PODCAST · education
My Daily Thread
by Jeff Lichty
threadsutra, (Sanskrit: "thread" or "string")Welcome to My Daily Thread. A little slice of wisdom from the ages. From Patanjali through the present, a little riff to make your day! That's the thread, the sutra, the wise string that binds us all together.
Episodes
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302. Svādhyāya: Who Do You Think You Are!?
302. Svādhyāya: Who Do You Think You Are!? How well do you really know yourself? What if getting to know yourself is getting to know the Divine? We've been exploring the niyamas in Patañjali's Yoga Sutras—five practices that encourage us to examine and cultivate our inner lives. After our recent...
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301. Tapas: Burning Down the House!
301. Tapas: Burning Down the House! If a little heat transforms us, isn't more heat better? In this final episode on tapas, we return to Yoga Sutra 2.43: kāyendriya-siddhir aśuddhi-kṣayāt tapasaḥ Through tapas, impurities are diminished or worn away, bringing accomplishment or mastery of the body...
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300. Tapas: Who's Running the Show?
300. Tapas: Who's Running the Show? Your phone buzzes. Someone cuts you off in traffic. Something triggers you!? ... Who's running the show? In this second episode on tapas, we return to Yoga Sutra 2.43 and focus on one important word: indriya — the senses. kāyendriya-siddhir aśuddhi-kṣayāt…
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299. Tapas: Burn Away What!?
299. Tapas: Burn Away What? Heat. Fire. Purification. But what exactly are we trying to burn away? In Yoga Sutra 2.43, Patañjali returns to tapas — one of the three practices we first encountered in Kriyā Yoga and now the third of the niyamas. But this time, he takes us deeper. kāyendriya-siddhir...
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298. STOP IT! Never Enough Sucks.
298. STOP IT! Never Enough Sucks What does it actually mean to practice contentment? In this final episode of our three-part exploration of santoṣa, we move from philosophy to practice. Three simple places to start: Acceptance. Stop arguing with reality as it is. Notice when the mind gets pulled...
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297. Yeah, yeah! Contentment. I Want More!
Episode 297: Yeah, yeah! Contentment. I Want More! ... Contentment? or Complacency? If I'm content with my life, why the hell would I try to make it better? That's the tension at the heart of santoṣa, the yogic practice of contentment. In Yoga Sutra 2.42, Patanjali writes: सन्तोषादनुत्तमसुखलाभः...
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296. Santosha: I'll Be Happy When…
296. Santosha: I'll Be Happy When… "I'll be happy when…" More money. A better relationship. The job. The body. The house. Recognition. The next experience. The travel. Sound familiar? In this episode of My Daily Thread, we begin a mini-series on santoṣa (santosha), the second niyama in…
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295. YS 2:41. Saucha, Madonna and Jewish New Year
295. Saucha, Madonna and a Jewish New Year What are you carrying forward that you don't need to carry anymore? Old stories. Attachments. Expectations. Fear of not being enough. Things we still think we need to prove. In this episode of My Daily Thread, we continue exploring śauca (saucha), the...
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294. 2:40 Śauca... Clean up your side of the street.
Śauca — Sutra 2.40 Sanskrit (Transliteration) śaucāt svāṅga-jugupsā parair asaṁsargaḥ English Translation From purity arises a natural distaste for excess attachment to one's own body and for contact with what clouds clarity. Plain-language meaning When purity develops: Obsession with the body...
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293. Niyamas overview. Organizing our Inner Life.
शौचसन्तोषतपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः Niyamas 1:32. śauca-santoṣa-tapaḥ-svādhyāya-īśvara-praṇidhānāni niyamāḥ In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Niyamas are the inner disciplines of yoga. If the Yamas describe how we relate to the world around us, the Niyamas describe how we relate to...
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292. " Man in the Arena"- Happy New Year from Teddy and me.
Man in the Arena In this episode, Jeff reads and reflects on one of the most enduring passages on courage and participation: Theodore Roosevelt's "Theodore Roosevelt'" from his 1910 speech Citizenship in a Republic. This reflection isn't about winning, achievement, or public success. It's about...
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291. Season Finale - Transcend
A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! As we usher out 2025, we play the yearly word game. A huge thank you to all the My Daily Thread Tribe! We an extra shout out to Peter and Laura, both who admitted that My Daily Thread was their number 1 Podcast in 2025! Now let's finish this season ... Choose...
