A Poem: I Am Not The Thought (YS 1.4)

Loosen the grip of thoughts and inner stories.

This poem is inspired by Yoga Sutra 1.4:

Vṛtti-sārūpyam itaratra
At other times, the Seer identifies with the movements of the mind.

Patanjali reminds us how easily a thought can begin to feel like truth, an emotion can become an identity, and an old story can shape the way we see ourselves and the world.

This reflective poem is an invitation to gently step back from the movements of the mind and remember that you are more than what is passing through.

You are also warmly invited to join the Living the Yoga Sutras group here on Insight Timer to explore the sutras, share reflections, ask questions, and access related practices.

You do not need to fight the mind.

This is present.
This is known.
This is not the whole of me.

Transcript

This poem is inspired by Yoga Sutra 1. 4. Vritti Saryupyam Itthadadam At other times, The seer identifies with the movements of the mind. This sutra reminds us how easily we can become caught in thoughts, Emotions, Memories and inner stories. A thought appears and we believe it completely. An emotion arises and it begins to feel like the whole of who we are. This poem is an invitation to gently loosen that identification. You do not need to fight the mind or push thoughts away. Simply notice what is present. A thought is a thought. A feeling is a feeling. A story is a story. And you are more than what is passing through. This is present. This is known. This is not the whole of me. This poem is titled, Not the Thought. A thought appears within the mind. And suddenly it wears my name. A passing cloud, A moving wave begins to speak as if it came. A fear arises in the chest, A story gathers shape and sound and what was only passing through becomes the world I build around. I say, I am this grief, I am this shame, I am the wound, The role, The past. Forgetting that the forms of mind were never made to hold me fast. The mirror takes each image in. The lake reflects the moving sky, Yet neither mither lake nor soul Is bound to what is passing by. A mentor may, A memory may call my name. And all belief may feel like truth. But what is seen can be the least From silent roots of pain and youth. So let the thought be seen as though the feeling felt but not obeyed, The story known but not enthroned, The mask held gently then unmade. For the I am not each changing form that rises in the field of mind. I am the space that knows it all, The witness, Patient, Clear and kind. Vritti sarupam itthadadam At other times we take the form But when awareness sees the wave, We find the depth beneath the storm. Thank you for listening. Namaste.