=============================== #19 Yoga March, 1995 JAIN BBS and E-MAIL BULLETIN --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Computer-Based Jain Education and Information Service Federation of JAINA and Jain Study Center of North Carolina (Raleigh) 401 Farmstead Dr. Cary, NC 27511-5631 General Editor : Pravin Shah 919-469-0956 Jain E-mail Bulletins and Jain Database on Internet : Mahesh Varia at varia@sunsite.unc.edu Jainism questions, email to : Pravin Shah at enhb34a@prodigy.com Jain BBS direct modem connection : 919-469-0207 (free membership/access) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compiled by Pravin K. Shah Jain Study Center of NC (Raleigh) email: enhb34a@prodigy.com ALL LIFE IS YOGA All life either consciously or subconsciously is Yoga, meaning attempting to realize its perfection. However many misconceptions exist with regard to the purpose and meaning of yoga, such as: yoga is a part of the Hindu religion; yoga means sitting in exasperating postures for hours at a time; meditation type yoga brings peace and happiness; and Hatha yoga is an easy and relaxing form of exercise. In itself yoga has very little to do with a particular religion, but it has a great deal to do with individual spirituality and its perfection. Yoga is defined as a systematic and scientific methodized effort to balance and direct various levels of energy, for self perfection within a human being. This does not refer only to the physical body, but the entire being, including the intellectual and emotional processes, the powers of the mind, the physical energies, as well as nonphysical energy levels within the astral and emotional bodies of a human being. There are four primary paths to yoga, with many offshoots that seem to focus on certain specific areas of these four paths. They are: Bhakti-yoga (Path of Devotion): The path of devotion aims at the enjoyment of the supreme Love and Bliss. It focuses on realization of Truth (true reality, true potential) through means of devotion and surrender. Prayers, rituals, and ceremonial processes are its basic approach. Chanting, singing, and repeating God's name are also important practices. In the initial stage of spiritual progress, a temple or similar place is needed to practice Bhakti-yoga. Ultimately, Bhakti-yoga develops humility within and dissolves ego or I-ness. This is an excellent form of yoga for emotionally oriented people. Jnana-yoga (Path of Knowledge): The path of knowledge aims at the realization of the unique and supreme SELF. Intellectually oriented people prefer this path because it uses study, thinking (direct inquiry), and contemplation as its practices. This path is typified by spiritual discrimination between what is real (true reality) and what is unreal or illusion (Maya) in the universe. The path uses the intellect as a means to negate bondage to the material world through inquiry and analysis. The mind itself is used to examine its own nature. This is typified by inquiring of oneself through meditation "Why am I here?" "What is real and unreal?" and the biggest question of all "Who am I?" This leads to the ultimate realization of truth. In the initial stage one requires the guidance of a true teacher or scriptures to practice Jnana-yoga. Karma-yoga (Path of Action): The path of action aims at the dedication of every human activity to the supreme Will. It is the yoga of action and selfless service for the benefit of humanity at large. This includes social work, ecology, environmental protection, education, animal protection and the like. It can be practiced anywhere at any time. Ultimately the person dedicates all Works and Services as an offering to God, without any expectation of results or personal gain. This dissolves one's ego or I-ness. This is an excellent form of yoga for action oriented people. Raja-yoga (Path of Self Control and Meditation): Raja-yoga aims at the liberation and perfection not only of the body, but also of the mental being, the control of the emotional and sensational life, the mastery of the whole apparatus of thought and consciousness. It is the science of physical and mental control. It was pioneered by a great sage, Shri Patanjali. It is also known as Astanga yoga, or the yoga of eight steps. All eight steps are important and are to be followed sequentially, leading to the ultimate realization of Truth or God. The eight steps are: 1) Yama - restraints A person should restraint from violence, untruthfulness, non-chastity, stealing, and material possessions. 2) Niyama - observances A person should develop virtues like cleanliness (external and internal), contentment, austerity, religious study, and self-surrender to God. The first two steps are meant for moral purification, without these no spiritual progress is possible. 3) Asana - physical exercise A person should do physical exercise (Hatha yoga) to keep the body healthy and the spinal cord straight in preparation for long periods of meditation (at least one hour). 