Yoga is widely misunderstood ! Yoga is synergy through restraint

Yoga is widely understood and misunderstood. Spiritual leaders say that Yoga is union of self (Atman) with Almighty (Paramatman). Many persons say that Yoga is breath-control (Pranayama) in appropriate postures (Asana). But Yoga is much more than that. Bhagavad Gita says that Yoga is the skill to achieve  success (Yogah karmasu kausalam) and should be followed by Yoga for happiness (Samatwam Yoga ucyate). 

Confucius said, “A gentleman always puts his ideas into action before expressing them ………… If one is able to acquire new knowledge by reviewing old knowledge, he is qualified to be a tutor." I applied Yoga for success and reached the top position as an engineer. Since then, I have been practising Yoga for happiness. 

  Yoga is synergy from union and restraint. The word Yoga comes from union (Junjate iti Yogah). It develops synergy. Following are some of the unions cited:

·       Synergy (Yoga) of mind and body

·       Synergy of a team

·       Union of male (Pure Consciousness / Purusha) and female (Power of Pure Consciousness / Sakti / Prakriti)   principles. A similar principle is of Yin and Yang in Taoism practised in China.

·       Union of Almighty (Purusha) with Nature (Prakriti)

Yoga Sutra by Patanjali states, 'Yoga is control of thoughts'. It is achieved in three stages: empathy (Yama), ‘Rules of conduct (Niyama)’ and control of mind (Samyama). Control is inherent in all three stages. The eight-component (Astanga) Yoga by Patanjali consists of the following: Empathy (Yama), 'Rules of conduct' (Niyama), comfortable posture (Asana), breath-control (Pranayama), non-attachment (Pratyahara), Concentration of mind (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana) and development of intuitive true knowledge (Samadhi). Bhagavad Gita outlines different forms of Yoga prevailing at that time. It prefers action (Pravritti) without attachment to results (Karmaphala Tyaga). It leads to synergy through restraint to achieve success. Then follows Yoga for peace (Nivritti) through true knowledge (Samkhya Yoga) or meditation on Almighty according to Vedanta. 

Yoga is synergy through restraint

Yoga to "be happy" always

Friends !

Just like you, I was searching for the aim of life. I came to the conclusion: To 'be happy' always. According to Bhagavad Gita, it is through 'Yoga for success' in the first part of life and 'Yoga for happiness' later. Unhappiness is due to self (Adhyatmik), others (Adhibhautik) and Nature (Adhidaivik). Isavasya upanishad says, 'Life is to enjoy everything but without attachment'. So I say, "How can I allow anybody or anything to affect my mood?" Happiness is through predominance of sustainability (Dharma), wealth (Artha), success (Kama) and peace (Moksha) respectively in successive four stages of life. 

In its original condition, mind is always happy - just like a baby. Unhappiness is due to the false knowledge (Avidya) which we go on acquiring. It is by considering short-term pleasure as happiness; improper as proper and self as body and mind instead of Pure Consciousness. By nature, senses reach out to objects and the mind follows them. Result is Child ego (Tamas), pleasure and pain. Such a person is heathen (Asura).  The habit can be prevented through empathy (Yama), 'Rules of conduct' (Niyama) and intuitive true knowledge through meditation (Samayama). The three together constitute Yoga. It leads to 'a heavenly life (Deva) - to be happy' always. It comes from true perception (Pratyakshya), correct inference (Anumana) and knowledge from scriptures  that have stood the test of time (Agama).

The word wealth comes from weal, that is, goodness. Activity resulting from Parent ego (Rajas) alone creates wealth. It reduces Child ego to the minimum. True knowledge through Adult ego (Sattwa) reduces Child ego and Parent ego to minimum. It comes by meditating on Nature to minimise ego. Seeing unity in diversity develops bliss. It comes by developing Pure Consciousness (Purusha) existing at the core of every individual. It is Almighty (Iswar) because it has power to reveal everything through contact but remains unattached even after contact. He is unaffected by results of activities. Peace comes from meditation on Almighty as Ideal and developing Pure Consciousness.

My book on 'Art of Living Successfully' shows how to 'be happy' always. Additional details about it are on the website www.buildbestvalue.com.