Yoga(dev. योग) - (by definition from Wikipedia) is a concept in Indian culture, in a broad sense meaning a set of various spiritual, mental and physical practices developed in different directions of Hinduism and Buddhism and aimed at managing the mental and physiological functions of the body with the aim of achievement by the individual of an elevated spiritual and mental state.

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What is "Yoga"?

In the systematic treatise “Yoga Sutras” written by the sage Patanjali about 2,500 years ago, yoga is defined as “Chitta Vritti Nirodhi”.
The Indian philosopher Vivekananda at the end of the 19th century translated this definition as

Yoga is the retention of the matter of thought (Chitta) from being clothed in various images (Vritti).

Our contemporaries Ostrovskaya and Rudoy translate this definition as

"Yoga - turning off the active programs of consciousness."

Where did the name yoga come from?

The word "Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit "yoj" or "yuj". Over its 9000-year history, this word has acquired many meanings: harness, exercise, curbing, devotion, tension, conjugation, addition, connection, unity, connection, harmony, union, service, combination, etc. But the following meanings most fully reflect the essence: unity, harmony, union. It can be said that yoga is the path to harmony.

Purely technically, yoga is a meditation technique. That is why the yoga sutras say that yoga is CVN ("Cessation of mental activity").
But how to come to this CHVN? There were many ways. And new ones keep appearing. Ancient practitioners invented them regularly. And therefore, there were a lot of ways to this state, as well as the abilities of each. Maybe that's why so many currents and varieties were formed, which for some specific practitioners could lead to the state of "silence of the mind", but for the majority - they might not be methods to achieve this goal. And, often, they brought quite the opposite effect.

But one way or another, Yoga is an indispensable component of all the spiritual traditions of India. Outside of India, the term "yoga" is often associated only with hatha yoga and asanas - exercise, which does not reflect the spiritual and mental aspects of yoga.

One who studies and practices yoga is called a yogi or yogi.

For a better understanding, we have divided conditionally ancient yoga into two types: pre-tantric yoga and tantric yoga:
Pre-tantric yoga was relatively simple, mostly practiced by ascetics and using a number of few techniques (without any admixtures).

When such a direction of Indian culture as Tantra began to develop, it began to absorb all kinds of techniques from various cultures, including yoga.

Pre-tantric yoga

Before the advent of Tantra, yoga could (conditionally) be divided into two types:

• meditative
  Where psychological (philosophical) practices were included - without the physical aspect (ie without work with the body). One of the directions is asceticism.
• including physical study of the body
  (this type was later transformed into Hatha yoga)

The ancient scriptures "Bhagavad-gita" describe four forms of yoga, in which the considered type of yoga is considered the highest:

• karma yoga,
• bhakti yoga,
• jnana yoga and
• raja yoga.

Yogatattva (an ancient Sanskrit text describing the practice of yoga and the obstacles that arise on the way to it) lists for the first time four main varieties of yoga:

• laya yoga
• raja yoga
• hatha yoga, which includes the first two steps of classical raja yoga (asana and pranayama)

This classification has survived to this day.

Consider the first group of yoga practices: MEDITATIVE

mantra yoga

(mentioned in the Upanishads)

Mantra - "true word", "spell", the collective name of verbal formulas or sayings that should be pondered.
Thus, mantra yoga is the systematic use of sound vibration to provoke psychophysiological changes.
Mantra yoga can be compared to the prayer of Christians.

The word mantra comes from the root " mann"- think, believe + tool suffix -" tra", i.e. " tool for the implementation of a mental act»

A mantra is an extraordinary text, the utterance of which, and often the regular utterance in an undertone or almost silent muttering, many thousands of times, is considered to produce special results, magical or spiritual.

In Vedic culture and early Brahminism, the poetic parts of the Vedas and passages from them were called mantras; the use was mainly ritual so, the most important of the Vedic mantras ( t naz gayatri) chanted daily by righteous Hindus at dawn, contains a self-call to succeed through the good power of the sun. This mantra consists of three eight-syllable verse lines.

In later Hinduism, especially in the tantras, a great variety of mantras of different lengths, purposes, devices, etc. appeared. Very often, mantras, generally understood as Sanskrit texts, contain deviations to varying degrees from the usual commonly understood language; in the limit, this leads to mantras as a sequence of sounds that have no meaning.

There are two main classes of mantras:

• The first class includes a mantra that requires a transmission-initiation from a person who has realized the power of the mantra in his practice and experienced its results. Without this, the recitation of the mantra is useless.
• The second is considered to produce results regardless of such transmission. In this case, it is important to carefully reproduce the sound. The most important short Hindu mantra is OM

One way or another, through the constant repetition of mantras, there is a slowdown of consciousness, and hence an altered state, which can lead to CVI.

Laya - yoga

(dissolution of consciousness)

The essence of the teachings of Laya Yoga is to maintain a special state of round-the-clock vigilant presence (awareness). Laya yoga is a path beyond method, beyond concepts and efforts, a path of spontaneous self-recognition. In this case, a person ceases to live in the categories of a fixed past and a motivated future. He begins to act not as a result of the commands of his ego, but becomes a conductor of the Higher Divine forces.

The term "Laya" in Sanskrit literally translates as " rhythm" - "dissolution", i.e., a return to the state of undifferentiated existence (non-duality), when the individual consciousness of the yogi unites with the transcendent Being (Brahman).

Thus, Laya - dissolution of "I"- is a universal state and the pinnacle of any sadhana (practice), regardless of the spiritual school in which it is practiced. The state of laya and the path of laya are immanent in any spiritual path and are its secret core. The essence of the teachings of Laya Yoga is to create and constantly maintain a state of awareness, vigilant presence. The yogi practicing this technique follows the path of spontaneous self-recognition, he ceases to live in the categories of a fixed past and a motivated future.

The fundamental difference between Laya Yoga and other practices is the achievement of the state of samadhi not through the method, but through natural contemplation without effort.

Karma yoga

(mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita)

(Skt. कर्म योग "yoga of activity") is also known as buddhi yoga - one of the four main types of yoga, including in the philosophy of Hinduism.

Karma yoga is based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita - the sacred Hindu scripture in Sanskrit, and its main meaning is the performance of prescribed duties (dharma) without attachment to the fruits of labor. As a result of such activities, moksha (salvation) becomes possible. The Bhagavad Gita contains a concise description of the process of karma yoga. The Bhagavad Gita is an excerpt from another literary work, the Mahabharata. This is a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the incarnation of God - Krishna, who plays the role of a charioteer, driving Arjuna's war chariot. The conversation takes place on the battlefield, shortly before the start of the bloody Battle of Kurukshetra between the armies of two warring dynasties - the Pandava and Kauravas.

Karma yoga is described as a path of action, thinking and desire in accordance with the duty (dharma) of each person without taking into account personal egoistic desires and tastes, as action without any attachment to the results of one's actions, to the fruits of one's labor. In the Bhagavad Gita, although out of compassion for his relatives and friends who were in the ranks of the enemy, Arjuna did not want to fight, he took part in the battle for the sake of fulfilling his duty as a warrior and fulfilling the divine plan of Krishna. Krishna then explains that Arjuna must dedicate the fruits of his (both bad and good) actions to Him, the Supreme.

In simple words, karma yoga can be described as performance of one's duties (strive for impeccability) without expecting results and fruits. Action for the sake of action.

jnana yoga

Jnana yoga or gyana yoga (Skt. ज्ञान योग, jñānayoga IAST "the path of knowledge") is one of the types of yoga and philosophy of Hinduism.

An example of the practice of jnana yoga: find internal contradictions in your thinking.

Jnana yoga ("yoga of knowledge") is one of the four main types of yoga in Hindu philosophy. A type of yoga that leads a person to the truth by changing his knowledge of himself and the world around him. (reprogramming) This is the yoga of the people of the intellectual path. It frees the human mind from the shackles of the illusory concept of the world, directs it to true knowledge, and demonstrates the basic laws of the universe. Jnana yoga begins with the education of the mind. A person who wants to know the truth must clear his mind of everything that he previously considered his own. From any stereotypes, habitual judgments, truths heard from others, even holy people, all ideas about God, the universe and similar things. Everything that you just heard, read, absorbed from childhood from your parents, everything should be left as useless.

Now you can’t believe anything just like that, you need to be convinced from your own experience, to feel it. Then it will be really Knowledge capable of producing profound changes in the mind and in the whole being. All other people's conclusions must be discarded, the search begins with a clean slate.

One of the key questions: Who am I?» And this is not your name, profession, nationality, etc. The principle of negation is used here: neti-neti. I am not my body, I am not my mind, I am not my emotions, and so on. Also, the student may be given some saying from the scriptures or a certain symbol, and he meditates on it for a long time, trying to understand the essence. This can go on for quite a long time, sometimes a year or more. Everything that comes during meditation is confided to the teacher, and he decides whether the student is ready to go further.

THREE STAGES OF MASTERING JNANA YOGA

• Shravana (hearing)
• Manana (contemplation),
• Nidhidhyasana (affirmation in true knowledge).

Bhakti - yoga

Bhakti yoga is one of the four main types of yoga in Hindu philosophy. The practice of bhakti yoga is aimed at cultivating love for God through bhakti - serving God with love and devotion. The practice of bhakti yoga is recommended in a number of sacred texts of Hinduism as the easiest and most effective type of yoga (for ordinary people, like us, those who go to church). Thus, the Bhagavad Gita proclaims its superiority over the other three main types of yoga - karma yoga, jnana yoga and raja yoga.

The bhakta begins to realize all his deeds expressed outside, as something done for the sake of God, as a sacrifice to him, which, in turn, contributes to the development of the habit of selfless action, to a distant view of the world.

Raja yoga

Raja yoga ("royal yoga") - also known as classical yoga - is one of the six orthodox schools in Hindu philosophy, which is based on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

Raja yoga is aimed at establishing control over the mind. For the Raja Yoga practitioner, sadhana (practice) begins with learning to control the mind, although certain minimal asana and pranayama practices also take place as part of the preparatory process for meditation and concentration. In the practice of Raja Yoga, there are eight steps or levels, which is why it is also called Ashtanga Yoga (from the Sanskrit Ashta - eight):

• Pit- norms of behavior - self-restraint
• Niyama- adherence to religious rules and regulations - full dedication to spiritual practices
• Asana- unification of mind and body through physical activity
• Pranayama- breath control leading to unification of body and mind
• Pratyahara- distraction of the senses from contact with their objects
• Dharana- Purposeful concentration of the mind
• Dhyana- meditation (internal activity that gradually leads to samadhi)
• Samadhi- a peaceful superconscious state of blissful awareness of one's true nature

Sometimes these eight levels are divided into four lower and four higher. At the same time, the lower levels are associated with hatha yoga (subsequently separated from the yoga sutras), and the higher ones belong to raja yoga. The simultaneous practice of the three higher stages is called samyama.

