Yoga and its philosophy
This modern lifestyle has made it difficult for us to even get a satisfactory breather, let alone connect with our inner selves. Our moods have become Instagram stories and vacations have become a photo dump.
All of this stress, afterward if not put in check will cause us to crash, and will manifest in the form of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, migraines, eating disorders, backaches. this list is endless.
basically If we are to remain same, it is very important to disengage ourselves from this rat race and keep it from taking over our mind, body & most importantly the spirit.
A Yoga school of philosophy based on an extremely subtle science, the purpose of which is to bring harmony between mind and body. The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite.
Yogic scriptures says
According to ancient Yogic scriptures, practicing Yoga unites individual consciousness with universal consciousness, thus striking a balance between the mind and the body. Anyone who experiences this oneness of existence is said to be in yoga and is termed as a yogi.
While the modern-day commercial practice has portrayed it as something that is trending and all of sudden Yoga, actually is a cultural outcome of a profound philosophy dated back to 2700 B.C.
Yoga has spread all over the world, the teachings of great personalities like Swami Shivananda, Shri Yogendra, Shri T.Krishnamacharya, Sri Aurobindo, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, Swami Rama, BKS. Iyengar have taken this to all over. The universality of Yoga comes from the fact that it does not attribute itself to any particular religion, belief system, or community.
Western yoga
It has always been practiced as philosophy & lifestyle involving inner wellbeing. In fact, in the West, Yoga is popular more because of its spiritual benefits than physical benefits. Certain postures such as Padmasana, Balasana, Vrkshasna etc.have a purpose that goes deeper than flexibility & muscle strength.
These postures deepen the connection between mind, body and more importantly – the spirit. When we practice Yoga for spiritual awakening, we attain our highest potential, which allows us to enlighten & uplift others around us.
basically This creates physical, mental, and spiritual harmony. Yoga, thus, is a philosophy that gives us a roadmap to follow, which guides us to a fulfilling, healthy and peaceful life.
It gives us not superficial, momentary happiness, but one that eventually takes the form of deep and long-lasting contentment.
It is indeed astonishing how one can easily draw parallels between the nature of modern-day challenges and the many types of Yoga. Different kinds of asanas serve different purposes.
For instance, while Pranayama helps in developing awareness of one’s mind; Pratyahara is the conscious withdrawal of energy from the senses. Dharana aims at binding your consciousness to one particular object, place, or idea. Dhyana (Meditation) is reflecting within your mind and body.
certainly Yoga also talks about the four paths of Yoga that lead one towards self-realization
Types of Yoga:-
Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti is the yoga of surrender ultimately to the Divine, but it can initially be a teacher or anyone that creates strong emotional ties.
basically today’s world with so much chaos and confusion, it is said that Bhakti is the easiest of the paths. anyone can practice regardless of mental or physical abilities—and doesn’t involve extensive yogic practices.
In this path certainly we work on removing jealousy, hatred, lust, anger, egoism, pride, and arrogance. It replaces those feelings with feelings of joy, divine ecstasy, bliss, peace, and wisdom. One experiences a feeling of drowning in love.
Ask Bhakti Yogi, Asks what is it that I long for at the deepest level of my Being?
Is pure in thoughts, words, and actions
Looks for the Divinity in the ordinary
Honors and respects all life
Purifies the heart through devotion
Sings, dances, chants, and listens to Divine verses
Surrenders by being open to everything
Acts as a servant, friend, or mother to the Divine in everyone
People often say they don’t have enough time for their spiritual practice because of family commitments.but Bhakti is to make serving your family your practice.
Karma Yoga
Karma means “action,” and Karma Yoga is performing action without attachment to the outcome. It is the path of selfless service (Seva). You cease to identify with the ego and all action is seen as an offering to the Divine.
The heart is purified so egoism, hatred, jealousy, selfishness, and similar negative qualities vanish, creating space for humility, pure love, sympathy, tolerance, and compassion.
Karma Yoga is “doing the right thing,”—the process of achieving perfection in action. It means following one’s dharma (true purpose) and acceptingwhatever comes, without expectation of payment, thanks, or recognition.
at last The Karma Yogi
Lives life with passion but remains dispassionate about the outcome
Is effortless and graceful in all things
Has a loving, friendly nature
Is sympathetic, compassionate, and tolerant
Rejoices in the success and happiness of others
Feels neither above nor beneath anyone
Speaks and acts truthfully
Vedanta also says that Karma Yoga is the Warriors Path and the Yogi should:
Gyana (Jnana) Yoga
Gyana Yoga and its philosophy is the path of knowledge or, more correctly, wisdom. basically It is the means to Enlightenment through the process of reason—particularly the process of discrimination between what is real and what is not real, what is true and untrue—through study and self-inquiry.
It is said to be the most difficult path because it uses the mind and intellect to go beyond themselves to finally realize you are One with the Divine. The Upanishads call it the “razor’s edge,” where the ego is always trying to knock us off. It requires great strength of character, will power, and intellect.
The Gyana Yogi
Studies the spiritual texts of his/her traditions
Reads the words of the Great Masters
Asks the heart the following questions and listens to the answers without judgement or evaluation:
Who am I
What do I want?
What is my purpose?
What am I grateful for?
Is mindful of the surrounding world
Listens, reflects, contemplates
Practices discernment and detachment
Meditates and takes time each day to be silent
The Gyana Yogi stops worrying about what is being seen but asks, “Why am I seeing it?” Life begins to be seen as a dream.
Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga means the “Royal Path.” Just as a king maintains control over his kingdom, you must maintain control over your own “kingdom”—the vast territory of your mind.
basically It’s the path of meditation, mantras, and techniques. The basic theme of Raja Yoga is that your perception of the Divine Self is obscured from the disturbances of the mind. If the body and mind can be made still and pure, the Self will instantaneously shine forth.
Westerners favored Raja Yoga and its philosophy because it can be practiced, besides it’s requiring no belief or particular faith. Raja Yoga says to believe only what you find out for yourself through direct experience.
The Raja Yogi
Maintains balance in sleep, diet, lifestyle, and work Is in harmony with nature’s rhythms
Is pure and nonjudgmental
afterward Takes responsibility for his/her life
Has control over his/her emotions and remains free from worries
Avoids distractions
Trains the mind through techniques of meditation
Although he didn’t call it Raja Yoga, Indian Sage Patanjali has summarized this pathin his Yoga Sutras, under the title Ashtanga, or The Eight Limbs of Yoga.
The Eight Limbs
Yama: Abstaining from harming others through wrong doing, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, not wasting our energy, abstention from greed or hoarding
Niyamas: Principles for our own daily lives, including purity or cleanliness, contentment, discipline, study, devotion
Asanas: Seat or posture, yoga poses
Pranayama: Mastering and enlivening the life force
Pratyahara: Inner reflection
Dharana: Focused attention
Dhyana: Meditation, continuous flow
Samadhi: Freedom, liberation, enlightenment
Raja Yoga is a systematic process of moulding our character and life to the experience of Enlightenment. Yoga, even as it began as a practice in ancient times; will in its simplest form help you confront your deepest dilemmas and personal issues that you had been subconsciously avoiding.
At the speed we’re going in our current lifestyle, it is all too easy to push away not one or two but multiple issues that need to be addressed and put to rest, and Yoga helps you achieve just that. The best part about Yoga is all it requires is a mat and you – just sit on a mat, start breathing and take the journey within. if you want to be certified Yoga Teacher, You can join Yoga Teacher training in goa .Namaste!
