The process of Yoga
Yoga is the union of the individual Soul with God but it is also the process through which we realize the identity of our Soul or Self (Atman), with the universal Soul or Brahman.
The whole process of yoga is a preparation of the internal instrument - named Antahkarana - which is fourfold: manas (mind), buddhi (intellect), ahamkara (ego) and chitta (subconscious mind), in order to be capable for deep meditation and samadhi. Yoga in reality begins from meditation and is completed in Nirvikalpa samadhi. All other practices like asanas, pranayama, kirtan, devotional rituals, reflection, study, control of senses and mind, viveka and vairagya is a preparation for meditation. All these practices purify the Antahkarana and make the mind and intellect capable for deep meditation or Self-enquiry and samadhi.
Thus yoga is possible when we are able to meditate.
Meditation is
possible when the mind is serene, introverted, steady and one-pointed.
The mind cannot
be introverted and one-pointed as long as is impure; viz. as long as the chitta is full of
samskaras and vasanas, rajas and tamas and as long we cannot stop the creation of new samskaras
and vasanas in the chitta.
Thus the purification of the mind includes the elimination of the stored in the chitta samskaras and vasanas (desires, egoic tendencies and impressions) and the stoping of creating of new ones.
Thus the purification of the mind includes the elimination of the stored in the chitta samskaras and vasanas (desires, egoic tendencies and impressions) and the stoping of creating of new ones.
In order to stop the
creation of new samskaras and vasanas we must succeed in pratyahara with the
help of Viveka (discrimination), Vichara (self-enquiry) and Vairagya (dispassion, detachment), control of mind and senses, self-awareness, the attitude of
witnessing and not identification with thoughts and emotions.
We can eliminate the already stored in the chitta samskaras and vasanas, the rajas and tamas gunas by regular systematic sadhana which includes practices like japa nama, repetition of mantras, devotional hymns, kirtan, prayer, pranayama, self-enquiry, auto-observation, reflection, meditation, and other purificatory practices like EFT, Reiki, Bach's remedies, etc.
We can eliminate the already stored in the chitta samskaras and vasanas, the rajas and tamas gunas by regular systematic sadhana which includes practices like japa nama, repetition of mantras, devotional hymns, kirtan, prayer, pranayama, self-enquiry, auto-observation, reflection, meditation, and other purificatory practices like EFT, Reiki, Bach's remedies, etc.
These two processes
(the elimination of the stored in chitta samskaras and the stoping of creating new ones) will lead to the purification of chitta and will transform the extroverted and
distracted mind into a yogic mind; viz. a mind which is indrawn, introspective,
detached, steady and one-pointed. This mind is capable to concentrate and meditate without distraction and effort in our center of existence, our essence
or true SELF (Atman).
When we have managed
to cultivate the yogic mind we reach at the culmination of the yogic
process which is profound meditation and samadhi. We spent most of our time in meditation and samadhi until finally in profound Nirvikalpa samadhi we realize clearly our true nature Atman or Brahman and the ego
dissolves completely root and branches forever.
This is the final goal of yoga and our destination; realizing fully our true SELF we live the Oneness of existence, free from suffering, birth and death and we experience effortlessly the peace, bliss and freedom eternal!
This is the final goal of yoga and our destination; realizing fully our true SELF we live the Oneness of existence, free from suffering, birth and death and we experience effortlessly the peace, bliss and freedom eternal!