| Within Yoga practice is a secret, which should be easy | | | | for acquiring material, power, and fame. |
| enough for the public to grasp. Meditation and | | | | The ancient Yogis had nothing to fear, because a |
| visualization could advance all of human kind. The | | | | Yoga practitioner would need much practice to reach |
| power of visualization is enough by itself, but meditation | | | | Samadhi (The eighth limb of Yoga - Complete |
| teaches us to focus on one thought at a time. This is | | | | Meditative absorption); there are many levels of |
| such a challenge, that most of the public would rather | | | | Samadhi. |
| practice Yoga postures, and forget about meditation. | | | | However, Samadhi, and the eight limbs of Yoga, |
| If you have practiced Yoga for one session, you | | | | described by Patanjali, are largely ignored by many |
| realize that Yoga postures are much easier to focus | | | | Hatha Yoga practitioners around the world. Many |
| on than it is to control your mind. Many people feel | | | | Hatha Yoga practitioners have developed a "ranking |
| very uncomfortable trying to harness their minds. No | | | | system" for Yoga. Ask most students what advanced |
| wonder the ancient Yogis compare the mind to a | | | | Yoga is, and they will mention a difficult Asana (Yoga |
| monkey. The mind is restless and resists the concept | | | | posture). |
| of self-mastery. | | | | It is not their fault, because their Yoga teachers think |
| Yet, the ancient Yogis were also concerned about | | | | the same thing. Many Yoga teachers do not really |
| combining Yogic meditation, with visualization, for | | | | understand the concept of Samadhi, and they do not |
| egotistical purposes. It has commonly been thought | | | | reflect on the Yoga Sutras. |
| that some people would misuse this aspect of Yoga | | | | |