There is not a single person in this entire globe who does not have the desire to be happy. People from all walks of life and adherents of all faiths share a common goal: achieving happiness. The majority of persons have seen significant improvements in their overall physical quality of life. Because of this, there is now less pain among people. Despite the fact that our lives are filled with conveniences, we are unable to find true contentment. The explanation behind this is really uncomplicated. Our state of mind is currently more unsettled than it was previously. The expression of delight in oneself within the context of a calm mind is what constitutes happiness. Happiness is not something that can be produced by an unsettled mind.
This is the reason why yoga has gained such widespread recognition all over the world. The practice of yoga teaches us how to bring calm and equilibrium to our minds. There is not one description of yoga that does not refer to the fact that practising yoga does, in fact, promote mental health. The sole advantage that yoga has to offer the body is a side effect or an indirect benefit. A person who does yoga with the sole intention of making their bodies more flexible is analogous to someone who would use a diamond to crack betel nuts.
There are no spiritual underpinnings to yoga. It is a lifestyle based on scientific principles. It takes into account not just the material but also the mental, social, and spiritual components of our lives, all of which contribute to our overall sense of well-being. We require a clear head as well as a sound body in order to succeed. That is made possible through yoga. In addition to this, we require the fulfillment of our emotional needs through the cultivation of meaningful social and spiritual connections. The practice of yoga teaches us how to accomplish this goal.
Only three of the eight components that make up Raja Yoga are considered to be physical postures (asana), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana). The other five precepts are known as yama, meaning "not to do," niyama, meaning "daily practises," pratyahara, meaning "control of infinite cravings," dharana, meaning "concentration," and samadhi, meaning "reaching final joy." But there are three other branches of yoga besides Raja Yoga: Karma Yoga, which teaches us how to properly carry out our responsibilities; Bhakti Yoga, which teaches us how to develop trust in the judicial system of God; and Jnana Yoga, which teaches us how to obtain permanent bliss by understanding "who I am." If we practise the scientific method of Integrated Yoga, which incorporates all of these four subtypes, our mind has the potential to become completely still and filled with happiness.
Because it comprises eight different aspects, Raja Yoga is also sometimes referred to as Ashtanga Yoga. It is a method of direct mind control that is achieved via consistent daily practice. The purpose of asanas is to slow down the constant stream of ideas that run through our heads. The practice of asana is significantly distinct from the majority of other types of physical exercises. In asana, movement of the bodily parts should be done in a gradual and rhythmic manner. It is important to work on maintaining the ultimate position of each asana for a longer period of time. In asana, synchronisation of the breath is an absolute need.
The mind is always cluttered with far too many different notions. In order for us to experience serenity, we need to make some mental room for it. In this regard, Raja Yoga might be of assistance. The mind and the act of breathing are intimately connected. When we are irritated, the rate at which we breathe speeds up. On the other hand, the opposite is also true. Through the practice of pranayama, we may slow our breathing, which in turn helps us better control our thoughts. The practice of dharana enables us to sharpen our minds and become more focused. The practice of dhyana bestows to us the capacity to enjoy happiness just by being free of all thoughts and concerns.
How does one meditate? What exactly are you trying to accomplish by meditating? The goal of meditation is to slow down the constant stream of ideas that run through one's head. To begin, a person ought to make it a point to sit in the same spot on a daily basis, preferably at the same time, with their eyes closed for fifteen minutes, half an hour, or an hour without engaging in any activity. In the beginning, there will be a steady stream of a wide variety of thoughts. Allow them to proceed.
Just give it a shot and see if you can be a witness to those ideas. With continued effort, the rate at which thoughts come to mind will gradually slow down. After that, you will be able to observe your own breath or, with your eyes closed, perceive a picture of Aum or God. One can cultivate the habit of sitting in front of God, seeing the murti (also known as a picture) initially with open eyes and then remembering it with closed eyes by adopting the practise. It's possible that clearing our minds of all other ideas can be accomplished by concentrating on a single thing or concept. The end goal of meditation is to realise that one's own consciousness is the source of all truth, knowledge, and happiness.
The majority of our waking hours are devoted to carrying out the responsibilities we have at work or in our homes. Through the practise of Karma Yoga, we have the ability to carry out the responsibilities of our daily lives without becoming self-centered or egotistical. In addition to this, it shows us how to calmly acknowledge the outcomes of our efforts and go with our lives in a positive manner. If we can figure out how to turn our karma, or our obligations, into yoga in this way, we will experience bliss. The path of devotion known as Bhakti Yoga helps us let go of all of our concerns.
We are all perpetually preoccupied with either wallowing in the sorrows of the past or musing on the unpredictability of the future. This results in a state of perpetual concern, which prevents us from having a genuine experience of life. If only we knew the theory that explains how all of the events in our life are manifested simply due to our present or past karma, we may be able to accept the results of our actions more readily. Due to the perfection of the global order, we have never witnessed oranges growing from apple seeds. Similarly, the tie between karma and karma phala cannot be broken.
Why therefore should we worry about the results? Why not only concentrate on one's own karma? Having faith in the judicial process that God oversees releases us from anxiousness.
Jnana Yoga can be translated as the yoga of knowledge. After one has been successful in pursuing their worldly goals in a scriptural manner, they may reach a point where they are ready to seek information regarding questions such as "who am I," "what is this world," "what is the truth about existence," and so on. We can gain an understanding of how Brahmn, the Universal Consciousness, is located directly within us and how the entirety of the cosmos is likewise His glory by consulting a guru. When we have fully internalised this truth, we are freed from the constraints of the outside world. It is a way to achieve moksha, which may be translated as "ultimate salvation." The practice of yoga is a technique that may be used to achieve the very pinnacle of progress.