Sarvesh and I have a common phrase in our household. It goes something like this: “your Antarayas are showing again!” It often appears through self-justification or avoiding something that would benefit our highest self and make us feel truly uplifted. Some examples are: Foregoing exercise or yoga practice, isolating, blaming, procrastination, etc.. This is self-sabotage behavior. We all exhibit it from time to time.
Can you relate?
What are Antarayas?
According to Maharishi Patanjali, codifier of the Yoga Sutras, they are the nine internal obstacles that each sincere seeker (sadhaka) will face on their spiritual path. This is Sutra 1.30. Each of us may have one or two that predominate. They are, nonetheless, like little tricksters of the subconscious mind that keep us stuck in old patterns and hinder our attainment of spiritual liberation. They include:
- Vyadhi – Disease and attachment to “MY” disease. “I’m a victim of…”
- Styana – Dullness, inability to focus and distraction: “Look! Shiny object!” Social media scrolling, etc…
- Samshya – Indecision or self-doubt. “I’m not good enough.”
- Pramada – Procrastination: “I’ll do it tomorrow.”
- Alasya – Sloth and physical laziness: “I’ll just lay on the couch and watch TV for hours”
- Avirati – Sensual craving and over-consumption: “I want a bigger house and a bigger cheeseburger”
- Brantidarshana – Illusion and excessive pride: “I have arrived!” “I know it all!” “There’s nothing left to learn.”
- Alabda Boomikatva – Inability to attain higher states of consciousness or giving up on the spiritual path.
- Anavasthitatva – Inability to maintain a particular state. Two steps forward and one step back
What often blocks me on my path is Samshya (self-doubt) and Alasya (Laziness). What I have learned about myself so far in my spiritual journey is that these obstacles are ego self-protection mechanisms that are rooted in fear. I fear showing up, making a firm decision and taking action because if I fail, it will be a blow to my self-esteem and my ego. “What will others think of me if I fail?” etc…
It seems easier to stay safe and tethered to the chains of indecision and inaction. This is a trap though. I find that when I indulge in these obstacles, I get depressed and that depression starts a downward spiral of even more slothful behavior patterns and negative self-talk, until I am in enough pain that I seek the solution. Oftentimes the solution is to do the opposite. To cultivate the opposite attitude is known in the Yoga Sutras as Pratipaksha Bhavana and is a key teaching on the path to the true self.
I used to live in this state of mind most of the time and would seek out external pleasures to distract me from myself. This eventually led to even more emotional pain! I eventually sought out a power greater than me to get me off of this merry-go-round, as I knew I could not do it alone. It has been a process and series of next indicated steps that continues to evolve.
Through my journey of seeking yoga, I have come to identify these obstacles and get honest with myself about them. This is the first step in the Formula for Change of Willingness. We’ll be exploring this concept in depth in the third Course, The Path to Mooladhara Chakra.
Let your inner-compass guide you and be gentle with yourself as you walk this spiritual path.
Your Journey
For now, begin where you are. Know that these internal obstacles are part of the human experience and it is a process of awareness, self-inquiry, surrender to Divine will and the process of taking contrary action steps to become who you are meant to be.
Set yourself up for success by creating your yoga routine if you haven’t already done so. Don’t beat yourself up if you have neglected your practice, just begin again. A short time on your mat each day will amount to great success and create the mental momentum to help you sidestep these internal obstacles.
Which of the nine obstacles resonate or strike a chord with you at this time?
Take some time and reflect on this. Be honest with yourself. You may choose to write about in your journal or share with a friend, family member or spiritual advisor.
I tend to beat myself up very easily and suffer from perfectionism that is rooted in self-centered fear. A couple of phrases or prayers that carry me through this are:
“Go easy, just take the next step, you are coming home to yourself.”
“Higher self, the Universe, or God of my understanding, please relieve me of the bondage of my arrogant self-criticism and help me live in today”
“God, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change
courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference”
The Antarayas are not pleasant to examine, but once you get honest with yourself and own them, you have taken your first step to freedom.
Explore the Yoga Sutras!
Understanding the Yoga Darshan is a great resource if you feel called to begin your study of the Yoga Sutras, written by our Guru and teacher, Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani