RAJA YOGA & ASTANGA YOGA
It is a
comprehensive method for controlling the waves of thought by turning our mental
and physical energy into spiritual energy. Raja Yoga is also called Astanga
Yoga.
The main component of Raja Yoga is meditation.
However, various practices like relaxation,
Yamas, Niyamas, Mudras, Bandha, Pranayam, nigrah are used to gain control of the physical body and the
subtle life force called Prana.
The astanga yoga
consist of Yama, Niyama, Pranayam, pratyahar, dharana, dhyan and Samadhi.
A
brief description of these eight parts of Astanga yoga are as follows:
§Yamas- to be practiced in word,
thought and deed, Ahimsa or non-violence, truth, Brahmacharya or
moderation in all things, Asteya or non-stealing, Aparigraha or
non-covetousness.
§ Niyamas – Dos and Don’ts
defined for yogis
§ Asanas – Postures which relieve the
stress and purify the systems
§ Pranayama - regulation or control of the
breath.
§ Pratyahara - withdrawal of the
senses in order to still the mind.
§ Dharana , i.e., concentration.
The last 3 steps constitute the internal practice of Raja Yoga. When Dharana is
achieved, it leads to the next step of dhyana.
§ Dhyana - Meditation or dhyana is that
state of pure thought and absorption in the object of meditation. There is
still duality in Dhyana. When mastered Dhyana leads to the last step.
§ Samadhi - the super conscious
state or oneness step with the self or God.
We
may think of prayer as a connection with the God and thus Rajyogi, who has
reached the Samadhi state, is connected to the God and remains in the super
conscious state. He becomes desire less and performs the finest form of prayer. Rajyoga considers Samadhi as the ultimate aim of human birth.
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