What is Yoga?
The word Yog is derived from its Sanskrit root, Yuj which means to bind or join or to unite or forge a union. Yog or Yoga means experience of the Supreme or God.
Yoga, in reality is not merely a set of physical postures or breathing exercises for good health and body fitness. It is a spiritual discipline, a process of transforming life through life. Yoga is that stage in which the mind, body and senses are under complete control of the self which is established in God . It is a stage of self-mastery and total bliss. It is also the stage of total renunciation but this does not necessarily have to go to a forest or a mountain, in order to learn Yoga. Actually, it is a stage of thoughtlessness (a free mind), when the individual's soul is altered to God.
Yoga involves a harmonious development of the body and mind and is a conscious and constant effort towards perfection or self-realisation. It is the stage where one realizes his/her true identity which is different from the material body. In short, Yoga is the clearest path for God-realisation which is the ultimate aim of human life.
According to Maharishi Patanjali, Yoga is the control of the activities of the mind.
Maharishi Ved Vyas, who is believed to be the author of the Gita, describes Yoga as Samadhi which implies the final stage of meditation in which the individual soul experiences the Divine or God. In this state, the meditator attains Ananda or Supreme happiness, i.e., bliss and freedom from pain and misery.
According to Jain View, Yoga helps to attain Moksha (salvation)- which means freedom from birth and death.
Maharishi Arvind says that Yoga achieves unity with the Supreme. It is the realization of one's own divine nature or divine consciousness.
However, the real credit of codifying the contents of Yoga goes to Maharishi Patanjali. It is his exposition of Yoga which is also known as Patanjali Yoga. It defines Yoga as the control of the activity of the mind and is perhaps, the most specific definition.
Related Article: Patanjali System Of Yoga Art of Living
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