There are eight clear steps, following each other, in our very ancient
Yoga training. They bring your conscious being slowly but steadily to
the highest spiritual levels:
- moral principles (Yama's): First you reconsider
your existing habits towards violence, lie, theft, unchastity and
desire. Spending some time consciously helps you to obtain a nice
attitude.
- moral ideals (Niyama's): Consequently you can lay a
solid foundation in your social life by practicing purity,
contentment, austerity, Self- study, and surrender to the Almighty.
- physical postures (Asana's): Then you can achieve
physical health, power and suppleness by harmonizing the activity of
the related energy centers (Cakra's) with the physical postures.
- energy control (Pranayama): When now your energy
channels have been freed from big hindrances, you can start now with
the control of your two fundamental energy streams and improve your
vitality and physical power dramatically.
- detachment (Pratyahara): Unfortunately the above
steps bring forth a dangerously increased sensibility. So now is the
time to learn to withdraw your energy from the related perception.
- concentration (Dharana): Only then you can achieve
a successful concentration of your mind on a chosen object. Your
physical and emotional health increase. Your mental power appears.
- meditation (Dhyana): When there are no more
disturbances in your concentration and you can steadily hold on to a
chosen object you have reached the incredible stage of total control
of your thoughts.
- the highest step, contemplation (Samadhi): Finally
you obtain true knowledge, together with an awakening of your
paranormal powers, by this wonderful technique of control of your
higher consciousness.
In many centuries the power of this original eight steps system has
been showed to be obvious. Admirers have given it the hounorable title
of "Royal". Therefore at present the name "Raja Yoga" or "Royal Yoga"
has been widely accepted. You did'nt expect something so beautiful
of yoga, did you?
