Approaches to the True Goal of Yoga (part 3) Let us remain mindful that the original goal or destination of Yoga is union of the little self, or ego, and the true, or Universal Self. Yoga becomes the realization, of and through, the direct experience of this pre-existing union. Accomplishing the merger between Atman and …
The True Goal of Yoga (Part 2): On or Off the Mat? Practitioners commonly refer to Yoga as on or off the mat. But the Yoga mat is a relatively new creation, usually made of some sort of synthetic rubber or plastic material. Too many people today accept the false notion that using such a …
Approaches to the True Goal of Yoga (part 1) “Yoga is in Religion. Religion is not in Yoga” … Swami J. Yoga practices that involve the body, mind, and breath, including the transcendent goal of direct experience may be found in many religions. None of these typically define any specific religion, nor do the followers …
The misuse of the word “Yoga” quite often relates to what logicians call the “fallacy of composition.” Being an informal fallacy, it infers that something is true of the whole simply because it is true of some part of the whole. Oftentimes this can lead to false conclusion that whenever a person is performing any …
Approaches to the True Goal of Yoga (part 6) A human body is a wonderful, functional machine, and proper care of it is essential. However, according to traditional Yoga the body is simply an instrument, and its maintenance is not the ultimate goal. There is no anti-body perspective nor a conflict between philosophies. Instead, the …
Approaches to the True Goal of Yoga (part 5) Previously we reviewed the six classical schools of Indian philosophy. This article focuses on one of them, “Vedanta.” More specifically, we consider what Dr. David Frawley (aka, Pandit Vāmadeva) writes about the nature of Yoga and its relationship to Vedanta. Yoga-Vedanta: A Complete Science In his …
Approaches to the True Goal of Yoga (part 4) This synopsis of these six schools or Darshanas will easily clarify the true nature of authentic Yoga as being a system of spiritual pursuit. There is not universal agreement on there being only six schools. Some scholars consider the teachings of Buddha to be a seventh …
True Yoga and the 6 Schools (Darshanas) of Indian Philosophy Read More »