True and deeper meaning of Yoga. Part 3/3

True and deeper meaning of Yoga. Part 3/3

Abhijit Kamat, 1 february 2013

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(from previous chapter:- What are 8 parts of yoga and their purpose?
First 5 parts cover the external issues and the last 3 parts cover the mind related issues.
To improve the moral values: 1) Yama and 2) Niyama (Dos and Don’ts ).
3) Asanas: to purify and prepare the body, – 4)Pranayam: to vitalize, control body’s energy or Prana and bring harmony.   5) Pratyahara:. to control the pleasure seeking habits of mind and senses )

Now last 3 parts of Yoga that deal with MIND.
(It is said that with the persistent and prolonged practice of all 8 parts of Yoga, the Human Nervous System gets  developed and fine tuned to take the experience of Samadhi).
6) Dharna: (contemplation)
Background w.r.t. 5 body related exercises:- With the practice of various asnas, the body has become capable for sitting longer time. With the practice of pratyahara, mind has reduced its useless wandering in the satisfaction of senses. With the practice of truth, there is no fear of ‘what next’ thoughts those come prior to telling lies. Practicing Yam and Niyam, strengthens the moral values and boosts confidence.
So, with the practice of first 5 methods of Yoga,  mind is now a little bit stable and this helps in concentrating on a single thought ( or thoughtlessness) . Concentration keeps coming and going. During his efforts to concentrate mind, the practitioner is aware of his surroundings , time and space around him. This is called Dharna or contemplation.

7) Dhyana: (meditation)
Through the practice of Dharna, slowly, mind starts learning to stay on a single thought (or thoughtlessness) for a longer time. This journey into further depth of thoughtlessness is called Dhyana, when a practitioner loses his awareness of surrounding, time and space.

8) Samadhi:
With the more practice of Dhyana, the mind effortlessly glides into further depth of consciousness, called Samadhi. There are three types of Samadhis.
Following excerpts on Samdhi are taken from http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/books/0138/2/152/index.html

Samadhi is an exalted and glowing state of Consciousness, whereas realisation is a conscious, natural and manifesting state of Consciousness. There are three stages of Samadhi: Savikalpa Samadhi, Nirvikalpa Samadhi and Sahaja Samadhi. Usually we speak of Savikalpa and Nirvikalpa.
a. Savikalpa Samadhi : In Savikalpa Samadhi there are thoughts, ideas, but they do not affect the most advanced seeker or the Yogi. The Yogi remains unperturbed. He functions in a dynamic and confident manner.
b. Nirvikalpa Samadhi: I have included two links to explain on Samadhi. In Nirvikalpa Samadhi, nature’s dance stops. There is no movement. Everything is tranquil. The Knower and the Known have become totally One. The lover and the Beloved have become One. The Yogi enjoys a supremely divine, all-pervading, self-amorous ecstasy.
3. Sahaja Samadhi: Sahaja Samadhi is by far the highest type of Samadhi. Very few spiritual Masters have achieved that state.

Pl. note: Samadhi is a very advanced stage of Yoga and one who follows the path of Yoga will definitely achieve it . But for a normal person, to beging with, careful practice of correct Asnas (under a proper guide) helps to maintain a good body posture and simple meditation technique helps to maintain peaceful joyous mind. They both when practiced together help to maintain a good health of mind and body.