LECTURE 2
PTY 776
PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATION OF YOGA
Yoga Sutras 1.2
“YOGAŚ CITTA-VṛTTI-NIRODHAḥ”
It means that yoga is the removing of the fluctuations of the
mind. Yoga is the stilling of the mind until it rests in a state
of total and utter tranquility, so that one experiences life as
it is: as Reality.
• Traditionally, the end goal of yoga is the liberation from all worldly
suffering, habitual conditionings and the cycle of birth and death
(Samsara), which manifests itself through the realization of the reality of
Reality.
• Yoga deals with the obstacle of the mind and how to purify the mind so
that it is an aid rather than hindrance on the inner journey. It presumes
that the seeker has done the preparatory work to be able to do these
practices.
• Yoga science rests on the twin principles of cultivating practices
(Abhyasa) that bring stable tranquility and non-attachment (Vairagya)
• Yoga focuses on discriminating, in meditation, between consciousness
(Purusha) and matter (Prakriti) at all levels. In that way, one comes to
know the pure consciousness in it's own being
6 Schools of Indian Philosophy
• Yoga—Practical methods for direct experience
• Sankhya—Framework of Manifestation
• Vedanta—Contemplative Self-inquiry
• Vaisheshika—Physical Sciences
• Nyaya—Reasoning
• Mimasa—Freedom through action
• *While yoga in and of itself is considered a school of Indian
Philosophy, it heavily relies on the remaining 5 schools of
thought. Sankhya and Vedanta in particular.
*Sankhya—Framework of Manifestation
• Sankhya philosophy offers a framework for all the levels of manifestation, from the subtlest to
the grossest, creating a complete understanding of the whole of Reality.
Sankhya deals with
• prakriti (matter),
• purusha (consciousness),
• buddhi or mahat (intelligence),
• ahamkara (I-am-ness),
• three gunas (elements of stability, activity, and lightness)
• mind (manas),
• cognitive and active senses (indriyas),
• and the five subtle and gross elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space).
*Vedanta—Contemplative Self-inquiry
• Vedanta philosophy and practice provides contemplative methods of self-inquiry leading
to the realization of one's true nature that which is not subject to death, decay, or
decomposition.
The essential precept
• Prakriti (matter), as a grosser element is subject to change, and therefore, neither a
basis for reality nor eternal.
• Purusha (consciousness), on the other hand, being the subtler element, is
unchanging, and therefore, the foundation of Reality.
• *The teachings of Vedanta are best captured in the books of the Upanishads.
Vaisheshika—Physical Sciences
• The Vaisheshika system emphasizes the physical sciences such as chemistry, exploring
the elements of earth, water, fire, air and space, as well as time, mind and soul.
Nyaya—Reasoning
• The Nyaya system deals with logic, the process of reasoning. Doubt is considered a
prerequisite for philosophical inquiry. Other systems of Indian philosophy draw on
this process.
Mimasa—Freedom through action
• The Mimasa system pursues freedom through action. It has a detailed philosophy
related to ritual, worship and ethical conduct, which developed into the philosophy
of karma.
QUIZ TIME?
• Yoga removes the fluctuation of the mind.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
QUIZ TIME
• Yoga is_________________?
A. Religion
B. Philosophy
Different Types Of Yoga
Types of Yoga
There are seven types of yoga.
1. Bhatki Yoga
2. Hatha Yoga
3. Jnana Yoga
4. Karma Yoga
5. Kundalini Yoga
6. Raja Yoga
7. Tantric Yoga
Bhatki Yoga
Bhakti yoga is a spiritual path or spiritual practice within Hinduism
focused on the cultivation of love and devotion towards God. It means
to realize god.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is a system of
physical exercises and
breathing control used in yoga.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is the knowledge of Brahman, Atman and the realization of
their unity. It is one of the types of yoga mentioned in Hindu
philosophies. It is also known as ”Gyana yoga”.
Karma Yoga
Karma Yoga means that you can achieve a blissful state for yourself
by engaging in acts of selfless service and keeping away from
negative thoughts and actions.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga derives its name
through a focus on awakening
kundalini energy through regular
practice of meditation,
pranayama, chanting mantra and
yoga asana. It is also known as
“laya yoga”.
Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga was the ultimate stage of yoga practice, one nearing
Samadhi in historical context and in modern context, it refers to the
Yoga school of philosophy in Hinduism.
Tantric Yoga
Tantric Yoga allows individuals to use multiple
disciplines to derive an understanding of the
universe and the meanings for spiritual
existence.
The core of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is an eight-limbed path that forms the
structural framework for yoga practice. Upon practicing all eight limbs
of the path it becomes self-evident that no one element is elevated over
another in a hierarchical order. Each is part of a holistic focus which
eventually brings completeness to the individual as they find their
connectivity to the divine. Because we are all uniquely individual a person
can emphasize one branch and then move on to another as they round out
their understanding.
1
Yama are the moral code for the human being
s to adopt in their life, and are very much the
part of a yogi.
2
Niyama is the six internal practices that create a
positive environment around us, give us inner strength
and help us move towards the path of yoga.
3
Asana is the physical postures that are
done rightly to make us become
consciousness with the body and sustain
healthy body and mind.
4
Pranayama is a life force or we know as prana which we
can get through five forms of breathing techniques: Prana,
Apana, Vyan, Udana & Samana.
5
Pratyahara is the method of controlling the distracted
mind through the withdrawal of your senses. It leads to
relaxation, inner stability, and [Link] can
become a master of your body and mind.
6
Samadhi is a state of meditation to reach the higher level of concentration, self-
realization and union with God. It is formed of two words sama and dhi – sama
meaning equanimity and dhi means buddhi Some of the Samadhi types are:
Savikalpa Samadhi
Nirvikalpa Samadhi
Mahasamadhi
7
To be under deep concentration or thought is Dhyana. It
involves complete control over the mind that can lead to
deeper concentration, calmness, and tranquility.
8
Dharana is a focus or holding of your mind on one point,
object or place. In this stage, you are not allowing your
mind to deviate from one position and increasing your
concentration level.
QUIZ TIME
• How many limbs yoga is having
A. Four
B. Six
C. Eight
D. Two
SURYANAMASKAR
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