The Philosophy of Yoga and How It Applies to Modern Society

Yoga in the west is primarily associated with hathadifferent era the basic ideals of yoga are timeless and
yoga postures. Hatha yoga is actually only a small partstill very relevant for the modern age.
of an ancient system of spiritual practices groupedYoga takes a fourfold approach to the discovery of
together under the term yoga. The Sanskrit meaningtruth. Individual seekers are free to concentrate on a
of yoga is yuj; to yoke or unite. The goal of yoga is toparticular path that appeals more. In the west the path
unite oneself with God. Yoga involves variousof Karma Yoga is popular as it allows seekers to
practices in which a seeker aspires to attain realizationprogress through dedicated service. The essence of
of his true Self.Karma Yoga is to work without attachment to the
"Yoga is union. It is the union of the individual soul withresult. If work is dedicated to God or the Supreme
the Supreme Self. Yoga is the spiritual science thatthen it becomes no longer work but a spiritual sadhana
teaches us how the Ultimate Reality can be realized in(practice).
life itself." [1]Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion. Many saints from
Yoga does not negate any religion. Yoga is compatibledifferent spiritual traditions have taken the approach of
with all the major religions. Religions are like differentlove and devotion to God (in whatever form they feel
paths, which ultimately lead to the same goal. Whatmost inspired.) The essence of Bhakti yoga is often
yoga does is to provide spiritual practises, whichencompassed in the devotional poetry and songs of
enable a seeker to accelerate his journey ofsaints such as Mirabai, Rumi, St Teresa of Avila and
self-discovery. While religion is often concerned withSri Ramakrishna.
outer forms and outer rituals, yoga is concerned withJnana Yoga is the yoga of wisdom and discrimination.
individual development and the practical application ofIn jnana yoga aspirants seek to discover the truth
spiritual ideas. Yoga encompasses all religions but atthrough renunciation of false ideas and wrong thoughts.
the same time goes beyond them.He uses reasoning and discrimination to go beyond the
The teachings of Yoga originated many thousands ofdomain of the mind and see the unity in the real
years ago when the Vedic Seers first started to writeessence of the universe.
down their spiritual discoveries and spiritual realizations.In the hoary past aspirants would feel that to practise
Since the Vedic times the teachings of yoga haveyoga it is necessary to renounce the world. However
been refined and updated through a long successionmany modern spiritual teachers have shown it is both
of spiritual Masters and teachers. Although thepossible and desirable to practice yoga right in the
teachings of yoga have been revised; the essentialheart of modern life. Worldly activities need not be
message of yoga has remained the same; Atmanamseparated from yoga and spiritual practice.
viddhi "Know Thyself." Although coming from a