RAJA YOGA by PATANJALI

A series of discourses (coming soon) by Brahmavid Sam Yogi

ASHTANGA YOGA, as propounded by Patanjali, has eight "Angas" or limbs. "Anga" is a Sanskrit word and is translated as "limb." Ashtanga is made up of two words: "Ashta" and "anga." "Ashta" means eight in Sanskrit. The eight limbs are:

1. YAMA

 

As per Patanjali in his Yoga-Sutras, the five Yamas are the following:

1.     Ahimsa or non-violence

2.     Satya or truth

3.     Asteya or non-stealing

4.     Brahmacharya or dwelling in Brahman

5.     “Aparigraha” or non-receiving of “gifts”

 

Further, as per Patanjali, the above should be practiced “unbroken” irrespective of the following that one might find oneself in:

1.     “Jati” or caste

2.     “Desa” or country

3.     “Kala” or time

 

In other words, Patanjali recommended that people of every caste and nation should practice the five Yamas, as a pre-requisite to the other limbs of Yoga like Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

 

Sam Yogi has discoursed extensively on Brahmacharya in his discourses on the Ashtavakra Gita and the Brahma Sutras. Patanjali propounds in his Yoga Sutras that practice of “Brahmacharya” results in the gain of “Veerya” or “energy.” This includes the energy associated with the conservation of semen (for men) and its sexual equivalent for women. Frequently, “Brahmacharya” is translated as continence or chastity… Swami Vivekananda, a great spiritual master, has cautioned that complete “chastity” of mind is required for one to practice Raja Yoga, for otherwise it will lead to insanity. However, “chastity” needs to be interpreted properly. Sam Yogi carries out this interpretation properly in the aforementioned discourses.

2. NIYAMA

Refer to the EIGHT LIMBS OF YOGA. In particular, you can read up on NIYAMA or RULES here.

3. ASANA

This is the Yoga that is taught voraciously in America, by various shops. However, Asana, as a posture, needs to be mastered for the following five steps or limbs. So, Yoga or "Yogasana" which means "Yoga + Asana", is more than just Karate Yoga as taught in the United States.

4. PRANAYAMA

Control of "Prana" or the vital force is Pranayama. Pranayama prepares you for the next four steps, as outlined below.

5. PRATYAHARA

Withdrawing your senses from the sense-objects is Pratyahara, which literally means withdrawal. You can practice this while going to sleep. Listen to this audio while going to sleep, and you will soon be on your way to master "Psychic Sleep."

6. DHARANA

Write to us at info (at) samyogi.com to buy the Audio CDs which will help with the preactice of Dharana or one-pointed concentration. Typically, it is practiced by yoking a "Mantra" like Om or Soham with the ascent (Arohana) and descent (Avarohana) of the Prana.

7. DHYANA

"Dhyana" or meditation will not bear fruit without the above six steps, which need to be mastered. If you want to solicit Brahmavid Sam Yogi as your spiritual guide, write to us at info (at) samyogi.com for guided meditation classes.

8. SAMADHI

Samadhi is of two types, Savikalpa (with Vikalpas) and Nirvikalpa (without Vikalpas). If you want to be a Yogi, you need to eat Satwik food (Yama) and you need to follow certain rules (Niyama). You need to master the next 5 steps, as outlined above: Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Dhyana.

What we teach at SamYogi.com is not Karate Yoga, but complete Yoga. Yogic master Brahmavid is regularly available for personalized guidance in these locations: SFO Bay Area, Boston, New York CIty, and Washington DC. Listen to his discourses on Vedanta Sutras. His discourses on Yoga - Sutras by Patanjali are coming soon as podcasts!

Prayer Donation

If you learned something new spiritually form this page, please consider making a prayer donation, so that Brahmavid Sam Yogi can include you in his daily prayers. This will spiritually uplift you and benefit you further. Thank you and God Bless!

---