Yoga Kalyana | The Blessing and Wellbeing of Yoga for the Body, Mind and Spirit | Raj Yoga

     Literally, Yoga means: Union. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root “Yuj”, meaning to unite or to joint. Yoga, in itself is a very wide concept, encompassing almost every aspect of human life. Based on end results, Yoga can serve many purposes. Few to mention are:

To understand the true nature of the Self;

To integrate the different layering of human existence (known as body, mind and Self);

To remove illusion about the material world; to station oneself into pure consciousness;

To get introduction of one’s own real identity;

To bring the mind under the control of free will;

To merge one’s own consciousness into Universal Consciousness;

To bring balance between external world (material world) and internal world (spiritual world);

To unravel the mystery of the Universe…

     Every individual human being is unique and carries his own inherent virtues and traits. He sees and interacts with the world under these traits and virtues. Few individuals have an inclination to understand this Universe through intellectual inquiries. Few have an intense emotional nature to live in world. There are few of daring type, who are ready to plunge into deep adverse situation to find out the truth behind this wonderful Universe. But the aim of all of them is to connect with the “Reality”, and to move on the path to get union or Yoga with the “Absolute Truth”.
     Philosophy of Yoga originated in India during Vedic period. Indian Sages, Rishis underwent rigorous practices observing intense penance and austerities. They tried to study the “Nature”, its mysteries and such laws, which “Nature” follows. They compiled all such experiences in form of Vedic texts. Important of these Vedic texts are: Four main Vedas, Four Sub-Vedas and Eighteen authentic Upanishads. These texts cover every aspect of lives in this Universe; interdependence of life and nature; birth and death; rebirth theory and karma principles etc. etc.
MIND: VIRTUES & TRAITS
     Even an ordinary human being will agree to the existence of a finer body in his whole being, beside his physical body. Daily experiences of dream in sleeping stage are a testament of such existence of finer body. This “Tattwa” (or principle or element) is addressed as “MIND”. Of course, constitution of whole finer body also has other elements besides this Mind. But the Mind is the most active part of this finer body. For a beginner it is easy to grasp our whole being at three levels: (i) A physical body (ii) Mind (iii) Soul (or Spirit or Pure Consciousness). Mind and Soul together create the finer body. Sometime it is better to say a human being exists with an (i) Outer body and (ii) Inner body. Physical body constitutes the outer body and is apparently responsible for interaction with external world (material world). Similarly Mind has it’s own internal world to interact. The “Mind” is unique in the sense that it interacts with both worlds: (i) With external world through fivefiner senses, and (ii) With internal world through internal senses (known as Divine Senses).
     In ordinary human beings, “Mind” is mostly externally oriented and interacts only with external world. Universe (whole Cosmos), a Nature’s Creation, is always changing at every instant. Therefore, Mind finds it’s very difficult to rest and is forced to keep on moving to find a peaceful and balanced state, that is the problem of mankind and it leads to pains, sufferings etc. To get a better view of a moving or changing object, observer must have a stable and calm position. A moving observer can’t study the reality of another changing phenomenon. This is exactly what happens with the poor “Mind”.
     Mind is the key where all real question lie and where all answers can be accessed. In fact success of human life is nothing, but unraveling the mysteries of the Mind. Physical body, in itself is completely inert. It can do nothing of it’s own unless propelled by the Mind. Physical body works as instrument of execution in the hand of Mind. If Mind withdraws itself from physical body, that state is called death of the physical body.
     Vedic texts present detail explanations of “Body – Mind” connections. Few Upanishads (a class of Vedic texts) mention that finer body consists of Mind as an active principle, besides the Soul (or Spirit). While some other Upanishads believe that finer body consists of four components: The Mind, Intellect, Chitta (Storage aspect) and Ego [in Sanskrit: Mann, Buddhi, Chitta and Ahmkara respectively]. This approach is just to make concept more easy to grasp. Whatever concept we apply, the working aspect and the end results of finer body do not change.
