___STREAMS OF YOGA___

1. Karma Yoga:

Karma means action or sum total of acts. It has been derived from the sanskrit word ‘kri’. Any act physical or mental is karma. So karma is the sum total of the acts in this life and the previous births.  Karma or the actions are of three types: manasika(mental), vachika (speech), kayika (physical). Karma is not only action but also the result of an action. It is the foundation of life and keeps the life moving. Every action has an object behind it and this may be good or bad. So it is necessary to do good and positive actions only. Karma yoga is the method which helps us to select actions by setting higher objects. That is all the actions we do should be based on love, forgiveness and feeling of caring for others.

Karma and destiny are two diff things but interlinked. Destiny is the sate of circumstances and surroundings in which one is born and this state depends on our karma. So it’s not destiny which decides our state of life but it’s the karma or the action.

Karma is fashioned in three ways - Iccha(desire), jnana(knowldege/thought), kriya(action). Desire creates a thought and finally leads into an action. So as per the actions we get the results. This is Law of Karma.

Karma is of 3 kinds –

•        Sanchita– This is accumulated karma from our past. This becomes a part of our character, inclinations and desires.

•        Prarabdha – This is the present life karma and this cannot be changed or avoided. It is exhausted only by being experienced.

•        Agami - This is that part of karma which is being made for the future.

So karma yoga is selfless service done, work without expectations or ego. Work as if you are an instrument of God and be free from the cycle of birth-rebirth.

2. Bhakti Yoga:

Bhakti yoga is the real search for God and becoming one with the God. The search begins, continues and ends in intense love with the god. Whatever you do, do it in the name of god and for the god.

There are 9 modes of devotion in bhakti yoga:

•        Shravana – Hearing or listening to the name of the god.

•        Keertana – Singing songs in praise of god.

•        Smarana – Remembering the god always

•        Pada sevana – service at the feet of god.

•        Archana – offerings to the god as flowers etc

•        Vandana – Prostration before the image of god.

•        Dasya – servant – master attitude towards god.

•        Sakhya – feeling of friendship to god.

•        Atma nivedana- self surrender to the god.

So in bhakti yoga one becomes absolutely merged with the object of worship or love and he realizes the truth that – the lover, love and the loved are one.

3. Jnana Yoga:

                Jnana Yoga is the path or wisdom associated with the understanding of real from the unreal or the illusionary. It is the path of knowledge, wisdom or insight which leads us to universal truth, the purpose or the self realisation.

                The main principle of jnana yoga makes you understand about “Tat Twam Asi” which means “thou art that”. In simple words ‘You are that’. You and the Supreme are identical.

Sri Shankaracharya quotes:

                “Brahma Satya Jagat Mithya

                 Jiva Brahma eva na apaarah”

This means:        “Brahman or the Supreme is the truth, the only reality.

                                  Jagat or the cosmos is ureal. It is just an illusion.

                                  Jivatma and Brahman or the Paramatma are identical.”

               

4. Raja Yoya:

It is the widely followed yoga which literally means Royal Yoga (also known as Asthanga Yoga). Patanjali is regarded as the founder of the formal Yoga philosophy and his Yoga is known as Raja Yoga, which is a system for control of the body-mind. This is also known as Ashtanga Yoga because of the eight limbed concept.

Ashtanga Yoga - THE 8 STAGES

Yama and Niyama

As a first principle, Yoga advocates and insists on the daily practice of a code of universal ethics emphasizing its need as a disciplinary training till the whole process of moral elevation becomes a part of a man's life and living. The reasons advanced by Yoga for such a moral conduct are not merely logical and convincing but they actually demonstrate, even in the light of modern science, the physical, mental and psychic advantages of a wholly moral life.

 Yama (The five self disciplines): Non-violence, truthfulness, non-covetousness, non-sensuality/celibacy, non-stealing.

 Niyama (The five social disciplines): Mental & physical purity, contentment, austerity, knowledge and surrender to god.

Asana

Good health, according to Yoga, is not only an important requisite for further training but is looked upon as a sacred duty. Yoga, therefore, insists on the primary need for day-to-day good health both sedative and positive. This has to be achieved through physical education which promotes mental discipline and psychic absoluteness. The methodical study of the science of Yoga thus begins with postural training and rhythmic breathing associated with preventive measures, the process of nerve purification. It also includes the technique of rejuvenation through hormonal stimulation, eliminate and neutralise hyper-energy, followed by complete rest to all vital organs.

Pranayama

Yoga has demonstrated that its system of physical culture, in conjunction with respiratory and nervous control, enables an individual to regulate his biological living through conservation and control of bio-energy (prana). The stoppage of pulse and heart, the indifference to heat and cold, to thirst and hunger, immunity to the effects of chemicals and natural elements, the ability to stay live underground, are a few of the powers that accrue from the system of yoga.

Pratyahara

With the physiological activities well harmonized and under control, the next step is to bridge the gap between body and the mind through psychosomatic training, with a view to controlling the external and internal senses which affect the equanimity and peace of mind. This is achieved through a series of graded psychic efforts of withdrawing the mind from the sensory world.

Dharana and Dhyana

Progressively, the purity of human nature and therefore, of the mind can be achieved through a sound and healthy body. In Yoga, the control of the mind is followed up through the control of the senses. The course includes methods of pure and applied psychology, psychoanalysis, parapsychology, mental hygiene and therapeutics, and psychic unfolding with a view to ultimately exploiting all conscious and subconscious potentialities so as to reach the highest consciousness. The preliminary stage begins with concentration, focus on single thought or object (Dharana) aided by a variety of psychosomatic measures which by habituation, leads to the continued process of meditation (Dhyana).

Samadhi

Trance-consciousness, wherein the Yogi remains unmoved by physical and mental afflictions, is the final stage of and has been described variously as state of uninterrupted joy and peace, absolute consciousness and self realization.

The techniques mentioned here should be practiced under the guidance & expert in this field or Guru to get maximum benefit. One may not get the expected result otherwise.

IS YOGA A RELIGION?

                Yoga systematically teaches man a search for the divinity within himself, but it is not a religion. Anyone from any religion can do Yoga. It is a science, philosophy, a spiritual way of life.