The second group is yoga, which works with the body.

Hat ha yoga

Initially, Hatha yoga (which was not originally called that) was aimed at achieving higher states of consciousness through the study of the body by performing asanas and pranayamas. She was a preparation for the Raja Yoga meditations.

After a while, Hatha yoga merged with Tantrism and the tantric direction of Hatha yoga appeared, formed in the 10th-11th centuries by Matsyendranath and, to a greater extent, by his student Gorakshanath.

Gorakshanath systematized the practices of working with the body and consciousness that existed in his time, and also supplemented them with tantric elements. He is considered the author of many texts on hatha yoga (Goraksha-paddhati, Goraksha-staka, Jnana-amrita, Aman yoga, Yoga-martanda, Siddha-siddhanta paddhati, etc.

The classic text, which systematizes many practices of hatha yoga, was the work of Swami Swatmarama " Hatha yoga pradipika"(XIV-XV centuries).

Also very important works describing hatha yoga are "Gheranda Samhita" (XVII-XVIII c) and "Shiva Samhita" (XVIII c) - a text that, along with practices, sets out the philosophy of hatha yoga (i.e., the principles of yama and niyama)

In parallel with yoga, Tantra developed, a tradition that absorbed all sorts of techniques and techniques from various cults, religions and superstitions. It included yoga, Vedanta, Buddhism, Sufism, Islam and other technologies.

Tantra can be called a continuously renewing system. Therefore, the emergence of Tantra is not associated with the name of one person, it was formed by many masters. Tantra can be called an experimental system. Many of its methods and methods have lost their original meaning and sometimes carry adverse consequences for the experimenter. And it was Tantra that reshaped Patanjali's yoga system in the most radical way.

According to the most common version, Tantra originated on the Hindustan Peninsula (modern India) among the indigenous population during matriarchy. There are no definite facts about the time of its occurrence. It is believed that Tantra has existed for at least three thousand years. At the same time, the most ancient written sources of Tantra that have survived to this day date from the middle of the first millennium BC. e.

Tantra believes that perfection can only be achieved in the "divine body", and therefore it is necessary to maintain pristine health as long as possible, which will ensure longevity for the individual. So for this purpose two steps or two techniques from Raja Yoga (Patanjali) were taken: asana and pranayama. Over time, these combined two techniques were given the name Hatha Yoga. After Hatha Yoga was filled with additional techniques obtained by Tantra, and this was also collectively called Hatha Yoga.

The popularity of Tantra (as it is now) was due to the fact that the medieval Tantric texts on Hatha Yoga were written plain language understandable to the people - that's why it began to spread rapidly.

Moreover, in these treatises, Tantra promises an easy and quick mastery of various miraculous abilities, and at all times, simple-hearted, narrow-minded people and striving for the unusual to compensate for their feelings of inferiority fall into the bait of these promises.

So, Tantra has expanded the previously existing yoga practices by adding hundreds of new techniques:

• more complex pranayama, n
• detailed visualization practices and
• auku mantras as well
• many bodily practices, mainly yoga postures (asanas),
• ritual arrangement of the hands (mudras),
• activation energy centers(chakras) in the body.

In addition to yoga, various shamanistic rituals are practiced in Tantrism, releasing sexual energy person. Due to the interest in the body as a vessel of the eternal, the followers of Tantrism are fond of alchemy and different ways life extension. The mystical physiology of the chakras plays a large role in Tantrism.

About Kundalini Yoga

The most popular texts on Hatha Yoga: Gheranda, Shiva Samhita, and Hatha Yoga Pradipika describe ways to raise the so-called Kundalini force, which can give a person quick enlightenment.

According to the research and observations of Carl Gustav Jung, the essence of this process is the deliberate unbalancing of the system and its shift to transcendent modes of operation. The life-support automatics begin to fail, psycho-emotional convulsions arise in it, accompanied by unusual experiences and effects, which Tantra announced as signs of higher transmutation, however, without guaranteeing the safety of the mind.

classical tantra

"Classical" tantra exists within the framework of various schools, among which the main ones are: Shaivas (Shaivites), Shaktas, Vaishnavas, Ganapatya, Kaumars (Skandas), Saurites.

The most famous among them are Shaivas, Shaktas and Vaishnavas.

Traditionally, Tantra is divided into two major areas. Left Hand Tantra and Tantra right hand.

According to one version, the difference between left-handed and right-handed Tantra is the sexual contact of a man and a woman and the use of power plants. In the left hand Tantra they are used naturally, as they are, on the physical and energetic level. In the Tantra of the right hand, interaction is possible only on the mental and energy levels. According to another version, the left-handed Tantra is a preference or worship of the universal feminine and the deification of a woman. Right-handed Tantra favors the masculine principle and the deification of the male. The left hand tantra is the path of rapture and ecstasy. The Tantra of the right hand is the path of silence.

The Buddhist tantra also stands out.

An integral part of the Vajrayana schools (one of the branches of Buddhism), associated with the practice of borderline states, enlightened states, death and intermediate states between death and the next birth (see bardo).

Tantra is understood as the practice of achieving the final result ("fruit") - the state of the Buddha. Tantra actively uses complex symbolism, yidams (bodhisattva images), meditations, mudras (special combinations of fingers that affect the physical and emotional state.), yantras (a magic diagram symbolizing the secret nature of a deity), rituals.

The most important prerequisite for practicing tantra is taking the Bodhisattva vows, striving to save all living beings without exception from the suffering of samsara, and becoming a Buddha in order to help sentient beings. Tantra is considered the shortest and at the same time the most dangerous path.

Buddhist Yoga (Tibet)

The next line of transformation in yoga is Buddhism.

Buddha, according to legend, rejected the experience of his three yogic mentors (hatha yoga Bharagva, who expelled the future savior for too quick successes, as well as Vaishala and Arad Kalama, who taught him contemplation), only because he surpassed them in this art. Buddhism never denied yoga as a practice, it assimilated it, resulting in a very specific product.

The ways of salvation taught by the Buddha are based on a purely yogic approach, and to such an extent that famous scholars, for example, E Senar or F and Shcherbatskaya, generally defined early Buddhism as yoga. Buddhism includes the principle of Patanjale meditations and contemplations (described as higher stages of yoga)

Tibetan yoga

This type of yoga came to us - as the name suggests - from Tibet. IN Tibetan yoga elements of Indian Hatha yoga and some elements of qigong were combined, which is understandable: Tibet is located between India and China, and the mutual influence of various schools and directions is affecting. One of the dominant moments is concentration, concentration of attention.

yoga tummo

Tummo (Tib. གཏུམ་མོ་, Wiley gtum-mo; Skt.: चण्ड, caṇḍālī IAST) is the yoga of inner Fire or illusory warmth. It is believed that as a result of concentrated work with powerful internal energies, Buddhists practicing yoga of internal heat are able to “radiate” heat, to be absolutely immune to cold. In Tibet, yogis practicing tummo are called "repa" (literally - "cotton robe"), because even in the most severe cold they are dressed only in thin cotton clothes, they do without warm woolen clothes.

Tummo involves the concentration of the meditator on the image of fire (drops and bindu) and sensations of warmth, which are associated with the direct feeling of a living flame. Those who have achieved certain results in this direction are tested in several ways: in a cold, a person must dry wet shreds of fabric with the heat of his body, and during meditation on the snow, melt as much snow around him as possible. The main goal of tummo is the conquest of spiritual heights and the rapid achievement of enlightenment,

There have been repeated attempts to explain the effects of tummo from a scientific point of view. For example, in the studies of Harvard University professor Herbert Benson in 1981 and 2000. it has been found that monks can raise the temperature of their fingers and toes by more than eight degrees Celsius.

In Soviet times, Aleksey Katkov studied the limits of the human body. Shortly before his tragic death, he conducted an experiment on volunteers who were able to withstand almost naked for an hour a temperature of -60 ° C in rarefied air, corresponding to an altitude of 7500 m above sea level, blown by an air stream every ten minutes from a two-meter fan.

We have covered the main directions of ancient yoga. For a better understanding of how yoga originated, you can read and listen to its history in various

Most people think that the goal of Raja Yoga is solely to achieve Samadhi, that is, the liberation of the soul from negativity, from what causes pain and suffering. Of course, getting rid of all this is one of the goals of Raja Yoga, but there are other goals that are no less important: for example, achieving a state of deep peace and bliss in everyday life .

Everyone wants not just to live, but to live in peace. And this goal can be realized through meditation.

Every person's life has ups and downs, successes and failures. To maintain mental calmness and self-control in all situations - this, of course, everyone strives for.

In India lotus flower symbol reflects the lifestyle and mental state of the Raja Yogi. The lotus grows in a dirty pond, in a swamp, and yet it always remains unstained by dirt. This remarkable quality has given it a kind of national flower status in India. Similarly, Raja Yogis live among people, in the same social environment, but its negative manifestations do not affect them. They are able to maintain clarity of mind in any situation.

Another symbol representing the yogi lifestyle is turtle . She also has one remarkable quality: while moving on land or in water, she uses her limbs, but she can pull them under her shell. It is believed that thanks to the ability to relax, the turtle lives for a very long time. The same applies to Raja Yogis. They regularly and accurately perform their professional, social and domestic duties, and then mentally return back to themselves, under the shell. For some time, all physical activity is suspended, mental relaxation sets in, complete removal from the physical world. The yogi calms the mind, and this deep relaxation is of great benefit to him.

Another character often mentioned - swan . The myths say that swans do not eat worms, but only eat pearls. Of course, this should not be taken literally. The meaning of the comparison is that Raja Yogis do not perceive the negative aspects of people's lives; on the contrary, they awaken good feelings in every person and at the same time do not pay attention to the weaknesses and shortcomings of those with whom they come into contact, trying to see only virtuous qualities in them.

There are other principles of life according to Raja Yoga, other ideas about its goals and intentions. However, the most important and urgent task is to achieve perfect purity and peace. Raja Yogis strive for complete inner transformation. They make efforts to purify their habits, acquire divine virtues, without which it is impossible to obtain Liberation and Perfection. Of course, Raja Yogis want to become angels on Earth, but they also know that in order to get rid of sins, it is necessary to replace their bad habits with holy qualities, leave earthly attachments and give their love and humility to the service of humanity.

