The Yogic Locks & Keys

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of the core texts associated with yoga. Patanjali was the sage who somewhere between the times of 200 BCE and 200 CE, compiled the oral ancient teachings of yoga into a written form...The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

So many great teachings in this book! There are only a few verses concerned with asanas, the physical poses. The entire rest of the book is a map for awakening...mastering the mind and achieving moksha...liberation!

One of the teachings that I have found very helpful in my life that I pass onto my clients is known as the Four Locks and Keys. These four attitudes are designed to keep your mind serene, no matter who you encounter. Patanjali suggests that everyone we meet (even barking dogs) fits into one of four "locks." If we use the right "key" (attitude), we can move through the world without losing our inner peace.

The 4 Locks and Their Corresponding Keys

The Lock (the other being's state)	The Key (your attitude)	Sanskrit Term	The Goal
Happy	Friendly	Maitri	To overcome envy & share in their joy
Unhappy	Compassion	Karuna	To offer help & empathy without being drained
Virtuous	Delight	Mudita	To find inspiration in goodness rather than competition
Nonvirtuous	Equanimity	Upeksha	To remain undisturbed in the presence of bad behavior

1. Friendliness (Maitri) for the Happy

When someone else succeeds, our ego often reacts with comparison or jealousy. The key of Maitri asks us to be genuinely happy for them.

On the mat: Celebrate a fellow student finally nailing a difficult pose.

Off the mat: When a friend gets the job you wanted, congratulate them sincerely. By choosing friendliness, you protect your own mind from the "poison" of envy.

2. Compassion (Karuna) for the Unhappy

When we see someone suffering, we might feel pity (which creates distance) or turn away because their pain makes us uncomfortable. Karuna is active; it’s about feeling with them and offering support where possible.

Application: Offer a listening ear to a struggling colleague without trying to "fix" them instantly.

3. Delight (Mudita) for the Virtuous

It is easy to feel intimidated by people who seem "better" or more disciplined than us. Mudita turns that intimidation into inspiration.

Application: Instead of thinking, "They're such a goody-two-shoes," think, "It’s wonderful that such goodness exists; how can I cultivate that too?".

4. Equanimity (Upeksha) for the Non-Virtuous

This is often the hardest key to use. When we encounter "wicked" or harmful people, our instinct is to react with rage or judgment. Upeksha is not about condoning bad behavior; it is about remaining undisturbed so you can respond with clarity rather than impulse.

Application: If someone is being rude in traffic, instead of yelling, remain neutral. You aren't saying their behavior is okay; you're just refusing to let their negativity live rent-free in your head. Same thing if there is a neighbor's dog that is barking incessantly. Getting angry is only giving your power away.

Why Carry These Keys?

Yoga isn't just about what happens on your mat—it’s about how you relate to the world. Sri Swami Satchidananda famously said that if you keep these four keys in your pocket, you can walk through any door in life and remain peaceful. By practicing these attitudes, you achieve Citta Prasadanam: a mind that is clear, calm, and ready for deeper practice.

Which of these "locks" do you find most challenging in your daily life? Try picking one key to focus on this week and see how it shifts your energy.

I bet you won't ever think about 'losing your keys' the same way:)