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290. Aparigriha ... and just letting go!
Sutra 2.39 अपारिग्रहस्थैर्ये जन्मकथन्तासम्बोधः Aparigrahasthairye janma-kathantā-sambodhah Word-by-Word Breakdown Aparigraha (अपारिग्रह) a = not / without pari = around, excessive, surrounding graha = grasping, holding, seizing → Non-possessiveness, non-grasping, freedom from hoarding Sthairye...
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Eunice Peterson on Trauma and Gratitude - Happy Thanksgiving
Join Jeff and Eunice Peterson as they discuss Trauma, Gratitude and Yoga. Jeff and Eunice will be conducting a workshop together at Yoga Passage in Calgary, Alberta on the weekend of November the 8th.
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289. Brahmacarya – True Strength: The Right Use of Energy
We continue our exploration of the yamas in Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras with the fourth principle: brahmacarya. This yama is often misunderstood, yet it carries profound wisdom for how we direct our energy in modern life. The sūtra is Yoga Sūtra II.38: brahmacarya-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ vīrya-lābhaḥ "When one…
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288. Asteya – The Abundance of Non-Stealing
Continuing the theme... Yoga Sūtra II.37, which speaks to the practice of asteya, or non-stealing. The sūtra reads: asteya-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ sarva-ratnopasthānam "When one is firmly established in non-stealing, all jewels present themselves." — Edwin Bryant Let's pause on this idea of pratiṣṭhām —…
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287. Asteya – don't steal my primary series poster
287-Asteya – don't steal my primary series poster In this episode of My Daily Thread, we continue our exploration of the Yoga Sūtras, searching for practical wisdom we can apply every day. We've already covered ahiṃsā (non-harming) and satya (truthfulness). Now, we turn to the third yama: asteya…
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286. Satya – The Power of Truthfulness
It's been a minute — I took some time to get out to the mountains, visit friends, and reset. Now we're back, continuing our journey through the Yoga Sūtras. If you want your own "sunset and reset," check out the NOW is the time to check out the San Pancho retreats with Ziggy and me in Feb 2026.…
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Dr Paul Bramadat - "Yogalands."
In this special episode we are happy to have Dr. Paul Bramadat back to chat about his book Yogalands. Paul Bramadat received his BA in religious studies from the University of Winnipeg (1990), his MA in religion and culture from McGill University (1993) and his PhD in religious studies from...
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285. Liar Liar ...
Today we're taking another pass at satya, the second yama from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. The sutra we're focusing on is YS 2.36: satya-pratiṣṭhāyāṁ kriyā-phala-āśrayatvam—when one is firmly established in truth, their actions bear fruit. This is a powerful idea. It suggests that when we are rooted...
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284. Established in Truth!
YS 2.36 says: satya-pratiṣṭhāyām kriyā-phala-āśrayatvam — "When one is firmly established in truthfulness, then their words become so powerful that the result of action rests upon them." We're back in the section of the Yoga Sutras that deals with pratiṣṭhā, being deeply and firmly established in…
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283. A mercy that starts inside...
Yoga Sūtra 2.35 – ahiṁsā pratiṣṭhāyām tat-sannidhau vaira-tyāgaḥ When one is firmly established in non-violence, all hostility ceases in their presence. Today, we return to ahiṁsā pratiṣṭhām—being established in non-violence—as taught in Yoga Sūtra 2.35. We've already explored how the yamas and...
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282. Ahimsa and our modern Matriarchs.
Yoga Sūtra 2.35 – ahiṁsā pratiṣṭhāyām tat-sannidhau vaira-tyāgaḥ When one is firmly established in non-violence, then all hostility ceases in their presence. Today, we reflect again on ahiṁsā pratiṣṭhām—being firmly established in non-harming. Patanjali teaches that this is not a casual virtue…
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281. A Non-violent default setting ...
Today, we return to our study of aṣṭāṅga yoga, the eight-limbed path outlined by Patañjali. As a reminder, the eight limbs are: Yama – ethical restraints Niyama – personal observances Āsana – posture Prāṇāyāma – breath regulation Pratyāhāra – withdrawal of the senses Dhāraṇā – concentration…
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280. Desire to anger, huh?
Today we continue our deep dive into Yoga Sūtra 2.34, staying with the powerful teaching of pratipakṣa bhāvanam—the deliberate cultivation of opposite, positive thoughts to replace those that are harmful or negative. This is no abstract philosophy; it's a daily practice for those on the yogic…
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279. Desire to disillusionment...
