8 Stages of yoga

When you are inspired by some great purpose,some extraordinary project,all your thoughts break their bonds;Your mind transcends limitations,your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, greatand wonderful world.Dormant forces, faculties and talentsbecome alive, and you discover yourselfto be greater person by farthan you ever dreamedyourself to be.

- Sage Patanjali

About 2500 years ago, a great physicist, and astrologist, sage Patanjali introduced the practice of yoga (which was practiced only by selected few at the time), to common people. Sage Patanjali is considered to be the founder of the system of yoga, as he was the first to document the practice and philosophy of yoga in an ancient scripture called “yoga sutras” consisting of 185 verses. Yoga by definition means to bind, join, to unite, union or communion. It requires disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the body, the emotions, and the soul in order to come in communion with God or Supreme Universal Spirit.

Patanjali breaks down the science of yoga as eight limbs or stages of Yoga. By attaining mastery of all stages, a yogi can attain Samadhi or enlightenment:

1. Yama, or 5 universal moral commandments are; Non-violence, Truth, Non-stealing, Self-restraint, and Non-hoarding (another facet of non-stealing). As the yogi truly and honestly practices the Yamas, (all 5 aspects of universal moral code of conduct), he or she establishes themselves deeper and further into their faith in god, because they realize, they do not need to collect material things, they do not need to steal, or lie, they do not need to use violence or be defensive against each other.
2. Niyama, individual disciplines or “code of conduct”; The five niyamas listed by Patanjali are; Purity of the body and the mind, Contentment and tranquility of the mind, Austerity (Tapas) having self-discipline, and perseverance, and vigor, Self-study, and Dedication to the Lord.
3. Asana, or posture. Asana brings steadiness, health, and lightness of limb. A steady and pleasant practice of asanas bring, mental equilibrium and prevent fickleness of mind. Asanas create agility, balance, endurance, and great vitality. The yogi conquers the body by practice of asanas and makes it a fit vehicle for the spirit.
4. Pranayama, meaning the science of breath; inhalations, exhalations, retentions, and extension of breath and its control over the body. Following proper rhythmic patterns of slow deep breathing, the yogi learns to strengthen the respiratory system, soothe the nervous systems, and reduce cravings. As the desires and cravings diminish, the mind is set free and becomes a fit vehicle for concentration.
5. Pratyahara, control or withdrawal of all 5 senses; As we become in control of our 5 senses, we turn our attention from external world to our internal world and go deeper into meditation, and self-discovery
6. Dhrana, Concentration; When the body has been tempered by asanas, when the mind has been refined by the fire of pranayama and when the senses have been brought under control by pratyahara, the yogi reaches the sixth stage called dharana. Here he is concentrated wholly on a single point or on a task in which he is completely engrossed. The mind has to be stilled in order to reach the state of complete absorption.
7. Dhyana, Meditation; “as water takes the shape of its container, the mind when it contemplates an object is transformed into the shape of that object. The mind which thinks of the all-pervading divinity which it worships, is ultimately through long-continued devotion transformed into the likeness of that divinity”. Meditation is a very important part of reaching the universal spirit.
8. Samadhi, A state of peace, serenity, equanimity, joy, tranquility, a state of super consciousness brought about by profound meditation, in which the individual becomes one with the object of his/her meditation.
   
   I would like to discuss each stage in the next 8 articles, please feel free to ask any questions, and share your comments or ideas. Your thoughts and comments can make or break this discussion group! If you’re willing to truthfully share your ideas and feelings, we can have very good discussions, and we can learn from each other as a community.

So the discussion topic for this week will be the Yamas; or 5 universal moral commandments are;

1. Non-violence
2. Truth
3. Non-stealing
4. Self-restraint, or celibacy
5. Non-hoarding (another facet of non-stealing).

As the yogi truly and honestly practices the Yamas, he or she establishes themselves deeper and further into their faith in god, because they realize, they do not need to collect material things, they do not need to steal, or lie, they do not need to use violence or be defensive against each other. So Our conscious will always guide us and let us know when we are violating the universal codes of conduct, in other words, "we always know"!

What is your perspective in how practicing these 5 principles will help you in your life? What are your challenges?