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Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga is the path that leads to union with the Lord through self-mastery and control of the mind. Raja Yoga teaches how to control the senses and the mental Vrittis or thought waves that emanate from the mind, how to develop concentration and how to commune with God. In Hatha Yoga there is physical discipline, while in Raja Yoga there is discipline of the mind.
The Yoga Of Eight Limbs
Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are the eight parts of Raja Yoga.
Yama and Niyama represent the ethical discipline that purifies the heart. Yama consists of Ahimsa (non-injury), Satya (truthfulness), Brahmacharya (restraint), Asteya (non-stealing) and Aparigraha (non-acceptance of gifts leading to luxury). All virtues are rooted in Ahimsa.
Niyama is observance. It includes Saucha (internal and external purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhyaya (study of scriptures and repetition of mantra) and Isvara-pranidhana (self-surrender to God). One who is established in Yama and Niyama will make rapid progress in the practice of yoga.
Asana, pranayama and pratyahara are the preliminary adjuncts of yoga. Asana is a stable position. Pranayama is the regulation of breath. This creates peace and stability of mind and good health. Pratyahara is the abstraction or withdrawal of the senses from their objects. You have to practice Pratyahara. Only you can then look inside and you can have introversion.
Dharana is concentration of mind on any object, or inner chakra, or Ishta-Devata or tutelary Deity. Then comes Dhyana, meditation or an unceasing stream of thoughts connected with one object. This leads to Samadhi where meditator and meditator become one. All Vrittis or mind waves subside. The mind stops working. All Samskaras, impressions and Vasanas (tendencies and subtle desires) are burnt away in this. A yogi is freed from birth and death. He attains Kaivalva or final liberation (absolute independence).
Concentration—The Key To Success
Raja Yoga is the path that leads to union with the Lord through self-mastery and control of the mind. Raja Yoga teaches how to control the senses and the mental Vrittis or thought waves that emanate from the mind, how to develop concentration and how to commune with God. In Hatha Yoga there is physical discipline, while in Raja Yoga there is discipline of the mind.
Yoga of the Eight Limbs
Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are the eight parts of Raja Yoga.
Yama and Niyama represent the ethical discipline that purifies the heart. Yama consists of Ahimsa (non-injury), Satya (truthfulness), Brahmacharya (restraint), Asteya (non-stealing) and Aparigraha (non-acceptance of gifts leading to luxury). All virtues are rooted in Ahimsa.
Niyama is observance. It includes Saucha (internal and external purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhyaya (study of scriptures and repetition of mantra) and Isvara-pranidhana (self-surrender to God). One who is established in Yama and Niyama will make rapid progress in the practice of yoga.
Asana, pranayama and pratyahara are the preliminary adjuncts of yoga. Asana is a stable position. Pranayama is the regulation of breath. This creates peace and stability of mind and good health. Pratyahara is the abstraction or withdrawal of the senses from their objects. You have to practice Pratyahara. Only you can then look inside and you can have introversion.
Dharana is concentration of mind on any object, or inner chakra, or Ishta-Devata or tutelary Deity. Then comes Dhyana, meditation or an unceasing stream of thoughts connected with one object. This leads to Samadhi where meditator and meditator become one. All Vrittis or mind waves subside. The mind stops working. All Samskaras, impressions and Vasanas (tendencies and subtle desires) are burnt away in this. A yogi is freed from birth and death. He attains Kaivalva or final liberation (absolute independence).
Concentration – the key to success
How strong is the headlight! When the sun’s rays are concentrated through the lens, they can burn the cotton. Even so, when the scattered rays of the mind gather, you can work miracles. You can know all the secrets of nature through the powerful reflector of the mind.
The scientist sits in his laboratory, concentrates all the powers of his mind and concentrates them into one focus and throws them upon the objects of his research and investigation. He acquires all the knowledge of the elements, etc. The entire hidden knowledge of nature is revealed to him like the Amalaka fruit in the palm of his hand. An astronomer does the same thing. Through his telescope, he focuses on the stars and planets and gains knowledge about the stars. The radio, wireless telegraphy, television, gramophone, telephone, steam engine, etc., are all things invented by deep concentration.
Without concentration, you cannot be successful in any life path or spiritual endeavor. A cook can prepare things efficiently if he is focused. If there is no concentration, it spoils the preparations. A surgeon in the operating room needs perfect concentration. A steamship captain must have great concentration. A tailor, a professor, a lawyer, a student – everyone must have concentration. Only then can they be successful in their profession. All the great souls, all the master minds who have done great work in this world, have had perfect concentration.
In the worldly man, the rays of the mind are scattered in different directions. His mind is jumping like a monkey. It’s constantly restless. He thinks of money, wife, children, property, houses, etc. His mind is constantly occupied with making money and owning the objects of his desires. He has no concentration whatsoever. He cannot look within and introspect. His mind is full of outgoing tendencies.
A yogi concentrates on the chakras, mind, sun, stars, elements, etc. and attains superhuman knowledge. Gains dominion over the elements. The power of concentration is the only key to open the treasury of knowledge.
Concentration cannot come in a week or a month. It takes a while. Regularity in practicing concentration is paramount. Brahmacharya, a cool and pleasant place, company of saints and sattvic diet are helpers in concentration.
Concentration and meditation lead to samadhi, or superconscious experience, which has several stages of ascent, whether or not attended with equanimity (Vitarka), analysis (Vichara), joy (Ananda), and self-awareness (Asmita). Kaivalya or Supreme Independence is thus attained.
The Obstacle Of Siddhis Or Supernatural Powers
Siddhis or supernatural powers are manifested as the yogi progresses in his yogic practices. These siddhis like clairvoyance, clairaudience etc. are all obstacles in his path. He should ruthlessly avoid them and march forward straight to his goal, namely Asamprajnata or Nirvikalpa Samadhi. True spirituality has nothing to do with these powers, which are by-products of concentration. He who runs after these Siddhis is a big worldly man or big householder. He may have a downfall, if he is not cautious.
Introduction to Yoga Darshana | Bhakti Yoga | Raja Yoga | Jnana Yoga | Karma Yoga | Patanjali Yoga Sutras chapter 1 | chapter 2 | chapter 3 | chapter 4
