Patañjali’s Kriya Yoga in the Rule of Saint Benedict

Abstract

The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali and The Rule of Saint Benedict are two spiritual classics that have guided countless seekers over millennia in their search for inner peace and joy. Despite the many years and distinct cultures that separated these two sages, there are remarkable similarities in the spiritual practices they encouraged their disciples to adopt. This essay highlights the three components of Patañjali’s Kriya yoga: Tapas – accepting pain and discomfort as help for purification, Svādhyāya – study and introspection as a means to know our True Self, and Īśvarapraṇidhāna – dedicating and surrendering our lives to God, and examines their place in the Rule of Saint Benedict.

Keywords

• Patañjali
• Yoga Sūtras
• Saint Benedict
• Rule of Saint Benedict
• Kriya Yoga