3.2 Yoga: theory and practice of spiritual liberation

Yoga, a key Orthodox School, focuses on spiritual liberation through union with the divine. It emphasizes mental control, meditation, and ethical living to achieve enlightenment. Yoga's practical approach complements Sankhya's theoretical framework, offering a path to transcend suffering.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga provide a comprehensive guide to spiritual growth. From ethical principles to advanced meditation techniques, this system outlines a step-by-step journey towards self-realization and ultimate union with universal consciousness.

Yoga Philosophy: Goals and Principles

Liberation and Union with the Divine

Top images from around the web for Liberation and Union with the Divine

• 

  Yoga - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Natural Liberation of the Nature of Mind: The Four-session Yoga of the Preliminary Practice View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Shiva Darshana: Shiva in the Yoga Vasistha View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Yoga - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Natural Liberation of the Nature of Mind: The Four-session Yoga of the Preliminary Practice View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Liberation and Union with the Divine

• 

  Yoga - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Natural Liberation of the Nature of Mind: The Four-session Yoga of the Preliminary Practice View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Shiva Darshana: Shiva in the Yoga Vasistha View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Yoga - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Natural Liberation of the Nature of Mind: The Four-session Yoga of the Preliminary Practice View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Yoga philosophy aims to liberate individual self (atman) from cycle of rebirth and suffering (samsara) through union with ultimate reality (Brahman)
• Core principle involves cessation of mental fluctuations (citta-vrtti-nirodha) achieving focused awareness and inner peace
• Emphasizes self-discipline, meditation, and ethical living as means to attain spiritual enlightenment and self-realization
• Concept of union with divine transcends ego recognizing interconnectedness of all beings and universe
• Recognizes multiple paths (margas) to achieve union with divine
  • Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge)
  • Bhakti Yoga (path of devotion)
  • Karma Yoga (path of selfless action)

Samadhi and Spiritual Attainment

• Ultimate goal attains state of samadhi profound meditative absorption
• Individual consciousness merges with universal consciousness in samadhi
• Process involves gradual purification of mind and body
• Requires consistent practice and dedication to spiritual discipline
• May involve experiences of altered states of consciousness (kundalini awakening)

Ashtanga Yoga: Eight Limbs of Liberation

Ethical and Personal Disciplines

• Yama (ethical restraints) consists of five moral principles
  • Ahimsa (non-violence)
  • Satya (truthfulness)
  • Asteya (non-stealing)
  • Brahmacharya (sexual restraint)
  • Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)
• Niyama (observances) includes five personal disciplines
  • Saucha (purity)
  • Santosha (contentment)
  • Tapas (austerity)
  • Svadhyaya (self-study)
  • Ishvara pranidhana (surrender to the divine)

Physical and Mental Practices

• Asana (posture) prepares body and mind for meditation and higher consciousness
  • Examples include Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)
• Pranayama (breath control) regulates prana (life force) enhancing mental clarity
  • Techniques include Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing), Ujjayi (Victorious Breath)
• Pratyahara (sense withdrawal) focuses inward developing inner awareness
  • Practices like Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep) exemplify pratyahara
• Dharana (concentration) focuses mind on single point or object
  • Techniques include Trataka (candle gazing), mantra repetition

Advanced Meditative States

• Dhyana (meditation) sustains concentration leading to deep contemplative awareness
  • Mindfulness meditation and Transcendental Meditation are modern examples
• Samadhi (absorption) merges individual consciousness with universal consciousness
  • Described in texts like Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as ultimate state of yoga

Yoga vs Sankhya: Complementary Philosophies

Shared Concepts and Goals

• Sankhya provides theoretical foundation for Yoga offering dualistic metaphysical framework
  • Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter) form basis of reality
• Both aim to liberate individual soul (Purusha) from bondage of matter (Prakriti)
• Concept of 25 tattvas (principles of reality) adopted by Yoga from Sankhya
• Three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) integral to understanding mental states and spiritual evolution
  • Sattva (purity, harmony)
  • Rajas (activity, passion)
  • Tamas (inertia, darkness)

Distinctions and Practical Applications

• Yoga adds 26th principle Ishvara (Supreme Being) distinguishing it as theistic
• Sankhya remains atheistic in its philosophical stance
• Yoga complements Sankhya by providing practical methods to achieve theoretical goals
• Sankhya emphasizes intellectual discrimination (viveka) for liberation
• Yoga focuses on meditation and self-discipline to attain same goal
• Yoga incorporates physical practices (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama) absent in Sankhya

Yoga: Practical Applications for Well-being

Mental Health and Cognitive Benefits

• Mindfulness and present-moment awareness reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
  • Promotes emotional regulation and cognitive restructuring
• Meditative practices enhance cognitive functions
  • Improves attention, memory, and executive functioning
  • Potentially slows age-related cognitive decline
• Develops emotional intelligence and resilience
  • Contributes to better mental health and interpersonal relationships
• Activates parasympathetic nervous system leading to stress reduction
  • Lowers cortisol levels and blood pressure

Physical Health and Wellness

• Regular practice of yoga asanas improves physical flexibility, strength, and balance
  • Reduces risk of chronic diseases (heart disease, diabetes)
• Pranayama techniques enhance respiratory function and increase oxygenation
  • Improves cardiovascular health and lung capacity
• Holistic approach integrating body, mind, and spirit leads to improved overall well-being
  • Enhances sleep quality and aids in pain management
• Specific poses target different health concerns
  • Inversions (Sirsasana) for improved circulation
  • Twists (Ardha Matsyendrasana) for digestive health