Ideals of yoga

Ideals of yoga

If one wants to start as a yoga student, one should be aware of the general purpose of the science and the sincere goals of the aspirant. Many people begin with only a fraction of an understanding of what yoga is about, what is offered and what it requires. It is a surprise to learn what a complete cultural system is offered through these teachings, which come from ancient Vedic philosophy.

Yoga is considered by many to be the oldest natural science that teaches the laws of nature and their adaptation to the human art of living. Nature must be respected and befriended. It is wrong to ever think of conquering nature. For the yogi, adhering to the laws of nature is equivalent to God's law. Achieving everyone's highest physical, mental and spiritual potential is considered complete human maturity and is a valid expectation and goal for all humanity.

Although the origins are hidden in antiquity, the prescribed techniques and guidelines are believed to be as old as the history and culture of humanity on Earth. It is generally accepted that yoga as a system was developed in India and it is Indians who have remained the guardians of its wisdom. However, while acknowledgment of the Indian source is due, yoga teachings are not the domain of any culture or race. As a natural science, it knows no boundaries but is universally available to everyone.

Certain adaptations of the ancient techniques must be adapted to the needs of modern Western culture, but the essence of the teaching remains. It is based on self-discipline and self-culture within a framework of ethical and moral codes. It is to be expected that the physical and even psychological training programs will evolve and change, but the uniqueness of the spiritual purpose must be maintained and also the techniques for spiritual awareness so that the exponents maintain the purity of the system.

The only spiritual goal is to consciously experience liberation from the limitations of life as an individual imprisoned in the cell of one's self-conscious ego and to realize the spiritual limitlessness of one's own source in God or Universal Life. Attuned to this power, he then strives to lead a constructive life for the benefit of others.

Patanjali, the sage, was the author of the written principles of yoga, which have survived some 2,000 years later. Until his time, the teachings were believed to have been transmitted largely orally and without book learning, but in an unbroken traditional lineage from master to disciple or from guru to chela. We owe our greatest respect to these ancient sages and to the scholars and sages who have helped us interpret and understand the ancient wisdom.

Although yoga is most commonly practiced within the context of Hindu culture, it is now common knowledge that it has no connection to any religion. Yoga advises the student to follow religious practices according to the sincere beliefs of the individual, regardless of what religion is peculiar to him and his native culture. But the highest aspects of yoga develop a universality that transcends any single religion, and it is common for the yogi to feel comfortable worshiping in the church or temple of all religions or none at all.

The goal of yoga is to understand both the laws of nature that govern physical matter and the human body, and those that influence the subtle psyche of man and the spiritual aspect of his being. The word “yoga” implies a union or integration of man with harmony in his whole being, body, emotions, mind and soul – a state which then represents “health”. In a higher aspect it refers to the reunification of the life of the individual with the whole.

The healthy student who has successfully devoted himself to the rigorous tests and practices of overcoming his negative self and of his human nature through control, development and surrender of his positive talents has achieved the first aspect of union or yoga. The second phase is to unite his individuality with the universal source of energy so that he can make a constructive and inspired contribution to the world around him.

Conscious understanding of oneself, others, nature and the universe implies an ever-expanding development of one's mind and knowledge, extending from the mundane world to infinity. The conscious experience of Universal Energy, Source or God is the ultimate spiritual reward.

We know that the Indian sages and spiritual Western saints exist both in historical times and in our own time. Some choose to work in retreat as hermits in ashrams and monasteries. Others choose to work directly among humans and can be found in the many and varied roles played in human civilization. Wherever they function, these individuals act as human conduits of energy of a type and quality that depend on their individual spiritual development and degree of universality or wholeness.

In India, some prefer to live in the plains and work among the people, teaching and healing in the ashrams, as the priest does in Western countries. Others have sought mountain peaks as their home where, unhindered by worldly pollution of mind and matter, they can transmit their highest quality energy to the world and humanity.

Wherever people live on earth, there are yogis or spiritually awakened people. They have walked the earth in eastern and western lands and in all times and eras. Her message always reminds us of the value of love, truth, beauty and kindness in the human soul, and her memories are always such as to inspire us to continue striving to cultivate these qualities.

Today we are acutely aware of the need for a return to these values, and yet we suffer from the fact that few great teachers expound or exemplify these qualities. We must rely on our own integrity. However, it is a law of nature that allows that when humanity becomes unbalanced in its development and veers away from the spirit into materialism and decadence, a great teacher comes to show the way. Many people hope that the new century will bring us such a great teacher. Societies in all countries are showing signs of serious problems that prevent peace, love, kindness, beauty and truth from flourishing.

Practicing the disciplines of maintaining good health is our personal responsibility, undertaken by those intelligent enough to understand it, and in the yoga system this is known as Hatha Yoga, the beginning of training when the harmonization of the two main energies is achieved in the individual.

Conducting disciplines to develop healthy emotions is less understood, but is equally important so that emotional discomfort and distortions do not plague us. The development of the love principle of devotion is known as Bhakti Yoga.

Mental disciplines to keep the mind free from negative thoughts and destructive tendencies so that creative thinking can arise and the mind is able to discern the truth is known as Raja Yoga. Brain training is becoming increasingly important, and many teaching systems exist, although more attention is paid to the principle applied to electronic computers than to the human brain that uses them.

But yoga reminds us that beyond the mind is the soul. We rarely use the term in everyday life and it takes a poet to help us remember this most important part of ourselves. The churches remain unenlightened and have failed to properly educate us on this matter. To clarify the term soul, we refer to the deepest and deepest part of our being, to which we retreat in times of great distress or in times of great happiness. It is that which lies beyond the personality of thinking, feeling and acting.

The mood is higher again. The Yogis call our spark of spiritual energy pure and of the qualities of light, as well as our Atma. This spark within everyone must not be tainted or compromised by all the other aspects of our nature. It is beyond our understanding and conscious reach except in unusual circumstances.

Living spiritually, for the yogi, means living with the body, emotions and mind developed and under control, so that one lives as the soul self, with the soul self inspired by the spirit - as an integrated and intelligent whole of being. Let us now clarify our terms and accept the aspirant as the Yoga student and reserve the term "Yogi" or "Master" for the one who has achieved the goal of the perfected human being and who must become a pure channel of light to the Yoga world.

Following yoga techniques can bring the reward of a healthier body, happier emotions, a peaceful state of mind and a successful life.

Discipline yourself to control appetite, build a healthy body with natural God-given foods, control thoughts and develop mental qualities so that the mind is strong to guide you towards your spiritual goal.