Yoga Yagya – 4 : Spiritual Enlightenment through Yoga
In this fourth part of Yoga series, which is a run up to International Yoga Day on June 21, we present how Yoga has been influential in spiritual enlightenment and development of people. This will help people fight over the life crisis that comes up with stress and also loneliness.
Yoga is most often touted for its incredible physical benefits, as it should be; however, Yoga is not just a form of physical development, but also spiritual development. Yoga strengthens the physical body as well as the emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies. Yoga incorporates not only physically challenging poses, or asanas, to promote physical and spiritual development, but mantra chanting, meditations, and deep breathing exercises, as well.
Yoga is performed to increase health and fitness. However, ancient yogic tradition teaches that the spiritual and the physical are interconnected, and that one deeply affects the other. Therefore, the guide to physical health through Yoga is inextricably linked to the guide to spiritual health. Reconciling the body with the spirit is a main objective of Yoga.
The Yoga definition of spirituality is the process of coming to a state of full self-actualization, or awareness, by working toward higher levels of consciousness through self-discovery. Embarking on a spiritual journey is a unique experience to everyone, as it is a journey into oneself. However, those who undertake the journey are the better for it. They are calmer, have a greater awareness of both themselves and the world around them, they exude positive energy and often appear younger than they really are. It takes years to achieve spiritual enlightenment and bliss through Yoga, but mere days before you start noticing the spiritual development that comes with the study of Yoga.
Enlightening Yourself
Yoga is physical, for sure. Regularly practicing Yoga develops your stamina, your strength, and your rockstar abs. Postures challenge the body. However, Yoga is also a mental practice where you work through emotional stress and psychological challenges – you may even meditate.
If you sign up for Yoga classes because you want a thin body or the ability to master a handstand then you are skimming the surface of the practice. If you enjoy Yoga for the health benefits then you will certainly feel better with regular sessions. But without the spiritual side, Yoga is simply a stretch class, a gym session, or a space for relaxation. Go deeper, and your Spiritual Enlighll find so much more.
In fact, any approach to Yoga can uplift your state of mind to some degree. It will uplift you even more if you practice with right attitude, the most powerful spiritual tool of all. And still more is possible if you also cooperate actively with the inner workings of subtle energy and consciousness. Such is the approach in this book. (Right attitude, which we’ll explore, is not about moral judgments; it’s about what raises consciousness.)
Deciphering Spiritual Yoga
Spiritual Yoga is a quest to know a greater reality — beyond the senses, intellect, and emotions. Your concept of that reality might be cosmic: Spirit, Higher Power, Truth, God, Divine Mother. Or it might be very personal: soul, Higher Self, your own highest potential.
Or it might be something else altogether. Yet for every spiritual seeker, the goal is the same: to experience that greater reality. Belief can’t take us there. Although belief can motivate us and guide our efforts, it is not knowledge — and if we cling dogmatically to belief, it can keep us from knowing. Experience is the only source of knowledge.
Paramhansa Yogananda put it simply: “The yogi must turn his conceptions into perceptions.” Another great yogi, Swami Vivekananda, said, “It is no doubt a blessing to be born into a religion, but it is a misfortune to die in one.” Both were urging people to go beyond belief and religion into direct, personal experience.
Yoga Yagya (3) : Yoga for Women
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