Realizing the true self through yoga! Even for atheists? (ritual, Earth)

[Hema]

Booko suggested that I should start a topic on this area. Don't mess with Booko...get posting. Oh right, first you have to read this -

What types of yoga do you most identify with, or which one (or ones) work best for you?

These are short definitions of different types of yoga, parts of which are taken from:
http://www.self-realization.com/arti...ga_systems.htm

Hatha Yoga
This is the yoga that most people are familiar with. "Hatha Yoga is known for the asanas or postures". These strengthen the body and can help open up one's chakras, thus allowing for spiritual awakening.

Raja Yoga

"Raja Yoga is also a complete system. It is also refered to as Ashtanga Yoga because of the eight limps the system rests on.

The eight limbs are:

1. Restraints (yamas: harmlessness, truthfulness, non-stealing, control of senses)
2. Disciplines (niyamas: cleanliness, purification of body, mind and nervous system, study of metaphysical principles, contemplation on God.
3. Postures (asanas)
4. Control of breathing and life-currents (pranayama)
5. Turning the attention within (pratyahara)
6. Concentration (dharana)
7. Meditation (dhyana: prolonged periods of perfect concentration and contemplation)
8. Holy Trance (Samadhi)"

Bhakti Yoga

"This is the Yoga of selfless love, compassion, humility, purity and the desire and serious intention to merge with God."

Jnana Yoga

"(The Yoga of Knowledge) Jnana Yoga uses the intellect as a tool to understand that our true Self is behind and beyond our mind. It is, however, a mistake to think the Source could be found with the intellect alone. For the purpose of Self-discovery, Jnana Yoga probes the nature of the Self through the question "Who am I?" Thus Jnana Yoga may be called the Quest for the Self or the Inquiry into "who we are.""

Kriya Yoga
"Kriya Yoga refers to actions designed to get rid of obstructions involving body and mind. Kriya Yoga is a complete system covering a wide range of techniques, including mantras and techniques of meditation for control of the life-force, bringing calmness and control of both body and mind. The goal is to unite with pure Awareness (God)."

Karma Yoga
"Self-less work for our fellow neighbour." When we perfrom actions for others, we should not look for the fruit of our actions.


In my case, I seem to incorporate a little of all these in my life, but the most important to me are Bhakti yoga and Karma yoga.

To me, if someone can truly live and practice karma yoga, even if he/she doesn't believe in God, it is a huge step towards spiritual advancement. Thoughts?

[MysticSang'ha]

Excellent thread, Hema! Your input is, as always, invaluable!



I'm a practitioner of Astanga Yoga and have been for the last 9 years. Before that, I subscribed to varying Hatha Yoga systems from the age of 8. I began with Sivananda, then jumped around from Bikram to Iyengar until I finally familiarized myself with Astanga. The eight limbs that accompany it are great practice points for bodily and mental control.



In the Tibetan tradition, we do have a Dream Yoga methodology that I am currently beginning undertaking. But I have to admit............because I'm so new at it, it's quite difficult!!



Peace,
Mystic

[vivek_prayag]

NAMASKAR,
i think karma yoga seems to be most simple but it is the most difficult.Because when we do something for other person, we generally start expecting something ;It can be practised through extremely rigorous mental control.Even, if we expect blessing from god because of our good karmas toward others,it goes out of the ambit of karma yoga.

[Hema]

Originally Posted by MysticSang'ha

Excellent thread, Hema! Your input is, as always, invaluable!

Aww, thanks. Yours too.

Originally Posted by MysticSang'ha

'm a practitioner of Astanga Yoga and have been for the last 9 years. Before that, I subscribed to varying Hatha Yoga systems from the age of 8. I began with Sivananda, then jumped around from Bikram to Iyengar until I finally familiarized myself with Astanga. The eight limbs that accompany it are great practice points for bodily and mental control.

I am in an Ashtanga yoga class. (Not right now though becaue I'm posting on the forum. I'm so corny.)

