The Real Definition of Yoga
Someone once said to me that yoga is the art of flexibility and so on. In the ancient texts, it actually is a very real science.
yogas’ citta vrtti nirodhah
“Yoga is the cessation of mental mindstuffs.”
(from the Yoga Sutras)
This is the real meaning of yoga and the goal of all the postures, Asana, breathing techniques (praanayaama), and meditation.
Typically, quite a lot of effort goes into that act of cessation, that ending of effort, until all is one, one, One.
Indeed, many of you know that the word yoga itself, comes from yuj, to unite, or yoke, i.e., the act of uniting.
The concept of unity is used to cancel the concept of the many; the concept of self (infinite consciousness) is used to cancel the conceptualisation of unity. [The term "unity" itself implies disparate objects. Ed.] The self can neither be conceived of as existence or non-existence, it is what is. (Vasistha’s Yoga, p. 400)
Said another way:
“Love knows that I am everything and wisdom knows that I am nothing, and between these two things, my life moves.” -Nisaragadatta Maharaj
Maharshi Mahesh Yogi had a nice interview on video where he describes yoga.
This is the meaning that I’ll use to talk about yoga, dear yoga, on this site.
I’m not a powerful yogini. I am a simple flawed vessel. But I love yoga and I hope to do it some justice here.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Robin // May 7, 2008 at 12:12 am
Is the cessation of mental mindstuffs enlightenment? Or a means to enlightenment???
I have been told I breathe backwards (in through the mouth and out through the nose)!!!
Also, I have never been limber, even as a child.
As if that weren’t enough, I admit that I revel in the leela!!!
Yet I still have some wistfulness and yearning towards enlightenment…
Is there some small approach I could make to yoga–or am I hopeless???
Or–perhaps there’s an alternative to yoga for people who just aren’t suited for it???
Humbly,
Robin
2 Renay // Jun 16, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hi Robin. Sorry for the delay. Here is a quote from Vasistha’s Yoga that you might find helpful. p.345.
“They call it yoga which is the method by which this cycle of birth and death ceases. It is the utter transcendence of the mind and it is of two types. Self-knowledge is one type; restraint of the life-force another. However, yoga has come to mean only the latter. Yet, both the methods lead to the same result. To some self-knowledge through enquiry is difficult; to others yoga is difficult. But my conviction is that the path of enquiry is easy for all, because self-knowledge is the ever present truth. I shall now describe to you the method of yoga… [wherein he engages in an amazing story perhaps metaphorical of the body and of praanayaama].”
3 Ron // Jun 18, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Dear Renay and others, I have a copy of Swami Aranya’s Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali that I have been using. What do you think of this translation? Do you have other translations of the Yoga Sutras that you recommend, and why? Before I lost it I also had a copy of Isherwood.
4 Renay // Jun 24, 2008 at 12:12 am
Hi Ron.
I have some opinions but wonder if a more specific answer can be had by posting this exact question on the forum.
My basic suggestion is to go to the source and learn the Sanskrit. Chanting will then create the ‘translation’ in your head.
A year or two should do it. You can take classes by mail or in person with Vyaas Houston (do a google) or even start at the local (Boulder) Lifelong Learning Center.
Good luck and come back and tell us what you discover!
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