Yoga and Meditation

Yoga; from the Sanskrit Yuj - means union; union of the individual soul with Spirit and the methods by which this goal is attained. There are various types of Yoga methods; - Raja yoga, the "Royal" or "Complete" Yoga taught by Bhagavan Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.

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The sage Patanjali, India's foremost ancient exponent of Yoga, has outlined 8 definite steps by which the Raja Yogi attains Samadhi or union with the Divine. These are;

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1. Yama; Moral conduct - Our outward behaviour

2. Niyama; Spiritual observances - Our inward behaviour

3. Asana; Right posture - To still bodily restlessness

4. Pranayama; Control of Prana - Subtle life currents

5. Pratyahara; Interiorisation - Withdrawal of the senses

6. Dharana; Concentration

7. Dhyana; Meditation

8. Samadhi; Superconscious experience

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In Yogic philosophy the state that is superconsciousness is described as; the pure, intuitive, all-seeing, ever-blissful consciousness of the soul. Sometimes used generally to refer to all the various states of Divine-communion experienced in meditation, but specifically the initial state, wherein one transcends ego-consciousness and realises his Self as soul.

 From superconsciousness, follow the higher states of realisation; Christ Consciousness and Cosmic Consciousness.

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Raja Yoga, the 'Royal Yoga' is therefore, the highest path to Divine-Union. And teaches scientific meditation as the ultimate means for realising the Divine, and includes the highest essentials from all other forms of Yoga, and outlines a way of life leading to perfect unfoldment in body, mind and soul.

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With this authentic and proper definition of Yoga from its birthplace and origin in India, we ask; why is Yoga so popular today and more importantly how do we make what is over 5,000 years old, this ancient and revered practice, relevant for today.

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We may be led to its philosophy, we may be intrigued by its magical, transformative power but how do we access the healing medicine of Yoga?

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For many of us today, the most obvious and accessible way is via the physical body. - We use the physical body as the container (alembic) for transformation to happen - Just like the alchemist - defined simply as a person who transforms or creates something through a seemingly magical process. Spiritual Alchemy is the art of transformation, inner liberation and change.

You become the Alchemist, and through your Yoga practice, by direct experience, transform on all levels of your being;

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• On a physical level

• On a mental level

• On an emotional level

• On a spiritual level

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There is no other complete practice.

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Oftentimes, modern Yoga focuses primarily on the physical practice (Asana), the word asana is used to mean posture, and there are many. From its origin, and as the 3rd limb of Patanjali's 8 limbs of Yoga (Astanga), asana meant seat as in for meditation. Meditation is the heart of Yoga.

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All physical practices of Yoga (asana) today have evolved from Hatha Yoga, and is a very powerful library of poses that represent the opposing qualities of the sun and moon; and the uniting of the masculine and feminine, or of duality.

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The opposing action of the poses is experienced by the practitioner, as the body, mind and soul come into a state of harmony, into a state of balance, into a state of unity. There can be felt a coherence between the 3 points of awareness; the breath, body and mind, at the level of the heart, at the level of the soul.

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Yoga teaches us methods to access the subtle anatomy of ourself, how to become more introspective, and awareness of ourself is heightened and this may be the beginning point of our spiritual journey -  which is a lifetime's work.

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For the faithful practitioner, expect transformation and lessons on how to live a better life, and more importantly how to be better at life.

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All other forms of Yoga are branches from this tree, to mention a few:

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• Astanga Yoga (Pattabi Jois)

• Iyengar Yoga

• Vinyasa Yoga

• Yin Yoga

• Restorative Yoga

• Chair Yoga

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The grace to be found in Yoga is that it is for us all, because Yoga is for every body, Yoga meets you exactly where you are. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.1 Atha Yoganusasanam, which translates to, 'Now the exposition of Yoga is being made', when you are ready to receive the instruction on how to practice Yoga this will be the perfect time for you. And mere philosophy will not satisfy us. We cannot reach the goal by mere words alone. Without practice, nothing can be achieved.

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When you come to Yoga, you have come at the perfect time. Yoga is:

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• Rich in history

• Rich in mythology

• Rich in philosophy

• Rich in Wisdom

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Yoga teaches how to move from the world of matter, into the realm of Spirit.

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“ ...You realize that all along there was something tremendous within you, and you did not know it. ”
— Paramahansa Yogananda