Tomorrow, on 21st June we are going
to celebrate international yoga day. Celebrating various days and occasions is
in vogue. In India we have haphazardly started sharing messages, pictures and
videos of yoga postures (asana) performed by so called yoga followers without knowing the
fundamentals of yoga.
These asanas or postures aimed at toning up the
body, are indeed one of the eightfold stages of Ashtanga Yoga as enunciated by Sage Patanjali. Frankly,
performing these asana under guidance of self-styled yoga gurus does not
constitute complete yoga. When performed in isolation these asanas are reduced
just to a physical exercise.
There is no doubt that these asana can improve your looks and your internal systems with a better figure and physical efficiency but it will be incorrect to think that performance of these asana can turn you into a better human being.
There is no doubt that these asana can improve your looks and your internal systems with a better figure and physical efficiency but it will be incorrect to think that performance of these asana can turn you into a better human being.
Then what should be the ideal path of yoga
which will lead the way to physical mental and spiritual happiness?
The meaning of yoga is to connect or to join. Yoga
means connecting ourselves to supreme soul.
The Bhagavad Gita describes yoga as a state of
equanimity, achieved by cultivating a detached but unified outlook, serenity of
mind, skill in action and the ability to stay attuned to the glory of the Self
or atman and the Supreme lord.
As stated by lord Krishna, the root cause of
all sufferings and conflicts is nothing
but selfish desire which disturbs and agitates the mind. The only way to
extinguish the flame of this burning desire is by bringing in the deep silence
in the mind and stillness, through self-discipline and engaging in a higher
form of activity.
According Panini who wrote a commentary on
Patanjali Yogasutra “yoga is Samadhi” which is the eighth stage of ashtanga
yoga.
The eight stages of ashtanga yoga are yam,
niyam, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. Samadhi is
state of enlightenment wherein you are in tune with the nature, with perfect
physical and mental balance. It is the state wherein you are directly connected
to the supreme soul. Achieving this stage is very difficult; and one has to
rich there by mastering all preceding seven stages of yoga. With mastering each
and every step we reach akin to endmost goal of the ashtanga yoga i.e. SAMADHI
Let me explain you all these eight stages of
yoga in brief-
1. Yama- Yama & Niyamas are ethical rules
for “Right living” and are the foundation of positive personality on which
edifice of the enlightenment is built.
The five Yamas are non-violence, truthfulness,
non-stealing, celibacy and non-covetousness.
2. Niyama -The five Niyamas are cleanliness,
contentment, austerity, self-study or knowledge of self and surrender to God.
3. Asana- Literally
means "seat" or “posture” and in Patanjali's Sutras refers to the
seated position used for meditation which defined as “sthira sukham asanam”. But in present times mostly asanas are considered
as various postures perfumed for physical fitness and wellbeing.
Sage Patanjali expected seekers to embrace yam
and niyam before coming to the third stage, asana. The eightfold path is to
take the practitioner towards moral, physical and spiritual uplift. The
ultimate aim of yoga is spiritual realization or samadhi via mind and body. Obtaining
physical fitness is one step ahead towards reaching the ultimate goal of Samadhi.
4. Pranayama- Pranayam means
control of breath; it purifies and removes distractions, facilitating
concentration and meditation.
5. Pratyahara - Means is detachment sensory
organs from senses or withdrawal of the senses during meditation that enables
you to focus on the Supreme Power and establish a cosmic link.
6. Dharana - Dharana is to concentrate on one
point for a considerable length of time. The aim is to still the mind by
gently pushing away superfluous thoughts.
7. Dhyana -Dhyana is uninterrupted meditation
without an object.
8. Samadhi- Samadhi is to attain enlightenment.
That’s why the journey on the path of yoga is not that easy since it demands lot of restraint, discipline and devotion. But presently we directly jump over the third step and begin with asanas. There is nothing wrong in it but it can't be named yoga and we ought to be aware of its limitation when it comes to making a person spiritual. You cannot traverse through the path of yoga by skipping first two steps, in order to begin with asanas.
So not only performing asanas but all the
stages of yoga are mandatory for spiritual development of a person. Spiritual personalities are admired by
society. When more and more members in society walk on the path of spirituality
the whole nation becomes spiritual. That is the need of an hour and will help to
build the nation. Just exhibiting asana on big streets of cities and
demonstrating skill of performing yougik postures (asanas) is not yoga.
॥ योग: कर्मसु कौशल्यम् ॥
Dr.Sandhya , as usual the post is well-researched and excellent. It may seem hard to follow all steps but , we may begin slowly and steadily. THANKS IN CAPITAL.
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