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| Sarve Janaah Sukhino Bhavanthu | 
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VEDA Traditional chant. Powerful
vibrations. The definitve Rudram. Free English translation available upon
request. Yoga Yoga
is from the Sanskrit word 'Yug' meaning union {with the Divine}.
Different types of yoga:
There are various types of
yoga. Before we examine the differences, we should remember that all of
them lead to the same goal, unification with the Divine. The yoga paths
can be broadly classified into Bhakti yoga : Path of
Devotion Unfortunately, yoga in the
west has come to mean "hatha" yoga which is mainly physical exercise and
postures (asanas). In fact, asanas is only a single step in the eight-step
path (Asthanga yoga of patanjali). Patanjali is quick to point out that
asanas are to be used as a stepping stone for the higher paths, since just
working on the beauty and welfare of an impermanent object (the body) is a
waste of time and effort. Asthanga yoga is sometimes referred to as
Raja yoga .
However, Asthanga yoga is more of a philosophy like basic research while
raja yoga usually refers to specific techniques which are based on not
only Asthanga yoga but also on various [minor] upanishhads.
Brief descriptions of the
different types of yoga Bhakti yoga is the path of
devotion (to the Divine). It is pure selfless love from the heart. A
bhakti yogi feels that whenever he thinks of God, God thinks more of him.
A relationship between a Bhakta and God can never be described in words.
Karma yoga is the path of
selfless service. For a karma yogi, the activities of human life is a
God-given opportunity to serve Him. He does not feel that the world is an
illusion, does not encounter the ego-given 'highs' of success or the
'lows' of failure. Thus a karma yogi is detached while carrying out his
duties on the earth. Jnana yoga is the path of
knowledge. A jnana yogi wants to understand the transcendental truth. He
wants to solve the mystery of birth, death and the purpose of life. Hindu
scriptures describe a Jnani yogi as one who utters Neti, Neti
meaning 'not this, not this' to differentiate between what is
permanent and impermanent. He uses viveka (discernment) for moving on from
avidya (ignorance) to vidya (knowledge). He discerns that the world as
perceived by the senses is not real, but an illusion conjured up by the
mind. Asthanga (eight-step) yoga
was developed by Patanjali. The eight steps that would lead a seeker from
ignorance to Truth are : Yama
:
Self-control Any
person who wants to seriously pursue meditation as his path should read
the Patanjali's yoga sutras. Huge commentaries have been written on each
of his sutra (meaning 'thread'). A list of books on this subject has been
provided in the 'book section' below. Raja yoga is a science. There is no
unconditional faith required. It is similar to a person who would go to
the doctor for illness, and take the medicine the doctor gives with a
faith that it will cure him. If he followed all the doctor's orders but
still wasn't cured then it is the fault of the doctor and not that of the
patient. Brief description of Kundalini
yoga Most
of the saints have agreed that the culmination of the Kundalini Shakti is
essential for enlightenment. Various types of raja yogas (including siddha
yoga, kriya yoga, laya yoga, sahaja yoga etc) end with the activation and
culmination of the kundalini shakti at the crown chakra. They may be
referred to as Kundalini yoga. Kundalini is the dormant energy which lies
at the base of spine. Yoga, life and the
search A serious search for truth is almost always based on answering the question 'Who am I'. All other questions are mere details. One of the greatest scientists, Erwin Schrodinger, examines consciousness and tries to answer this question in his book What is life, 'Each of us has the undisputable impression that the sum total of his experience and memory forms a unit, quite distinct from that of any other person. He refers to it as 'I'. What is this 'I'? If you analyze it closely you will, I think, find that it is just a little bit more than a collection of single data, namely the canvas upon which it is collected. And you will, upon closer introspection, find that, what you really mean by 'I', is that ground-stuff upon which they are collected....'The youth that was I', you may come to speak of him in third person, indeed the protagonist of the novel you are reading is probably nearer to your heart, certainly more intensely alive and better known to you. Yet there has been no intermediate break, or death. ..In no case is there a loss of personal existence to deplore ...Nor will there ever be.' The search starts and ends with you but when the search ends, you are aware of the reality of 'you'. As with ANY search, one has to be constantly aware of the three P's : Purpose of the search, the correct Practice and procedure to follow in the search, and possible impediments. |
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