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| “Yoga” | its meaning|
definitions |
aim and objectives |
Misconceptions about Yoga |
True Nature of Yoga |
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Yoga is an ancient art based on an
extremely subtle science, that of body psyche and soul. |
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Meaning
of the word –"Yoga" |
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Some Definitions of Yoga |
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In the Thoughts of Modern Thinkers we find yoga as a System of
Conscious Evolution and Self perfection - |
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Swami Vivekananda has
defined the Yoga as –
“Yoga as "It's a means of compressing one's evolution into a single
life or a few months or even a few hours of one's bodily existence".
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Sri
Aurobindo defines Yoga as Integral Yoga. He says
“By Yoga,… meant a
methodological effort towards self perfection by the development of
potentialities latent in the individual. - Sri Aurobindo |
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In the
authoritative ancient text of Yoga i.e.
Yogasutra of Patañjali and
Gita, Yoga
has been defined as Transcending the mind for Self realization or Equanimity of
mind – |
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Patañjali ,
“Yoga is the restraint of modifications of Mind” --------Realizing the ultimate
reality.
योगश्चित्त
वृत्ति
निरोधः।
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योगसूत्र
–
I/2
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Bhagavad-Gita defines Yoga
as "Yoga is skill in action"
“योगः
कर्मसु
कौशलम्” -
भगवद्गीता II/48
also "
Equanimity of mind"
“समत्वं
योग
उच्यते”
भगवद्गीता II/50 |
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In
another important text
Yogavashishtha Yoga comes as -
“Skilful
method to calm down the mind” -
Yogavasisht
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Aim & Objectives of Yoga
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To remove
ignorance ( Avidya or Lack of awareness of reality ) from life
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Ignorance (
Avidya) – Egoism – Attachment- Detachment – yearning desire to life –
Elimination of 5- Afflictions from life.
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To enter into a
state of Highest consciousness that manifests in life as (Satya) Truth, (Bodh)
Pure Consciousness, (Jnana) Absolute Knowledge, Ananda (Bliss), and Prem(
Love)
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Awakening
to Real Self
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Elimination of Kleshas( Sufferings)
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Misconception about Yoga
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There are varieties of misconception as
associated with Yoga, they are as Yoga is :
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Religion
–dogma, belief , cult or -ism
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Magic, trick ,
mysticism
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Physical
culture –aerobics and anaerobics
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Mental
concentration
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Self
mortification, Self torture
But as we have
seen earlier in various definitions describing the true nature of yoga is not
so.
It is a complete
system or better a Science or A way of life. Yoga being a way of life can be
applied irrespective of age, gender, profession, state, conditions, problems and
sufferings. Yoga can be applied in any/every human endeavour –personal,
professional, social, family and spiritual.
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The True nature of Yoga
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We may sum up the true nature with these, as yoga is
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Science and art
of realizing The Absolute i.e. The Ultimate Reality or Supreme
Consciousness
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Holistic Living
i.e. Physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual well
being
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Science of
Health, Harmony and Happiness i.e. ( “HHH”)
and here Health,
Harmony and Happiness denotes
Health (
Holistic Health)-
Physical, Emotional, Mental, Intellectual, Social and Spiritual Well being
Harmony-
Inner
Harmony( Body, mind and emotion) and Outer Harmony (social, professional )
Bliss –
beyond happiness or permanent state of happiness
Which is the stage of
Self-realization
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