     In absolute knowledge, whole game is of energy. Even modern science has started admitting the physical body is nothing but a form of bottled energy, trying to find out a way to get released. Physical energy has different states like electrical energy, hydraulic energy, thermal energy, mechanical energy, magnetic energy etc. Similarly Mind can be conceived as a pool of very very fine energy in the finer body that can change it’s form to perform different functions.
Four areas of activities, covered by Body of Mind are:
     (i)    Manan or Sankalp-Vikalp (Thinking)
     (ii)   Chintan (Analysis and Introspection)
     (iii) Smaran (Development and Recall of memories)
     (iv)   Ahamkara or Ego (Execution)
      A brief discussion is made about above four:
(i)    Manan or Sankalp-Vikalp or Thinking: This part of “Body of Mind”, in itself is loosely addressed as Mind. Why? Because major activity of the “Body of Mind” is thinking, and is the cause of further activation of other activities i.e. Chintan, Smaran and Ahamkara. In fact most of the thinking activities prove a waste of energy, giving no tangible results. Majority of the ordinary persons remains at Sankalp-Vikalp level and live their lives at a low level of “Mental Energy”, cause of all stress in life.
(ii)    Chintan or Analysis and Introspection: Those, who have slight raised level, works on their Sankalp-Vikalp (thinking) and tries to find out a reasonable meaningful activity that, if executed can give some useful results, by execution through physical body. This part of the “Body of Mind” is called “Intellect” (Buddhi). Remember, Intellect works on the Sankalp-Vikalp with the help of memories, which are stored in the “Body of Mind”. Intellect tries to find out some meaningful results, using logic, which are ready to be executed through physical body.
(iii)    Smaran or Memory: Whatever has been executed by the decision of “Body of Mind” through physical body, is always stored in a part of “Body of Mind”. This part is known as “Chitta”. In fact “Chitta” is the cause of rebirth of Soul, as per “Karma and Rebirth” philosophy. Chitta helps Intellect to work on the Sankalp-Vikalp and to reach to a conclusion.
(iv)    Ahamkara or Ego or Execution: This part of “Body of Mind” can be called as “Chief Executive”. Once Intellect reaches to one or more conclusion, after working over Sankalp-Vikalp, “Ego” goes for direct execution through physical body.
     Above is a brief account of how the “Body of Mind” works in the finer body of all human beings. We can imagine “Body of Mind” as a big energy pool having four small pools with specific areas of work assigned to each of them, as explained above. It is interesting to note that Sankalp-Vikalp and Chintan [part (i) and (ii)] are only possible in wake-up state. But Chitta and Ego are present in all states, be it wake-up or sleep. Once a person goes to sleep state, thinking Mind and Intellect start withdrawing. Every one goes through all these experiences daily.
     This is quite common to observe that an ordinary individual has one area, out of four mentioned above, more dominating than others. Few people have intellectual orientation; while few are action oriented. These dominating traits are the results of the numbers of efforts they put in, in their previous births. “Body of Mind” carries all such traits and virtues, at the time of death (of physical body), to the next of rebirth. These finer impressions in “Chitta” are called “SAMSKARA”. These Samskara are responsible for showing inclination in the specific area of working in a child.
PATH OF YOGA
     Ultimate aim of all human birth is: to know the truth or to know the reality. The Sages, Seers and Yogis have done extensive practices on their bodies to find out the ways to reach to the truth. They developed different paths to reach to the Ultimate goal. They found that each individual is unique with his/her traits and virtues. So, they have to follow different paths to reach the goal. Gurus have to observe an individual seeker very closely to find out his dominating traits and virtues. Only then Gurus can decide most suitable path for the seeker, so that he/she can follow it smoothly without much struggle at Mental level. But, most unfortunate part in the modern time is that Gurus, in a hurry to have a large disciple force for their own satisfaction, give initiation to each and every one without considering the traits and virtues of seekers. This approach leads to waste of time and, ultimately, frustration in the seekers. A genuine Guru will never promote this. Best advice to a seeker is, to discuss with an honest Guru, the path best suited for him/her. And then he/she must, whole-heartedly, surrender to the guidance and advice of Guru. Only then the whole practice becomes an enjoyable journey leading to Ultimate realizations.
