The Patanjali-Yoga is an eight-limbed system (Ashtaang Yoga), also referred to as Raja-Yoga, designed to purify and perfect the unsteady mind. Yoga, as a self-development tool, is accessible for all the people irrespective of their age, sex, faith, etc. The social, physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of our life can be shaped and perfected through Yoga. Thus, through Yoga, all religions can become better!...read more
The Patanjali-Yoga is an eight-limbed system (Ashtaang Yoga), also referred to as Raja-Yoga, designed to purify and perfect the unsteady mind. Yoga, as a self-development tool, is accessible for all the people irrespective of their age, sex, faith, etc. The social, physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of our life can be shaped and perfected through Yoga. Thus, through Yoga, all religions can become better! In fact with proper understanding and practice of Yoga, the religious-labels lose their meaning, and one truly becomes aware of the common links which bind all of us, thus giving a tremendous hope for a truly united world!
The eight limbs of Raja-Yoga trace a systematic path of regulation and control from the gross (the physical body) to the subtler (the senses), and further to the subtlest manifestations of the mind. The eight limbs are Yama (restraints), Niyama (observances), Aasana (posture), Praanaayaama (control of praana, the life force, through regulation of the breath), Pratyaahaara (withdrawal of senses), Dhaaranaa (concentration), Dhyaana (meditation), and Samaadhi (realization or immersion). The first four limbs deal with social and physical aspects, while the last four limbs deal with psychological as well as spiritual aspects of our personality. We shall describe some of the limbs in a little more detail. YAMA, NIYAMA (RESTRAINTS AND OBSERVANCES) - SOCIAL HARMONY Yama and Niyama are the ten commitments of Yoga of which the five Yama or `restraints' are non-violence (Ahimsaa), truthfulness (Satya), non-stealing (Asteya), continence (Brahmacharya) and non-possessiveness(Aparigraha). Their practice leads to behavioral modifications, in which all imperfections are replaced by virtues. The five Niyama, or 'observances' are, cleanliness (Shoucha) [both external and internal], contentment (Santosha), practice which brings about perfection of body and senses(Tapas), study of scriptures (Swaadhyaaya), and surrender to the ultimate reality (Ishwara-pranidhaana). The Niyama regulate one's habits and hence lead to the control of one's behavior. The beginner should not be discouraged by the immensity of these first two steps of Raja Yoga. One is not asked to perfect the Yama and Niyama before proceeding further, but he or she should try to practice them as consciously as possible. As can be seen, Yama and Niyama are the guidelines towards perfecting the social aspects of our personality, which are no different than the tenets prescribed in various world-religions. AASANA, PRAANAAYAAMA, PRATYAAHAARA - PHYSICAL HARMONY These three limbs of Ashtaang-Yoga deal with the physical and mental aspects of our personality.
Aasana means posture. Patanjali-Yoga refers to Aasana, mainly as sitting or meditative posture. Maintaining a stable, relaxed posture with erect spine, and the body-weight evenly carried by the crossed-legs, helps focus the mind better. Praanayaama is a set of techniques which regulate, and control our breathing which in turn is expected to balance the energy within us, and thus control our thoughts and emotions in a positive way. A conscious breathing helps calm the mind down creating a harmony between the body and the mind. Pratyaahaara is the withdrawal of mind from the external objects, helping the withdrawal of senses too. DHAARANAA, DHYAANA, SAMAADHI - SPIRITUAL HARMONY These three limbs gradually describe different levels of contemplation. Dhaaranaa is the concentration of attention on an object or a thought. Dhyaana is meditation on a chosen object or a thought continuously. Finally, Samaadhi is the total immersion of the self in the object of contemplation. Samaadhi is a unique experience which is described by Yogis by various names such as self-realization, or god-realization and so on. The practitioner of these three disciplines evolves towards spiritual harmony.
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