Patanjali
~200 BCE
“Yoga is the cessation of mental fluctuations. Eight limbs leading to samadhi.”
The four dimensions in the 16-axis model where this thinker scores highest. People in this archetype tend to lean the same way.
- MRMystical Receptivity9 / 10
- POPractical Orientation9 / 10
- ATAscetic Tendency9 / 10
- SISelf as Illusion8 / 10
The six thinkers whose 16-dimensional positions sit closest to this one. Useful as next-reading suggestions.
- DogenTHRESHOLD
Practice and enlightenment are one. Just sitting (shikantaza). Being-time: time itself is being.
- BuddhaghosaTHRESHOLD
Visuddhimagga — the path of purification; Theravada commentary master.
- TsongkhapaTHRESHOLD
Synthesis of sutra and tantra. Emptiness combined with rigorous logic. Lamrim — the graduated path.
- FazangTHRESHOLD
Huayan — Indra's net; each part contains the whole.
- KumarajilaTHRESHOLD
Translator of the Lotus and Diamond sutras — Chinese Buddhism's spine.
- Patrul RinpocheTHRESHOLD
Words of My Perfect Teacher — the preliminary practices made plain.
Short exercises in the same tradition as Patanjali's thought. Each takes 5–25 minutes.
Three doors lead onward.
- 01 · QUIZThe InheritorFind your archetype — discover whether you'd argue with Patanjali or alongside them.CONTINUE ▶
- 02 · COMPAREPatanjali vs DogenOn Mull's map Dogen sits closest. See where they agree and where they part.CONTINUE ▶
- 03 · DAILYToday's SparOne philosopher, one topic, five minutes. A new one drops every day.CONTINUE ▶