     These are four paths available, as per Vedic literatures, for a Yoga seeker:
(1) Jnan Yoga (Gyan Yoga) [Path of Knowledge]:
     This path is for introspective type of persons, who like to use intellect to analyze, to discriminate to reach to a logical conclusion. They reflect deeply on this material world and with curious Mind they move on to find out truth between them. Whole practice of a Jnan Yogi is based on three footings:
SHRAVAN (listening), MANAN (Cogitation), NIDHIDHYASAN (Meditation).
     Seeker listens to some scriptural teachings, and then he introspects and cogitates on it. Finally he meditates on the knowledge to bring it into his understanding. Gradually he/she unravels the whole mystery of reality.
(2) Bhakti Yoga [Path of Devotion]:
     This path is for emotional type of persons, who have child like nature. They can easily surrender, out of their deep love to any one, whom they feel as their beloved. There approach is based on duality aspect. They carry a strong belief that an all-powerful entity exist behind this Creation. He (that identity) is very kind, full of love and all caring. Seeker connects himself with this power through an emotional relationship. This relationship may be of Father-Son, Mother-Son, Lover-Beloved, Son-Mother, Friends and so on. Importance is of relationship and pouring of love with total dedication from pure Mind. In fact, one of the important meanings of Bhakti is “Seva” (Service). So a devotee, follower of Bhakti Yoga, dedicates himself into the service of his Lord, the God.
     In spiritual path, biggest obstruction is created by the “Ahamkara”, the Ego. Ego, in fact, is height of illusion in a human being. To identify oneself with physical body only, is Ego. This identification is the cause of all sufferings of mankind. We must understand that the physical body and Mind, apparently, look to be Self-powerful in their working and existence. But fact is that, that their whole strength is coming from the Soul (or Spirit or Pure Consciousness), present in every human being. Soul is like Sun. Sun does nothing except giving out energy, in form of “Light”. This is Sun’s nature. Likewise, Soul does nothing except giving out energy in form of “Light of Pure Consciousness”. In this light, Mind and physical body become capable of performing different works, be it gross or fine. When Soul starts feeling that it is “He, the Soul” performing the works, as doer, that becomes the biggest illusion. This is also called “MAYA”. This “Illusion or Maya” is the cause of bondage of Soul. Yoga, in fact, is the path to break this illusion in human beings. Ego is a very powerful last obstruction to overcome by seekers. At time, even a very highly realized Soul carry a very very very fine streak of Ego, hiding somewhere, causing their downfall. So it is advised to all seekers of any path of Yoga, that all trough their spiritual practices, simultaneously they must make efforts to dissolve their Ego, the Illusion.
     Ego never allow a man to bow, to surrender, to salute to any other human beings, even after knowing the superiority of others. To overcome Ego, best path is to follow Bhakti Yoga. A mortal being finds it’s easy to bow to a very high authority, like God. That’s why Bhakti Yoga is highly recommended for egocentric persons. Rather, it is advised that whatever Yoga path one may follow, he must carry an undercurrent of Bhakti Yoga. Otherwise, even a highly realized Jnan Yogi or Raj Yogi is always susceptible to downfall, because of their Ego. That’s why, Bhakti Yoga is rated at top of all Yoga paths.
(3) Karma Yoga [Path of Action]:
     This path is suitable for those who are action oriented. They have lot many desires to fulfill from this material world. They enjoy working in material world. But, simultaneously, they feel some vacuum, as if something is lacking in them. This is simply an urge, a spiritual desire, to know the reality of this material world.
