Yoga is unhooking from sorrow

taṃ vidyād duḥkhasaṃyogaviyogaṃ yogasaṃjñitamsa niścayena yoktavyo yogo’anirviṇṇacetasā

Know this as yoga, the unhooking from sorrow. Practise it with firm resolve, and a heart that does not lose heart.

What it means

Krishna ends the long sentence with a beautiful definition. Yoga usually means union. Here he plays on the word. Yoga is also a breaking off, an unhooking from our tie to sorrow. Then comes the practical advice. Keep going with resolve. Do not let discouragement win.

The story

The Pandavas endured thirteen years of exile, wandering forests, living in disguise, losing almost everything. Many times they could have given up. They kept going, year after year, and returned.

In your life

Isla's language app shows her streak broke after sixty days. She is tempted to delete it. Instead she opens it, does one short lesson, and starts again from day one, without scolding herself.