Raja yoga is the path of
control over body and senses (developed by Patanjali 200 BCE or earlier).
Moves beyond both body
and mind
An inner withdrawal of
consciousness from the physical world to focus on the inner, spiritual life.
Over many many years of
practice, through a series of 8 stages, one gradually approaches the state
of pure Being, pure Consciousness, pure Bliss, known as SatChitAnanda
(Pure Being-Pure Consciousness-Pure Bliss).
Huston Smith explains
Yoga:
The 8 stages begin with moral
discipline (the "do's" and "don'ts"):
five abstentions (Yama)
- things to avoid: injury, lying, stealing, sensuality, greed (outer
actions or morality: (how we treat/relate to others)
five observations (Niyama)
- things to do: cleanliness, contentment, self-control, studiousness,
devotion (internal qualities or virtues: how we treat/relate to
ourself)
...move on to physical
discipline:
physical postures (Asana)
- control of the body so as to not distract from meditation video
breath control (Pranayama)
- calming the mind, increasing spiritual energy
control of and
withdrawal from the senses(Pratyahara)
...then turn to mental
discipline to achieve an altered state of consciousness:
concentration (Dharana)
- a focusing of the mind, often through use of a focusing
"device" e.g., a mantra (sacred sound e.g., OM) or yantra
(sacred symbol). Sometimes music is used as a centering device See
some yantras