Vishwa Jagruti Mission

Publications of Vishwa Jagriti Mission (Delhi)

Yoga by Param Pujya SudhanshuJi Maharaj

Special issue of Devine and Bliss - VJM Hong Kong Publication

'Yoga' or union is the method to attain oneness with God. The goal of Yoga is the attainment of the consciousness of unity with the entire existence, not intellectually, but through a realization of identity. Yoga proves the fact that the individual is inseparable from the Universal. There are four paths in Yoga to attain this realization, They are:

KarmaYoga
'Karma Yoga' is the path of work or duty. The main emphasis is to detach the will from the result of action. When a person surrenders all fruits of actions at the holy feet of the Lord, he attains the purpose of Karma Yoga. A 'Karma Yogi' neither hankers for name nor desires money.  He simply works for the sake of work only. For him work becomes worship.  He tries to realize God through the  accomplishment of duties. He makes no discrimination between the so-called high tasks and menial tasks. Whether it is making a deal or polishing shoes, his level of dedication and commitment remain the same. It means dedicated work without thinking about the fruits from it

Bhakti Yoga
The main emphasis of Bhakti Yoga is to direct every thought impulse towards God. Attachment towards the world should become attachment towards God. Hatred should be trans-formed into renunciation and fear into self-surrender. A Bhaka thinks and remembers nothing except God. He constantly remembers the Lord with the help of chanting His Holy name, singing His praises and reading about His 'lilas' (holy sport). Such a person is always intoxicated in the love towards God.

Raja Yoga
'Raja Yoga' is the path of Meditation. The main aim of this method is to control the wandering mind and prevent wayward thoughts. Patanjali who was the main exponent of Raja Yoga has graded it into various series. They are known as the eight limbs of Patanjali Yoga.

They are:

i) Yama : This comprises of non-violence, fortitude, kindness, straight-forwardness, moderation in diet and purity (bodily cleansing.  Making a habit of constantly practising 'Yamas' purifies thoughts, words, and deeds.

ii) Niyama: The ten 'Niyamas' are austerity, contentment, belief in God, charity, worship of God, listening to explanation of doctrines / scriptures, mo-desty, having a discerning mind, repetition of prayers and performing religious sacrifices. Continuous prac-tice of 'Niyamas' create a Spiritual attitude and awaken one's witness conscious-ness.

(iii) Asana: 'Asanas' are the 'postures' which one assumes before meditation. There are 84 'postures' or 'asanas' described in Hatha Yoga. The spine is always kept straight, the head and neck are erect in alignment. The body is kept absolutely motionless. Correct posture has an equalizing effect, stilling the forces present in the body and slowing the breath rate and blood circulation thereby making one firm and steady. It facilitates meditation and helps cure diseases and fickleness of mind. The main two asanas are 'Padmasana' and'Siddhasana'.

iv) Pranayama: 'Pranayama' means control of 'Prana' or life breath. 'Prana' is the magnetic current of the breath. It is the vehicle of the mind which cannot function without it. Therefore consciousness, expressing itself through the mind, cannot perceive or function without 'prana'. It maintains equilibrium in the body and provides vital force. Real 'pranayama' occurs when there is a brief interval between 'Puraka' (inhalation) and 'Rechaka' (exhalation). After gaining expertise in 'Paranayam', the aspirant may direct the 'pranic currents' through the central canal of the Spinal cord to promote the rise of 'Kundalini'.

v) Pratyahara: 'Pratyahara' is withdrawal from sensory perceptions, thus breaking all connections with the external world. 'Pratyahara' is actually the control of the senses through the mind. Constant practice of 'Pratyahara' brings about the internalization of the mind.

vi) Dharana: 'Dharana' means focussing the mind on a single object. The concentration on the five elements of nature or on the seven chakras helps to still the mind. Certain exercises like Trataka' can also help the mind to become pinpointed. With the help of this, the mind becomes calm, still and ready for meditation.

vii) Dhyana: 'Dhyana' is formless meditation without any interruption. When the mind becomes calm with the help of Dharana, one enters into the stage of meditation. In 'Dhyana' every kind of vizualization ceases and the mind attains a complete void.

viii) Samadhi: 'Samadhi' is formed from the three components of-

Sam - equal
a - eternal
dhi - buddhi or intellect
 

'Samadhi' is attained when there is complete 'equilibrium' and 'equipoise'.  It is the state of realization; when there is absolutely no awareness of time, of the self or of space. The mind becomes completely absorbed in itself and the soul shines in its own light.  No kind of duality exists in the mind. This state of non-duality exists when all mental modifications get dissolved. According to Kundalini Yoga, Samadhi is the union of the male principle 'Shiva' with the female principle 'Shakti'.

JnanaYoga

'Jnana Yoga' is the path of knowledge by which one attains God. Such an aspirant requires a higher standard of morality and Spiritual qualification. Such a person sees every being as a part manifestation of the Supreme being. He is perfectly self-controlled, tranquil, with infinite patience and faith. It is not theoretical knowledge rather it is the knowledge of the self. According to the Upanishads, it is of two kinds-Apara Vidya' which is lower knowledge and 'Para Vidya' which means higher knowledge. Jnana Yoga consists of 'Shravana' (listening to the Scriptures), 'Manana' (contemplation) and 'Chintana' (deep insight). It is also a kind of meditation where the being realizes that everything in the world other than his real self is merely an illusion.

SUDHANSHU TIMES - OCTOBER 2003

Shrddha Parva celebrate on 2nd October

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