     Lord Krishna’s advice in Srimad Bhagvat Gita: To work in the material world is not bad if they don’t create any bondage in you. For this, work in the material world without attaching your “Mind”. But question is: How to keep Mind detached in the material world? Lord Krishna offers a very simple solution: “You offer all results (fruits) of your actions to Me and then enjoy the material world”. This solution seems to be very simple, but to train the Mind on this line needs intense practice. Lord Krishna again advised: “It’s true that this practice is not that easy. But, with perseverance, developing a little bit of detachment using free will (will power), the path gets easy. Perseverance is the Key”. This path suggested by Lord Krishna is also known as “NISKAM KARMA YOGA” or “Desire less Path of Action”. Any action done, without attaching the Mind, is called “Niskam Karma”, “Desire less Karma”.
(4) Raj Yoga [Path of Mind’s Power or Will Power]:
     This is the only practical path of Yoga. Raj Yoga uses physical body as a starting instrument, applying “Mind Power”. Gyan Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga can be described more as a contemplative branches or theoretical paths of Yoga. No specific requirements, like posture, are needed at physical body level. Of course, final aim is to train the wavering Mind. These three paths of Yoga are long drawn, time taking process. But they are free of any pitfalls. In case of Raj Yoga, a head-on strategy is followed to train the Mind. Mind’s power is used to train the Mind. Therefore, this path is fit for strong willed, fearless persons, who are dying to reach to the “Reality”.
     Raj Yoga is the only form of practical Yoga that starts with physical body as its base. Gradually, practitioner enters into finer (inner world) world and approaches to the “Ultimate Reality”. In this process (of journey), lot many psychic energies are released. Prana and Mind and their inter-relationship are the key for final destination. Highest level of Self-discipline is needed in Raj Yoga, which is full of fatal consequences, if not followed properly. Reason is: Lot many psychic powers come to the seeker, that can be used for any purpose, ranging from this material world up to the Pure Consciousness. It’s a trap. Practitioner has to move carefully avoiding these traps. He/she has to follow one mantra:
“Keep Desire less State”
     Such high precaution and discipline is needed up to a certain stage of progress. After that practitioner can relax. But relaxation doesn’t mean that he/she can bring desires for this world. Fact is, by the time he/she reaches to a certain level of progress, his/her material (worldly) desires naturally fades away. He/she carries only pure desires, that too for the welfare of the world. Question is: What does he/she get? “ANAND” OR “Perpetual Bliss”. No material enjoyment, worldly happiness can match this “Anand”, which comes at the time of realization of “Ultimate Truth”. This is also called “SAMADHI STATE”.
     It is commonly said that this Cosmos is made by “Nature”. Question is: What is “Nature”? Vedanta says: “Creation is a result of ‘Three-Gunas’ (three primary characteristics). They appeared first and then followed the whole Creation”. These Three-Gunas combined together is addressed as “Nature”. In simple words, when we say “Nature”, it means these three primary characteristics.
Three primary characteristics, in brief are:
     (i)    SAT: This is the characteristic having power of illumination, purity or positive traits and virtues. Virtues of kindness, compassion, and love are results of Sat.
     (ii)   RAJ: This characteristic brings power of action. Without “Raj” nothing will move in this Cosmos. All actions are the results of Raj.
     (iii) TAM: This characteristic gives inertness to any element. Ignorance or absence of knowledge comes from Tam. Its qualities are exactly opposite to Sat, brings darkness.
     In human beings, Sat is represented by Intellect, Raj by Mind and Tam by physical body. If physical body appears to be moving, it’s because of Mind that carries Raj. Only an evolved Intellect brings purity in a man. If a human being identifies him/herself with physical body, it means he/she is dominated by Tam, because to identify him/herself with physical body is height of ignorance.
     We must understand clearly: Every individual carries all three gunas. This is true for a worldly attached person or a Saint. Difference is: what guna is dominating.
     With above explanation, it’s quite easy to grasp that “Raj” creates the power of action in any human being. Thus we can conclude: Mind is the powerhouse of all active energy.
Why? The name “Raj Yoga”: In this path of Yoga, power of Mind is directly utilized and applied practically to reach the “Truth”. That results the name to this path: RAJ YOGA.
