III. Raja Yoga - western kind of Yoga. This is the royal road. It unites the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the self. It is the most practical.
A. Purpose:
1. goal/purpose of Rāja-Yoga is the attainment of samadhi
a) To identify with true nature
b) As stilling the mind (1:2): inhibitions of the modifications of the mind
c) The way of the will
d) a state of God awareness accessible to the still, contemplating practitioner
B. Comes from
1. Yoga-Sūtra are the primary text of this discipline
C. Philosophy
1. Patanjalis Classical Yoga
a) Provides a contextual framework to understand accomplishments and obstacles.
b) it is a very precise system (path is set out) which is accessible to anyone, regardless of current spiritual status
D. Method
1. 8 Limbs of Yoga (astanga-yoga) were given as a comprehensive list of levels of human experience to be mastered to attain the state of Yoga
a) 8 Limbs
(1) Yama (social restraints/ethical values)
(2) Niyama (personal observances/ethical values)
(3) Asana (posture)
(4) Pranayama (breath control/regulation)
(5) Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
(6) Dharana (concentration)
(7) Dhyana (meditation)
(8) Samadhi (ecstasy)
2. Meditation and control over the mind
E. About
1. The rāja-yogin seeks to quiet all aspects of his body and mind, and enter into a transcendent state beyond nature
My Preferred Path: how to live this understanding in my life/practice/teaching
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