When we dive into the ancient well of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, we are searching for the manual to calm the perpetually busy mind. Patanjali defines yoga in Sutra 1.2 as the cessation of the mind’s modifications (Chitta Vritti Nirodha). But how, specifically, do we achieve this profound stillness?
Patanjali offers a clear, two-part answer in Sutra 1.12: Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tan nirodhah.
This translates simply as: The restriction of the modifications of the mind is achieved through consistent practice and non-attachment.
These two concepts, Abhyasa (Practice) and Vairagya (Non-Attachment), are the essential twin pillars holding up our structure of inner peace. They must work together; one without the other is incomplete.
Abhyasa: The Consistent Effort
Abhyasa is more than just performing an action; it is the dedicated, conscious effort to show up, day after day, regardless of circumstance or mood. In modern life, Abhyasa means setting aside time for meditation, attending your weekly asana class, or simply pausing for ten mindful breaths before reacting to a frustrating email.
Patanjali stresses that this practice must be consistent, performed with zeal, and maintained over a long period. Consistency builds habit, and habit creates the mental structure necessary to prevent the mind from spiraling into chaos. If you want a calm mind, you must diligently train it, just as an athlete trains their body.
Vairagya: The Freedom of Non-Attachment
If Abhyasa is the discipline of showing up, Vairagya is the wisdom of letting go. Vairagya is non-reaction—detachment not from life itself, but from the obsessive need to control outcomes or cling to the results of our efforts.
We apply Vairagya every day when we release the need for perfection in our work, when we stop chasing praise, or when we accept a disappointment without allowing it to derail our entire day. If we practice yoga only to achieve a specific body shape or meditative experience, we are practicing with attachment, and the mind will never find rest. Vairagya allows us to perform the action (Abhyasa) purely for the action itself, free from the cycle of desire and fear.
Together, Abhyasa builds the strength of intention, while Vairagya provides the lightness necessary to truly experience inner freedom.
True stillness arises when we commit to the effort but release the expectation of the result.