The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Books III & IV

Online | February 2nd - 4th, 2024

Yoga Sutra Online Weekend Course

Join us in an exploration of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, a foundational text for all yoga practice. Baba Hari Dass taught these sutras at Mount Madonna beginning in 1978. His commentaries, class format, and deep insight continues to be the basis for our study together.

Pada III, on vibhuti or powers, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras is about transformation! Transformation of energy, transformation of nature, and transformation of consciousness. It begins with an explanation of the final three limbs of Ashtanga Yoga... concentration, meditation, and absorption. Sri Patanjali then explains the secrets of how nature is organized and the accomplished yogi's capacity to transform that organization for powers and eventual enlightenment. This is accomplished through samyam, the application of the last three limbs of Ashtanga Yoga in lightning speed.

Pada IV, on kavailya or liberation, concludes the teachings on powers and transformation. Then the final sutra teachings on consciousness and nature, mind and its capacities, and the path to complete freedom from attachment, ego, and cravings is given. The sutras conclude and one round of study is complete!

We will chant in Sanskrit, explore the principles of transformation, and apply the teachings in concentrated practice followed by sharing insights.

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Baba Hari Dass Silent Yoga Master
Tuition
Sutra 3
Sanskrit
Admissions Ayurveda

About the Instructors

Dayanand (DN) John Diffenbaugh, BA, (Honors) Religious Studies, UCSC; E-RYT 500. Dayanand teaches Yoga Sutras, Samkhya Philosophy, Eight Limbs of (Aṣhṭānga) Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Nada Yoga (Inner Sound), and meditation. He is editor of Babaji’s Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. A musician, DN leads kirtan and Vedic chanting. Dayanand has been instrumental in developing the projects inspired by Baba Hari Dass, serving as the Founding Director of Mount Madonna Center (1978-2019), on the panchayat (Council of Elders), and on the Boards of Hanuman Fellowship, Mount Madonna Institute, and as Advisor Trustee of Sri Ram Orphanage. DN is devoted to sustaining and learning from the land, and to yoga study and practice in the context of community.

Sarada Diffenbaugh, Ph. D., Education, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; E-RYT 500. Sarada teaches Yoga Sutra, Samkhya Philosophy, Bhagavad Gita, Eight Limbs of (Aṣṭāṅga) Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, children’s yoga, ethics and meditation. Sarada is one of the founders of Mount Madonna School (PK-12th) where the ancient system of yoga has been translated into contemporary American education. She is one of the founders of Mount Madonna Center, and serves on the Boards of Mount Madonna Institute, Mount Madonna School, Sri Ram Foundation, and as Advisor Trustee of Sri Ram Orphanage. Sarada is devoted to creating transformative educational experiences for all age groups.

Online Course Schedule

Friday, February 2

  • 9:30-11:00am & 3:30-5:00pm
  • The Principles of Vibhuti Pada

Saturday, February 3

  • 9:30-11:00am & 2:00-3:30pm
  • The Principles of Kaivalya Pada

Sunday, February 4

  • 9:30-11:00am
  • Integration of All Padas

Tuition

$180

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