4) Pranayama - rhythmic breathing A person should practice regularly the control of vital energy through certain breathing techniques. Rhythmic breathing helps concentration of the mind. Sitting still (step 3) and rhythmic breathing (step 4) makes the mind fit for looking inward. 5) Pratyahara - detachment of mind A person should practice detachment or divorcing of the mind from the five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound) which provide pleasant or unpleasant feelings. This mental exercise gradually slows down the rush of thoughts from within to the surface of the mind. Now the mind has become ready for concentration on one object or on one idea. 6) Dharana - removal of thoughts A person should concentrate the mind either on one external object or one internal idea upon which to meditate. One finds that, in spite of the best of efforts, the mind does not remain glued to the chosen object. The object appears to hazy and there are breaks in concentration. One has to make repeated attempts during Dharana which ultimately lead to emptying all other thoughts. 7) Dhyana - meditation The thought removal process (Dharana) leads naturally to meditation (Dhyana). Meditation is an unbroken flow of thought towards an external object or an internal idea. 8) Samadhi - super conscious state Through intense practice, meditation turns into Samadhi. In Samadhi a person is unconscious of everything about oneself. Even the object of meditation melts away but the vision of the object occupies the entire mind. The knowledge of the object becomes complete. This represents the goal of existence and what all living beings are moving towards. It transcends time, space, and causation; the three elements present during ordinary, sensory experience and is, therefore, beyond the mind's ability to comprehend. The first five steps of the Raja-yoga are only for preparations of the mind for Yoga, which is concentration. The last three steps constitute the application of concentration, which is known as Samyama. All four types of yogas cover the entire spectrum of human personalities. Raja-yoga concentrates on the subtle body, while the other three yogas use some part of the mental being, will, heart or intellect, as a starting point. The goal is to arrive at the liberating Truth, Beatitude and Infinity which are the nature of the spiritual life. Love, Knowledge, and Action are the three divine powers in human nature. The path of knowledge (Jnana-yoga) is the primary path of liberation for Jainism and Buddhism. However many components of Raja-yoga such as Yama and Niyama are accepted in this path. Different sects of Hinduism cover all different paths of Yoga and their combinations. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism follow the path of surrender or devotion (Bhakti-yoga). In this technological age of economic and scientific achievements, it is quite remarkable to see that these yoga practices, which are thousands of years old, are still the only paths to the realization of the ultimate reality. A person does not need to be searching for God to practice Yoga. One only needs to have a desire to free oneself from the bonds that restrict oneself from being truly free. Once these bonds are broken, one realizes the true human potential, the true reality, and the God within. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- References: An article on Yoga written by Muni Shri Jinkirti (Bandhu Triputi) Hinduism at a Glance by Swami Nirvedananda Sri Aurobindo on Yoga by Indra Sen ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The following Articles were send to our E-mail readers. If you are a new member and would like to receive any of the articles, please send E-mail to Dr. Mahesh Varia varia@sunsite.unc.edu No Date E-Mail Article 01 03/22/94 Mahavir Jayanti and Jain Prayer 02 04/06/94 Concept of God in Jainism 03 04/26/94 Acharya Sushil Muni's Life and Mission 04 04/26/94 Excerpts from Acharya Sushil Muni's speeches 05 05/16/94 Jainism (Comparative Religion) 06 05/31/94 Buddhism (Comparative Religion) 07 06/13/94 Virchand R. Gandhi (Life and Mission) 08 07/11/94 Christianity (Comparative Religion) 09 08/02/94 Taoism (Comparative Religion) 10 08/24/94 Hinduism (Comparative Religion) 11 09/27/94 Confucianism (Comparative Religion) 12 10/23/94 Five Great Vows of Jainism 13 11/10/94 Jain Path of Liberation 14 12/01/94 Jain Agam Literature - Part I 15 12/14/94 Jain Agam Literature - Part II 16 01/12/95 Jain Agam Literature - Part III 17 01/28/95 Judaism (Comparative Religion) 18 02/18/95 Islam (Comparative Religion) 19 03/09/95 Yoga ... an overview BULLETIN END. ==================================================================== Jain Database is located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll and is expanding its database on information related to Jainism. The database has free access via Internet using telnet, gopher, swais, and lynx(WWW) connections. 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