"Yoga" in a general sense means a mental connection or union, achieved
through remembrance. Whenever someone or something is remembered, then the
soul is having yoga with that person or thing. At any moment, we are
remembering people, places and things of the past or present, or we are
imagining future events. We are continually using this power within, trying
to find and maintain peace and happiness. We like to remember pleasant
experiences and to entertain them as thoughts. We become "lost" in thought,
detached from our immediate surroundings and problems. It is a natural
ability of the soul to withdraw into itself in the face of external
difficulties.
The same ability is used in Rajyoga meditation. The intellect, full of
knowledge, is that which understands and remembers also. As long as the
intellect remains fixed on the person or thing, the soul experiences its
qualities. For example, when we remember a beautiful summer experience of
relative peace and quiet, we re-experience the scenes, forget our problems
and drift away. If we remember something painful or unpleasant, or
someone's faults, the mind is disturbed. The mind experiences different
states according to the type of thoughts that arise. The thoughts depend on
where the intellect is focused. In short, as is the consciousness so is the
experience.
Raja Yoga, the highest yoga, or remembrance, works entirely on the level of
mind, intellect and "sanskaras", rather than focusing on bodily forms,
postures or rituals. The first stage in Raja Yoga is to stabilize the self
in the pure experience of the inner tranquility of the soul. At first,
distracting thoughts may come to the mind. To be free from these, do not
become involved in a struggle to contain or eradicate these wasteful
thoughts, but merely step away from them. The next step is to stabilize the
self on the form and qualities of the Supreme Being (God).
through remembrance. Whenever someone or something is remembered, then the
soul is having yoga with that person or thing. At any moment, we are
remembering people, places and things of the past or present, or we are
imagining future events. We are continually using this power within, trying
to find and maintain peace and happiness. We like to remember pleasant
experiences and to entertain them as thoughts. We become "lost" in thought,
detached from our immediate surroundings and problems. It is a natural
ability of the soul to withdraw into itself in the face of external
difficulties.
The same ability is used in Rajyoga meditation. The intellect, full of
knowledge, is that which understands and remembers also. As long as the
intellect remains fixed on the person or thing, the soul experiences its
qualities. For example, when we remember a beautiful summer experience of
relative peace and quiet, we re-experience the scenes, forget our problems
and drift away. If we remember something painful or unpleasant, or
someone's faults, the mind is disturbed. The mind experiences different
states according to the type of thoughts that arise. The thoughts depend on
where the intellect is focused. In short, as is the consciousness so is the
experience.
Raja Yoga, the highest yoga, or remembrance, works entirely on the level of
mind, intellect and "sanskaras", rather than focusing on bodily forms,
postures or rituals. The first stage in Raja Yoga is to stabilize the self
in the pure experience of the inner tranquility of the soul. At first,
distracting thoughts may come to the mind. To be free from these, do not
become involved in a struggle to contain or eradicate these wasteful
thoughts, but merely step away from them. The next step is to stabilize the
self on the form and qualities of the Supreme Being (God).
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