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The Ultimate Science of Yoga

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The Ultimate Science of Yoga The Ultimate Science of Yoga Goutam Paul The Meaning of Yoga in a deep, eternal, sweet, personal, loving It is common to associate the word Yoga with a relationship, and taste the nectar of its mellows. system of physical postures and meditation. But Yoga in its original form has a deep spiritual significance What is Bhagavad Gita? which is lost in today’s body-centered world. Bhagavad Gita literally means Song of the * The Sanskrit word Yoga comes from the verb root Absolute. It is a conversation between Arjuna and Yuj, which means to link or to connect. When we Krishna, which took place around 3000 B.C. in a talk about linking or connection, an obvious question battlefield. Krishna represents the Supreme Being and arises: to connect what with what? The very word Arjuna represents an ordinary living being like us. “connection” implies that there must be two different Through Arjuna’s questions and Krishna’s answers, entities separated from one another, and they need to the complete science of Yoga is revealed. It is † be connected. The ancient Vedic text Bhagavad Gita considered a science because it describes the concept explains that these entities are the individual of Yoga in a systematic step-by-step way. It tells us consciousness and the universal Supreme exactly how to follow the Yoga processes and also consciousness. Some may call this universal what will be the results of different practices. consciousness an all-pervading energy, whereas most theists consider this Supreme consciousness to be In modern days, Yoga is often misunderstood just God. The Vedic philosophy combines these two as a process of achieving good health through the apparently contradictory concepts very beautifully. It practice of physical postures. Yoga as a practice of physical exercises was first systematically compiled explains that there is definitely an all-pervading ‡ universal energy. But the very existence of energy by the sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras, and the implies that there also exists a possessor and same Yoga is also discussed in chapter 6 (entitled controller of the energy – the energetic – who is an Abhyasa Yoga) of Bhagavad Gita. However, the intelligent being. Our individual consciousness or original purpose of this Yoga was to connect one’s energy is a manifestation of the spirit soul inside our consciousness to the Supreme consciousness by body, and this soul is a part of the Supreme Soul or controlling one’s body, mind and senses; good health the Supreme Energetic or God. The purpose of Yoga is just a by-product of this endeavor. Because a is to connect the individual energy with the universal healthy mind resides in a healthy body, Abhyasa Yoga energy, or put another way, to connect the individual is supposed to help focus one’s mind upon the being to its source – the Supreme Being. Supreme. Yoga or divine union with the Supreme does not mean that we merge into the Supreme and become Different Yoga Systems in one with Him. Bhagavad Gita explains that we do Bhagavad Gita become one, but in quality and not in quantity. This Abhyasa Yoga is just one of the many ways to oneness is spiritual, not physical. For example, the connect to the Supreme, and Bhagavad Gita discusses perfect realization of sugar is not becoming sugar, all of them in detail. In fact, the title of each of the 18 rather tasting its sweetness. Similarly, the perfect chapters of Bhagavad Gita ends with the word Yoga, divine union means that we do not lose our as each chapter discusses a unique way of connecting individuality, but we become united with the Supreme with the Supreme. Below is a brief summary of the particular Yoga * An ancient language in which most of the Eastern system that each chapter of Bhagavad Gita talks philosophy texts have been written. † Vedas are the most ancient recorded scriptures of knowledge of the Self. ‡ Believed to have lived around second century B.C. about. Interested readers may consult the Bhagavad Astanga Yoga – the Path of the Eightfold Gita itself for a full exposure [1]. Mystic Processes. When we refer to Yoga as a 1. Visada Yoga – the Path of Dejection. Here, system of physical exercises, we actually Arjuna is under severe depression and is mean this particular Yoga. The purpose of this confused about his duties as he stands in the Yoga is to connect one’s consciousness to the battlefield. He then approaches Krishna to Supreme Consciousness by controlling one’s seek advice from Him. Actually, each one of body, mind and senses. There are 8 us is Arjuna struggling in the battle of life. progressive stages of self-control: namely, Many times we also seek guidance from a yama (don’ts), niyamas (do’s), asana spiritual person, when we are utterly frustrated (postures), pranayama (breath control), with the sufferings of this material world. That pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana is why this is called the Yoga of Dejection. (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (trance). 