The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali – A Visual Meditation. Book Four, Kaivalya Pādaḥ: On Liberation

At first glance, Kaivalya Pāda – the fourth and culminating book of the Yogasūtra of Patañjali appears to be deeply engaged with clarifying and closely arguing dense philosophical points, such as the nature of reality, karma, and the relationship between the mind (citta) and pure consciousness (puruṣa). But the undercurrent of Book Four is far from dry and intellectual. It is infused with the unrestricted joy of consciousness knowing itself as itself.

Sūtra 4.34, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. This is the last sūtra of the entire text, and describes the ultimate experience of liberation. Only-ness [with the Self] (kaivalya) is when material reality no longer serves a purpose for the Self [the guṇ

Sūtra 4.34, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. This is the last sūtra of the entire text, and describes the ultimate experience of liberation. Only-ness [with the Self] (kaivalya) is when material reality no longer serves a purpose for the Self [the guṇas are empty of purpose for puruṣa,] and are re-absorbed. Or [it is] the establishment of the power of consciousness to its own form.

Sūtra 4.33, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. The last step in the process of full awareness of oneself as pure consciousness is a change in the perception and understanding of time. One perceives “sequence,” essentially meaning that time stands stil

Sūtra 4.33, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. The last step in the process of full awareness of oneself as pure consciousness is a change in the perception and understanding of time. One perceives “sequence,” essentially meaning that time stands still – there is no one linear thing, “time.” Succession, corresponding to moments, is perceivable at the final cessation of the transformations [of material reality/the guṇas].

Sūtra 4.18, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. Do you know what you are thinking and feeling? Yes. As long as you are alive, Consciousness is always aware of whatever it is that it is aware of! The activities of the mind (citta) are always known, beca

Sūtra 4.18, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. Do you know what you are thinking and feeling? Yes. As long as you are alive, Consciousness is always aware of whatever it is that it is aware of! The activities of the mind (citta) are always known, because the lord of the mind, Consciousness, (puruṣa) is unchangeable.

Sūtra 4.19, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. That [mind] is not self-luminous, due to its being an object of perception

Sūtra 4.19, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. That [mind] is not self-luminous, due to its being an object of perception

Sūtra 4.20, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. Both [the mind and its object] cannot be perceived at the same time.

Sūtra 4.20, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. Both [the mind and its object] cannot be perceived at the same time.

Sūtra 4.20, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. The unchanging consciousness becomes aware of intellect when it [the intellect] takes the form [of an object].

Sūtra 4.20, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. The unchanging consciousness becomes aware of intellect when it [the intellect] takes the form [of an object].

Sūtra 4.23, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. Colored by both the Seer and the Seen, citta has all purposes

Sūtra 4.23, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. Colored by both the Seer and the Seen, citta has all purposes

Sūtra 4.02, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. Transformation from one state to another occurs due to the natural flowing of material reality (prakṛti)

Sūtra 4.02, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20”. Transformation from one state to another occurs due to the natural flowing of material reality (prakṛti)

Sūtra 4.11, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20” Since [the vāsanas] are held together by cause, result, seat, and dependency, when these cease, they [the vāsanas] also cease.

Sūtra 4.11, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 16” x 20” Since [the vāsanas] are held together by cause, result, seat, and dependency, when these cease, they [the vāsanas] also cease.

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The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, Book III