To answer the above questions fully is no easy task, considering the multitude of yogic texts and traditions, and so for the sake of simplicity I will give a short and succinct answer, not so much watered down as it is distilled.
The word "yoga" is derived from the sanskrit word "yuj", which means to yoke or to join. Yoga can be seen as meaning union, union of individual consciousness and universal consciousness, and the practices that relate to achieving this goal. Therefor the word yoga is used as both the means and the end, the path and the destination.
This is the true meaning of yoga, and the practices go far beyond asanas, or the physical postures you see most people practicing today. These postures are very beneficial in many ways, but it's important to keep in mind that the even more powerful techniques are the ones you don't usually see people doing, things beyond the postures like pranayama, mudras, bandhas, kriyas and meditation.
With enough effort, yoga can help people attain very high states of consciousness and to eliminate the wrong views that cause suffering, bringing about permanent states of happiness, contentment and bliss. I want to help get this message out because I feel that most people, especially in western society, are not only unaware of yoga's true purpose but don't even know that these things are possible.
I want people to use yoga to have better lives. I look around and I see a lot of suffering, and it's not just the sad state of affairs the world is in these days - the wars, the crime, the poverty, the disease and the negative views people can adopt. As the Buddha said, life is suffering. Even "the good life" leaves one wanting more, because deep down a part of us knows we are missing out on something, and that something is our own true nature.
I've decided I have to do my part in trying to get this information out there. I don't want to see people suffer anymore. I hope people will see how beneficial and powerful yoga is and how it can improve people's lives from the beginning. Those who are stressed and depressed can benefit greatly from yoga, the way it regulates the glands and hormones and releases endorphins, the way pranayama affects the brain and how relaxing all of yoga and especially meditation can be. Those who are out of shape or overweight will benefit too, again because of the affects yoga has on the glands and how powerfully it removes toxins and balances the body. The young will find a constructive outlet for all of their energy and the old can rediscover their zest for life and regain the energy they had from their more youthful days. And hopefully when people see how much better they feel physically, mentally and emotionally, they'll ask how far yoga can take them spiritually.
No comments:
Post a Comment