PATANJALI'S YOGA SUTRAS
     Rishi Patanjali was the first Raj Yogi who compiled the experiences and methodology for Raj Yoga. He named it as “Asthang Raj Yoga” or “Eight-fold Path”.
     In brief, an account of these eight parts are given below:
(i) YAM: These are five rules, guiding a Raj Yoga seeker, how to interact with external world. Five rules are: Satya (Truthfulness), Ahimsa (Non – Violence), Asteya (Non – Stealing), Aparigrah (Non – Possession), Brahmcharya (Sense Control)
(ii) NIYAM: These are five regulations for living in the inner world i.e. at Mental level. They are: Sauch (Purity), Santosh (Contentment), Tapas (Austerities), Swadhyaya (Self Study), Ishwar Pranidhan (Surrender to God)
Remember: Yam and Niyam are foundations of Raj Yoga. In fact Yam and Niyam are essentials of every path of Yoga. Without a regulated life no path of Yoga can succeed. Raj Yoga practitioners are advised to strictly practice Yam Niyam while proceeding to next steps.
(iii) AASAN: These are some physical postures practiced to control the physical body. These are like psychophysical fine exercises to get good physical health and to achieve the capacity to sit like a rock for a longer duration (of time). This helps the Mind to forget or detach from the physical body.
(iv) PRANAYAM: In human body, breathing is more finer than the physical body. By Pranayam practices, practitioner develops complete control on breathing. Prana is most original Cosmic energy and cause of survival of whole Cosmos. Oxygen is simple physical manifestation of Cosmic energy i.e. Pran. Thus by Pranayam practice, practitioner connects with Cosmic energy. Pranayam is like a physio-psychic breathing practices used for total control on the movement of Prana in physical body of the practitioner. In human body, Cosmic energy has it’s own pool in form of Psychic energy. This is also called “Kundalini Shakti” (in spiritual sense). This psychic energy remains dormant in normal human beings.
     Pranayam helps to release psychic energy i.e. Kundalini Shakti. This psychic energy has the capacity to create anything of this material world. Question is: How? This psychic energy is nothing but cosmic energy and everything of the material world is simply a physical manifestation of this Cosmic energy. Once this psychic energy gets released, lot many mystic powers are exposed to practitioners. This is a trap for seekers. They must avoid it and must move on.
     While practicing above four [from (i) to (iv)], practitioners still have connection with physical body, and through physical body with external world. Remember, our ultimate destination is in the inner (or finer) world.
(v) PRATYAHAR: Literal meaning of this Sanskrit word is: Counter food (Introversion). Unless one withdraws his/her Mind from external (material) world, progress on any spiritual path is impossible. Pratyahar is done to withdraw the Mind from external world and to force the Mind to move in finer (inner) world. Mind is connected to external world particularly through five finer knowledge senses. So, through the practice of Pratyahar practitioner withdraws fine senses, thereby disconnecting the Mind from external world.
     Factually speaking, first four practices, (Yam, Niyam, Aasan, Pranayam) of “Asthang Marg” are related to external world. Last three practices (Dharana, Dhyan, Samadhi) are totally related to internal world. Pratyahar acts as a bridge between the two sets of practice. Therefore, practitioner must try to remain in Pratyahar (sense withdrawal) mode for all the time during his/her Sadhana (Practice) period.
(vi) DHARANA (Concentration): The word “Dharana” is derived from the Sanskrit root (Dharan), meaning to wear, to hold. Once the Mind is forced inwardly, a series of thoughts, images start appearing on mental plane. Practitioner has to slow down this non-stop activity of the Mind. By practice, Mind is forced to hold on some thought or some image. Guru decides what single object will be easy to hold for disciple Mind, depending on disciple’s traits and nature. With sustained practice, Mind starts slowing down and stays on a single image or thought. We say, Mind starts concentrating for certain time. This way Mind is brought to some order in the inner world.
