pull the powerless boat. How long
can a great yogi drag an idle-minded disciple?
Idle mindedness can be overcome after long long practice, especially in
prāṇāyāma and pratyāhār, which are breath infusion and sensual restraints. It
is the outpouring of the sensual energies which cause a person to have a
scattered mind. This is why in the last sūtra, Śrī Patañjali indicated that if one
chants the Oṁkāra one could develop internalization.
Doubt (saṁśaya)
Doubt is removed by personal experience of spiritual truths. Such experience
comes after persistent practice. Some student yogis are doubtful by instinct.
Even after having a few experiences, they remain troubled about the aim of
yoga. This stresses their minds and causes them to go slower in the
progressions.
A doubtful student will leave the path unless he or she is sustained in the
practice by the association of a great yogin.
Inattentiveness (pramāda)
This is related to idleness, and is based on innate tendencies having to do with
the scattering energies of the mind. It is by mastery of pratyāhār, the fifth stage
of yoga, that this is achieved. Inattentiveness is a state of mind which is driven
by certain types of pranic forces which latch on to a particular living entity. If
he or she can change that pranic energy, taking in a more concentrated type,
the inattentiveness goes away.
Lack of energy (ālasya)
In yoga one has to endeavor. If there is a lack of energy, there will be no
progress.
Proneness to sensuality (avirati)
This is also driven by the type of pranic energy in the mind. Hence the need for
prāṇāyāma and pratyāhār practice to change the nature of the mind by
changing the energy content. The mental and emotional energy which we use
has certain inherent capabilities.
Mistaken views (bhrāntidarśana)
Mistaken views come about according to the status of the buddhi organ which
is used for analyzing. That organ, regardless of its accurate or inaccurate
deductions, is prone to receiving information from the senses. The senses in
turn accept information in a prejudiced way, depending on the type of sensual
energy used and on the basis what come up in the memory circuits.
Purification of the buddhi brings about a dismissal of the mistaken views and
that process is called buddhi yoga which is described in detail in chapter two
and three of the Bhagavad-gītā.