The Aim of Yoga... Meditation, the Key to a peaceful Mind
by Health & Wellness Professional, Virna Lisa C
ontrary to popular belief, yoga is not solely about postures or particular breathing practices.
Until about 1,000 years ago yoga philosophy focused primarily on the benefits of meditation. Many certified instructors fully understand how to put postures into sequence for a great, renewing workout. At the same time, it seems there is less emphasis on the philosophy behind yoga and how to integrate it into everyday life. The system based on Hatha Yoga, which most people practice, is only one step on a ladder encompassing far more than striking a pose. Hatha Yoga Pradipika
(self-illuminating), is said to be the 30 New Haven / Middlesex
oldest surviving text on Hatha Yoga. Written some time between the 6th and 15th century AD by Yogi Swami Swatmarama, it stated that Hatha Yoga, which is comprised of the postures, breathing and cleansing practices, is simply preparation for Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga (Royal Path), sometimes referred to as Ashtanga Yoga (The Eight-fold Path), entails working with the mind, body and higher states of consciousness. It includes lifestyle management (yamas and niyamas), postures (asanas), breath control and expansion (pranayama), withdrawal of the senses (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation practices (dhayana), and the last rung of the ladder, Self Realization (samadhi).
NaturalNewHaven.com What is Meditation?
The Latin root of the word meditation is similar to that for medicate or medication and implies the sense of “attending to” or “paying attention to” something. Swami Rama, founder of The Himalayan Institute, defined meditation as “…a practice for resting the mind and attaining a state of consciousness that is totally different from the normal waking state… a practical, scientific and systematic technique for knowing yourself on all levels… a simple method of exploring the inner dimensions of life and finally establishing oneself in one’s own essential nature.” We gain higher states
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56