1. The goal of yoga is the stilling of the mind. Enlightenment is the yoga practitioner’s ultimate objective, which can be reached by regular practice. Following practical steps, the practitioner can become part of the timeless and seamless whole that is the universe. Unforeseen leaps to enlightenment are possible, but they should not be expected, let alone forced.

2. The first step is the yoga practitioner’s vow of nonviolence, truthfulness, generosity, and cultivation of sexual purity. This vow is essential to cross the threshold leading to the path to enlightenment. Yoga is a lifelong pursuit rather than a pleasurable pastime.

3. The second step is an active seeking of contentment, purity, knowledge of one’s own self, and knowledge of scriptures concerning spiritual advancement to enlightenment. Experiences of yoga practitioners in the past are of vital importance in each yoga practitioner’s progress.

4. The third step is the mastery of postures and physical maneuvers conducive to the stilling of the mind. These should be practiced regularly each morning and evening. Many guides to such practices are on offer from yoga practitioners in the past. Each yoga practitioner should select a guide that is most effective in actual practice. A guide that suits one practitioner may not suit another.

5. The fourth step is the mastery of breathing techniques and techniques promoting the introversion of the senses. These should be practiced regularly each morning and evening together with techniques already mastered. Again, the yoga practitioner should select the most effective guide to such practices.

6. The fifth step is the mastery of techniques promoting systematic concentration on an object or place and meditation techniques. These should be practiced regularly each morning and evening together with techniques mastered previously. As with the previous steps, the most effective guide to such practices should be selected by each yoga practitioner.

7. The five steps outlined heretofore may be combined in different ways depending on the yoga practitioner’s ability and proclivity. However, most practitioners will find these steps a useful guide on the path to enlightenment. As witnessed by the available guides to practice, many yoga practitioners have honed them in the past through their own regular practice.

8. Regular practice in the stilling of the mind will in time lead to brief experiences of temporary enlightenment. Time will suddenly stop and the universe will reveal its seamlessness. The yoga practitioner will be one with the universe. These experiences may give the practitioner an understanding that the ultimate goal has been reached, but such understandings should be guarded against. The goal of regular practice will still lie ahead.

9. There can be no guarantee that all yoga practitioners will reach full rather than temporary enlightenment. However, the path to full enlightenment offers tangible rewards at each and every step on the way. Each yoga practitioner will experience these rewards through regular practice. Throughout, the goal of yoga remains the stilling of the mind.

10. In line with the precepts of Bon Buddhism (“Ten Principles of Bon Buddhism,” April 10, 1992), the practitioner of Bon Yoga should learn from those more advanced on the path to enlightenment and help teach those less advanced if they so desire. However, each practitioner is following one’s own path and is responsible for one’s own progress.

To Patanjali