So, to achieve the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga - the state of Divine Bliss, that is, eternal happiness, perfection and liberation from everything negative - it is necessary: ​​stabilization in the spiritual consciousness, self-enlightenment, assimilation of spiritual wisdom and adherence to the principles of purity. And for this, the yogi must practice meditation and firmly observe the relevant principles in daily life.

The practice of meditation in Raja Yoga is simple and public. For starters, you can sit in any position; the main thing is that it does not cause any inconvenience and physical stress and does not distract attention; that is, so that in this position the yogi feels comfortable and at the same time cheerful. The back should be as straight as possible.

Meditation is a mental process in which the body does not participate. Moreover, the meditator should completely forget about his body. He reflects on his true self, the Conscious Entity that thinks, evaluates, decides, feels, remembers, acts through the brain and body. The brain is a control panel, a switchboard with feedback, and the body is a robot following orders. The inner being that controls them is the one who has his own goals, desires, emotions. It is this entity that is called "I". It is not the physical self when one says "mine", "mine" in relation to the body. "I" is not the body, but "I" is the soul in the body, like a driver in a car. The driver decides where to go, how to go and at what speed. It has a driving force, while the car has only the mechanical ability to realize it.

There are many studies in medicine, psychiatry and philosophy on the subject of reincarnation. One of the researchers - Ian Stevenson - described more than a hundred cases of reincarnation. In India, stories of this kind have also been collected and recorded on video. Some medical professionals have done research on near-death patients and described their out-of-body experiences. Other experiments were carried out with people immersed in hypnotic sleep. Their stories were carefully examined and found to be correct. All these facts give reason to believe in the existence of the soul. Another factor is your own feelings.

Thus, the first step in the practice of meditation is to settle into the thought: "I AM SOUL. CONSCIOUS ESSENCE." Well, what is the soul?

Soul is a point of immaterial light. We cannot see it with our physical vision because the soul is not material. It can be seen with the "third eye", that is, the eye of the mind. When our mind becomes clear and our latent possibilities are awakened, we gain this sight. So the next thought in meditation practice is: "I AM THE POINT OF LIGHT."

In addition, many neuroscientists also argue that there is reason to believe that mind and soul are not the same brain at . One of them is Nobel laureate Sir John Eccles. Some physicists, such as Schrödinger, Eugene Biner, also consider Consciousness to be a separate reality.

From our own experience, from the experience of others, we also know that every living being strives for a quiet life, expects love and good behavior from others, that is, the observance of certain principles of right behavior and good character. Even if someone is too excited and even furious, he still internally tries to get rid of this state and find peace again. This proves that the true nature of the soul is peaceful and calm. Therefore, the next thought in the practice of meditation is: "IN MY TRUE NATURE, I AM CALM, PURE AND BENEFICIENT."

We know from everyday observation that souls are not equally pure and calm. Some are morally exalted, others too, but to a lesser extent. Some are calm, while others are so calm that even in the most stressful situation they do not lose this state and pass it on to others.

Therefore, among the souls there are great souls and one of the most Great and Perfect - God He is also a point of light, but He is perfect, full of peace, knowledge and love. We can see Him with the "third eye", we can know and feel Him. Just as Newton is called the father of science, the mayor is the father of the city, the liberator of the country is the father of the nation, so we call Him the Father, because He is the founder of purity and peace in the world, and we consider ourselves His children.

"How we think of ourselves - so we become" - one of the basic postulates of psychology. We know from our own experience that when we think about the virtues of a person, we experience peace and good qualities appear in our mind. When we think about its negative properties, we experience completely opposite feelings. Therefore, realizing God, the Supreme Soul, and His high quality we automatically manifest His divine virtues in ourselves. This practice is called the practice of "soul awareness" or "super consciousness." It allows you to move away from the body, to climb more high level consciousness, experience peace and bliss.

So, thoughts for the practice of Raja Yoga meditation can be reduced to the following: "I am a soul, I am a point of light: my true nature is purity and peace; I am a child of God, my beloved Father is perfect, full of peace, love and bliss." When we meditate on this and there are no other thoughts in our mind, we go into a deep experience. It is this that entails inner transformation, changes in behavior, improves health, increases efficiency, fills with vitality, and so on.

Such meditation can be done for a short time, or thirty minutes, or one hour. And you can periodically throughout the day during work. To achieve perfection in this practice, one must follow the principle of non-violence, have contentment and patience.

B. K. Chakradhari,
General Director of Brahma Kumaris branches of the World Spiritual University in Russia and other CIS and Baltic countries,
Director of the Museum of Spiritual Knowledge and Raja Yoga, Delhi,
National Coordinator of the Women's Wing of the Raja Yoga Foundation for Teaching and Research (India)

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Ancient raja yoga meditation. Achievements. Theory. Practice

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Achievements in Raja Yoga

When a person begins to engage in spiritual practices, it is important for him to know what he will receive as a result of this. Therefore, I will list the main achievements and abilities that develop through the meditation of the ancient Raja Yoga.

As a result of this practice:

1) Increases the power of concentration and clarity of thinking. Meditation disciplines the mind - it stops wandering, we gradually get rid of negative and empty thoughts, unnecessary conversations and wrong actions. As a result, any work is done quickly and accurately.

2) Develops the ability to see virtues and virtues in others(and not shortcomings) and, adopting them, we ourselves become more virtuous.

3) The character, behavior, outlook and attitude towards others are changing, relationships are improving, communication skills are increasing. Knowing the philosophy of karma: what is good and what is bad, we try to do only the right things

4) Raja yoga helps to maintain a balance between the spiritual and physical aspects of life. This practice frees one from body consciousness and all vices that arise because of it: lust, greed, anger, fear, attachment, ego, envy, from all negative habits.

5) Our health improves due to the release of stress, because internal conflicts end, and harmony of mind and intellect, soul and body comes. There is a very deep connection between the state of our mind and the state of the body. A stressful state of mind is the cause of ninety percent of physical illnesses. Only when the mind is healthy is the body also healthy.

6) By controlling the mind, we are able to control our thoughts and senses and save time. The intellect has the power to easily adapt, accept criticism, and change.

The practice of meditation stops the IC internal dialogue. Knowing the philosophy of karma, we understand that all the suffering that we are currently experiencing, we deserved by committing sinful actions in this and past births, thus accumulating an account of sinful actions.

7) Practicing Raja-Yoga, we close the old account of wrong and sinful actions. Raja yoga is compared to fire: it, like fire, burns old vicious sanskaras, removes impurity and negativity from the soul. The soul is cleansed, gets a lot of strength, becomes light and bright. The soul seems to grow wings; she feels supersensible joy and bliss, which is more than happiness.

8) Spiritual forces develop.

Eight spiritual powers:

1. Packing strength

This is the ability to leave (keep) in your mind and consciousness only what is needed. Thanks to this power, we do not carry negative and empty thoughts around with us, which frees us from mental and physical fatigue. We save our energy and maintain a positive outlook on things and situations.

2. The Power of Patience

This is the ability to go beyond the influence of negative situations, to be able not to react to negativity even in thoughts. Even if someone provokes me to insults, criticism or anger, if physical suffering comes, then I can remain internally calm and joyful thanks to this strength.

Someone may mistreat us, criticize unfairly, insult us, but a true yogi does not feel irritation or discontent even in his thoughts.

Stones are thrown at a fruit tree, and in return it gives fruits, just as we give everyone pure feelings and good wishes, accepting victories and defeats, praise and glorification with dignity.

Only on the basis of the consciousness of the Soul, I can give the souls true Love, Strength and Peace.

3. The Power of Acceptance

It is the ability to be above any conflicts and negative situations. Get along with those who have weaknesses and shortcomings, but at the same time do not spread this rubbish around you by talking about them with others. Just like the ocean, which can take in all the rivers...

4. The Power of Discrimination

With this power, we can give proper form to our thoughts, words, and actions, as well as to the thoughts, words, and actions of others. Just as a jeweler can recognize and distinguish a fake diamond from a real one, so I must be able to keep positive, worthy thoughts and discard negative and harmful ones. It is negative thoughts that often cast a shadow, hindering true discernment. Through meditation we eliminate them.

5. Power to Make Decisions

This power allows you to make clear, fast, accurate and impartial decisions. To do this, we need to be above the influence of situations, emotions and views of others. It also requires a very clear understanding of what is wrong and what is right.

Raja Yoga meditation gives the intellect such clarity and strength through understanding and awareness of its own inner world.

6. Strength of Endurance

This strength helps to maintain calm and inner stability when serious problems and obstacles come in life. Such courage is developed in the soul through meditation, through which we experience our original nature (peace, strength, love ...) and become detached from the consciousness of the physical suit. Then we are able to not be influenced by problems, highlighting the positive side of what seemed completely negative.

Having understood the Knowledge about the soul, the three aspects of time, the law of Karma, one can cope with any situations with courage.

7. The Power of Collaboration

The development of this power requires the gaze of spiritual consciousness so that we can look at everyone as our brothers. This creates unity and increases the strength of the team. Thanks to such cooperation, any task becomes easy.

8. Power off

This is the art of turning your thoughts into a point (the state of introversion). We have many moments in life when there is no great need to involve our mind and intellect in work, then instead of wasting time and effort, we can go beyond the sound and consciousness of the body and go to the eternal Home of the soul, to the Highest Father. This controlling force brings the consciousness to the highest form of concentration and fills the soul with divine power.

9) Willpower develops

10) Intuition develops

11) The soul is freed from the "burden": depression, guilt and depression are gone.

12) A person easily gets rid of bad habits.

13) A healthy daily routine and lifestyle is established

14) Develops self-esteem and self-confidence

15) Increases the overall level of vitality: optimism and activity

16) Accuracy of actions increases and virtues develop:

carelessness

Fearlessness

Politeness

Flexibility

foresight

Discipline

benevolence

Kindness

Maturity

Introversion (introspection)

Sincerity

Ease

Love

Mercy

Courage

indefatigability

unselfishness

Obedience

Acceptance (the ability to appreciate the virtues in others and adopt them)

Simplicity

joyfulness

Determination

self esteem

Modesty

Sweetness, pleasantness

Humility

Cooperation

Patience

Tolerance

Accuracy

Confidence

Satisfaction

royalty

Honesty

Purity

Enthusiasm

17) Analytical skills improve.

18) Improving creativity.

Theory

The word "yoga" means union, or unity; It involves the control of the mind, intellect, and control of the five senses through the daily practice of meditation.The soul is cleansed and receives a lot of strength, becomes light and bright...

Raja Yoga is a loving remembrance of the Supreme Father. People are more likely to remember the one from whom they receive something. And therefore, if we learn and realize what can be obtained through this practice, we will have a goal and find time to implement it. The Supreme Soul is the Almighty. He is like the Ocean, and from Him all treasures can be obtained.

