Yoga Sūtra Verse 1.11
July 5, 2012 § Leave a comment
Definitions
anubhūta – perceived, understood, apprehended; resulted,; that has experienced, tasted, tried or enjoyed
viṣaya – sphere (of influence or activity); dominion, kingdom, territory, region, district
country , abode
asaṁpramoṣaḥ – the not allowing to be carried off, not letting drop (as from memory)
smṛtiḥ – memories, remembrances,
Translation
“Memories are unforgotten sensory experiences”
Commentary
When you think about what little control you have over what you remember you start to understand why the modern yogi is so determined to use her or his senses in as many transcendental or spiritual ways as possible.
Just a glimpse, the tiniest sound, or the most fragile fragment of a scent can force your mind back to some latent memory now unleashed from the store house of all remembrances.
Consequently the yogi wants to fill that storehouse with transcendental impressions rather than mundane, earthly memories.
It is your actions and daily activities that create the majority of your mental impressions. Of which your thoughts are largely a byproduct. So it bears repeating, trying to change your life by controlling your thoughts is like trying to start a fire with smoke. Thoughts are the symptoms of character and tell you how you are doing.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (by atma) 
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