Spiritual Disciplines Yoga “Yug” – yoke or union State of “living in the divine” Four Paths
Bhakti Yoga “To Share” Most common path Path of Devotion or Love Ishta Mantra Japam
Jnana Yoga Path of Knowledge Way of Wisdom Intellectual Orientation; Spiritual Insight Who am I? Neti-Neti “not this, not this”
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 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 2 nd century Pantanajali’s sutras or threads (196 total – eight steps)
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 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 Yamas Self-control Five Abstentions Ahimsa or “non-injury” Satya Bramacharya No Greed No Theft
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 Asanas or posture Most common is the lotus (padmasana) Align chakras for good energy flow
Step Four Pranayamas or breath control Prana is life energy Three basic types of breath Clavicular Thoracic Deep Abdomina
Step Five Pratyahara or sense control Learning to control all of the data you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch
Step Six Dharana Steadying the Mind Working to Focus on One Thing Mantras again are helpful as are ishtas Yantras – linear image
Step Seven Dhyana Meditation Start Experiencing Loss of Self
Step Eight Samadhi Sam = with Adhi = divine or Lord Higher Consciousness or Illumination