Target

Raja Yoga is the highest of the teachings, because its goal is perfection. Not just a small change in a person for the better, no. The very goal of Raja Yoga is, by definition, perfection. It is recognized that the soul was divine. Now she has lost her divinity. But it can be returned. That is, Raja Yoga deals with the soul. Yoga (connection) is understood as a method due to which the very essence of a person, the very nature of the soul, that is, sanskara (habits) is transformed. This means that the negative qualities accumulated over the past few millennia will disappear, and the original divinity will shine again.

Method

The goal of Raja Yoga is perfection. Her method is to connect with the Supreme. Connecting yourself with different people or even with prophets and messengers, I cannot reach my most exalted state. But when I connect with the Almighty, I gain strength to eliminate my shortcomings, to master all the virtues. I reach perfection.

Perfection step

THE STAGE OF PERFECTION can be defined as a state in which the soul is COMPLETELY SINLESS, VIRTUE, FULLY WITH ALL DIVINE GROWTH AND QUALITIES, in which there is COMPLETELY ABSENT VIOLENCE, the soul leads a higher way of life.

The teachings given to us by the Almighty, and the way of meditation that He gives us, make this possible. Yoga means union, Raja Yoga means union with the Supreme. It is the highest of all unions. This is the yoga by which the soul attains perfection.

I become the master of myself, the master of my thoughts and feelings, my "I". I can develop in the direction that I choose myself. Instead of being a blind tool in the hands of circumstances, events of the external world and even the will of other people, the soul sees the goal and will go towards it with constancy and inflexibility. Achieving this goal is her highest task..

Meditation Practice

Meditation- this is a process of pure sublime reflection, a journey into the depths of oneself, comprehension of one's inner world and awareness of one's spiritual essence. Spiritual consciousness (self-awareness) helps in the development of personality and the disclosure of inner potential.

States of Meditation

Raja Yoga has two meanings.

First- "Royal Yoga", that is, the practice through which I, the soul, become the king of myself, the master of my thoughts and feelings.
Second value- "Higher Union" or "Connection with the Almighty", thanks to which we receive the powers of God. This "union" gives us a feeling of inner happiness, enjoyment of the state of purity, peace and bliss.

In order to establish an accurate and strong Yoga (connection) with the Supreme, one must have an accurate idea of ​​oneself as a soul, as well as the Supreme Soul, that is, of the One with Whom we want to meet.

It is also necessary to understand in what "language" we can communicate with Him, and about the place where the meeting can take place - about our Home, the World of souls. But all this knowledge must be present in us at the level of practice: we must constantly be aware of ourselves as a soul.
Only then will we be able to withdraw our thoughts from the body and from the material world, tuning in to the wave of God. Then we achieve union with Him, directing thoughts full of love to the Father.

1st step - Attitude.
Outward silence is important here. You need to relax, calm your thoughts, be aware of your thoughts and slow down their movement. If extraneous or empty thoughts arise in the mind, then they must be noticed and transformed, replacing them with positive strong thoughts.

We begin to create thoughts about ourselves (the soul), about the Higher Soul and about the Eternal Home. At the same time, one must not only think about it, but visualize each thought, try to feel it, realize it, penetrate into the depths ... Thinking about peace and strength, feel peace and be filled with strength ...

3rd step - Concentration.
This state occurs when the mind stops wandering. There is no longer any need to create thoughts, as we become the embodiment of strong thoughts: about the soul, about the Supreme Soul...
Thoughts and feelings merge together.

4th step - Awareness.
Thought is replaced by pure feeling. The soul experiences lightness and freedom.
Rays of light, strength, peace, purity, vibrations of love coming from the Supreme Soul fill the soul and spread throughout the world.

Practice Exercises for Meditation

Exercise #1

Choose a quiet place so that hearing and vision do not have unnecessary distractions. If you want, you can turn on quiet, gentle music to help create an atmosphere of relaxation and ease. Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight. Read the following words slowly and quietly (Try to experience and see in your mind's eye everything that is said so that you really feel what these words express):

Nothing exists outside this room… I feel completely isolated from the outside world and free to explore myself… I direct all my attention inward, concentrate all the energy of my thoughts in the center of my forehead… I separate from my physical body and physical surroundings… I become aware of the silence within and without… A sense of natural peace takes over me… Waves of peace gently wash over me, removing any disturbance… I concentrate on this feeling of deep peace… There is only peace… I am peace myself… Peace is my true state of being … My mind becomes very quiet and clear… I feel light and contented … having returned to my natural state of peace… I sit enjoying this feeling of peace and tranquility…

The best time for such meditation is in the morning, before you start your day's activities, and in the evening, when you have finished all your business. The duration of the exercise is 10 minutes. Throughout the day, keep reminding yourself that peace is your true nature. As you practice meditation, these calm, positive thoughts will appear in your mind more and more often, and peace of mind will gradually become more natural.

WHO AM I?

At first glance, it seems that such a simple question is very easy to answer. But as you begin to think about it, you will realize that your name or description of your physical appearance is not enough to describe the myriad of thoughts, moods, actions and reactions that make up your life.

Even the description of your actions confuses you because you play different roles. You start the day, maybe as a wife, then at work you become a secretary, an official or a teacher, at dinner you check your son's lessons. Which of these roles is yours? In every role you play, different qualities of your personality come out. Sometimes you feel that you have to play so many different and opposite roles that you no longer know who you are. If you meet your boss at a party, and at the same time your parents and friends approach you, you become confused, not knowing how to behave. And you have not only established a certain way of interacting with them yourself, but you have limited them in your mind to a certain role. You are able to treat them only as your boss or as your parents, but not just as other people. Yet you realize that your true identity is not determined by the role you play. Who are you really?

You need something permanent, reliable and unchanging. This is what our bodies look like. But we all know that this is an illusion, because our body does not remain constant and unchanged.

In meditation, we turn to our ability to think and identify with it, because we always have thoughts, regardless of our age. Their content may change, but our ability to think is unchanging.

First of all, “I” is a thinking, feeling being. And thoughts are not something physical that can be felt with the help of the physical senses. You cannot see a thought or taste it.

“I” is not a physical, but a spiritual being. And we use the word "soul" to designate it.

The soul is something that cannot be destroyed, something indivisible, beyond any physical dimension. The soul is the source of everything you do, all thoughts, all words, all actions. Everything you do, think, or say, is done by you, the soul, through your body.

Your true identity is your soul, and everything else is just the different roles you play: teacher, woman, mother, friend, relative. A good actor or actress can play any role. They will play their part as well as they can, but they will never really think, "I am Hamlet" or "I am Cleopatra." They know that no matter how they get used to their roles, at the end of the day they will take off their costumes and return to their true selves. So, no matter what role you need to play, you must always understand and remember that your true nature - the soul - is a living, spiritual, eternal entity, and the body is just a temporary physical suit.

The soul initially has its inherent natural qualities that you are just looking for. The first quality is peace. All you need to do is to feel yourself as who you really are, that is, to be constantly aware of yourself as a soul. This is what is called "spiritual consciousness." This can be experienced not only during meditation, but also in the process of performing actions. As you become more and more aware of who is doing each action, you gain more and more control over your thoughts, feelings, words and actions. Then the natural awareness of your true nature fills all your actions, and the desire to find peace of mind is fulfilled.

During meditation, you begin to think about your true nature. You fill your mind with thoughts about the soul and its true qualities. In the beginning, it doesn't matter how quickly thoughts arise, as long as they go in the right direction. If thoughts are distracted, you again gently bring them back to thinking about the soul. Once you start experiencing right thoughts, you start enjoying them. The simple phrase: “I am a calm soul” comes true when you begin to experience it.

Exercise: experience detachment from the body. When you look at someone, don't pay attention to the name, race, gender or age, look at him as a soul, the same as you, but just playing a different role. This will help you develop the qualities you need to remain calm at all times, such as patience, tolerance and love.

Exercise #2

Choose a quiet and peaceful place. It is good if this is a room that you do not use often. If this is not possible, then choose a corner where familiar objects would not distract your attention. Sit always in the same place, and gradually it will remind you of your goal - meditation. This little mental preparation will help you concentrate. Exercise time - 10-15 minutes. Lighting should be soft, calm. You can turn on nice soft music.

When you finish your meditation, take at least one minute to reflect on your experiences. See how your mood has changed.

Another tip that will bring you greatbenefit.Meditate not only when you feel like it. The greatest progress is possible at a time when you don't really want to meditate or when you feel like you can't meditate. This is the time when you need meditation the most!

I take my attention away from the physical body... I focus on myself... I listen through these ears... I look through these eyes... I am behind these eyes... I am the eternal spark vital energy… This life energy gives strength to the body… I am a non-physical entity… an eternal soul. I am an actor… this body is just my costume… I focus my thoughts on a point in the center of my forehead… a tiny point of conscious light… I feel completely detached from the body… calm and light… I am a star radiating light… Inside myself I find deep peace and contentment… Now I know my true Self… Eternal, pure, peace-filled soul… I am an ocean of peace… all conflicts are over… a deep, deep silence takes possession of me… I am a calm soul.

SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS

Why should the thought “I am a calm soul” be of more benefit to you than the thought “I am the body”? It allows you to be detached from the role you are playing. The most important thing is to understand what the word "detachment" means. It does not mean striving for external or internal isolation when all connections are interrupted. It also does not mean that you become an indifferent observer of what is happening around you. This word means that you have the awareness that you are an actor.

You play your role with great enthusiasm and love, but you don't let upsets, situations or people affect your own understanding that you are a calm being. In fact, the word "detached" cannot be separated from the word "loving". Realizing yourself as a soul, you feel your natural qualities: peace, love and happiness, and it is with them that detachment should be associated with you. You simply do not allow external factors to influence you, your true state of peace.

Spiritual consciousness will help you improve your relationship with yourself and others. You will stop comparing yourself to others and move on to realizing your own worth. This will not in any way lead to a sense of superiority, but simply to a sense of stability and self-confidence. Self-doubt is replaced by deep self-confidence. You will realize that you are surrounded by the same souls, whose qualities are also peace, love and happiness.

When someone is angry with you, don't respond harshly, feeling threatened. There will definitely be a fight. This is a manifestation of body consciousness. Instead of seeing a calm soul in the interlocutor, you look at his role and think that this is his true nature.

Spiritual consciousness can help you.

Be aware that their anger must be related to their own confusion. This will serve as protection for you and you will not invent a threat of attack when there is none. In addition, a calm reaction will help to defuse the atmosphere.

When you are determined to look at people as souls, then you will respond to their anger in a completely different way, regarding it as something temporary and not inherent in their nature.

