Yoga Philosophy

What is the main philosophy of Yoga?

The philosophy of yoga clearly states that mind, body, and spirit are one and inseparable. It is similar to the philosophy of Buddhism, as it states that the cause of all suffering is spiritual ignorance. All that binds us to the cycle of rebirth or the wheel of Samsara is this ignorance. The philosophical teachings of yoga revolve around the attainment of self-realization, mental detachment, and self-awareness through the removal of this ignorance.
Yoga means ‘Union’ of the six systems of Indian philosophies. The basic text that details these philosophies is the Yoga Sutra by the great sage Patanjali.
According to Patanjali, yoga is defined as ‘Chitta vritti nirodha,’ a state of mind free from the states of worry, trouble, anger, or fear. The mind is still. A mind that makes you focus on the present.

The three Gunas in yoga philosophy.

The three Gunas or qualities described in yoga philosophy are:
1. Sattva or harmony and kindness.
2. Rajas or passion and activity.
3. Tamas or destruction and chaos.
It states that all three qualities are present in a person, but in varying degrees. It also states that Sattva is Purusha, and Tamas is Prakriti, in accordance with the Sankhya theory.

Yoga philosophy also outlines the eight limbs one should follow to attain Moksha or liberation from the constraints of the materialistic world. They are Yama (social code of conduct ), niyama (Personal code of conduct ), asana (physical practice), pranayama (breathing practice), pratyahara (withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditaton), and Samadhi (unity with God).

What are the different paths of yoga?

A yogi should have knowledge of the relationship between Atman and Brahman, Prakriti and Purusha, and the Holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
One gets this knowledge from following different paths of yoga philosophy.
There are six paths of yoga generally recognized:

• • Raja yoga means king or royalty in Sanskrit. It is all about disciplining and quieting your mind through the practice of meditation and following the eight limbs of yoga. It believes that only through meditation can one get rid of old, defunct thought patterns and create new ones.
  The ancient texts of the Yoga Sutras have defined five stages for getting a disciplined mind.
  1. At first, your mind is agitated.
  2. Then you become dull or lethargic.
  3. Now your mind suffers distractions.
  4. Then it becomes focused.
  5. This is the final stage where you experience a deep, tranquil mindset.
• • Karma yoga works on the concept of selfless service. Karma in Sanskrit means action. Any physical or mental action, and its reaction, constitutes the philosophy of karma yoga.
  In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna advised Arjuna to perform his duties for the sake of work, and not for any praise or reward. One should have no attachment to the fruits of one’s labor.
  When you serve others selflessly, you become one with the divine and with those you serve. This philosophy believes that what goes around, comes around. When you serve others, you rise above greed, lust, and anger.
• • Bhakti yoga is the path of love and devotion. Its name is derived from the Sanskrit word Bhaj which means,  to worship. By cultivating acceptance and tolerance, you awaken your true identity and broaden your capacity to love. 
• • Jnana yoga stresses the use of intellect to discover answers. It encourages a scholarly path and promotes the study of yogic scriptures and texts. 
• • Tantric yoga The word ‘tan’ in Sanskrit means to expand or to weave. It is the knowledge of Tattva and Mantra. It is one of the most misunderstood forms of yoga. Many wrongly believe that it is a form of spiritualized sex. But, this is not the case. Tantra yoga explores all the energies and sensations that weave through the body and mind. It is being practiced for millennia in its more staid forms. It focuses on the physical aspect of yoga. Before its time, yoga was being practiced as more of a mental and psychological exercise.
• • Hatha yoga is the branch of yoga that strives to preserve and channel the vital force of energy, using physical postures or asanas. Hath in Sanskrit means force, and hence Hath yoga is also known as the yoga of force. ‘Ha’ also denotes the sun, and ‘tha’ is the moon.
  Shiva is known as the Lord of Hatha yoga, he is the Adiyogi or Adiguru. He taught the scriptures to Mother Parvati first and then to the Sapt Rishis, who spread the knowledge of yoga throughout the world.

Why do we need a Yoga philosophy?

It is the difference between merely going to the gym and working out, and adopting yoga along with its philosophy. Learning yoga, along with its philosophy, supports us in our endeavor to master our lives and gain lordliness. Without yoga philosophy, the practices of asanas and pranayama become a mere fitness fetish and block us from attaining spiritual refinement.

Thus yoga can be said to be a science and an exploration of the self, that brings about a metamorphosis in the practitioner and aids in self-realization. Yoga, in its true essence, elevates the Kundalini or the life force situated at the base of the spine. Through this, a person can seek out the purpose of one’s birth.

A quote from the Bhagavad Gita;

“A person is said to have achieved Yoga, a union with the Self when the perfectly disciplined mind gets freedom from all desires and becomes absorbed in the Self alone.”