Quieting the Mind With the Yoga Practices of Abhyasa and Vairagya
Do you struggle with quieting the mind? Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at a Christians Practicing Yoga retreat, where I explored the concept of quieting the mind and cultivating stillness—themes deeply rooted in both Christian spirituality and yogic tradition.
In my lecture, I taught on the yogic practices of abhyasa (persistent practice) and vairagya (non-attachment), two foundational principles of yoga that align beautifully with Christian teachings on spiritual discipline and surrender.
Together, these practices offer a powerful pathway to stillness, helping us to quiet the mind, let go of worldly concerns, and cultivate a deeper sense of peace and presence.
In this blog, I’ll explore the abhyasa and vairagya meaning and how they work together to help us achieve this state of quiet and stillness in our minds. We’ll also explore how integrating these principles can enhance both our yoga practice and our spiritual journey as a follower of Christ.
What is Abhyasa and Vairagya?
Practice (abhyasa) and detachment (vairagya) are the means to still the movements of the mind. Sutra 1.12, BKS Iyengar: Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
According to The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the practice of yoga is the practice of “stilling” both the conscious and subconscious movements of the mind. When thoughts and fluctuations in the mind subside, the state of yoga is obtained and the student is able to encounter their “True Nature.”
In a world full of distractions and noise, quieting the mind can definitely be a challenge. Sutra 1.12 gives us the recipe for cultivating stillness through persistent practice (abhyasa) and non-attachment (vairagya).
These are the secret ingredients for achieving a still, clear, quiet mind. Abhyasa and vairagya are considered the “two wings” or “twin pillars” of a yoga practice. But what are they exactly and how do they work together?
Abhyasa and Vairagya Meaning: The Dance Between Effort and Surrender
“A bird cannot fly with one wing. In the same way, we need the two wings of abhyasa and vairagya to soar.” – BKS Iyengar
Abhyasa involves effort and focus… a devoted, unwavering, and relentless pursuit of a “chosen subject” despite challenges and repeated failures, over an indefinite period of time. Practiced consistently over time, abhyasa lays the groundwork for disciplining the mind.
Vairagya involves renunciation… letting go, surrendering, and eliminating anything that hinders progress towards the chosen subject, such as quieting the mind.
Like the wings of a bird, these two practices will allow the student to soar freely with a clear and steady mind. If one of the wings is not working in balance with the other, then the student experiences trouble and is pushed and pulled by the movements in the mind.
A Real Life Example of Abhyasa and Vairagya at Work
A daily life example to help illustrate the dance between these two concepts might be the decision to commit to a regular workout regimen. Going for a jog every morning or practicing yoga daily, regardless of whether you feel motivated on a particular day, would be a practice of abhyasa, or consistent effort.
Letting go of the outcome of your regimen, not being overly attached to results of your yoga practice (the perfect posture) or your daily jog (weight loss, body appearance, or speed) would be a practice of vairagya, or nonattachment.
By committing to a dedicated effort (abhyasa) and letting go of the outcomes of these efforts (vairagya), the student is able progress with a steady, peaceful mind.
In essence, abhyasa is the disciplined effort to cultivate positive habits and skills, while vairagya involves cultivating an attitude of non-attachment and equanimity towards the outcomes of those efforts. These two concepts work in harmony, moving together like a dance as the practitioner progresses on their path.
Quieting the Mind With Abhyasa and Vairagya on the Yoga Mat
As a yoga teacher, I often hear comments like, “I can’t do yoga; I’m not good at it,” or “I can’t do yoga because I’m not flexible.” It saddens me to hear this because it reflects a misunderstanding of what yoga truly is.
People don’t realize that anyone can practice yoga, and flexibility isn’t a prerequisite—it’s a result of consistent practice.
Returning to Patanjali’s definition of yoga, we will see that yoga is achieving the state of calm, and quiet mind. Yoga postures, breath, and the differing stages of meditation are all part of a process outlined to help quiet the mind.
On the yoga mat, abhyasa and vairagya are key principles that shape the practice of yoga.
Abhyasa involves showing up consistently on your mat, committing to your practice with dedication, and making a sustained effort to refine your postures, breathing, and focus. Abhyasa asks us to push through challenges, building strength, flexibility, and a steady, quiet mind over time.
Vairagya, on the other hand, is about letting go of attachment to specific results, such as mastering a certain posture, reaching a particular level of flexibility, or even achieving a still and quiet mind.