When spiritual consciousness arises, spiritual understanding follows, spiritual vision opens. Treat the people around you like small children, because they do not even understand who they are (and they are also souls). They identify with the role they play, be patient with them, give them love and positive emotions. They will definitely feel it. They just don't know, so why get mad at them?

Spiritual consciousness also allows you to feel natural in the company of other people. Ease and simplicity in communication on your part helps them to feel free. They see that you do not expect anything from them. You only see the good in them. Increasing love and respect for other souls develops as you become aware of your spiritual kinship with them. This is the realization that we are all friends in misfortune, living in the same world.

Exercise #3

The first step is simply relaxation. Many people would consider it a great achievement if they were able to relax at will.

When we relax, everyday sorrows and worries disappear and our mind is free to think about subtle things.

Whatever your mind is filled with, so are your experiences. Thinking about peace helps you experience peace. And the more you relax, the deeper the pleasant feeling of relaxation and calmness that spreads from within becomes.

When meditating, use very simple thoughts or uncomplicated topics. Two or three carefully selected thoughts are sufficient. Repeat them calmly, giving yourself enough time to explore the feelings behind them. For example:

Peace is like drowning in a featherbed...

Lightness is flying on a cloud...

Love is a warm golden glow in my mind...

Exercise number 4

As you immerse yourself in such thoughts and experiences, you will gradually feel that you are moving away from worldly thoughts and tension and becoming light and free. Now you have gained spiritual consciousness, awareness of your true nature. It is this ease of awareness that you need to bring into your daily life in order to easily and effectively overcome any problems and obstacles that confront you. Like a flying bird, the mountains will appear to you as small hillocks.

For the next few days, take only two or three simple topics or phrases, such as:

I am a calm soul...

I am a being of light, full of peace and love...

carrying these feelings to others, to the whole world ...

Calmly ponder these thoughts, delving more and more into the experiences they cause, until your thoughts and feelings merge together. When this happens, the discord between what you do and what you think disappears and the soul feels contented and fulfilled.

Also, look at others as souls who play a part, like actors.

SOUL ABILITIES

Sitting and feeling peace is one thing, but actually using it to transform your life is another. There can be a gulf between intention and action, and then you have to say: “I didn’t mean to do this, but ...” or: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that.” To have complete control over your life, you need not only to know, but also to understand the process of turning intention into action.

For example, a factory uses different materials and components: spare parts, nuts, bolts, electrical wires, paints, and so on. They are similar to your experiences and intentions. During the production process, these materials become a finished product, which we can compare to an action. But imagine that there is a constantly recurring defect in these finished products. You could repair every item that leaves the assembly line, but that would take a lot of time and hard work. And besides, the factory was not built to produce defective goods.

Therefore, it will be a mistake to start changing your life simply by changing your actions externally. To some extent this will have an effect, but you will continue to encounter “faulty” activities coming off the “production stream” and it will seem like hard work without much reward.

Instead, check the "source material" of your feelings and become familiar with the "production process" of your desires and actions. The better we understand how we "work", the easier it is for us to eliminate those actions that we do not want to perform. What is a "production process"?

First and most obvious: the path from experience to action lies through thoughts. Thoughts arise in our mind. Thoughts, like the mind, cannot be considered as something physical, it is a faculty of the soul.

For example, you have a thought: "I want to drink a glass of juice."

The idea can be viewed from two perspectives. The first is the thought itself, the second is the awareness or understanding of that thought. INTELLIGENCE is used to understand thoughts.

With the help of this, the second, ability of the soul, we determine the value of what arises in the mind (thought). Therefore, by saying, "Think before you speak," we are being asked to use our intellect and determine whether our thoughts are worthy of being spoken aloud.

The purpose of meditation is to put brakes on your thoughts.

There is a faculty of the soul which contains the capacity to store the impressions left in the soul from our actions. These impressions are called SANSKARA. (This is a Sanskrit word, and there is no exact translation for it.) Habits, tendencies, temperament, manners are based on samskaras imprinted in the soul by the actions that it performed. The sanskaras create our personality in the same way that the individual frames of a feature film create a narrative. Everything is recorded: be it a physical movement, a word, or even a thought.

In turn, the thoughts that arise in the mind in a given situation depend on the sanskaras that determine distinctive features shower, their individuality.

You can create beautiful, positive sanskaras when you sit in meditation and feel at peace. This feeling forms the samskara of peace, which next time will replace the old samskara of irritability.

Exercise number 5

Take one aspect that you would like to change about yourself. Several times a day, create one or two very strong, positive thoughts that will help change a negative habit or character trait, putting all the energy and all the enthusiasm that you have into it. This will create a very strong samskara. And when the positive thought “I want to change” enters your mind again, it will bring with it an experience of enthusiasm that will help you to put this intention into action at the appropriate time.

For example, if you want to break the habit of criticizing people, then throughout the day, continue to create a positive thought:

"I will look at everyone as calm souls, I will see only their virtues and features."

BALANCE MAINTENANCE

Peace, detachment, lightness, spiritual consciousness in meditation are wonderful, therefore, having received positive emotions in meditation, try to keep them as long as possible. And the experience gained in meditation, transfer to your daily life.

There are four aspects that must be remembered in order to maintain inner balance. And if all four aspects are given due attention, then we can not only be in inner harmony, but also progress naturally. These aspects are: UNDERSTANDING, Awareness, IMPLEMENTATION and GIVING.

UNDERSTANDING refers to the understanding of knowledge. You already know the basic facts: "I am a soul, my nature is peace." By scrolling through this information in your mind, playing with it, relating it to your life, you begin to create a complete picture. One day you will come to understand that you are in control of any situation.

AWARENESS relates to meditation and is the basis of experience. Even if you can establish all the logical connections between the pieces of information received, but until you have realized their true meaning, you cannot say that you have understood them. For example, out of two students who read the same poem without error and are equally capable of retelling its content, one may be so imbued with its meaning that it will change his whole life, while for the other this poem will remain only an exercise for the development of memory.

How can we understand the meaning of such words as peace, love, soul, detachment?

Just survive them.

The true meaning of the word "peace", its deepest content is the experience of peace. It also gives you a basis for faith, for only when the word and the experience coincide can the soul feel certainty and conviction. For example, politicians or salesmen often make us feel uncomfortable because we feel there is not enough sincerity or truth in their words. What they say does not always truthfully reflect their thoughts or facts in reality.

EMBODIMENT refers to actions. Just talked about the harmony between knowledge and experience. If there is a contradiction between them, then trust and stability disappear. There is a need to restore the balance between "internal" and "external". If you sat in meditation and felt like a peaceful soul, and then immediately after that became angry with someone, then this makes the experience of peace meaningless, and the soul will feel confused and confused. Meditation must be made practical by putting its positive force into action. It is wonderful to experience a sublime state in meditation, but your goal is to manifest during the day only such states, glimpses of which were previously difficult to achieve in meditation.

In general, putting the results of meditation into practice should be conscious. It won't happen supernaturally or on its own if you don't pay attention to it.

Even if you catch the samskara of peace while meditating, the old samskara of anxiety can continue to create negative thoughts in your mind for a long time, and sometimes very strong ones. And only with the help of the conscious can you recognize and change your behavior. Each of your refusal to act on the prompt of your samskara will weaken it.

The important thing to understand here is that you will never make progress unless you put in the effort to actually change your negative actions and habits. If your good thoughts during meditation constantly contradict your actions, your mind will turn into a battlefield instead of becoming a place of peace.

GIVING is a harmonious and altruistic attitude towards people.

You should pay special attention to this aspect also because it is relationships with others that fuel your anxiety. It's easy to be friendly and generous when everyone around you is friendly and generous. But, unfortunately, in today's world we often find ourselves in situations where relationships range from moderately uncomfortable to openly hostile. In such situations, the practice of giving becomes your reliable protection. It protects you from negative experiences, and also benefits any unfortunate person who has come down to aggressiveness. You cannot give and receive at the same time, so if you intend to spread only peace and good wishes, then you do not have reciprocal feelings of fear, resentment or awakening anger.

If you are still angry or careless, then this indicates that you need to return to repeating the material already covered.

Giving means that you have no desire to receive a response or a reward. Such giving is true, selfless and pure.

Bestowal will still come to you, at least in the form of happiness and satisfaction, and there is no need to wish or expect it. When you have already gained enough experience in meditation practice, then giving will occur without the help of words. The knowledge and experience of meditation will become so much a part of your life that you will give those around you a sense of peace and virtue simply by being spiritually conscious. It will become so natural to you that you will simply always be in spiritual consciousness without thinking about it.

When all four aspects: understanding, awareness, embodiment and giving are in harmonious balance, the soul will be in harmony with itself and others. This state of practical spiritual consciousness is called "living liberation."

Exercise number 6

Practice detachment from your own thoughts. Feel that you, the soul, are sitting in a movie theater and watching your own thoughts appear on the screen of your mind. Gradually they will slow down. If you find that your mind is unruly or completely negative, focus on the thought: “I am the soul. I am a calm and peaceful soul.”

KARMA

Karma is one of the laws of the universe. When you were not yet aware of your true nature and fully identified yourself with your physical suit, you did not understand that your every action leaves a deep imprint. Now, having learned that you are a soul, you began to realize that every action leaves a record that you carry with you. You found it very difficult to determine what is right and what is wrong. Your definition of right and wrong has changed over time.

What is the criterion by which you could absolutely determine what is right and what is wrong?

Only in the consciousness of your true self - a “calm soul” are you able to understand exactly what is right and what is wrong. The soul can perform actions simply by being in spiritual consciousness. These actions will be auspicious actions that bring happiness and positive results.

In body consciousness, there are no pure intentions behind actions. In this case, your actions are done with hidden selfish motives, such as greed, arrogance, and so on, and therefore they bring sadness and negative results. The important thing is with what consciousness actions are performed.

The law of Karma, the law of bestowal, is applicable to the spiritual realm and is absolute.

It says that every action has a return. What

What you do to the world and to other people, you get back in equal amounts.

If you bring happiness, then sooner or later you will receive happiness in return; if you cause sorrow, you will receive sorrow in return.

The law is simple, but once learned in all its depth, it can give insight into the significance of world events. There are many expressions that illustrate this truth. For example: "What you sow, you will reap." Karma is also known as the law of cause and effect.

Having understood this, you realize that the effect can only take place when there is a cause. So, Karma (which literally means “action”) is the cause, and the fruit of Karma is the effect. Everything that happens to you is due to your past actions or Karma.

