Hindu Yoga
Indian yoga codified from esoteric
practices that are thousands of years old. It has developed several branches to
accommodate different personality styles. The major yogas are Bhakti ( a
devotional approach that opens the heart, it is best for those who are primarily
emotionally-oriented ), Jnana ( an intellectual approach that leads to wisdom,
it is best for those who are primarily mentally-oriented ), Karma ( an active,
service-oriented approach, it is best for those who are more extroverted and who
find meaning mostly through relationship ), and Raja ( a meditational approach,
it is best for those who are primarily oriented to the practical aspects of a
situation ).
Raja Yoga
For those who are capable, Raja Yoga
employs the most powerful and direct techniques for spiritual advancement. In
addition, it provides a clear outline of the stages of progress along the path.
These teachings were first systematised in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (
written around 300-500 AD ). The eight traditional stages are:
-
Yama ( social ethics of non-violence, truth,
non-stealing, continence, and non-coveting )
-
Niyama ( personal ethics of purity, contentment,
ardour, study, devotion )
-
Asana ( discipline of the body through posture to
provide a sound base for taming the mind )
-
Pranayama ( discipline of the breath to refine the
base developed through asana )
-
Pratyahara ( beginning mental concentration, holding
to a single object for about 10-20 seconds ) This is the start of meditation,
in proper. Achievement to this level brings mental control over the sense
gates, so that one can withdraw from sense experience. This is useful because
it allows one to further purify the mind and heart without the normal
distractions of the mind and senses.
-
Dharana ( intermediate mental concentration, holding
to a single object for 2-4 minutes )
-
Dhyana ( advanced mental concentration, holding to a
single object for 30-40 minutes )
-
Samadhi ( very advanced mental concentration,
holding to a single object for 6 hours or more ) The most advanced
practitioners can remain in samadhi indefinitely.
The final practice of this
meditational path is to connect the samadhi state with ordinary day-to-day
consciousness so that a practitioner is in samadhi regardless of whether he or
she is meditating in total isolation or performing daily chores in the normal
bustle of people, places, and events. In this way, the accomplished meditator
has quite literally passed beyond life's sufferings but yet remains in the
world. A spiritual master of this stature experiences every moment as pleasant
and peaceful regardless of what may be happening to her or his body and mind.
For instance, such a person would be aware of the body's torment when suffering
from some terrible disease, such as cancer, but naturally remain in a serene
state anyway.
