OK…back to the sutras after a short hiatus.

Sutra 2.9 Svarasa Vahi Vidusho’pi Tatharudho Abhinivesah

Svarasa = by its own potency
Vahi  = flowing
Vidusho’pi = even the wise
Tatharudho = that exists
Abhinivesah = clinging to life

IOW – Even the wise cling to life because of their experience in past lives.

In this sutra Patanjali begins a discussion of karma and reincarnation. The idea here is that we fear death because we have experienced death before, in our past lives. Satchidananda’s interpretation uses an interesting example to explain the idea of reincarnation – he talks about how both instincts and natural talents are the result of past lives. The person who easily learns the guitar probably played the guitar in a past life. With regard to death, our ignorance about our true nature is what makes us afraid of death. However, since we are not our bodies, we should not fear the leaving of our bodies. When we can overcome this obstacle, we are ready to move toward Samadhi. How do we overcome this and the other 4 obstacles, you ask? Conveniently, the next 2 sutras tell us.

2.10 Te Pratiprasava Heyah Suksmah

Te = these
Pratiprasava = resolving back into their causes
Heyah = destroyed
Suksmah = subtle

IOW – In their subtle state, the five obstacles can be overcome by recognizing that they are of the ego are letting go of the ego (which comes with Samadhi)

Patanjali differentiates between “subtle” and “manifested” obstacles (see the next sutra for discussion of the manifested obstacles).  Subtle obstacles are those which may be latent or dormant. For example when I gave up eating meat, I did not think about eating meat, until one day when I craved a turkey sandwich. Since I had experienced a turkey sandwich in the past I could not completely erase it from my memory. It will only be when I am able to let go of all attachments that these latent desires will be completely erased. In an earlier Sutra (1.16) Patanjali tells us that when we understand ourselves as the true Self, the bliss will be so overwhelming that our past desires and aversions will be so petty and small that we will not miss them. I guess that since this bliss will be better than anything we have ever desired on this earthly plane - even a turkey sandwich - it must be pretty darn good and worth working for.

2.11 Dhyana Heyas Tad Vrttayah

Dhyana  = by meditation
Heyas = destroyed
Tad = their
Vrttayah = active modifications

IOW – In their manifested state, the five obstacles can be overcome by meditation.

When the obstacles are present, and a part of your daily life, they manifest themselves in the form of Chitta Vrtti – fluctuations of the mind. Meditation is the tool to control and eliminate these fluctuations. 

Sounds like a pretty simple recipe. heh.