Breath is the vehicle of consciousness and so, by its slow measured observation and distribution, we learn to tug our attention away from external desires toward a judicious, intelligent awareness.
A stable mind is like a hub of a wheel. The world may spin around you, but the mind is steady.
Intellectuals tend to be arrogant. Intelligence, like money, is a good servant but a bad master. When practicing pranayama, the yogi [makes] himself humble and without pride in his intellectual attainments.
The beauty of a lake reflects the beauty around it. When the mind is still, the beauty of the Self is seen reflected in it.
Penetration of our mind is our goal, but in the beginning to set things in motion, there is no substitute for sweat.
The popularity of yoga and my part in spreading its teachings are a great source of satisfaction to me. But I do not want its widespread popularity to eclipse the depth of what it has to give to the practitioner.
Do not look at others’ bodies with envy or with superiority.
I always tell people, live happily and die majestically.
The decision to relax rather than to grip, even in the face of impatience or fear, is a conscious and brave choice.
I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.
If I find the constitution being misused, I shall be the first to burn it.
Life should be great rather than long.
Indifferentism is the worst kind of disease that can affect people.
Humans are mortal. So are ideas. An idea needs propagation as much as a plant needs watering. Otherwise both will wither and die.
Lost rights are never regained by appeals to the conscience of the usurpers,
but by relentless struggle.... Goats are used for sacrificial offerings and not lions.
Though, I was born a Hindu, I solemnly assure you that I will not die as a Hindu
History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics. Vested interests have never been known to have willingly divested themselves unless there was sufficient force to compel them.
I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity.