• Support Me
  • English
  • Español
Simple YogaSimple YogaSimple YogaSimple Yoga
  • New videos
  • Classes
  • Yoga Retreats
    • Yoga in Tuscany
    • Retreats Terms and Conditions
  • Yoga Philosophy
    • Read
    • Listen
    • Chant
      • Chant the Yoga Sutras: Chapter 1
      • Chant the Yoga Sutras: Chapter 2
      • Chant the Yoga Sutras: Chapter 3
      • Chant the Yoga Sutras: Chapter 4
  • Practice
    • Meditation
    • Simple Meditations CD
    • Yoga Here+Now DVD
    • Free Yoga Videos
    • Articles
  • About
    • Contact
3.29 Samyama on the polestar
November 15, 2021
3.31 Samyama on the pit of the throat
December 1, 2021

3.30 Samyama on the navel

November 23, 2021
Categories
  • All Articles
  • Chapter Three
  • Exploring the Yoga Sutras
  • Yoga Sutras
  • Yoga Sutras explained
Tags

3.30 Meditative integration (samyama) on the navel results in knowledge of the body.

This sutra begins a sequence of sutras listing some areas of the human body as focal points for samyama. Given the importance of the umbilical cord during pregnancy as a major conduit for blood, oxygen, and nutrients from the mother to the embryo, it seems to make sense that the navel can be used as a focal point to learn about the body. Although the navel does not seem to have much of a physiological function for humans after birth, it is often located at or very near your center of gravity. Is it possible that meditating on your navel can offer insight into your own body? You may also use the center of your body as a focal point to try to understand what your true center is at the physical, mental, and emotional level.
In recent years, researchers have found a complex system of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract called the Enteric Nervous System. The Enteric Nervous System seems to play an essential role in health, and it may also be an important factor in several diseases and neurological conditions.
Is it possible that ancient yogis had already found these critical connections between the systems in the abdominal area and the rest of the body?
Could it be that the common idea of gut feeling may be related to all of this?
What can you discover if you meditate with the navel as your focal point?

As usual, one more way of exploring the meaning of this sutra is by chanting it.
You can choose to chant it in its traditional form with some of the words coming together:

3.30 nābhicakre kāyavyūhajñānam
नाभिचक्रे कायव्यूहज्ञानम् ॥३०॥

Another option is to chant each word in the sutra individually:

  • nābhi
  • cakre
  • kaya
  • vyūha
  • jñānam
Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3.29

If you prefer, you may listen to the podcast:

This is an excerpt from the book Unravel the thread: Applying the ancient wisdom of yoga to live a happy life

If you find Simple-Yoga.org and Unravel the thread useful, consider supporting my labor with a donation, you may also donate using PayPal or Venmo. Thank you!

Share
0

Related posts

January 23, 2023

Y.O.G.A. S.I.M.P.L.E.


Read more
January 16, 2023

Yoga Sutra Summary of Chapter 4


Read more
January 9, 2023

4.34 The power of presence


Read more

What are you looking for?

Explore by Topic

  • All Articles
  • All Topics
  • Breathing
  • Chants
  • Chapter Four
  • Chapter One
  • Chapter Three
  • Chapter Two
  • Dance of Shiva
  • Exploring the Yoga Sutras
  • General
  • Lifestyle
  • Meditation
  • Movement
  • Nutrition and Health
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Yoga
  • Yoga Poses
  • Yoga Sutras
  • Yoga Sutras explained

Articles Archive

Subscribe to Newsletter
© Ruben Vasquez. All Rights Reserved.
Website by DirectiveGroup
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Support Me
  • English
  • Español