Usually people tend to forget that they themselves are responsible for what they have. If the fruits of Karma are bitter, you point your finger at others, saying that they are responsible for your suffering. But now you understand that if there is sadness, then you yourself are the cause of it. Or rather, your previous actions. Understanding the law of Karma means being responsible for every situation, for your entire life. And even for the lives of their children and grandchildren, up to the seventh generation.

Sometimes only half of the law of Karma is understood, that which concerns predestination. Someone may think in desperation: “Everything that is happening to me now is due to my previous actions, and therefore there is nothing I can do about it. This is my destiny." Of course it is. The realization of this truth brings great patience, acceptance and fortitude.

However, the other half of the law of Karma is no less important: by your conscious, pure actions you can create your own future.

Because of the negative actions that you have committed in the past, you got into "karmic debt". But there is no point in wasting time on grief, just now you have to work off this debt, bringing happiness. You must close your past karmic account. However, this does not mean at all that Karma will change immediately as soon as you change your attitude towards others. With the help of spiritual consciousness, over time, you will certainly receive love and respect from others in return. Each action performed in the spiritual consciousness is an action, the benefit of which extends to everyone, including you. In spiritual consciousness, you are attached to eternity, and you do not have impatience to see the results as soon as possible. But the results will and will be much faster than you think. Your attitude to life has changed, and, as a result, the reality around you has changed. Thought is the seed of action. What is the thought - such is the result. Thoughts, like actions, spread vibrations (color the aura) and affect the energy around you. Karma will return these vibrations to you. Pure, calm, happy thoughts are the most valuable treasure of your life. If you keep beneficial thoughts in your mind, then you will create a pure energy of peace and happiness. If you do not have control over your actions, you will not have control over your mind. This is related to the previous lesson: if you slow down, then you give yourself more time to do everything properly. Work done in a hurry always contains errors that need to be corrected, which will require even more work. A job well done leaves you in a calm state of mind.

Concentrate fully on what you are doing in the present, and this will allow you to have complete control over both the mind and the body. Continue to perform actions in the spiritual consciousness so that you can remain a light and calm soul.

jonsnow

jonsnow

• Maximum period without masturbation: current
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Raja yoga is meditation on the Paramatma (Kshirodakasayi-Vishnu), but this Vishnu comes from Krishna. Therefore, bhakti yoga (Krishna consciousness) is higher than raja yoga.

This is wrong. We do not meditate on Paramatma, Vishnu or Krishna. Raja Yoga is a loving memory of Supreme Father.

Every person has two fathers. One is bodily (each person has his own), and the other is the Incorporeal, or Spiritual Father (He is one for all the souls of the world).

He is the Father of all souls, and therefore we are all brothers as souls. The whole world is one single family.
Knowing and gaining God as the Father, we find each other, we feel our kinship.

The literal translation of the words Raja Yoga means "connection" (Yoga - union, connection) with the "Supreme". Therefore, by practicing Raja Yoga meditation, we direct our thoughts to God and thus connect our mind with the Supreme Father. But in order for this union (Yoga) to take place, it is necessary to know God - the Spiritual Father. More details here:

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Exercise number 7

LOOK AT YOURSELF FROM THE BRIGHT SIDE

You are a bright soul.
You shine with the light of your natural energy - peace, purity, unconditional love, joy, willpower ... and transform everything around.
Your energy of enthusiasm brings hope to all;
Your strength of peace becomes a support in difficult times;
Your benevolence heals hearts like a balm;
the strength of your faith helps you to receive God's help at every step...

You have GRAND energy (like the sun)!
You are the younger sun, the sun in your life.
The light of your soul energy illuminates everything around.

Perhaps you are not completely satisfied with what you have now,
but since you created, attracted into your life what surrounds you now,
so you can create something else!
All in your hands! You are the sun!
You are the creator of your life.

What time do you think
Is your energy at its peak?
In today (to be precise, here and now)
Just as the heat of the sun dissipates with distance, so does your energy dissipate when you move your thoughts away from the present.

Right now manifest in your thoughts a sense of your own spiritual purity or peace, joy or unconditional love, your inner strength ...
Keep this soul light in your inner vision for as long as possible, and its strength will grow. After all, where attention is directed, energy will go there, and it will increase!

Now creates your today,
today creates your tomorrow
tomorrow creates a week
week - month
month year,
and the year creates life!

Live life to the fullest now!

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Exercise #8 PROGRAM FOR INTELLIGENCE

To occupy your mind with positive thoughts, thanks to which the soul is filled with happiness and strength, is an art. If you do not give the mind any task, then, like a small child, it begins to wander in different directions, being attracted to one or the other, or it falls under the influence of some external circumstances and situations that are far from always a source of joy and happiness. inspiration. “An idle mind is the workshop of the devil,” says folk wisdom.

The great art is to occupy your mind and plan not only physical activities, but to put your intellect to work so that it is always occupied with some useful thoughts. Otherwise, emptiness appears, and energy is wasted on something useless, and then fatigue comes ... Protect yourself from this!

To do this, you can practice soul consciousness and meditate on the virtues of the soul, think about the qualities of God and feel your eternal connection with Him ... You can make a whole list of thoughts that fill the soul with strength and happiness, and daily choose something to practice, again and again. dive into it again, try to feel and experience deeply.

For example:
“I am a calm soul. Wherever I am, I spread peace."
"I, the embodiment of peace, I change the atmosphere, filling it with peace and joy."
“God is the Ocean of Love, and I am His child, who gives everyone only love.”
“God is my Companion, therefore all my affairs are solved easily and joyfully.”

A decisive thought will help to practice this: "Today the intellect will definitely act according to such and such a program." If a promise is made about something, then there is a power to carry it out: "It will certainly be done!" If only to think, then there will be no strength yet. It's like with physical things: no matter how many there are, but, having made a promise, we fulfill them. And time is allocated for this, and excuses are rejected. The same applies to plans for the intellect.
Thanks to this practice, there will be very rapid spiritual progress.

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Exercise #9

BE A STRONG SOUL

Our efforts to gain spiritual power are based on the concept of each person as a spiritual being and that the original nature of every human soul is it is peace, happiness and purity. The perception of a person only as a bodily being leads to a personality crisis, "blackout", loss of vital energy, which in turn exacerbates the crisis in the area of ​​the most important values ​​and relationships. The further predominance of body consciousness, shortcomings and weaknesses in people's lives leads humanity to a state filled with problems, conflicts, tension, losses. The decline has already reached such a state that relying on the power of science and politics is becoming more and more like an illusion. Life itself forces each of us to turn to spirituality...

The soul can regain its strength only by establishing a love-filled union with the Supreme Soul with the help of its mind and intellect.

To create your strong, stable state and unite on the basis of spiritual principles and wisdom - this is the call of the time.

Thoughts to ponder:

Soul power- this is power over oneself, which means being able to control one's mind, intellect, sense organs.

Soul power is the creative energy that is needed to improve character and nurture virtues, revive better human relationships, and transform the world.

The image of a strong soul...

It is freedom from fear, envy, suspicion, depression and anxiety...

strong soul creates an atmosphere of joy, purity and peace around him.

strong soul always maintains goodwill and emotional balance.

strong soul is able to win the heart of everyone with its simplicity, sincerity and honesty.

strong soul no one and nothing is blamed for the situations in which she found herself, and is not justified.

strong soul like a flowing river, which is not attached to anyone, but will gladly give drink to everyone who meets on its way.

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Exercise #10 MIND CONTROL

If there is chaos inside, then outside it will be double. To control consciousness means to control, first of all, thoughts. To begin with, it is very important to set a goal for yourself: “I always maintain peace, peace of mind. It's a wonderful feeling! No matter what happens, I remain unperturbed, like an outside observer.
If you are detached and simply observe the situation, it will not affect the state of mind. Then your actions will become calm, correct. Without detachment, this cannot be achieved. Again and again repeat to yourself:

"I'm always calm...
I am always at peace...
I feel my inner silence...
Under any circumstances, I remain calm ... ".

Take care of yourself: how long can you remain in silence? There is no chaos of thoughts, you just watch how thoughts arise, giving them a direction while remaining completely calm and peaceful. Inside, there is peace that you enjoy.

Peace is the natural state of mind. It's like a necklace around our neck while we're trying to find it somewhere.

Now we are all very restless, so we are often confused, not understanding what to do. Each of us, of course, has a similar experience. If someone touched us in the tram or made a remark, what a whirlwind of thoughts spins in the mind! What for? The action has taken place, nothing can be changed, and continuing to create thoughts about this situation means losing your inner strength. The garbage of empty thoughts makes me dirty, tired, upset. A sign of empty thoughts is despair, loss of happiness, no enjoyment of life, a complete loss of control over thoughts.

Sometimes we don’t even understand why the mood suddenly deteriorates. We begin to think intensely: “It seems that I did not commit any sins, did not make any mistakes, why is there absolutely no joy? What is the reason?".

Why should you be drawn into the flow of these thoughts? Do not waste time on them, do not burden your account with empty thoughts. It is better to return your bright, pure thoughts as soon as possible.
It's like a physical illness. At first, the disease may not be serious. And appear only in a mild form, but then the mild form develops into a severe one. And if we do not notice it in a mild form, then in a serious one we see it very well. Just like a waste. The empty account grows and grows. It must be closed as soon as possible, constantly controlling thoughts and increasing the supply of bright, kind thoughts in the mind. And regularly check the savings account: how much did I save per day? However, we often notice and check the empty in others, not realizing that we need to check ourselves. It is clear that they check themselves internally, and others externally, so it is easier to check others.

If you are in a bad mood, ask yourself: What good have I done for others today? To whom was I useful? Whose tears have dried up and is it easy on the heart, because I was there? If thoughts are empty, what will be the words, actions? You need to learn to control your thoughts, to live without resentment, assessments, patterns.

Experiment. Take a piece of paper, a pen, and for two minutes, write down the thoughts that arise in your mind.

Do you like it? How many bright thoughts were there? Be attentive to your own thoughts - your condition and your destiny depend on them.

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Exercise #11 RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Who is he?
What is He?
What is He doing?
What does he inspire?

When we say "God", everyone's intellect turns upward.
"God, Allah, Ishwar..." - it's all the same. The Father of all souls is One.
Eliminating sadness and Giving Happiness to all - One!
Ocean of Knowledge, Ocean of Love, Ocean of Peace, Ocean of Bliss, Purifying - One God.
It cannot be seen with the eyes. It cannot be recognized by the gross intellect...

In order to see and recognize Him, one must open the "Inner Vision"...
Let your inner vision become pure and divine, then you can recognize Him.
It is very important to see Him and know Him...

