Let me start this post with defining the purpose of human life. Is it just to acquire wealth, procreate, gain position, own big houses, cars, yachts etc ? One may say yes to all of above. But if we take a step further and ask ourselves why we need all above. The answer would be , I need them because they make me happy. If we go further, do we need happiness for one hour, day, week etc, the obvious answer is we need eternal happiness. For most of my readers, the source of eternal happiness is known to be internal since we are the very embodiment of Peace and Happiness. However, by our wrong identification with our body, mind and intellect, the Divine Soul within which is pure and forever happy associates itself with feelings of sadness, pain etc and appears to be seemingly sad. So, the route to eternal bliss is not some far fetched road, but a road within our own hearts to discover our true self. All this sounds good in an intellectual discussion, but is of no practical use to a seeker of the Infinite happiness.
I can tell a budding boy the greatness of being a top seed tennis player and show him all the dreams. But that is just a pie in the sky. If I am serious about guiding him, I should show him the path to become a top seed player. I have to tell the boy about nutrition, about the type of bats, the techniques to play, the type of mental determination needed, the type of exercise needed etc. I also have to tell him how to progress from junior league to state league to national to international league.
In exactly, the same way, a seeker of Infinite Bliss needs instructions on how to prepare for the journey and how to progress on the journey. Many spiritual leaders have suggested their own paths for their followers. One such path which is very methodical and logical is Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga. Patanjali, the great ancient exponent of Raja Yoga, wrote that the path to enlightenment embraces eight stages. This eight-limbed approach, known as Ashtanga Yoga is not to be mistaken as a step-by-step approach but a multidimensional approach in which all eight limbs are practiced simultaneously.
The 8 fold path consist of the following:
The 8 fold path is actually broadly categorized under two major headings:
In this article, I am covering what each of the 8 stages mean.
I can tell a budding boy the greatness of being a top seed tennis player and show him all the dreams. But that is just a pie in the sky. If I am serious about guiding him, I should show him the path to become a top seed player. I have to tell the boy about nutrition, about the type of bats, the techniques to play, the type of mental determination needed, the type of exercise needed etc. I also have to tell him how to progress from junior league to state league to national to international league.
In exactly, the same way, a seeker of Infinite Bliss needs instructions on how to prepare for the journey and how to progress on the journey. Many spiritual leaders have suggested their own paths for their followers. One such path which is very methodical and logical is Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga. Patanjali, the great ancient exponent of Raja Yoga, wrote that the path to enlightenment embraces eight stages. This eight-limbed approach, known as Ashtanga Yoga is not to be mistaken as a step-by-step approach but a multidimensional approach in which all eight limbs are practiced simultaneously.
The 8 fold path consist of the following:
- Yama
- Niyama
- Asana
- Pranayama
- Pratyahara
- Dharana
- Dhyana
- Samadhi
The 8 fold path is actually broadly categorized under two major headings:
- Refining our personalities, gaining mastery over the body, and developing an energetic awareness of ourselves
- The first 4 stages fall under this category
- Controlling the senses, the mind, and attaining a higher state of consciousness.
- The last 4 stages fall under this category
In this article, I am covering what each of the 8 stages mean.
- Yama, deals with one's ethical standards and sense of integrity, focusing on our behavior and how we conduct ourselves in life.
- Niyama, the second limb, has to do with self-discipline and spiritual observances.
- Asanas, the postures practiced in yoga, comprise the third limb.
- Pranayama consists of techniques designed to gain mastery over the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, the mind, and the emotions
- Pratyahara, the fifth limb, means withdrawal or sensory transcendence. It is during this stage that we make the conscious effort to draw our awareness away from the external world and outside stimuli.
- Dharana, or concentration is the process to slow down the thinking process by concentrating on a single mental object: a specific energetic center in the body, an image of a deity, or the silent repetition of a sound.
- Meditation or contemplation is the stage where the mind has been quieted, and in the stillness it produces few or no thoughts at all.
- Samadhi, is a state of ecstasy when the practitioner has reached his ultimate goal and realized ultimate bliss.
In subsequent posts, I will go deeper into them.
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My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
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