Philosophy of Yoga

Brief Introduction to various types of yoga

God, Self and Ultimate goal of yoga

Promoting a new philosophic attitude

Creating a world with peace and harmony

Improving social relations

Yoga as a tool for self-development

Context

With Sanskrit root 'yug', Yoga means to

bind, join, unite

It is the union of individual soul with the cosmic consciousness

Yoga is referred to in ancient sacred books as the Vedas, Upanishads and in the Gita of the Mahabharata

Roots of Yoga

Patanjali was world's first psychiatrist to

recognize the need for education of the conscious and subconscious mind

He compiled the Yoga-Sutras - aphorisms on mind showing how to control and have complete mastery

Scholars believe he has lived between 200 BC. and 200 AD.

Some believe he may have lived before 5000 BC.

Roots of Yoga

The Yoga system of Patanjali has eight steps:

Yama – abstention from harming others, from falsehood, from theft, from incontinence, and from greed;

Niyama- observance of purity, contentment, mortification, self study, devotion to God;

Asanas- postures; Pranayama- control of the breath; Pratyahara- withdrawal of the mind from the senses and

external objects; Dharana- concentration, or fixing the mind; Dyana – meditation on the goal Samadhi – perfect balance as in the spiritual condition

of absolute or bliss

Yoga system of Patanjali

Various Types of Yoga

Physical – Hata Yoga

Spiritual

Kriya Yoga

Karma Yoga

Gnana Yoga

Raja Yoga

Asana and Pranayama

Discipline

Better health

Better mind

Needs proper training and practice

Hata Yoga

A Yogi

Only a purified mind, a mind free from desires, can engage itself in constant meditation on the Atman

All the lower impulses of the body, mind and senses must be controlled by the power of the higher Self

He sees inwardly that there is no difference between gold and stone, between friends and enemies, between the righteous and the unrighteous

He is perfectly harmonised

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Chapter 6 Yoga of Mediation – The Gita

Karma Yogi

Arjuna wants to know conclusively which is superior, the path of action or the path of renunciation of action

The Lord says that both the paths lead to the highest goal of God-realisation. In both cases the final realisation of the Atman is the aim, but the path of Karma Yoga is superior

The Karma Yogi who is aware of the Atman and who is constantly engaged in action knows that although the intellect, mind and senses are active, he does not do anything

He dedicates all his actions to the Lord and thus abandons attachment, ever remaining pure and unaffected.

Chapter 5 Yoga of Renunciation of Action – The Gita 9

Bhakti Yoga

The path of devotion is easier than the path of Knowledge

In the path of devotion the aspirant develops loving relationship with the Lord, adores Him, remembers Him and chants His glories and Name

He thus effects union with the Lord and attains not only His formless aspect but also the Lord

He should offer all his actions to the Lord, abandoning the desire for their fruits.

The devotee who surrenders himself to the Lord attains perfect peace. 10

Chapter 12 Yoga of Devotion

The Raja Yoga

King of Yogas

Uses the mind to focus on an ideal to become that ideal

The essential thing is to fix the mind on the Lord and dedicate everything unto Him—one’s body, mind, actions, emotion and will

Experiential knowledge and growing self discipine

Chapter 9 Yoga of Kingly Science & The Kingly Secret

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A Yogi is praying to Krishna. “Krishna,” he prays, “I

would like to ask you a question.” Krishna responds, “No problem. Go ahead.” “Krishna, is it true that a million years to you is but a

second?” “Yes, that is true.” “Well, then, what is a million dollars to you?” “A million dollars to me is but a penny” “Ah, then, Krishna,” says Yogi, “may I have a penny? “Sure,” says Krishna. “Just a second.”

Effect of Prayer!!!

Synthesis – Newer Systems

Thought and Philosophy evolve continuously

Regulation of the mind leads to Experiential knowledge and Proper Attitude to Self Realization

Newer Systems keep coming

Select the ones that will suit today’s times

Ever Changing Human mind and unchanging Ultimate reality

Natural Path

Raja Yoga

Karma Yoga

Bhakti Yoga

SELFGOAL

Reason + Discipline (Experiential Knowledge) + Faith

Ultimate meaning of yoga

Values

Attitudes

Behaviour

SELFGOAL

Aligning Values, Goals with the nature of real Self

Conclusive Remarks

There are problems everywhere – southern countries grapple with unemployment, poverty etc.

The northern countries have issues with drug addiction, alcoholism, social unrest etc.

To have the world at peace, under these circumstances, it is not enough to preach peaceHowever, changing people from within

through practice of Yoga, will possibly create a better world where peace and harmony will prevail - Katharina Schneider Faillace and Costantino Faillace, Ph.D

Conclusive Remarks

There are problems everywhere – southern countries grapple with unemployment, poverty etc.

The northern countries have issues with drug addiction, alcoholism, social unrest etc.

To have the world at peace, under these circumstances, it is not enough to preach peaceHowever, changing people from within

through practice of Yoga, will possibly create a better world where peace and harmony will prevail - Katharina Schneider Faillace and Costantino Faillace, Ph.D

Thank You