(vii) DHYAN (Meditation): Once Dharana is perfected, practitioner tries to hold Mind on a certain thought or image for a longer period of time as unbroken stream. Only a seer (practitioner), a scene (a thought or image) and seeing (act of observing the thought or image) are there. Nothing exists for Mind, except these three. Mind forgets, completely, about his/her physical body. Once this state is reached, practitioner reaches to Dhyan (Meditation) state. Dhyan is simply maturing of Dharana. In Dharana, practitioner spends mental energy to bring Mind into reasonable control or under concentration. But, Dhyan is an invigorating practice. During Dhyan, practitioner’s body gets charged with Cosmic energy.
Remember: Dhyan happens.
(viii) SAMADHI (Equanimity): When Dhyan (Meditation) matures to higher stage, practitioner reach to a state when he starts losing the trinity (seer, seeing, scene) and this trinity dissolves. This state is known as “SAMADHI”. Literally this Sanskrit word (Samadhi) is derived from two roots: “Sam” meaning equanimity and “Dhi” meaning Intellect. Samadhi is a state when his Intellect gets an equanimity state in all stages of life. This is the culmination of Asthang Yoga practice.
     In Yogic world, Dharana, Dhyan and Samadhi are addressed as “Samyam”. This Samyam is totally related to internal or finer world and is a thing of pure experience. Once we enter into finer world, all things of physical world start disappearing, including words. Only experiences of inner world remain in the Samadhi state. Once practitioner comes back to his physical body from Samadhi he/she does not carry exact memories of his experiences and finds it difficult to express them in words. That’s why, Yogis normally maintain silence, to be in communication with those experiences of Samadhi. They don’t want to lose the bliss of Samadhi experience.
     Above is a brief account of “Raj Yoga”.
     There are few others Yoga path which uses the “Mind’s Power” for self-realization. Two important are:
(A) HATH YOGA: The Sanskrit word “HATH” is made up of “HA” and “THA”. Here “HA” symbolizes the right nostril (known as Sun channel or Surya nadi), and “THA” symbolizes the left nostril (known as Moon channel or Chandra nadi) for breathing. Hath Yoga is the Yoga or Union achieved by combining the controlled breathing through nostrils. This is indicative of Pranayam. Hath Yoga, in fact, has following stages to practice:
     (i)    Aasan: As described in “Raj Yoga”. They are psychophysical fine exercises.
     (ii)   Pranayam: Controlled breathing, as mentioned in “Raj Yoga”.
     (iii) Bandh & Mudra: They are physio-psychic locks in the body, practiced to release the free flow of Prana and to achieve a still state of Mind.
     (iv)   Naad Shravan: Literal meaning is: To listen (Shravan) the “Primordial” sound (Naad) in the inner finer world. By this practice of Naad-Shravan, Mind gets merged into the primordial sound and a state of Samadhi is achieved.
     “Hath Yoga Pradipika” clearly mentions that “Hath Yoga” is simply an offshoot of “Raj Yoga”.
(B) KUNDALINI YOGA (Yoga through Psychic Energy): One of the meaning of Sanskrit word “KUND” is: Pond or Pool. Yogis experienced that, in human bodies, there exists a pool of energy, located near the lower tip of spine. This psychic energy lies dormant in common man. Practitioner tries to release this psychic energy. Once this energy is released, lot many mystic powers appear in the practitioner. Such mystic powers are like double-edged swords. Slight misdemeanor on the part of practitioner can result drastic consequences, even death. Therefore, they (practitioners) are advised to practice Kundalini Yoga under full guidance of a highly realized Guru.
     Above is a very very brief account about various “Path of Yoga” available for Self-Realization. But readers are advised to take a proper guidance from a realized and experienced Guru before venturing in to them, particularly Raj Yoga.
     Remember: Prepare yourself to be a good disciple. A Guru, himself, will approach to you. You need not to run to search him. And to become a good disciple we need such qualities: Strong will power, Belief, Faith, Perseverance and, above all Grace of the God.
     Grace of God is available for everybody. So proceed with confidence, God is not only with you, with every body. MOVE ON…