What is Yoga?

Yoga is a holistic discipline that can trace its roots as far back as the Harappan civilization of the ancient Indus Valley over 5000 years ago. Yoga has evolved over thousands of years and has multiple lineages with unique approaches and perspectives leading to the ultimate goal of self-realization.

When you start practicing yoga, it is good to understand what yoga means. The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj," which means to yolk, unite or join. This is commonly misrepresented as unity of body, mind and soul. But, this is only part of what is being united.

What are we trying to unite with yoga? What is yoga about?

Yoga recognizes that at the core of every individual is a divine essence or consciousness that is unchanging and eternal - Atman. Self-realization involves transcending the limitations of the ego and identifying with this higher consciousness. This state of self-realization is by definition, impossible for our non-self-realized minds to grasp as definitions are limiting, and the concept of Atman is infinite. Some words to help elucidate the grandeur of this state include Pure Consciousness, the infinite, God, Oneness, Wholeness, Emptiness, supreme Reality, etc. When one merges with Atman, they find harmony and balance within oneself and with the surrounding environment - in other words, they no longer identify with the body or mind, but that intrinsic wholeness or oneness. In the context of yoga, self-realization refers to the ultimate goal of attaining a profound understanding of one's true nature and the realization of the interconnectedness of all existence. Yoga is all-inclusive, and practitioners are encouraged to use the word that suits them to explain Atman.

The yoga tradition sees the human as made up of a gross body (which perceives and acts), our mind, (which feels) and an intellect (which in its gross state thinks, and in its subtle state contemplates). Together these combine into a human being. Atman functions through the body and becomes blurred or hidden by our mis-identification and attachment to these mechanisms. We therefore become conditioned to think we are the body, the mind, and the intellect rather than the enlivening principle of the body which is Atman. As one progresses on the spiritual path, they slowly lose the conditioning of perception and action through the body, lose the conditioning of emotion through the mind, and lose the conditioning of thought through the intellect. Only by understanding and overcoming one’s conditioning can they achieve self-realization.

Yoga sees the world as made up of Brahman - God itself. If Atman is the expression of the divine within each individual, Brahman is the expression of the divine in all things. The recognition of the core of all things as the supreme Reality and that that Reality exists inside you is self-realization. As a non-dual tradition, yoga recognizes this interconnectedness and oneness of all things - that there is no separation of mind, body, soul, nor is there separation from you and the world around you. It is all one, infinite, wholeness, emptiness (Buddhist), etc. There is no difference between Brahman and Atman. Atman is just the name we provide to the divinity that is the Self within. Additionally, just as one needs to overcome misidentification with the body, mind and intellect, a person on the yogic path also needs to overcome the illusion of the external world and identify with Brahman.

Self-realization in yoga is not a mere intellectual understanding but a direct experience. It involves transcending the limited perception of oneself as a separate individual and realizing the unity and interconnectedness of all beings. Through self-inquiry, meditation, and contemplation, the yogi seeks to dissolve the illusion of separateness and recognize the divinity that resides within. One’s awareness is therefore both a critical challenge to overcome as well as the tool to help on the path of awakening.

If yoga is a direct experience of the self, where do I start to inquire about the self?

Yoga has developed multiple frameworks to help the practitioner understand the various components that make up the self. As one practices introspection, the yoga tradition encourages each practitioner to understand elements that make up the whole person and become aware of more subtle aspects of the self. The more we look within, the more attuned we become to both acute and subtle aspects of the self. A few examples of frameworks to apply in your own practice include:

- the chakras or energy centers which help us navigate life and stay open to experiences on the path,

- the koshas or sheaths of the person which elucidate the layers of the self and attune to the subtle vibrations as one gets closer to Atman,

- the heart fire which helps us understand our vitality and maintain equanimity and balance in all things,

- the gunas, or temperaments which help us understand our state of mind and thoughts and build a plan for our spiritual evolution, etc.

Each of these frameworks helps elucidate for the practitioner where you are on the path and guide one to navigate their own experiences of life. The more introspection into the nature of the self, the further along on the path of yoga, the less desires one has, the less attachments one has, the more fullness of life one experiences. The practice of yoga is a path of self-inquiry to understand the question “Who I am,” and merge with the divine at the core of our existence.

If yoga is about merging with the Self and merging with the environment around us, why do we call it a journey of SELF-realization?

Yoga asks us to work with what we can control - ourselves, and recognize that everything outside of the self, is God. And even that awareness is simply our own cognition. This does not shift the thoughts, emotions or behaviors of others. When we realize that we cannot control, change, or transform others, the only thing we can control is ourselves, then, we are on a path of self-realization. Yoga sees the highest form of service to the world as working on the self since it transforms oneself and in that way affects the whole world. In addition, the yoga tradition recognizes that it is the duty of the individual to make progress. You raise yourself by yourself.

So, What is the path of yoga?

