The 5 Sutras of the Aquarian Age: Modern Yoga Philosophy

Before you opened this article about the 5 sutras of the aquarian age, you were probably Googling a few random things, scrolling through Insta, or checking emails – or maybe, like many of us, you were somehow doing all of these things at the same time! LOL (as if that were possible 🙄). 

It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed by the social media landscape and constant connectivity that defines our modern age. Boundaries are becoming non-existent. Constant conflict is normalized. Global climate crisis seems inevitable. And sometimes the best solution seems like just shutting down. 

Everyone alive today is experiencing the tension of this moment, yet underlying the chaos is a call to greater consciousness. Spiritual visionaries of our time attribute this call to the present Aquarian Age: A period of spiritual awakening and expansion defined by an evolving approach to the flood of information that seems to be the source of so many of our modern problems.

How? you may ask. The five sutras of the Aquarian Age are a recent contribution to the canon of ancient yoga philosophy that helps us live purely, fully, and bravely.  These contemporary sutras offer guiding principles to help us navigate the difficulties of the internet era, and the information age in general. 

That’s what we’ll cover in this post! Apply them to your own life, and use them to inspire your daily yoga practice.

Yogi Bhajan’s 5 Sutras of the Aquarian Age

Astrology teaches us that we move backwards through the astrological signs about every 2,000 years. Basically, this means that every couple thousand years, we transition into a new age, under a new star sign – from Aries to Pisces, from Pisces to Aquarius, and so on. These transitions are believed to bring a major shift in energy.

We are currently leaving behind the Piscean Age, and shifting into the Aquarian Age (when the Aquarian Age ends, we’ll transition into the Age of Capricorn). Some astrologers believe we are already fully in the Aquarian Age, whereas others suggest we are at the end of transitioning into it. This so-called cusp period (transitioning to a new age) can take anywhere from a few years to a few hundred years. Nevertheless, each age is recognized by its own axiom, or theme, from which humanity draws principles of truth that define our experience of reality.

The Piscean values focused on the ego, as humans developed greater control over nature through building cities, industry and powerful technologies. This value system focused on status and following others. Aquarian consciousness, in contrast, is prophesied to focus on the human soul, leading us to experience greater compassion in relation to our self and everyone around us.

Yogi Bhajan, the guru known for spreading Kundalini yoga in the West, developed the five sutras of the Aquarian Age through his knowledge of Western astrology and adherence to the Sikh principles of living and faith. He began teaching these sutras, or principles, in the 1970’s to help students of spirituality (and increasingly, anyone confused and frustrated by the state of things) navigate through this new age and live with greater peace, awareness and sensitivity.

You Might Also Like: Kundalini Awakening: What Is It and How To Awaken It

What is a Sutra in Kundalini Yoga?

In Indian tradition, sacred teachings are passed down in sutras, a  term that translates directly as “knot” or “thread”. They are threads of wisdom. Sutras are often brief phrases or sentences that reduce complex spiritual concepts to their essence; the form is designed so that one can remember and meditate on it.

You might have heard of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which outline the Eight Limbs of Yoga and have touched countless people with their pure wisdom over thousands of years. In ancient times, sutras allowed sacred teachings like those of Patanjali to be protected by master teachers, and passed on to students in the oral tradition that yoga is known for.

The Aquarian consciousness is at the core of Yogi Bhajan’s teachings, and due to his influence of Kundalini yoga, Kundalini practice today. In 1992, Yogi Bhajan introduced the Aquarian Sadhana (a daily practice) to his following to help them navigate the tremendous shifts ahead.

These are the five sutras: 

1. Recognize that the other person is you.

The Aquarian Age calls us to realize that we are all the same, at our core. When we identify with our ego, we become judgmental towards those around us and often project our own personality traits onto them.

Once we give the other person permission to be wholly themselves, we often recognize that someone else’s reactions are a reflection of our own mental state. This gives us the opportunity to build deep compassion for ourselves and more meaningful relationships with others.

Next time you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation with another person, take a moment to appreciate that we are all ONE. The behavior of the other person is a reflection of your mental state. Acknowledge that you are in charge of your experiences and have the choice to understand, accept, and love them through compassion.

2. There is a way through every block.

Even yogis only in it for the asana can appreciate that we have the power to shift our energy. Whatever block you may be facing in your life, this sutra is a reminder that you can shake up, refine and tune your energetic frequencies. It might be through a daily sadhana, meditation practice, or pranayama to circulate the kundalini energy through your nadis.

You Might Also Like: Kundalini Demystified

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy having programmed our mind to believe things about ourselves that are not true, which restricts us in our daily life. Yogi Bhajan reminds us that one shall clear the path by shifting their mindset and give way to a purposeful life.

If you encounter a block on your life path, ask yourself; how can I shift my energetic focus to enable the universe to act through me? In other words, how can you go with the flow to achieve your goals? Maybe you need to get clear by writing a to-do list, or maybe you need a change of scenery and go for a hiking adventure instead? 

There is a way through every block. Give way to your intuition and let your creative energy flow. You just need to take the first step in order to receive guidance from the universe.

3. When the time is on you, start, and the pressure will be off.

With this sutra, Yogi Bhajan reminds us to take action when the opportunity arises; to take ownership of our feelings. In Kundalini Yoga we learn to dissolve energy blocks like fear or pressure to perform a certain way.

Do you tell yourself to wait until that next holiday, promotion, once the house is paid off to do this and that? Or maybe you have a deadline and simply can’t find motivation to get started? We’re pretty good at creating boundaries and limiting beliefs!! The words we repeat to ourselves, mentally and aloud, either reinforce those boundaries or dissolve them.

Just like the Kundalini energy is waiting to be released, take any pressure off by embracing what the universe has to offer and give space to not only your mind, but also your other bodies to evolve. 

Your time is now 🙌🏼

4. Understand through compassion or you will misunderstand the times.

Whether or not we’re comfortable with this thought, there has  NEVER been a time in human history where individuals are more deeply interconnected than now. Whereas the Piscean values called for focusing on our own well-being, the Aquarian values ask us to look out for everyone’s well-being in order to create deep understanding.

If we choose to be guided by our ego mind and ignore the suffering of others, we misunderstand the times. Everyone has their own wounds to heal, and while we may not all choose the same path of healing, we can have compassion for one another throughout a challenging time.

Whenever you make a decision for yourself, take a moment to ask yourself how your behavior could benefit others. What actions can you take for the greater whole? Remember the first of the five yoga sutras: the other person is you.

5. Vibrate the Cosmos. The Cosmos shall clear the path.

Everything is energy! 

🌈 Confidence that everything will actually work out really well?

🌪 Thoughts of skipping out on your partner, job and life for something new? 

✨How you talk to your boss, your interns, your kids, your sweetheart?

This energy can vibrate in different frequencies through our thoughts, words, actions, emotions, and feelings. Whatever we put out into the universe, we receive back.

You Might Also Like: The 7 Aquarian Mantras: Tune In To Profound Transformation

When we enter a relationship with the Divine through Kundalini Yoga and other spiritually-grounded practices, we vibrate on a high frequency and allow our soul to shine out into the universe. 

If you can vibrate out self-love and compassion, the cosmos will align with your frequency and work in your favor.

If you find yourself vibrating at a low frequency, which may manifest as self-doubt or judgement, remember that through mantra, our words, our breath, and even movement we can raise our vibration. The cosmos shall clear the path in response to our raised vibration.