The Path of Yog. Ashok K. Sachdeva

to picture a state of complete calmness and repose in which thoughts and feelings cease to dance in perpetual motion. Yet it is through such a state of quietude that we can touch a level of joy and understanding impossible to achieve otherwise.

      It is said in the Bible - “Be still and know that I am God.” In these few words lies the key to the science of Yog. This ancient spiritual science offers a direct means of stilling the natural turbulence of thoughts and restlessness of body that prevents us from knowing what we really are.

      Ordinarily our awareness and energies are directed outward, to the things of this world, which we perceive through the limited instruments of our five senses. Because human reason has to rely upon the partial and often deceptive data supplied by the physical senses, we must learn to tap deeper and more subtle levels of awareness if we would solve the enigmas of life — Who am I? Why am I here? How do I realize Truth?

      Yog is a simple process of reversing the ordinary outward flow of energy and consciousness so that the mind becomes a dynamic center of direct perception no longer dependent upon the fallible senses but capable of actually experiencing Truth.

      By practicing the step-by-step methods of Yog taking nothing for granted on emotional grounds or through blind faith we come to know our oneness with the Infinite Intelligence, Power, and Joy which gives life to all and which is the essence of our own Self.

      In past centuries many of the higher techniques of Yog were little understood or practiced, owing to mankind’s limited knowledge of the forces that run the universe. But today scientific investigation is rapidly changing the way we view ourselves and the world. The traditional materialistic conception of life has vanished with the discovery that matter and energy are essentially one: every existing substance can be reduced to a pattern or form of energy, which interacts and interconnects with other forms. Some of today’s most celebrated physicists go a step further, identifying consciousness as the fundamental ground of all being. Thus modern science is confirming the ancient principles of Yog, which proclaim that unity pervades the universe.

      The word Yog itself means “union“: of the individual consciousness or soul with the Universal Consciousness or Spirit. Though many people think of Yog only as physical exercises the aasans or postures that have gained widespread popularity in recent decades. These are actually only the most superficial aspect of this profound science of unfolding the infinite potentials of the human mind and soul.

      There are various paths of Yog that lead toward this goal, each one a specialized branch of one comprehensive system:

      Hatha Yog — a system of physical postures, or aasans, whose higher purpose is to purify the body, giving one awareness and control over its internal states and rendering it fit for meditation.

      Karma Yog — selfless service to others as part of one›s larger Self, without attachment to the results; and the performance of all actions with the consciousness of God as the Doer.

      Mantra Yog — centering the consciousness within through japa, or the repetition of certain universal root-word sounds representing a particular aspect of Spirit.

      Bhakti Yog — all-surrendering devotion through which one strives to see and love the divinity in every creature and in everything, thus maintaining an unceasing worship.

      Gyana (Jnana) Yog — Is the path of wisdom, which emphasizes the application of discriminative intelligence to achieve spiritual liberation.

      Raja Yog — the royal or highest path of Yog, immortalized by Bhagavan Shree Krishna in the Bhagwad Geeta and formally systematized in the second century B.C. by the Indian sage Patanjali, which combines the essence of all the other paths. At the heart of the Raja Yog system, balancing and unifying these various approaches, is the practice of definite, scientific methods of meditation that enable one to perceive, from the very beginning of one’s efforts, glimpses of the ultimate goal — conscious union with the inexhaustibly blissful Spirit.

      The quickest and most effective approach to the goal of Yog employs those methods of meditation that deal directly with energy and consciousness. It is this direct approach that characterizes Kriya Yog, the particular form of Raja Yog meditation taught by certain Yogi’s such as, Paramahansa Yognanda.

      The term ‘Yog’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘YUJ’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. Yog is all about creating unity between your mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual selves; the physical benefits are just a bonus. Aasan (postures) is what we do in order to sit and meditate comfortably with a still, undistracted mind. It’s not about being a flexible pretzel or about proving how much longer you can hold a pose than the person beside you… something (men especially) tend to forget when the voices of competition and ego bark loudly in their ears!

      As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yog leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, Man and Nature. Yog is an Art and Science of healthy living. It is a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body is essential.

      The holistic approach of Yog is well established and it brings harmony in all walks of life and thus, known for disease prevention, promotion of health and management of many lifestyle related disorders. The aim of Yog is Self-Realization, to overcome all kinds of sufferings leading to ‘the state of liberation’. This is one of the oldest sciences of the world, originated in India, which is very useful for preserving and maintaining one’s physical and mental health and also for ‘spiritual evolution’. The practice of Yog is believed to have started with the very dawn of civilization. Mythlogically the Lord Shiva is considered to be the first teacher of Yog. Yog, being widely considered as an ‘immortal cultural outcome’ of Indus valley civilization – dating back to 2700 B.C. – has proved itself catering to both material and spiritual upliftment of humanity. Basic human values are the very identity of Yog Sadhana. The Number of seals and fossil remains of Indus valley civilization with Yogic motives and figures performing Yog Sadhana suggest the presence of Yog in ancient India. The phallic symbols, seals of idols of mother Goddess are suggestive of Tantra Yog. Presence of Yog is available in folk traditions, Indus valley civilization, Vedic and Upanishadic heritage, Buddhist and Jain traditions, Darshanas, epics of Mahabharat and Ramayana, theistic traditions of Shaivas, Vaishnavas, and Tantric traditions. In addition, there was a primordial or pure Yog which has been manifested in mystical traditions of South Asia. This was the time when Yog was being practiced under the direct guidance of Guru (The spiritual Master) and its spiritual-value was given special importance. It was a part of Upaasan and Yog Sadhana was inbuilt in their rituals. Sun was given highest importance during the Vedic period. The practice of ‘Surya Namaskara’ may have been invented later due to this influence. Pranayam was a part of daily ritual and to offer the oblation. Though Yog was being practiced in the pre-Vedic period (2700 B.C.), the great Sage Maharishi Patanjali systematized and codified the then existing practices of Yog, its meaning and its related knowledge through his Yog Sutras. After Patanjali, many Sages and Yog Masters contributed greatly for the preservation and development of the field through their well documented practices and literature.

      Historical evidences of the existence of Yog were seen in the pre-Vedic period (2700 B.C.), and thereafter till Patanjali’s period. The main sources, from which we get the information about Yog practices and the related literature during this period, are available in Vedas (4), Upanishads(108), Smritis, teachings of Buddhism, Jainism, Panini, Epics (2), Puranas (18) etc. Tentatively, the period between 500 BC and 800 AD is considered as the Classical period which is also considered as the most fertile and prominent period in the history and development of Yog. During this period, commentaries of Vyasa on Yog sutras and Bhagwad Geeta etc. came into existence.

      This period can be mainly dedicated to two great religious teachers of India – Mahavir and Buddha. The concept of five great vows – Pancha Mahavrata- by Mahavir as well as the eight-fold path (Ashta Magga) by Buddha - can be well considered as early nature of Yog Sadhana. We find its more explicit explanation in Bhagwad Geeta which has elaborately presented the concept of Gyana Yog, Bhakti Yog and Karma Yog. These three types of yog are still the highest example of human wisdom and even today people find