At its core, yoga is a system of practices that help us understand who we are. The Bhagavad Gita, is a sacred text in Hindu philosophy and is considered a significant spiritual guide for people following the yogic path. It presents a dialogue between Lord Krishna and the warrior Arjuna, imparting profound wisdom and guidance on various aspects of life, duty, and self-realization. The Gita does not promote a single exclusive path but recognizes that individuals have different temperaments and inclinations. One must start by looking at oneself and devise the path that works best for your own temperament. The Gita acknowledges the validity of various paths and encourages individuals to follow the path that resonates with their own nature and leads them towards spiritual growth and self-realization. Below are the five primary paths of yoga recommended by the yoga tradition:

• Hatha Yoga: Hatha yoga is the path for discipline and movement, sometimes called the path of compulsion. Hatha means force or oppression. It is a path applying force to support the individual to overcome inaction . It is often considered the initial path one must take before embarking on the other paths as it helps cultivate right action, discipline and consistency of action. As such, it creates the foundation for success on the other paths. Hatha yoga practitioners must first learn to support and tend the body through which they experience life. When you tend to the self, the Self becomes more accessible. This is the path that awakens the practitioner to the depths within and without.

Common practices of the path of Hatha yoga include:

- To learn discipline and self-control,

- To take responsibility for one’s life,

- To apply physical practices (asanas, kriyas,) to generate greater flow, more strength, flexibility and balance in the body,

- To practice breath control and regulation to provide internal clarity and coherence of mind.

• Karma Yoga: The Gita promotes the path of Karma Yoga, which is the practice of selfless action performed without attachment to the results. It encourages individuals to first identify one’s duty or purpose for life and then to perform their duties and responsibilities in life with dedication, sincerity, and a sense of service, while relinquishing personal desires and expectations. By offering the fruits of one's actions to a higher power or to the welfare of others, one can cultivate a detached and selfless attitude, leading to spiritual growth. Karma yoga practitioners do their duty without concern for the outcome. There is no expectation, nor indulgence in the effects of action. The simple act of serving to one’s best ability is a sacred duty.

Common practices of the path of Karma yoga are:

- To do one’s duty (self-identified) to their utmost potential. Always doing one’s best,

- To act selflessly, without attachment to one’s ego,

- To act without attachment to the process or result; to be fully detached to the fruit of one’s actions,

- To not expect to receive rewards, honor, or validation from acting.

• Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion and love towards a personal deity or the divine. The Gita encourages individuals to develop a deep and loving relationship with the divine, surrendering their ego and offering their devotion, prayers, and rituals with heartfelt sincerity. By cultivating devotion and a strong connection with the divine, one can experience a profound sense of unity, love, and spiritual fulfillment. Bhakti yoga practitioners turn emotion and feeling into love for a higher purpose. It is the path of the mystics and the ultimate in living through love.

Common practices of the path of Bhakti yoga are:

- To respect and honor all life as a manifestation of the divine,

- To stay open and receptive to all things; every experience is an opportunity to commune with the divine,

- To pray with every breath and every action,

- To sing, dance/move, or chant mantra honoring the divine.

• Jnana Yoga: The path of Jnana Yoga is the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. The Gita emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry, reflection, and the cultivation of discernment to realize the true nature of oneself and the universe. It encourages individuals to question their identification with the transient aspects of life and seek the eternal essence within. Through the study of scriptures, contemplation, and guidance from a realized teacher, one can gain spiritual knowledge and insight of oneself, leading to self-realization. Jnana yoga practitioners require great skill, power, and intellect to dissolve the identity, ego, and the illusion of separation. However, they also acknowledge that intellect can only take one so far. The ultimate step of self-realization is an act of faith.

Common practices of the path of Jnana yoga are:

- To inquire about the nature of the world and the self,

- To study the wisdom from great teachers, sages, and sacred texts,

- To practice detachment and discernment in all things,

- Daily dedication to introspection via mindfulness practices.

• Raja Yoga: The yoga tradition recognizes that each person likely practices a combination of all the above paths of yoga. This combination of paths applied by the practitioner is called Raja yoga and is exemplified in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. According to the Yoga Sutras, self-realization is achieved through the practice of the eight limbs of yoga (sometimes called Ashtanga Yoga, not to be confused with Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga by Patabhi Jois). These eight limbs include ethical principles (yamas and niyamas), physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), withdrawal of the senses (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and ultimately, union with the divine (samadhi) through self-realization. By following these 8 limbs, and applying them across all the previous types of yoga, the practitioner begins to understand the self, find harmony within and merge with a higher consciousness.

Although offered through the 8-limbs, the path of Raja yoga is a recognition of the uniqueness at the root of every individual. In this way, each individual is encouraged to choose their own path up the mountain and realize the self through the self.

It's important to note that different schools of yoga may have variations in their approach to self-realization. Some schools focus more on the experiential aspect of self-realization through meditation and direct realization, others revere the beauty of all experience and find opportunities to worship the wonder of existence, while still others emphasize self-inquiry and the study of philosophical texts. There is no one right way. Ultimately, the goal of self-realization in yoga is to transcend the limitations of the ego and experience a state of union with the higher Self or the divine consciousness that pervades all existence.

At its root, a person on the yogic path sets an intention of their action according to their own temperament and personality and cultivates awareness of the present moment. In this way, we overcome the attachments, desires, and misidentification with the ego to realize the self.

In summation, the path of yoga or self-realization is a deeply personal and transformative journey of identifying with Oneness or the supreme Reality. It requires patience, perseverance, and a genuine longing for truth. Each individual's path is unique based on their own personality and temperament, and the realization of the Self unfolds in its own time and manner. Intention and attention guide our way. So wherever you are on your journey, trust the process, surrender to the higher power, and be open to the inner guidance you receive from self-inquiry. Namaste!

Explore further with the meditation below practicing jnana mudra and the path back to the Self!