Yogasūtra I.31 - duḥkha-daurmanasya-aìgamejayatva-śvāsa-praśvāsāḥ-vikṣepa-saha-bhuvaḥ

Can we tell when these obstacles are having an effect and taking root?

All these obstacles produce one or more of the following symptoms - emotional discomfort, pessimism, physiological imbalances and disturbances to the breathing pattern.

Any of these symptoms can have further consequences. The following eight Sūtra-s offer some suggestions for controlling these obstacles and their symptoms. These suggestions are useful both for those with faith in God and for those who are non-believers.