July Gītā: 17.16

manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ
maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ
bhāva-sanśhuddhir ity etat
tapo mānasam uchyate

‘Serenity of thought, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of purpose—all these are declared as austerity of the mind.’

Bhagavad Gītā 17.16

Often when we think of austerity in yoga we refer to tapas and discipline. It’s easy to translate this idea to practice and being on the mat but we are reminded here that discipline and austerity belong also in the mind. 

The word I want to highlight from this sloka is gentleness. I can’t help feeling we need more in the world. When we cultivate a self-gentleness and afford ourselves with its touch then we can more easily extend this to others; not just to the people we love and like but to ‘that’ person. 

What is most interesting about yoga is working with opposites. In one way we are encouraged to move away from ‘I’ and yet the notion of self-kindness is something which is being directed towards it. Some people will feel uncomfortable with this but we need to walk the talk. We can learn to give to others when we genuinely cultivate what we are wanting to do outwardly inwards. Kindness like compassion and love is expansive not limited. 

– Louise Newton