Though yoga is practiced within the U.S. by more folks than ever before, there is still a great deal of misinformation in the West regarding the true nature and purpose of this sacred science. Most folks associate yoga with the physical observe of postures, referred to as "asanas." But this is like saying that your hand is your thumb without any regard for the opposite four fingers. The physical follow of asanas is just one in all eight limbs that represent the complete apply of yoga, or, to be precise, Kriya Yoga.So what's Kriya Yoga? It's tough to explain Kriya Yoga without initial defining Yoga.
Yoga is a state of consciousness in which all fluctuations of the mind have ceased. In alternative words, your mind is freed from thoughts and emotions. In this state, we perceive our true Self --the supply of all creation--the knower of the known. This supply of creation has different names relying upon the spiritual tradition. For example, among its names are: "God," "Reality," "Self," "Brahman," "the Hidden Essence," and the "Buddha nature."
Thus the ultimate goal of yoga is to attain a direct experience with the supply of creation. Of course, there are interim goals still, like more peace, balance, and contentment.
Kriya Yoga is the process--the action steps that you take to achieve yoga. The Sanskrit word "Kriya" comes from the root "kri" that means "to do." In Sanskrit grammar, verbs are referred to as "kriyas." Therefore Kriya Yoga is fundamentally an action; it's not a religion. Rather, it is a collection of techniques that are transmitted orally from teacher to student for thousands of years. The Indian sage, Patanjali, was the first to document this oral tradition. He organized the techniques of yoga in four short books, referred to as the Yoga Sutras.
Patanjali offers the subsequent definition of yoga: "Yoga is that the cessation or inhibition of the fluctuations and variations of the mind." The only type of yoga that's mentioned in the Sutras is Kriya Yoga. In Book II, Patanjali says: "Kriya Yoga is self-discipline, self-study and attunement to the indwelling Reality."
He describes yoga as an eight-step method, known as the eight limbs. In Sanskrit, the eight limbs are referred to as Ashtanga (ash=eight and anga=limbs). They involve disciplining the mind and body to interrupt one's identification with the false self (the egoic mind) so you'll be able to awaken to your true Self.
Though Kriya Yoga encompasses all eight limbs, its emphasis is on karma. Karma is outlined because the law of causation. Everything you expertise in your life is the results of something you have got thought, said, or done. So as to attune to "the indwelling Reality" we have a tendency to should 1st bring ourselves into balance. To bring ourselves into balance, we tend to observe the eight limbs of yoga and different kriyas (actions) to help us neutralize our karma and gain management over the artistic forces of our mind. This can be the apply of Kriya Yoga, that leads to Yoga.
The follow of Kriya Yoga is linked to an Indian philosophy of how the universe is wired, called "Shankya Yoga." Thus, Kriya Yoga is that the observe; Shankya Yoga is the theory. Though Kriya Yoga is linked to this philosophy, it is important to note that Kriya Yoga acknowledges that there's Truth in each religious tradition and that every soul is where it needs to be to evolve. Kriya Yoga, however, does not need submission to a group of doctrines or to a specific individual or temple. Instead, it strives to develop independence in the individual, rather than dependence upon something that is external. The only dependence should be to the Truth, that is within each and each individual. It's simply eclipsed by our thoughts and emotions. We have a tendency to would like to induce our selves out of the approach therefore we will see our true Self. And the strategy for doing therefore is Kriya Yoga!
