Yoga ?Yoga ?

The word “Yoga” derives from the Sanskrit root “yuj” – to yoke or

combine. The underlying idea is that of the combination of the micro and macrocosmic spiritual realities – and thus liberation from samsara.

The idea of Yoga that we are familiar with was invented by the sage

Patanjali – who combined two pre-existent ideas; the

Philosophy of Samkhya, and the Practice of physical postures &

meditation techniques that had been developed

by the renouncers.

““PROTO - YOGA”.PROTO - YOGA”. Spiritual attainment

through the control of Prana – Breath /

Energy in the body. This is achieved by Meditation, Use of specific postures &Breath control.

Ultimately to free the “spirit” from the

“world” (articulated in different ways)

Holding the body steady with the three upper parts erect, causing the senses to

enter into the heart by means of the mind. The wise man with the boat of Brahman

should cross all the streams that bring fear.Suppressing the breaths here in the body

his movements controlled, he should breath through his nostrils with diminished breath.As he would a chariot yoked to bad horses, so should a wise man diligently restrain his

mind.

Shvetashvatra Upanishad II:8-9

Know the Self to be sitting in the chariot, the body to be the chariot, the intellect

(buddhi) the charioteer, and the mind the reins. The senses they call the horses, the objects of the senses their roads... But he who has understanding and whose mind is always firmly held, his senses are under control, like good horses of a charioteer.

He who has no understanding, who is unmindful and always impure, never

reaches that place, but enters into the round of births.'

Katha Upanishad 3:3-7

When the five instruments of knowledge stand still together with the mind, and when the intellect does not move, that

is called the highest state.

Katha Upanishad 6:9-10

"The practical method [for coming to this oneness consists in]: breath-control,

withdrawal [of the senses from their objects], meditation, concentration, analytic

discrimination and "enstasy": this is known as Yoga…

Maitri Upanishad, 18-19

Samkhya PhilosophySamkhya Philosophy

Brahman is manifested as:

Ishvara (the Lord – Brahman Saguna).

Jiva / Atman (the self)

Prakriti (Nature)

Samkhya PhilosophySamkhya PhilosophyPrakriti (Nature) is

composed of three strands (Gunas) –

Sattva (purity)Rajas (passion)Tamas (inertia)

He who has gunas, is a doer of deeds that bear fruit, and enjoyer of what he has done;Following the three paths, characterized by the three gunas, and assuming all forms, he

roams about {in successive rebirths} according to his actions. The embodied one

(Ātman) chooses forms, gross and subtle according to his qualities. Because of his union with these forms brought about by

the qualities of his actions and his embodied self he is seen as something other than he

is.Shvetashvatra Upanishad V.7, 12-13

Samkhya YogaSamkhya Yoga

Patanjali combines these two systems in his Yoga Sutra – his synthesis is variously known as –

Samkhya Yoga

Astanga Yoga

Citta-vritti-nirdoha.

PatanjaliPatanjali

YamaYama

The first step is Yama – self control, not doing bad things. This is to do with your relationships with

others in society and the Gods.

NiyamaNiyama

Niyama is also to do with ethics and relationships, but this is more disciplined, it is about doing good

things – following religious teaching, doing pujas, reading texts, learning from gurus etc.

AsanaAsana

Asanas are the postures that one

thinks of when one thinks of “Yoga”Of great benefit to

mental and physical health, but also designed

to ease the flow of “prana” round the body, and prepare for spiritual

effort.

ASANAASANA

PranayamaPranayama

Pranayama is usually thought of as breath control – or conscious

awareness of breathing.

There are many complex techniques.

PratyaharaPratyahara

Pratyahara means “the

withdrawal of the senses” –

inward concentration.

PratyaharaPratyaharaWhen in

recollection he withdraws all his senses from the attractions of the

pleasures of sense, even as a

tortoise withdraws all its limbs, then his is a serene wisdom.

Bhagavad Gita 2:58

DharanaDharanaConcentrating the mind

upon a single object of thought.

DhyanaDhyanaMeditation – concentration without an

object.

SamadhiSamadhiSamadhi is

the ultimate goal of yoga – to be beyond

all consciousness

– Entasy.

What is the point?What is the point?

Patanjali’s system of Yoga is designed to slowly disengage Purusha from Prakriti, so

that at Samadhi, there is only Purusha, which may then

achieve liberation.

LiberationLiberation

Liberation in Patanjali’s system is unique – it is

described as Kevalatva – Isolated Bliss (no union with

anything)