Originally Posted by MysticSang'ha

In the Tibetan tradition, we do have a Dream Yoga methodology that I am currently beginning undertaking. But I have to admit............because I'm so new at it, it's quite difficult!!

Wow! Is this like analyzing one's dreams? First time I'm hearing about this type of yoga. Please elaborate. Thank you.

[Hema]

Originally Posted by vivek_prayag

NAMASKAR,
i think karma yoga seems to be most simple but it is the most difficult.Because when we do something for other person, we generally start expecting something ;It can be practised through extremely rigorous mental control.Even, if we expect blessing from god because of our good karmas toward others,it goes out of the ambit of karma yoga.

That's true. It should be done as Seva or selfless service. Take for example, cases where thousands of dollars are offered as rewards for helping to solve crimes. Sometimes I saw ads in the papers and I thought - if only I could help the police crack that case and then collect all that money. Then someone from our Satsangh group was kidnapped - Mrs. Vindra Naipaul Coolman. She was one of the most spiritual people to walk this earth. She gave true warmth to others and genuine smiles. She was a Christian woman who sang Hindu bhajans, Islamic Quaseedas, etc. She was more spiritual. One million dollars was offered as a reward in her case. My heart broke. If I had ever helped the police to solve her case, I would not have accepted one cent as a reward! Then I thought that if I could think like this for Mrs. Vindra's case, it should be like that in all cases.

[MysticSang'ha]

Originally Posted by Hema

Wow! Is this like analyzing one's dreams? First time I'm hearing about this type of yoga. Please elaborate. Thank you.

Partly. Mostly it is synonymous with the Western view of "lucid" dreaming, where one maintains full awareness from the awakened state to the dream state. It's like staying awake while dreaming and having full control as we do now in our dreams.



Right now, I'm practicing maintaining proper sleep positions, breathing techniques, and concentration/visualizations of varying chakras and prana energies. Last night was quite vivid as compared to most of my dreams, which are vivid anyway. But I have yet to reach the lucid part. YMirGF is a seasoned veteran of this type of yoga, I believe. Although I don't remember him ever defining lucid dreaming as Dream Yoga. I do, however.



If I remember, I'll paraphrase the techniques behind Dream Yoga to the best of my ability. I'm still very much a novice, and I don't want to misrepresent it. So, take my words lightly.



Peace,
Mystic

[Kungfuzed]

Originally Posted by Hema

That's true. It should be done as Seva or selfless service. Take for example, cases where thousands of dollars are offered as rewards for helping to solve crimes. Sometimes I saw ads in the papers and I thought - if only I could help the police crack that case and then collect all that money. Then someone from our Satsangh group was kidnapped - Mrs. Vindra Naipaul Coolman. She was one of the most spiritual people to walk this earth. She gave true warmth to others and genuine smiles. She was a Christian woman who sang Hindu bhajans, Islamic Quaseedas, etc. She was more spiritual. One million dollars was offered as a reward in her case. My heart broke. If I had ever helped the police to solve her case, I would not have accepted one cent as a reward! Then I thought that if I could think like this for Mrs. Vindra's case, it should be like that in all cases.

But what about all the good you could do with that money? Wouldn't it be better to accept a reward if it gives you greater power to help others? You could build a school, or give money to the poor, or hire some bodyguards for Mrs. Vindra, or retire from your job and help others full time. Also, by denying a reward, aren't you also denying someone else the opportunity to do good to you? Sorry to hear about the kidnapping, by the way. In karma yoga, is the sin in expecting the reward, or accepting it?

This is all very interesting. As for hatha yoga, what is a chakra?

[eudaimonia]

I, and most people in the West, are only familiar with Hatha Yoga and meditation, and aren't even aware that there are other yogas.

I have practiced Hatha Yoga a little, and found it helpful for increasing energy and alertness. I never had any goals regarding "pure Awareness", and simply took the benefits I value.


eudaimonia,

Mark