Today, we continue our deep dive into Yoga Sūtra 2.34, staying with the powerful teaching of pratipakṣa bhāvanam—the deliberate cultivation of opposite, positive thoughts to replace harmful or negative ones. This is no abstract philosophy; it's a daily practice for those on the yogic path. We…
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278. Don't be a greedy thief!
We continue our journey with Yoga Sūtra 2.33, and now deepen into the next verse — 2.34. If 2.33 gave us the prescription — pratipakṣa-bhāvanam — then 2.34 shows us the diagnosis, the depth of the problem. Let's start by recalling the previous sutra: vitarka-bādhane pratipakṣa-bhāvanam…
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277. "Stop it!" Bob Newhart, and thought replacement therapy.
We continue our exploration through the Sādhana Pāda, arriving again at Yoga Sūtra 2.33 — a powerful and practical teaching that has everything to do with the life we're living today. vitarka-bādhane pratipakṣa-bhāvanam वितर्कबाधने प्रतिपक्षभावनम्॥२.३३॥ "When disturbed by negative thoughts,...
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276. Don't fight it. Redirect ..
Let's review Yoga Sūtra 2.32, which lists the five niyamas, or personal observances — and in reviewing this sūtra, what strikes me most is the elegant simplicity of the path it offers. These teachings, though ancient, are profoundly relevant today — perhaps even more so in our overstimulated,...
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275. Inner truth over outer noise ...
The yamas and niyamas are more than philosophical principles — they are ethical and moral disciplines, and for me, they're the practices I return to again and again in my journey to become a better human being. Now, let me slip in a little reminder — the San Pancho full court press is on. Our...
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274. Contentment. Allow the water to become clear.
Yesterday, we began exploring the niyamāḥ, the observances of aṣṭāṅga yoga as laid out by Patañjali in Yoga Sūtra 2.32. We looked closely at śauca, purity or clarity, and how it stands as the foundational niyama, much like ahiṁsā is the cornerstone of the yamas. Today, we turn our attention to…
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273. Choose your śauca – purity, cleanliness, or clarity!?
Yesterday, we explored YS 2.31, and today we continue by honoring a beautiful insight from scholar Edwin Bryant. He draws particular attention to the importance of this sutra, emphasizing the universality of the mahāvratam—the great vows. When we hear the terms mahāvratam (great vow) and...
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272. Mahāvratam. The great vows!
We continue our journey through the Sādhana Pāda of the Yoga Sūtras, exploring the practices that Patanjali offers to help us move toward viveka-khyāti—discriminative wisdom. In YS 2.29, we were introduced to the eight limbs of yoga, aṣṭāṅga yoga, and now in YS 2.30, Patanjali begins with the…
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271. Ahiṃsā the start of yoga?
Continuing our journey into the Yoga Sūtras and the teachings of the great meditation masters, we return to the Sādhana Pāda of Patañjali, the chapter of practice. This is where Patañjali lists the steps—the actual methods—we can apply to move toward viveka-khyāti, the unwavering discriminative...
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270. Forget Love, jump to Ahimsa!?
we're continuing our journey through the Sādhana Pāda, the second chapter of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras. Let's remember where we've just been: in Sūtra 2.28, Patañjali says that through the consistent practice of yoga, particularly the eight limbs, the impurities dwindle and then—then!—"the light of...
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269. The eight limbs, moving to mediation.
Jumping right in, friends—today we're working with Yoga Sūtra 2.29, where Patañjali gives us what is often considered the classic blueprint of yoga: the eight limbs of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga. Yama-niyamāsana-prāṇāyāma-pratyāhāra-dhāraṇā-dhyāna-samādhayo'ṣṭāvaṅgāni "Yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma…
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268. Jñāna dīptiḥ. Let your light shine!
Dear followers of this thread, now begins the light of jñāna dīptiḥ, the illumination of wisdom. Jeff first went to India seeking the fiery discipline of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga as taught by Śrī K. Pattabhi Jois. He was drawn by the strength, the sweat, and the challenge. But what he ultimately discovered…
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266. Practice is the path...
This is the sutra that kept Jeff returning to India, year after year, to dive deeper into Aṣṭāṅga Yoga. It was Patañjali's words here that affirmed the path and ignited the faith to continue. There was something more than just movement—it was a promise that transformation comes through practice....