Raja Yoga meditation regards the individual as soul and enables direct connection and relationship with the Supreme Source of the purest energy and highest consciousness. Raja Yoga can be translated as "supreme union" or as "connection with the Supreme." Every soul has the right to experience this supreme relationship.

Everyone in this world is looking for love and understanding. Everyone strives for harmony in relationships. However, conflicts, tears, suffering are everywhere. When there is no peace and strength in the soul, when there is no love and joy left in the heart, what can such a soul give to another soul? What can be expected from others if their spiritual strength is exhausted and internal state on the limit?

There is only one inexhaustible source of spiritual strength, selfless love and boundless happiness. This is God, the Supreme Soul - He who is called Mother and Father. It is He, being incorporeal, who can give each soul the sweetness of all relationships and fill it with strength.

Feel that God is yours loving mother who accepts each of her children and says: "Whoever you are, whatever you are, you are mine." God does not look at skin color, nationality, origin, poverty or wealth - it does not matter to Him. He is ready to accept and understand every soul, embracing love and light.

How Father God fills us with strength. He is Truth. He is the Almighty. He is the Greatest Authority. Unite your mind with Him, realizing yourself as a soul, and He will fill you with strength. When we remember God, realizing ourselves as souls, His children, His qualities automatically begin to influence us, we are colored by the color of His society. The Father's virtues become our property.

How Teacher God shows how to lead a virtuous life. He never loses hope, continuing to explain with love and patience. God again and again gives us the opportunity to learn, develop, move forward, regardless of past mistakes.

God is my Friend and Companion. It gives me lightness and joy in life. He tells me, “Don't keep sadness in your heart. Whatever it is, tell me and I will help.” As a Friend, he provides invaluable support. Make Him your friend and companion and you will see miracles begin to happen in your life. With such a Satellite, there can be no worries and fears. Then whatever happens is all good.

Feeding on happiness and filled with strength from the relationship with God, the soul becomes able to bring benefit to others by its mere presence. When the soul acquires the Love of the Supreme Benefactor, the Giver, it naturally begins to radiate the light of His Love. Then the world around is transformed. Choose a quiet place so that your hearing and vision have no reason to be distracted.
If desired, you can turn on suitable music to help create an atmosphere of relaxation and lightness. Usually at the beginning of the practice (when we start learning the practice of meditation) music helps to tune in to the right wave.

Download music for meditation:

Sit in any comfortable position with a straight back. You can sit on a pillow or a special mat on the floor, cross-legged, or, if it is uncomfortable, then just in a chair.

Prepare the meditation text in advance and read it slowly.
At the same time, try to deeply feel and see with your mind's eye everything that you read. Be aware of the depth of meaning in each sentence. Put it into practice - in your inner state.

Outside this room, nothing exists... I am completely detached from the outside world. I direct all my attention inward, concentrate all my energy in the center of my forehead… I separate from my physical body and physical environment… I become aware of the silence inside and outside… A feeling of natural peace takes over me… Waves of peace gently wash over me, eliminating any anxiety and tension of my mind... There is only peace. I concentrate on this feeling of deep peace... I am peace itself... Peace - This my true state of being… My mind becomes very quiet and clear… I feel light and contented……back to my natural state of peace…

I sit enjoying this feeling of peace and tranquility...

I take my attention away from the physical body... I focus on myself... I listen through these ears... I look through these eyes... I am behind these eyes... I am an eternal spark of life energy... This life energy gives strength to the body... I am not the body - I am the soul. This body is just my suit... I focus my thoughts on the point in the center of my forehead... a tiny point of conscious light... I feel completely detached from the body... calm and light... I am a star radiating light... Inside myself I find deep peace and contentment... Now I know my true Self... I am an Eternal, pure, peaceful soul... I am an ocean of peace... all conflicts are over... a deep, deep silence takes possession of me... I am a calm soul.

Time
The best time to meditate is in the morning, after you have washed or showered, and before you start your daily activities; and the evening when you have already finished all the work.
To begin with, do not sit (in meditation) too long or too little. 10-15 minutes is best. Gradually, as you become more experienced, this time will increase naturally.

Completion
When you finish your meditation, take a moment to reflect on your experiences. Track how your mood and inner state has changed since you plunged into meditation.

How to get experiences and sensations in meditation

The gross material consciousness, the feeling of being a body prevents the soul from feeling the subtle vibrations of God. Therefore, it is important to accurately learn the first lesson: the soul needs to free itself from the bodily consciousness, which blocks yoga with God, and realize itself as a soul, a child of God.

To establish a stable Yoga (connection with God), you need to go through 4 steps:

1st step - Attitude.
Outward silence is important here. You need to relax, calm your thoughts, be aware of your thoughts and slow down their movement. If extraneous or empty thoughts arise in the mind, then they must be noticed and transformed, replacing them with positive strong thoughts.

2nd step - Meditation (positive thinking).
We begin to create thoughts about ourselves (the soul), about the Higher Soul and about the Eternal Home. At the same time, one must not only think about it, but visualize each thought, try to feel it, realize it, penetrate into the depths ... Thinking about peace and strength, feel peace and be filled with strength ...

3rd step - Concentration.
This state occurs when the mind stops wandering. There is no longer any need to create thoughts, as we become the embodiment of strong thoughts: about the soul, about the Supreme Soul...
Thoughts and feelings merge together.

4th step - Awareness.
Thought is replaced by pure feeling. The soul experiences lightness and freedom.
Rays of light, strength, peace, purity, vibrations of love coming from the Supreme Soul fill the soul and spread throughout the world.

Beginners have to pay more attention to the first two steps, however, with practice and development, the first steps are passed faster and the practitioner of Yoga gains more and more experience of concentration and awareness.

The more we practice meditation, the easier it is for us to control our thoughts.

Over time, we stop the Inner Dialogue.Thoughts become much less.

If there is purity in our life, then we can achieve awareness

Video meditation:

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Raja Yoga as the Path of freedom from karmic bondage.

The highest authority in Raja Yoga was the author of the Yoga Sutra, the sage Patanjali. He based his teachings of Raja Yoga on the ancient Indian philosophy of Samkhya. The main difference between Patanjali yoga and Samkhya is the religious aspect - Patanjali's recognition of the existence of the god Ishvara, free from karmic bondage, while Samkhya considers nature through the interaction of material essence (prakriti) and spiritual (purusha).
In this context, raja yoga is a path to understanding Ishvara, recognizing his existence. And the very word "raja" (translated from Sanskrit "king") refers to Ishvara.

However, raja yoga can also be a path for people who are not inclined to religious consciousness and the search for a god outside of their Self.

In this case, the goal of Raja Yoga is to cleanse the purusha (soul, our true Self) from avidya (everyday delusion, false knowledge that prevents a person from seeing the world as it really is). The Yoga Sutras say that the purusha can only see through the mind.

Therefore, for correct perception it is necessary to purify the mind. "Since the purusha sees through the mind, the quality of the observation depends entirely on the state of the mind." “The mind must become subtle and clear like a crystal so that it reflects paramatma and not vrittis or vasanas.” The goal of raja yoga is the gradual purification and clarification of the mind, as a result of which the purusha gets the opportunity to see the world undistorted and bring this vision to us. IN this case raja can be called the purusha himself - our inner king. “Whoever the king is, Purusha or Ishvara, in any case, Raja Yoga is a yoga in which the king takes his rightful place.” That is the place of the one who controls us.

Patanjali pointed out the eight-step path to achieve the goal of raja yoga - the purification of the mind and the achievement of samadhi, the state of superconsciousness. The first four steps are the same as in hatha yoga: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama.

The purpose of the first two steps (yama and niyama) is to achieve purity of spirit, high morality, which are necessary for further study of raja yoga. This is necessary in order not to waste empty energy on correcting the mistakes made in life. The goal of the third stage is to acquire healthy body because illnesses of the body prevent a person from making his mind sufficiently firm and prevent him from concentrating on the spiritual.

A healthy body is necessary as a tool for the implementation of the tasks of the next degrees - concentration and meditation, which are associated with a long stay in one posture with a straight back.

All steps are interconnected and complement each other. For example, the principle of satya must be adhered to during the practice of asanas - to honestly admit to ourselves what our body is capable of and to what extent we are currently able to enter asana, otherwise you can harm your body, and it will no longer be yoga.

And even if we are aware that the body is not yet able to go deeper into the asana, but try to break through the stiffness in our body, despite the sharp pain, we are violating the principle of ahimsa, which should be applied not only to other beings, but and in relation to himself. And this also does not contribute to progress in yoga in any way, but often on the contrary - it leads to injuries and the need to suspend practice for an indefinite period in order to restore damaged body tissues.

The fourth stage - (the method of controlling prana) gives energy and removes many physical obstacles to the study of yoga, such as weakness of the body and laziness. Breathing exercises help to gain control over emotions and calm the mind. Body, breath and consciousness are very interconnected. Learning to control the body and breath, we directly affect the mind and come to the ability to control it. In most people, the mind is so weak that it is constantly under the control of the body - its desires and manifestations.

The goal of Raja Yoga is to learn to control your mind, to control it, thus mastering the ability to concentrate its power.

The Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda points out that a person who has achieved perfection in the control of prana is able to control the universe. “Just as the Vedas generalize all the diversity of the universe into a Single Absolute Existence and the one who knows this Unity knows the whole universe, so all manifestations of energy are generalized in prana, and the one who knows prana knows all the forces of the universe, spiritual and physical. A person who is able to control prana controls his mind, and therefore the mind as such. A person who is able to control prana controls his body, and therefore every body in general, since prana is a generalized manifestation of energy.

The next stage of raja yoga, pratyahara, teaches to turn the mind inward, to be able to separate the mind from sensory perceptions and control it. To do this, you must first stop trying to control thoughts, let them go and just observe them. “Let go of the reins: monstrous thoughts can come to mind, you will be amazed that you are capable of such thoughts. But soon you will see that every day the tossing of the mind subsides...

In the first months you will be surprised at the number of thoughts rushing through your head, gradually there will be less of them, then even less, until the mind is under control, but for this you need to work day by day. The purpose of pratyahara is to learn to see objects only with the mind, without resorting to the help of the senses. Consciousness becomes a pure mirror of contemplated objects. Consciousness directly receives information about objects, not distorted by the perception of the senses. Pratyahara is also a state in which the senses are used for concentration and meditation - for example, contemplation. The main principle of pratyahara is the subordination of sensory perceptions to the mind.

Concentration, or dharana, the next stage of raja yoga, will be much easier for those who have learned pratyahara. Otherwise, uncontrolled thoughts and feelings will constantly distract from the object of concentration. The purpose of dharana is to learn to concentrate on one object, not allowing extraneous thoughts and feelings to disturb this flow of attention.

