“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”
– The Bhagavad Gita
“Healing is not just about pain relief; it is about learning to live with awareness and harmony.”
Introduction to Yoga Philosophy and Its Goals
Heal by yoga, Yoga is regarded as a jewel among the vast treasures of Vedic knowledge. It represents the union between the individual soul (Jivatma) and the Supreme Soul (Paramatma), a sacred communion between devotee and God. Yoga serves as a pathway to liberation from the entanglements of creation, enabling practitioners to experience their true self or soul essence, deeply connected with the Supreme.
Continue…The Two Main Paths of Yoga: Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga
In India, Yoga philosophy branches into two main paths: Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, a foundational text, extensively outlines Raja Yoga, dividing it into four parts: the chapter on concentration (Samadhi Pada), the chapter on practice (Sadhana Pada), the chapter on powers (Vibhuti Pada), and the chapter on liberation (Kaivalya Pada). These texts lay down the theoretical and practical aspects of achieving inner peace and ultimate realization.
Continue…The Process of Self-realization in Yoga
Yoga teaches that true knowledge and self-realization come from mastering the mind’s fluctuations. This state of calm and stability, or Samadhi, is achieved through rigorous practice and overcoming obstacles detailed in the Samadhi Pada. The Sadhana Pada focuses on the practice itself, emphasizing that control over the mind’s movements is not easily attained but requires adherence to moral disciplines, physical postures, breath control, and meditation. These practices lead to purification of the soul and mind, paving the way for self-realization.
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Supernatural Abilities and the Goal of Yoga
Advanced practitioners who achieve control over their minds can acquire supernatural abilities, understand the mysteries of creation, and transcend physical existence at will. The Vibhuti Pada discusses these abilities as by-products of spiritual progress, while the Kaivalya Pada describes transcending the mind and ego to dwell in the true nature of the self. Raja Yoga emphasizes mental purification as a crucial step towards attaining this state of divine consciousness.