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265. Let the light of discriminative wisdom dawn ..
Today's on My Daily Thread our verse brings us to a powerful turning point in our journey through the Sādhana Pāda. The snippet of wisdom comes from Yoga Sūtra 2.28, and it holds a special place in my heart. So far, we've explored how the path of yoga helps us cultivate clarity and...
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264. Unshakable!
We continue our journey through the Sādhana Pāda of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras. Last time, we studied Yoga Sūtra 2.26, which introduced us to the idea of viveka-khyāti—the unshakable discriminative wisdom that leads to freedom (kaivalya). This unwavering clarity, cultivated through dedicated…
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263. Wisdom time! Is this true?
As we continue our deep dive into the Sādhana Pāda of the Yoga Sūtras, we return to Yoga Sūtra 2.27: tasya saptadhā prāntabhūmiḥ prajñā "For one with unwavering discriminative insight (viveka-khyāti), the highest wisdom (prajñā) unfolds in seven stages." For someone who has developed steady...
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262. The ground of wisdom... trying to be a wise guy?
We continue our journey through the Sādhana Pāda of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras. Last time, we studied Yoga Sūtra 2.26, which introduced us to the idea of viveka-khyāti—the unshakable discriminative wisdom that leads to freedom (kaivalya). This unwavering clarity, cultivated through dedicated…
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261. Jeff chirping, A little review ...
Let's do a little review to ground ourselves in the essential foundation of yoga philosophy. The entire project of yoga is based on Yoga Sūtra 1.2: yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ Translation: Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. In other words, yoga is the channeling, calming, or...
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260. Discriminative wisdom for the chirping fears ...
We continue on My Daily Thread to search for pearls of wisdom from Patañjali and the yoga masters. Today, we arrive at Yoga Sūtra 2.26, a verse that marks a major turning point in the journey toward liberation (kaivalya). It builds directly on the foundation laid in the previous verse, YS 2.25,...
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259. Kaivalya - Freedom, baby! Freedom!
Thanks for joining My Daily Thread. Yesterday we talked about the sacred entanglement between the Seer and the seen, or Puruṣa and Prakṛti, through the lens of Yoga Sūtra 2.23 and 2.24. Today we move on to Yoga Sūtra 2.25, which marks a powerful and pivotal moment in Patañjali's vision of...
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258. Awareness begins where confusion used to be...
Thanks for joining My Daily Thread again today. We're continuing with our journey through the Yoga Sūtras, and today we're on Sūtra 2.24: "tasya hetuḥ avidyā" "The cause of this union is ignorance." This is a short verse, but it carries immense depth. Patanjali tells us that the reason we become...
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257. You are, simply YOU!
Thanks for joining My Daily Thread—a space where we weave together ancient wisdom and present-day experience. Yesterday's reflection was a bit of a passionate dive into fear, a reminder that yogaḥ can be a true place of refuge. In the chaos of the world, it's easy to forget that this practice...
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256. Fear. Tariffs and the Mind Stuff.
Welcome to the week—and welcome back to My Daily Thread, where we look for snippets of wisdom in the Yoga Sūtras and anchor them into the real moments of our lives. We're especially grateful you're here today. In the light of current events—and for those listening in the future, we hope you still...
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255. Let go and carry on!
We continue with My Daily Thread as we explore the Yoga Sūtras for snippets of wisdom we can apply in our everyday lives. Yesterday, we reflected on Yoga Sūtra 2.22, which speaks of the diminishing role of the external world—prakṛti—for the one who has attained complete liberation. The sutra,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
threadsutra, (Sanskrit: "thread" or "string")Welcome to My Daily Thread. A little slice of wisdom from the ages. From Patanjali through the present, a little riff to make your day! That's the thread, the sutra, the wise string that binds us all together.
HOSTED BY
Jeff Lichty
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does My Daily Thread have?
My Daily Thread currently has 298 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is My Daily Thread about?
threadsutra, (Sanskrit: "thread" or "string")Welcome to My Daily Thread. A little slice of wisdom from the ages. From Patanjali through the present, a little riff to make your day! That's the thread, the sutra, the wise string that binds us all together.
How often does My Daily Thread release new episodes?
My Daily Thread publishes regularly with 298 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to My Daily Thread?
You can listen to My Daily Thread on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts My Daily Thread?
My Daily Thread is created and hosted by Jeff Lichty.
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