WHAT IS YOGA

Physical Exercieses and Psychic Exercises

Many persons in India and abroad think of Yoga only as a form of physical exercises. Yoga, in the real sense, is a systematic psychic practice to develop the consciousness to its perfection. Of course, in the practice of Yoga, the physical exercises do occupy a place, as it is necessary to maintain bodily health, which is a prerequisite for any psychic practice. Mind, however, is the important phenomenon to be dealt with in Yoga.

Self-forgetfulness and emotions

We can classify the functioning stages of the mind into three levels, that is (i) suface, (ii) bottom and (iii) origin. In the sensory perceptions and during the feelings of pain and pleasure, the mind functions at its surface level. In this stage, self-forgetfulness and emotions are present. When the mind turns inward and realizes its own existence, the process of its own transformation during the sensory perceptions and its source as life energy, that is soul, it is functioning in its bottom.

It is in this stage that awareness and soul-consciousness are present. A light of insight comes into being. When the mind realizes its origin, it gets its full perfection and then identifies itself as the Universal Being, the absolute Truth. This is the peak of functioning of the Sixth Sense, the purpose for which man is born is to attain this stage.

Why problems and miseries

When the mental and physical activities and the method of living are in consonance with the purpose of life, life will be harmonious, contented and peaceful. To the extent to which they are out of tune with that purpose, problems and miseries emerge and develop in life.

The Three Levels of Consciousness

When the understanding and actions of man get stagnated only at the surface level of the mind, he cannot enjoy peace and happiness even though he is provided with all the facilities of life. This is but natural, for, when the other two levels of the consciousness do not function, there is a one-sided load in the mind which results in tension.

Yoga helps man to get himself relieved from this state of tension. Yoga takes the level of consciousness from the surface (material consciousness) first, then to bottom (Soul consciousness) and finally to the origin (Truth consciousness).

In this process, the dormant cells of the brain get activated and there is corresponding improvement in the functioning of the cells of the physical body. Harmony in the physical system and equilibrium in the mental function will develop gradually by regular practice of Yoga.

Yoga - Shrinking Process of Mind

First of all, we should know what is Yoga? Yoga is a word giving the meaning 'Laya', that is, to get together, communion, becoming one. The life force in the body, when it functions through the five senses, i.e. with material world, it is called mind. When the life-force gets induction with an object through the senses, it gets physical transformation into pressure, sound, light, taste, and smell according to the shape and the quality of the object.

By this process, certain quantity of the life force is consumed. When the mind shrinks within itself, the shrinking process or coming together of mind and life-force is called 'Laya' or 'Yoga'. Here, the consumption of life-force is considerably reduced. The mind becomes apperceptive. By contraction or by becoming one with the lifeforce, you are coming from the perhiphery to the centre, from the diversity to Unity. Here, you will be affirming every reason.