The power of concentration opens (dhyana). If during the onset of dharana the mind moves in one direction, then in dhyana it plunges into a certain object and establishes a connection between its Self and the object.

Despite the fact that the sequence of the steps of Raja Yoga is indicated by the sage Patanjali in this order, it should be emphasized again that these steps complement and influence each other. A person who seriously practices asanas and pranayama learns to experience the state of dharana already at these stages, since his mind should be focused on the sensations of the body.

“When performing any practice, whether it be asanas, pranayama or meditation techniques, the most important thing is awareness. This means that attention is directed to a certain activity, such as breathing, and at the same time you understand what the attention is directed to. This is the first step to higher awareness. You become an observer in relation to the processes in your own body, then you learn to observe the activities of the mind, and then - and for the deeper aspects of the mind.

At the last stage in the mind of the practitioner there is a complete merging of the object of meditation and one's own Self. The self dissolves in the object of meditation and feels one with it. "Samadhi is a progressive, progressive transcendence (transcendence) of the realms of object, movement, thought and instinct." In the state of samadhi, which is the goal of raja yoga, the mind is absolutely free from avidya and sees all objects, patterns and causal relationships in their true light.

If dharana, dhyana and samadhi are directed to one object, the last three steps of raja yoga are combined into one state - sanyama. Sanyama is the complete mental control over the awareness of an object. “Through samyama all other states of consciousness disappear, but the seed remains.” Seeds are mental constructs, "the foundation for consciousness."

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali describe the six stages of samadhi: savitarka, nirvitarka, savichara, nirvichara, ananda and asmita.
These are the names of very subtle fluctuations that occur before the highest samadhi - nirvikalpa. In a more general sense, the state of samadhi is divided into two types - savikalpa and nirvikalpa samadhi. In the state of savikalpa samadhi (“seed samadhi”), the objects of meditation (purusha, Shiva, Aum, etc.) are present in the mind - these are seeds that tend to grow. In the state of supreme samadhi or nirvikalpa, the last traces of samskara and vikalpa are removed. In samadhi there is consciousness but no object.

“Individual consciousness disappears…. There is not even a desire to be liberated. This state of timelessness and changelessness is the highest samadhi." This state is the goal of Raja Yoga, the true realization of a person in this world, which gives liberation from the circle of rebirths and suffering experienced by ordinary people in each new physical incarnation.

Raja Yoga, sometimes referred to as "Royal Yoga", is the sum total of all yoga styles. Today, the essence of raja yoga goes beyond many areas of yoga.

Raja Yoga highlights the importance of meditation for self-realization and purposeful progress in human consciousness. This direction emphasizes awareness of one's state of mind, therefore raja yoga is also called "Psychic Yoga" or "Yoga of the Mind".

By practicing the state of concentration of the mind, a person learns to calm his mind and focus on one point. In a moment of deep concentration, we turn inward, revealing the true nature of the divine principle.

You can achieve this by following the eight year raja yoga path which includes observing the following:

• Yama (abstinence): Ahimsa (no injury), Satya (truth), Aseta (no stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity), Apragraha (no greed);
• Niyama (Moral observations): Dryness (purity) Santosha (satisfaction), Tapas (austerity), Svadhaya (study of scriptures), Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to God);
• Asana: steady posture, fixed posture;
• Pranayama: control of vital energy through breathing and breathing practices;
• Pratyahara: withdrawal, distraction of the senses;
• Dharana: concentration of the mind;
• Dhyana: meditation;
• Samadhi: full realization, enlightenment, union with the divine.

These 8 steps of yoga will help a person to comprehend the basics of yoga, achieve harmony and clearly see the picture of the inner world, realize himself. Any spiritual path yoga begins with the first two steps - Yama-Niyama.

Pit - Self-control

Yama means self-control and abstinence. The first step, which preaches the principles and negative qualities that need to get rid of. Consists of 5 principles:

Ahimsa - the principle of non-violence

Ahimsa means that any living being has the right to life and it is not in our power to decide the fate of these living beings. In simple words - do not cause pain, suffering, do not kill at the level of thought, word or action.

This includes the consumption of animal meat, since eating requires killing. According to the principle of ahimsa, yogis become vegetarians. This happens naturally, during practice, purification of consciousness, you feel good and you want everyone to feel this state, even an animal that has grown to become food.

Animals are endowed with a strong instinct, a reflex, the process of which is launched at the moment of awareness of approaching death. Somehow they feel that their death is coming soon and a feeling of wild fear begins. At this point, fear and death hormones are released throughout the animal's body, which remain in the meat after the kill.

By consuming meat, people do not even suspect why they can suddenly feel uncontrollable fear, anxiety outbreaks, neuroses.

Satya - Truth

It is always good and right to tell the truth, but more important is how we convey the truth. We have the ability to “throw” truth at someone like a knife, but we also have the ability to dress that same truth in loving words.

Truth and truth are important, it is important not only to convey the truth, but also to convey the truth with your actions. Sometimes the truth can hurt like a knife, so you need to try to convey it delicately, tactfully and through your example. The teachings say not to violate the principle of non-violence in all available ways.

Heed the advice about the truth:

"Each of your words must fall like flowers from your mouth."

Mahaprabhuji

Truthfulness means openness of feelings, freedom from evasiveness, resourcefulness and excuses. Each person must know within himself his truth and true face. Of course, for some time you can hide who we are from others, but we are clear in front of ourselves. We are witnesses of true personality.

Asteya is not theft

Asteya says about the prohibition of theft. You have no right to take away what does not belong to you, whether it be material values ​​or intellectual property. Asteya also concerns human feelings - one cannot take away joy, happiness or any opportunity from a person. This area also includes a disrespectful attitude towards nature, the destruction of the environment around them.

Brahmacharya - a pure way of life

Brahmacharya is one of the stages of spiritual development, which means sexual abstinence or celibacy. But it is rather not an end in itself. but a consequence of the practice of yoga in life. All our thoughts should be directed towards spiritual development, towards the divine principle. At the same time, it is important to observe harmony in reality, to fulfill duties consciously. Observing brahmacharya, a person also acquires virya (energy and heroism).

Aparigraha - non-attachment of possessions

Hoarding, buying and storing unnecessary things, excessive consumption - all this is not about aparigraha. The practice of aparigraha consists in not accepting gifts, not hoarding. The principle of aparigraha means that you should not have the feeling of longing for immediate gratification, even the simplest desires. A person should be satisfied with exactly what he has at the given moment of life. The more property, the more worries. Less possessions, more freedom.

Niyama - Discipline

Niyama is the second stage of yoga philosophy, which preaches the qualities that you need to include in your life. It also consists of five principles:

Shauka - Purity

Santosh - Satisfaction

Santosh is similar in meaning to aparigraha and means wonder at what we have. Adhering to the principle of satisfaction, a person is humble, satisfied with the circumstances and considers what he has to be the greatest wealth in his life. An inner sense of contentment gives happiness much more than material possessions. In our time of materialism and consumerism, it is necessary to strive for balance.

Tapa - Self-control, Self-discipline

In our opinion, the most difficult rule, since it requires great strength will and discipline. Tapa means keeping the direction of your development path through adversity and obstacles. You must practice with patience, diligently and perseveringly. Sticking to the chosen path, no matter the circumstances, is the path to success.

Svadhaya - Studying the Holy Scriptures

Svadhaya means training, spiritual enlightenment of the traditional scriptures of yoga philosophy: Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, etc. These scriptures convey valuable knowledge and provide invaluable assistance on the path to yoga.
Ishvara Pranidhana - Devotion to God

Communicate everything you do with the Divine Self with pure devotion. God protects all who betray with trust and faith.

Asana - steady posture, still posture

Asana is traditionally defined as a "place". Most often it is a sitting posture used for meditation. Generally in yoga, the term is used to refer to any physical posture of hatha yoga. This is the third limb of Patanjali Ashtanga's Eightfold Path following Yama and Niyama.

The practice of asanas is considered important to yogis because it helps keep the physical body healthy, strong and resilient. Considering that the body is a vehicle for the spirit, taking care of the physical body is important for spiritual development. Asana practice can also bring a range of emotional and energetic benefits, increase discipline and concentration, and prepare the mind for meditation.

Pranayama - breathing exercises

This is the fourth stage of yoga, which is the control of the mind is achieved by learning to control the body and breath. Pranayama is performed to improve the movement of prana - living energy in the human subtle body. It is prana that gives a powerful impetus to working with energy and helps to achieve spiritual development.

Pratyahara - withdrawal of feelings

Pratyahara is the ability to abstract, control your feelings and consciousness through the practice of yoga. The teachings say that the constant craving for the satisfaction of momentary desires distracts us from our true goals. It prevents us from being happy and free.

In conditions of constant absorption of unnecessary information, the human mind processes it and becomes restless. All this noise fills the consciousness and prevents us from noticing the reality of what is happening around us.

Pratyahara teaches us to control the state of mind and feelings, to regulate the flow of any information.

Dharana - Concentration

Dharana helps to focus your thoughts and feelings on one object. We usually succeed for a short time, then other thoughts come and distract us. We become aware of our lack of concentration in just a few minutes. Until we are able to focus on a thought or an object for any length of time, in any situation, we still have not mastered Dharana.

Meditation with candles (Trataka), special Asanas and Pranayamas, as well as the repetition of the Mantra, are very helpful in improving the ability to concentrate.

Dhyana - meditation

Dhyana is realized through preparation through various techniques meditation. Through concentration, meditation and illumination in this sequence, we achieve spiritual perfection and pure consciousness.

What does the practice of meditation give us:

• peace of mind and humility;
• calm mind and concentration;
• knowledge of oneself, one's inner world;
• attaining pure consciousness.

We wrote more about meditation.

A person achieves a greater effect in meditation when his mind is calm. The yogi experiences pure being, the boundaries of gross and subtle are erased, and pure light remains that shines in the heart. This unity is capable of providing answers to many fundamental existential questions.

Samadhi - complete realization

The end point, the stop of the path of development and the complete unity of the inner and outer world. This is the place where a person connects with the Divine principle, higher consciousness. Samadhi gives the yogi silence, tranquility and eternal bliss.

In this state, all duality dissolves. There is no day, no night, no darkness, no light, no qualities, no color. All is one in the Higher Self. This union of the individual soul with the Cosmic soul is the goal of yoga.

Adhering to all the laws of yoga, a person understands his path of destiny in this world. And the most interesting thing about this is that the world will oppose yoga in every possible way on the way to finding oneself - illnesses, crowd opposition, depression, stress, doubts. Therefore, it is important to accept yourself and understand why all this is being done.

Raja yoga

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