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Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book I · 40 of 51 · tr. Charles Johnston

Sutra 40

Thus he masters all, from the atom to the Infinite. Newton was asked how he made his discoveries. By intending my mind on them, he replied. This steady pressure, this becoming one with what we seek to understand, whether it be atom or soul, is the one means to know. When we become a thing, we really know it, not otherwise. Therefore live the life, to know the doctrine; do the will of the Father, if you would know the Father.
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Themes
Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

The passage explicitly states that knowing the doctrine and living the life is the means to know the Father and the universe.

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Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

The Father is addressed as an active agent whose will can be known through obedience.

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Meditationpraxis

Disciplined inward attention — sitting, focused, or open-awareness practice — as a stand-alone term that umbrellas active_contemplation, inner_silence, and dhyana-style sitting.

The passage describes 'intending my mind' and 'steady pressure' as a disciplined practice to achieve knowledge.

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Mystical Unionsoteriology

The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity.

The text emphasizes becoming one with what is sought and merging identity with the Father or the universe.

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Related passages · 1 parallel
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter XIX
“But neither does the cause [of the energies] of more excellent natures subsist as a certain middle instrument, nor does he who invokes operate through him who prophesies; for to assert these things is impious. And it is much more true to sa…”
Shared concept: Living God — The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality. (derived)