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In Chapter 1 Sutra 33, Patanjali further elaborates what he mentioned in sutra 1.32 as the solution for the nine impediments and accompanying distractions. The solution he suggests in sutra 32, is ekatatva abhyasa or single minded practice, sticking to one path, to move through conditioning.
Attitudes Are Also Part Of The Practice
As we learn about the yama niyama, contemplate them, see our conditioning around them and engage in enquiry, we see what creates more vrittis or aberrations in the unconscious and what helps us rest in spirit. However before the nuanced contemplation of these 10 focal attitudes he gives us four broad attitudes - in Ch 1 Sutra 33 - while dealing with people. He asks that one infuse the mind with friendliness, compassion, cheerfulness, and uninvolved observation in relation to those living a happy, miserable, virtuous, and non-virtuous life respectively. This will result in reclaiming a clear state of mind.
Dealing With Different Kinds Of People
Patanjali divides people broadly into four categories and suggests attitudes towards them.
1）Happy people - Be friendly towards them is his suggestion. This seems quite easy. Yet even this can be a challenge for some as when I was younger I had some sour people ask me what I was happy about. I remember in one interview in university in another context, when asked what makes me happy, I said, "My very existence." My friend Konrad was compiling an experiment on happiness. So if we are not happy then it is fine, yet we can be friendly to those who are and not begrudge them. Mitra is the word in Sanskrit to describe a friend. Maitri, maitreyi and mithratha are derivatives of it. This maitri is what Patanjali recommends.
2）Miserable or sad people - Have karuna or compassion towards them. It is interesting to note that the word kar which is an action word - like in karma, kriya, etc. - is in karuna as well. Na means “moving forward” or the “ability to reach a destination.” So karuna is the energy and attitude that moves us to enable ourselves as well as others to go forward. So compassion here is not enabling a dysfunctional pattern in the guise of kindness and perpetuating the stuckness. It is neither just a feeling, but a feeling followed by action.
3) The virtuous or those doing good and doing well - Have goodwill and cheer towards them. This sounds easy yet can be difficult for many who compare themselves with others. Also if one has low self-esteem then they may not be positive towards the virtuous. They either try to find fault in the other, as it makes them look better, or they use them as a dumping bag for their woes. So can we be happy for someone who is good hearted and extends themselves to support others or are we secretly wanting to outdo them and harbouring bitterness? If so, then it is time to shift it to goodwill and cheer.
4) The non virtuous or evil doers - Patanjali suggests that one maintain equanimity. This is definitely a hard call. We can go into the survival oriented sympathetic nervous system when encountered with such a person. Fight, flight or freeze. I also like to add “fawn” mode to it where there is insincere praise so one can be in the inner group and therefore be safe. The bully will have a few jalras as we call them in Tamil. A Jalra is a small musical instrument. These hand cymbals, also called manjeera or kartal, are used to accompany the main instrument. Hence a jalra is also a person who clanks “yes” sounds to the bully and is a yes man as he fears his survival. This fear is unconscious and hence fawning is also an unconscious survival mechanism
We usually go into fear and anger mode when we see someone misbehaving, being a parasite or getting aggressive. However Patanjali suggests not to waste one's emotional energy on such people. For each non virtuous person or situation around us or in the news we get upset by, we lose energy. That energy which can go towards facilitating change is diverted into high octane emotions and drama. Hence Patanjali suggests that one conserve one's energy and adopt this attitude. When we have energy conserved and raise consciousness we can choose what we need to do and how we need to respond. In many yogic and Indian stories we do see heroes and even demi gods get angry due to the wrong doers. This is not to negate the reaction of anger, which can be a propeller to stop injustice, but to offer an alternative.
By adopting these four attitudes or virtues the mind can become clear and serene. Hence they are solutions to conserve energy for the purpose of doing our sadhana as well as doing good in the world.