Yoga
Like many Sanskrit words,
the word 'yoga' has a lengthy definition, and encompasses
everything from 'union with the Divine' to 'way, manner,
method, or means.'
Yoga is the spiritual science
of unification with the Divine. The most prevalent use of the
word yoga in our time applies to various forms of physical
exercise involving postures, positions of the body and physical
flexibility. The more precise term for this these exercises is asana;
however, asana represents only one facet of yoga and
can be applied to the mind and the emotions as well as the physical
body.
Yoga is an experiential science and is concerned with the individual.
It is not a religion. Where the western world tends toward organized
social religion, yoga epitomizes individuality and spirituality.
The word yoga consists of
the Sanskrit root yuj (to yoke, link or harness together,
unite, unify) to which is added ghan (uninterrupted,
deep, complete, auspicious). The word samadhi, the state
of unification or oneness with the Divine, is synonymous with
the word yoga. This state, arrived at by means of profoundly
deep meditation, is achieved when the fluctuations of the mind
cease. Yoga is the reunion of the individual “self” with
the blissful Cosmic One.
From The Yoga of Wealth, © 2002,
Durga Ma
It is not necessary to specifically
take up the path of yoga in order to gain greatly through
its knowledge and practice. As a spiritual science it is adaptable
to all individual spiritual paths and religions. Yoga bows with
respect to all.
