Raja Yoga is an exact science. It aims at controlling all thought-waves or mental modifications. It concerns with the mind, its purification and control. Hence it is called Raja Yoga, i.e., king of all Yogas. It is otherwise known as Ashtanga Yoga i.e., Yoga with eight limbs.
The eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are: Yama (self-restraint), Niyama (religious observances), Asana (posture), Pranayama (restraint of breath), Pratyahara (abstraction of senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (super-conscious state). Yama is practice of Ahimsa (non-injury), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy) and Aparigraha (non-covetousness) in thought, word and deed. This is the foundation of Yoga. Niyama is observance of the five canons viz., Saucha (internal and external purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity). Svadhyaya (study of religious books and repetition of Mantras) and Ishvara-Pranidhana (worship of God and self-surrender). Cultivate Maitri (friendship with equals), Karuna (mercy towards inferiors), Mudita (complaisancy towards superiors), Upeksha (indifference towards wicked people). You can eradicate jealousy and hatred and attain peace of mind. Ascend the ladder of Yoga patiently through its different rungs and attain the highest summit of the ladder, i.e., Asamprajnata Samadhi, wherein all Samskaras (impressions) which bring about successive births are absolutely fried up.
If you really aspire to unfold the lurking divinity within, if you really want to get rid of the meshes of this Samsara, you must know the technique of thought-control which is embodied in the system of Raja Yoga. You must know the ways of right living, right thinking, right speaking and right acting. You must practise the five rules of Yama or right conduct or Sadachara. You must know how to withdraw the mind from external objects and fix it on one point. You must know the right method of concentration and meditation. Then alone you can be really happy. Then and then alone, you will have power, independence and suzerainty. Then and then alone, you will attain immortality, freedom and perfection. A knowledge of the ways and habits of the mind, its operations, the laws of the mind and the methods of mind-control and mental discipline is very necessary if you want to enjoy real happiness and peace of an unruffled and abiding nature.
Practise Raja Yoga, control the thoughts, discipline the mind, meditate regularly and attain independence, immortality, freedom and perfection.
|
Next: Chapter 1: Yoga, 8.Control of Mind
Energy Enhancement Enlightened Texts Sri Swami Sivananda Essence of Yoga
Chapter 1
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 1.Yoga
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 1.Yoga, Yoga is a perfect practical system of self-culture. Yoga is an exact science. It aims at the harmonious development of the body, the mind and the soul. Yoga is the turning away of the senses from the objective universe and the concentration of the mind within. Yoga is eternal life in the soul or spirit. Yoga aims at controlling the mind and its modifications. The path of Yoga is an inner path whose gateway is your heart at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 2.Essence of Karma Yoga
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 2.Essence of Karma Yoga, Karma Yoga is selfless service unto humanity. 'Your duty is to work incessantly but not to expect the fruits thereof.' This is the central teaching of the Gita at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 3.Hatha Yoga
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 3.Hatha Yoga, Hatha Yoga relates to the restraint of breath (Pranayama), Asanas, Bandhas and Mudras. 'Ha' and 'tha' mean the union of the sun and the moon, union of Prana and Apana Vayus. 'Hatha' means any tenacious practice till the object or end is achieved. Trataka, standing on one leg, (a kind of Tapas) and similar poses are all Hatha Yoga practices. Hatha Yoga is inseparable from Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga begins where Hatha Yoga ends. Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga are interdependent. Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga are the necessary counterparts of each other. No one can become a perfect Yogi without a knowledge and practice of both the Yogas. Hatha Yoga prepares the student to take up Raja Yoga at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 4.Yoga Asanas
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 4.Yoga Asanas, Health is wealth. Health is indeed a covetable possession. Good health is a valuable asset to one and all. It can be achieved by the regular practice of Yoga Asanas at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 5.Pranayama
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 5.Pranayama, Pranayama is an exact science. It is the fourth Anga or limb of Ashtanga Yoga. It is the regulation of breath or control of Prana. Pranayama steadies the mind, augments the gastric fire, energises digestion, invigorates the nerves, destroys the Rajas, destroys all diseases, removes all laziness, makes the body light and healthy and awakens Kundalini at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 6.Kundalini Yoga
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 6.Kundalini Yoga, Kundalini Sakti is the coiled-up, dormant, cosmic power that underlies all organic as well as inorganic matter. It is the primordial energy that lies at the basal Muladhara Chakra in a dormant, potential state. Kundalini Yoga is that Yoga which treats of Kundalini Sakti, the seven Chakras or centres of spiritual energy, the arousing of the sleeping Kundalini Sakti and its union with Lord Siva in Sahasrara Chakra at the crown of the head. The seven Chakras are pierced by the passing of Kundalini Sakti to the top of the head at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 7.Raja Yoga
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 7.Raja Yoga, Raja Yoga is an exact science. It aims at controlling all thought-waves or mental modifications. It concerns with the mind, its purification and control. Hence it is called Raja Yoga, i.e., king of all Yogas. It is otherwise known as Ashtanga Yoga i.e., Yoga with eight limbs at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 8.Control of Mind
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 8.Control of Mind, Mind is Atma Sakti. It is through mind only that Brahman or the Supreme Self manifests as the differentiated universe with heterogeneous objects at energyenhancement.org
- Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 9.Nada Yoga
Sri Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga Chapter 1: Yoga, 9.Nada Yoga, Sit in Padmasana or Siddhasana or Sukhasana. Close the ears with the thumbs. This is Shanmukhi Mudra or Vaishnavi Mudra. Hear the music of Anahata sounds. You will have wonderful concentration at energyenhancement.org
|
