The eight limbs of yoga lay out the steps of yoga, which Patanjali documented around 450 BC. He is also credited with documenting Sanskrit grammar and parts of Ayurveda.
The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word "yoke," meaning to yoke, join, or unite. Yoga implies joining or integrating all aspects of the individual—body, Mind, and Soul—to achieve a happy, balanced, and valuable life and spiritually unite the individual with the Supreme.
Yoga philosophy and its methodologies are based on many ancient sources, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. These sources have all contributed to the subject of yoga and the path of yogis. However, this huge subject can be confusing because of each author's individual perspectives and the lack of a clear universal overview. Luckily, Patanjali's yoga sutras clearly define and direct us on our yogic path.
The yoga sutras are 196 aphorisms (threads, definitions) that define Ashtanga yoga. These eight steps define and direct us in living a meaningful and purposeful life. They prescribe moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline while directing our attention toward our health. They help us acknowledge the spiritual aspects of our true natures. The eight-limb path of yoga is known. Here is a brief overview of these eight paths towards Samadhi, Bliss.
I. Yamas – The Five Universal Moralities
Ahimsa – Non-Violence
Ahimsa means to cause no physical or mental injury in one’s deeds, words, and thoughts toward others or ourselves. This is the way that Mahatma Gandhi lived and taught.
Satya- Absolute Truth
Satya universally means purity and absolute truth in our feelings, thoughts, words, and deeds. We must use this concept carefully to avoid harming others unnecessarily.
Asteya- Non Stealing
This comes from the belief that we cannot provide what we need and there is not enough for everyone. Here, we are content with what comes to us in honest ways and are not jealous of others.
Brahmacharya - Sense Control
Brahmacharya relates to how we use our sexual energy, not necessarily celibacy, but rather the forming of meaningful relationships with the highest connection to our spiritual selves.
Aparigraha- Freedom from Greed
This concept stems from a belief in non-possessiveness and directs us not to be jealous of others. It differs from Asteya, which is greed that springs from a perceived lack of abundance.
II. Niyama – Five Personal Observances
Saucha- Purity and Cleanliness
Meaning physical cleanliness for our bodies and surroundings mental purity of our minds, and not polluting ourselves with negative emotional or physical obsessions.
Santosa- Contentment
A sense of modesty, humility, and peace brings contentment. It accepts a purpose for everything and cultivates contentment and compassion for all.
Tapas: Burning Desire
This physically refers to heating and cleansing the body, enthusiastically engaging our lives with the goal of self-realization and creating union with the Divine.
Svadhyaya: Self-Study
Svadhyaya means self-examination while cultivating self-reflective consciousness. It teaches us to be present, centered, and free of dualities and self-destructive tendencies.
Isvara Pranidhana- Surrender to God
This means "to lay all your actions at the feet of God." This stage asks us to develop a relationship with the higher force guiding our lives and everything around us.
III. Asanas- Body Postures
The practice of mastering physical body postures increases physical strength, tones the body, cleanses the blood, and strengthens the mind's focus and presence.
IV. Pranayama
This is generally translated as controlling the breath. This stage involves mastering breathing techniques that tone the internal organs while connecting the breath, mind, and emotions.
V. Pratyahara- Withdrawl of the Senses
This concept relates to withdrawing the senses from attachments to material possessions directly associated with the external world and outside stimuli on our path to self-realization. Here, we step back and look at ourselves, our cravings, habits, and obstacles standing in our way of inner growth.
VI. Dharana- Concentration
This step teaches us to focus the mind and our attention in one direction by concentrating on a single mental object, a specific energetic center in the body, an image of a deity or the silent repetition of a sound, leading to concentration and the next step, meditation.
VII. Dhyana- Meditation
This relates to concentrating on a single focus point with the sole purpose of knowing the truth. Concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana) may appear to be the same, but Dharana practices one-pointed attention, while Dhyana is ultimately a state of being aware without focus.
VIII. Samadhi - Union With The Devine
Patanjali describes this stage as a state of ecstasy. At this point, the meditator merges with their point of focus and transcends the self altogether. The meditator makes the ultimate connection to the Divine, the universe, and all living things: peace.
Comments