It means practicing with an attitude of acceptance, being present with where your body and mind are each day, and not allowing frustration or judgment to arise if things don’t go as planned.
Together, abhyasa and vairagya dance together to create a balanced and meditative approach to yoga, where effort is made without attachment to outcomes.
Abhyasa and Vairagya Meaning For Christians
The yogic practices of abhyasa and vairagya have meaningful parallels with the Christian tradition, especially in the context of spiritual formation and discipleship.
For Christians, abhyasa and vairagya can be seen as the dance of following the teachings of Jesus with both dedication and humility.
This involves diligent and dedicated pursuit of spiritual growth through the disciplines while maintaining an inner attitude of detachment from the outcomes, trusting in God’s plan and purpose.
Abhyasa, or persistent practice, in a Christian context can be likened to the consistent and devoted practice of Christian disciplines and principles.
Some examples of Abhyasa for Christians might include:
- Prayer and Devotion: Engaging in regular prayer, worship, and devotionals as a way of maintaining a close relationship with God.
- Christian Living: Consistently striving to live according to Christian values, such as love, forgiveness, humility, and service to others. This includes practicing virtues like kindness, patience, and generosity in daily interactions.
- Service and Evangelism: Regularly engaging in acts of service and charity, such as volunteering, helping those in need, and sharing the teachings of Christ with others.
- Spiritual Growth: Continuously studying the Bible, engaging in theological reflection, and participating in Christian education to deepen understanding and grow spiritually.
On the other hand, Vairagya, or non-attachment, in a Christian context can relate to the attitude of detachment from worldly concerns and the focus on spiritual goals.
Some examples of Vairagya for Christians include:
- Detachment to Material Wealth: Practicing non-attachment to material possessions and wealth, echoing Christ’s teachings on the dangers of being consumed by materialism.
- Surrendering to God’s Will: Trusting in God’s plan and surrendering personal desires and outcomes to His will.
- Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges, resentments, and the need for retribution, embracing forgiveness as a key Christian principle.
- Non-Attachment to Status and Recognition: Serving and living faithfully without seeking personal glory, recognition, or accolades, embodying the humility of Christ.
The result of this dance between abhyasa and vairagya for Christians is a deep, abiding faith that is not swayed by external circumstances, aiming for a life rooted in the love of God and the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
Quieting the Mind With Abhyasa and Vairagya in Christ-Centered Meditation
In Christ-centered meditation, the goal of the practice is to quiet the mind and to set distractions aside in order to “rest in God.” If we return to the definition of yoga according to Patanjali as “stilling the movements of the mind,” we will find a parallel here between yogic philosophy and Christian meditation.
Learning the yogic practices of abhyasa and vairagya can help Christians quiet their minds and deepen their awareness of the presence of God in order to find rest for their souls.
In a Christ-centered meditation practice, abhyasa involves consistently dedicating time for meditation, even on days when it feels challenging, and repeatedly bringing your attention back to the breath, sacred word, or the presence of God whenever the mind wanders. This steady effort helps to strengthen and stabilize your Christian meditation practice over time.
On the other hand, vairagya during Christian meditation is about letting go of expectations and releasing attachment to specific outcomes, such as achieving a deep state of calm or having a particular experience during meditation. It also involves observing thoughts as they arise without getting caught up in them and gently allowing them to pass.
Together, abhyasa maintains a steady and disciplined practice, while vairagya fosters a non-attached, accepting attitude, both of which are essential for cultivating a quiet mind and focused mind during meditation.
Using Abhyasa and Vairagya to Better Hear the Voice of Jesus
In her recent blog post, Doreen Eckhart writes, “Through non-attachment, we are inspired to practice more. We become more free – more available for the Holy One’s plan in our life. As we gain a direct experience of the Divine we come to trust in the process. The more we radically trust in God, the more we are motivated to keep going with study, practice and letting go. In this way, the yogis and Jesus show us a Way, a Truth beyond this world of habits and desires.”
Jesus tells us, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Quieting our minds through the yogic practices of abhyasa and vairagya can help us hear Jesus’s voice as we seek to follow him in his way and truth as we let his life live through our lives.
Quieting our minds through the yogic practices of abhyasa and vairagya can help us better hear Jesus’s voice, guiding us as we follow His way and truth, allowing His life to take shape in our own lives.
New to Yoga? Learn More About Practicing Yoga as a Christian
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