8.2 Yoga: Philosophy and practice

Yoga philosophy, closely linked to Samkhya, explores the relationship between consciousness and matter. It offers a practical path to liberation through the eight limbs of yoga, which include ethical principles, physical practices, and meditation techniques.

The ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve union between the individual self and the universal self. This is accomplished through a combination of physical postures, breath control, meditation, and inner practices that lead to self-realization and spiritual enlightenment.

Yoga Philosophy and Samkhya

Shared Concepts and Dualistic View

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• Yoga philosophy shares many concepts with the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy, including the idea of purusha (pure consciousness) and prakriti (matter)
• According to Samkhya, the universe is composed of two eternal realities: purusha and prakriti
  • Yoga philosophy adopts this dualistic view
  • Aims to liberate the purusha from the entanglements of prakriti
• Samkhya's concept of the three gunas (sattva, rajas, and tamas) is also incorporated into Yoga philosophy
  • These gunas are the fundamental qualities of prakriti that influence human behavior and mental states (sattva represents purity and balance, rajas represents activity and passion, and tamas represents inertia and ignorance)

Divergence and Importance of Discriminative Knowledge

• Yoga philosophy diverges from Samkhya by emphasizing the practical methods for achieving liberation, such as the eight limbs of Yoga
  • Samkhya focuses more on the theoretical understanding of the universe
• Both Yoga and Samkhya recognize the importance of discriminative knowledge (viveka) in distinguishing between purusha and prakriti
  • Essential for attaining liberation (moksha)
  • Viveka helps the practitioner realize the true nature of the self as pure consciousness, separate from the changing phenomena of the material world (prakriti)

Eight Limbs of Yoga

Ethical Principles, Self-Discipline, and Physical Practices

• The eight limbs of Yoga, as outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, provide a systematic approach to spiritual practice and self-realization
• The first two limbs, yama and niyama, focus on ethical principles and self-discipline
  • Yama includes non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha)
  • Niyama comprises purity (saucha), contentment (santosha), austerity (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender to the divine (ishvara pranidhana)
• Asana, the third limb, refers to the practice of physical postures to promote bodily health, mental stability, and spiritual awareness
• Pranayama, the fourth limb, involves breath control techniques to regulate the flow of prana (vital energy) and calm the mind (examples include alternate nostril breathing (nadi shodhana) and victorious breath (ujjayi))

Inner Practices and Ultimate Union

• Pratyahara, the fifth limb, is the withdrawal of the senses from external objects, allowing the practitioner to turn inward and focus on the inner self
• Dharana, the sixth limb, is the practice of concentration, fixing the mind on a single point or object to develop mental stability and clarity (examples include focusing on a candle flame or a mantra)
• Dhyana, the seventh limb, is the state of meditation, where the mind becomes absorbed in the object of concentration, leading to a state of deep contemplation and insight
• Samadhi, the eighth and final limb, is the state of ultimate union with the divine, where the individual self merges with the universal self, resulting in a state of pure consciousness and bliss
  • In samadhi, the practitioner transcends the limitations of the ego and experiences a profound sense of oneness with all of creation

Meditation and Asanas in Yoga

Benefits and Preparation for Meditation

• Meditation and physical postures are two essential components of Yoga practice that work together to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
• Asanas help to prepare the body for meditation by promoting physical health, flexibility, and strength
  • Regular practice of asanas can also reduce stress, improve posture, and increase bodily awareness (examples include tadasana (mountain pose) and virabhadrasana (warrior pose))
• Asanas are believed to stimulate the flow of prana (vital energy) through the nadis (energy channels) of the body, removing blockages and promoting balance and harmony

Techniques and Integration

• Meditation helps to calm the mind, reduce mental distractions, and cultivate inner peace and clarity
  • Regular meditation practice can lead to increased self-awareness, emotional stability, and spiritual insight
• Meditation techniques in Yoga often involve focusing the mind on a specific object, such as the breath, a mantra, or a visualized image, to develop concentration and awareness (examples include mindfulness of breath (anapanasati) and loving-kindness meditation (metta bhavana))
• The combination of asana practice and meditation helps to integrate the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the individual, promoting a holistic approach to self-realization

Union of Self in Yoga

Liberation and Realization of True Nature

• The ultimate goal of Yoga is often referred to as moksha, which is the liberation of the individual self (atman) from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara)
• In Yoga philosophy, the individual self is believed to be a manifestation of the universal self (Brahman), but due to ignorance (avidya), the individual self identifies with the temporary and changing aspects of the body and mind
• Through the practice of Yoga, the individual seeks to remove the veil of ignorance and realize the true nature of the self as pure consciousness, which is identical to the universal self

Unity and Transformation of Consciousness

• The union of the individual self with the universal self is known as yoga, which literally means "to yoke" or "to unite"
  • This union is characterized by a state of pure awareness, bliss, and freedom from suffering
• The realization of the unity between the individual self and the universal self is said to bring about a profound transformation in the practitioner's consciousness
  • Leads to a state of permanent peace, happiness, and self-realization
• This ultimate goal of Yoga is not merely an intellectual understanding but a direct experiential realization that transcends the limitations of the ego and the mind, revealing the inherent divinity within oneself and all of creation
  • This realization is often described as a state of enlightenment or self-actualization, where the practitioner experiences a profound sense of unity and interconnectedness with all of existence