Yoga

 

Stories of the Goats, Tiger, Pond and Yoga, and of the Mountain

 

Yoga literally refers to “yoking” the mind to the source of Divinity, and is the process of “intentional stopping of the spontaneous activity of the mind-stuff.”  The word "yoga" is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “to yoke” or “to unite,” to yoke and link, to unite your being to the Infinite, to Brahman - Atman on your journey to reach Moksha.  

Yoga can be compared to the analogy to the reflection of water in a pond.  When wind blows (an active mind/self) the ripples in a pond only reflect broken and distorted images of the clouds above, of the distant mountains, and of the self.   But still the wind and the true nature of the clouds, the mountains and the self are revealed.  And most importantly, can see into depths of the pond's waters into the True nature of the Self - the Infinite, the Atman.   

Yoga thus attempts to still the mind, the ego, the self so that the Infinite Self can be revealed. So it has both a negative intention, i.e., stopping the spontaneous chaos of the mind/self, and a positive intention, i.e., of uniting with the Infinite Brahman - Atman. 

 

Keep in mind:

1. that as there are many and varied paths up the mountain to the single summit, (and Gita 4:6-11 and Gita 9:23) - each path effects one's karma in route to Moksha -  there are at least four distinct yoga approaches and methods, e.g., various routes to summit, band

2. and that we are tigers living among goats - and must view into the stilled pond and see the reflection,

and thus be true to your particular path, be true to your spiritual dharma, to your yoga  (Gita 13:22-25):

 

 

  

Raja

Raja - Dhyana Yoga,

  

Jnana

Jnana Yoga,

 

Karma

Karma Yoga,

 

Bhakti

Bhakti Yoga.   

  

Any individual may follow one exclusive of the others, or integrate elements of two or more of these paths into his or her particular journey, which is most often the case in practice.      

 

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