In todays episode we find ourselves at a significant intersection—both in our study of the Yoga Sutras and in the rhythm of this sacred time. Today, we explore Sutra 4.14, where Patañjali reminds us that although everything in life is constantly changing, there is a unique, enduring reality in all that exists. This idea of continuity amidst the flux of life mirrors the themes explored throughout the past nine days of the Navaratri celebration.

Navaratri, the festival honoring the Divine Feminine, leads a transformative journey through the dynamic forces of creation, preservation, and destruction. Each day celebrated a different aspect of the Goddess, from fierce strength to compassionate wisdom. And now, on this final day, we come to Maha Navami, a time to reflect on the triumph of light over darkness, clarity over confusion, and the eternal over the ephemeral.

Just as Patañjali teaches that while the world and our experiences are constantly shifting, there is a thread of continuity in us, so too does Navaratri remind us that beneath the cycles of change, the divine energy of the Goddess flows steadily within and around us.

As we celebrate the conclusion of Navaratri and delve into Sutra 4.14, I invite you to contemplate the ways in which your own life, like the river we spoke of earlier, is ever-changing. And yet, ask yourself: what is it within you that remains constant, witnessing the flow? What is that deeper truth you carry with you through all the changes, joys, challenges, and celebrations?

Let this reflection guide us through today’s episode, where we honor the eternal nature of the self, the teachings of Patañjali, and the radiant light of the Goddess, who continues to guide us forward. »