Presentation Transcript
Spiritual Disciplines: Spiritual Disciplines Yoga
“Yug” – yoke or union
State of “living in the divine”
Four Paths
Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti Yoga “To Share”
Most common path
Path of Devotion or Love Ishta
Mantra
Japam
Jnana Yoga: Jnana Yoga Path of Knowledge
Way of Wisdom
Intellectual Orientation; Spiritual Insight
Who am I?
Neti-Neti
“not this, not this”
Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga Path of Selfless Action
Putting yourself to work helping others without any thought to your own reward
Every act part of the divine that we all share
Raja Yoga: Raja Yoga Raj – reintegration
Path of Stillness
Samadhi or union with the divine is your goal
Sadhanas or “practices”
Date back in time
Coherent system finally developed by 2nd century Pantanajali’s sutras or threads (196 total – eight steps)
First, the body: First, the body The body is full of energy (kundalini)
Seven chakras or circles. They move energy
Must move energy through the body in order to reintegrate and reach higher consciousness
Chakras: Chakras Mooladhara or “base”
Swadishthan or “sacral”
Nabhi (Manipura) or “solar plexus”
Anahat, Anahata or “Heart”
Vishuddhi or “throat”
Agnya or “brow”
Sahasara or “crown” – 1000-petal lotus
Step One: Step One Yamas
Self-control Five Abstentions
Ahimsa or “non-injury”
Satya
Bramacharya
No Greed
No Theft
Step Two: Step Two Niyamas or observances
5 observances
Cleanliness
Contentment
Self-Control
Studiousness
Contemplation of the Divine Works with step one
Clears your visual field by removing you from concerns of this world
Step Three: Step Three Asanas or posture
Most common is the lotus (padmasana)
Align chakras for good energy flow
Step Four: Step Four Pranayamas or breath control
Prana is life energy
Three basic types of breath
Clavicular
Thoracic
Deep Abdomina
Step Five: Step Five Pratyahara or sense control
Learning to control all of the data you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch
Step Six: Step Six Dharana
Steadying the Mind
Working to Focus on One Thing
Mantras again are helpful as are ishtas Yantras – linear image
Step Seven: Step Seven Dhyana
Meditation
Start Experiencing Loss of Self
Step Eight: Step Eight Samadhi
Sam = with
Adhi = divine or Lord
Higher Consciousness or Illumination