2. Sankhya Yoga – the Path of Analysis. It describes how to understand the Absolute by 7. Paramahamsa Vijnana Yoga – the Path of means of logical analysis and reasoning. Realization of the Ultimate Truth. Another Philosophers and intellectuals may prefer this name of this chapter is Vijnana Yoga – the Yoga. Path of Wisdom. It describes how to achieve the Supreme by realizing His material and 3. Karma Yoga – the Path of Action. It talks spiritual energies and their relationships. about actions and reactions. Activity for one’s personal sense gratification can cause 8. Aksara-Parabrahman Yoga – the Path of bondage. Activity performed as a sacrifice, as Imperishable Brahman. Here, the nature of the a service, and as a duty without attachment or living entities, the nature of material activities, aversion can set one free and link one with the and the ever-changing material manifestation Absolute. have been discussed. This chapter also teaches us how to remain connected to the Supreme 4. Jnana Yoga – the Path of Knowledge. This by remembering Him at the time of death. chapter discusses the transcendental knowledge about the form, birth and activities 9. Raja-Vidya-Guhya Yoga – the Path of the of the Supreme Being. It also stresses that the Most Secret of Royal Knowledge. Here, knowledge about the Supreme has to be devotion has been stated to be the topmost obtained in disciplic succession, originating important means to connect to the Supreme. from the Supreme Being Himself. Just like an Because the Supreme is a person, He is athlete needs to take appropriate training from especially pleased when one performs a bona fide coach in order to achieve personal devotional service unto Him. He perfection, similarly, a practitioner of Yoga reciprocates with His devotees by bestowing needs to take shelter of a bona fide spiritual blessings upon them and providing them with master. Only then one can connect oneself His protection. properly to the chain of self-realized Yogis 10. Vibhuti-Vistara-Yoga – the Path of leading all the way up to the Supreme. Manifestation of Opulence (of the Absolute). 5. Karma-Vairagya Yoga – the Path of This chapter discusses the opulence’s of the Renunciation of Action. Another name of this Supreme throughout this universe, and also chapter is Karma-Sanyasa Yoga. It explains how to know God as the origin of all. what is action, what is inaction, who is the 11. Visvarupa-Darsana Yoga – the Path of Vision doer of action, and what is actual renunciation. of the Universal Form. It explains how the True renunciation is not just mechanical Supreme Being is pervading the entire cosmic detachment from work. True renunciation creation and how can we connect to Him by means working not for oneself, but for the seeing Him in everything. Supreme. 12. Bhakti Yoga – the Path of Devotion or the 6. Abhyasa Yoga – the Path of Practice (of Self- Path of Love. It discusses how to link with Control). Other names of this chapter are the Supreme through loving relationship and Dhyana Yoga – the Path of Meditation, or devotional service. According to Bhagavad Gita, this is the highest form of Yoga and we bondage of action and reaction, and finally, will come back to this again at the end of our one can achieve devotion, which is the highest discussion. means to reach the Supreme. 13. Ksetra-Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yoga – the Path of Fields and the Knower of the Fields. Another Three Primary Yoga Systems name of this chapter is Prakriti-Purusha- Viveka Yoga – the Path of Nature, the Enjoyer Among all these Yogas, three are considered to be and Consciousness. This chapter discusses the most prominent: namely, Jnan Yoga – the Path of how to relate to the Supreme through these Knowledge, Karma Yoga – the Path of Action and three aspects of His energies. Bhakti Yoga – the Path of Devotion. The first six chapters of Bhagavad Gita deal primarily with Karma 14. Gunatraya-Vibhaga Yoga – the Path of the Yoga, the next six with Bhakti Yoga and the last six Three Divisions of Modes. There are three with Jnan Yoga. modes of material nature: Sattva or the mode of goodness, Rajas or the mode of passion and Tamas or the mode of ignorance. The qualities The Highest Yoga System in the mode of goodness are peacefulness, Which one of these Yoga systems are the highest contentment, compassion, patience, discipline and most beneficial? According to Bhagavad Gita etc. The mode of passion includes attachment itself, Bhakti Yoga is the topmost of all. Bhakti means and aversion, anxiety, desire to control etc. “love” or “loving service” unto the Supreme.
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