In
the ancient text written by Patanjali "Yoga Sutras" is
described in brief the usefulness and purpose of the practices to
attain the state of Yoga. This text is primarily concerned with
describing what is commonly called Raja Yoga , the part that is improving the mental capacity to achieve the state of contemplation,
that permits to upgrade consciousness and awareness. The text gives
not so much space to the part that is commonly referred as Hatha
Yoga, which devotes attention to physical and relational ways of
being, so our more visible constituents.
The path described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras is encoded, according to the practical experience of thousands of years, through eight steps , of which the first four can be taken as part of Hatha Yoga, the last four as Raja Yoga. These eight steps are called, in Sanskrit literal translation, Ashtanga, that means eight limbs or components.
Who wants to take the path towards the acquisition of Yoga has to practice the methods connected to these eight steps; without these eight limbs, without this path, it is not possible to reach the state of Yoga.
The eight steps are:
Yama : modes of conduct favorable, that must be not felt as rules to be followed compulsorily
Niyama : useful conditions, but not something that has to be done compulsively
Asana : to reach specific static and comfortable body postures through particular methods engaging, in the same time, body, mind, energy, character, etc
Pranayama : special breathing techniques moving life energy to specific points
Pratyahara : to acquire ability to manage the use or not use of sensory perceptions
Dharana : concentration, ie channeling the mind on what and how long time you want
Dhyana : meditation, ie use the mind to get into intuitive and clarifying states
Samadhi : go beyond the intuitive/clarifying states to reach the state of contemplation, condition that creates awareness leading to the absolute truths.
One might ask now : why gymnastic exercises very striking and dynamic, many times forced and extreme, vigorous and power minded, are called in modern times Ashtanga Yoga?
The path described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras is encoded, according to the practical experience of thousands of years, through eight steps , of which the first four can be taken as part of Hatha Yoga, the last four as Raja Yoga. These eight steps are called, in Sanskrit literal translation, Ashtanga, that means eight limbs or components.
Who wants to take the path towards the acquisition of Yoga has to practice the methods connected to these eight steps; without these eight limbs, without this path, it is not possible to reach the state of Yoga.
The eight steps are:
Yama : modes of conduct favorable, that must be not felt as rules to be followed compulsorily
Niyama : useful conditions, but not something that has to be done compulsively
Asana : to reach specific static and comfortable body postures through particular methods engaging, in the same time, body, mind, energy, character, etc
Pranayama : special breathing techniques moving life energy to specific points
Pratyahara : to acquire ability to manage the use or not use of sensory perceptions
Dharana : concentration, ie channeling the mind on what and how long time you want
Dhyana : meditation, ie use the mind to get into intuitive and clarifying states
Samadhi : go beyond the intuitive/clarifying states to reach the state of contemplation, condition that creates awareness leading to the absolute truths.
One might ask now : why gymnastic exercises very striking and dynamic, many times forced and extreme, vigorous and power minded, are called in modern times Ashtanga Yoga?
In my opinion there is no connection .... and according to you ?
Why so many persons agree with this method and follow it?
In my opinion for little knowledge of the topic!
Why happens that so many people want to practice this system?
In my opinion only because they think to be able afterwards to do admirable and glamorous things, also giving themselves a sense of cleverness ....
Probably
all this people don't know that this modern system doesn't lead to a
totalitarian feel good as suggested by the ancient methods. What was
studied and practiced by the ancient sages Rishi is from millennia
the only one collection of methods that permit to realize all the
highest qualities during life.
Unfortunately,
nowadays it is not easy to discriminate between what is useful and
what is in reality only something apparently and superficial.
And
do you know to What corresponds the meaning of Kundalini? At
the next Post....
No comments:
Post a Comment