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Die acht Glieder des Raja Yoga

The eight limbs of Raja Yoga – what are they?

by Nick on Jan 22 2023
The eight limbs of Raja Yoga – Image © snedorez / 123rf.com Raja Yoga is a truly life-changing teaching. The name itself conveys the profound significance of this style of yoga. Raja means "king," thus it is the "royal" yoga. The eight stages/limbs of this yoga style are unique and can transform the yogi's life in a lasting way. If you would like to learn more about royal yoga and embark on this path, you can read this article. It will inspire you to greater inner freedom. Raja Yoga: Definition and a short explanation Yoga is a very ancient teaching and encompasses various techniques for achieving enlightenment and mastery of the mind. Unlike traditional yoga styles such as Hatha Yoga , Kundalini Yoga, or Yin Yoga, Raja Yoga relies on different fundamental principles. Raja Yoga is one of the four paths of yoga; the other three are Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. Raja comes from the ancient Sanskrit teachings and means "king" or "ruler." All this knowledge goes back to the wise man Patanjali , who remains a well-known name in this field to this day. He wrote the Yoga Sutra, which can also be described as a guide to yoga. Many equate Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed yoga) with Raja Yoga. The goal of Raja Yoga is to let go of "control" over the mind, which is often difficult these days. Many people are so overwhelmed by their daily lives and all the challenges they face that this is reflected in a very restless mind. What can you do to calm yourself down? Depending on your personality and the challenge you face, there are various ways to become calmer. Raja Yoga uses various meditation techniques, breathing techniques (pranayama), and physical asanas. Of course, self-observation is also essential for becoming calmer and more aware, as well as for going through everyday life with greater focus. The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga: On the Path to a Free Spirit Many people are restless and turn to yoga for this problem. Raja Yoga helps you become calmer and more peaceful within. The reason people are so scattered and restless is the kleshas. These are the passions that cloud and confuse the mind and thoughts. Fear of death (Abhinivesha) too much selfishness (Asmita) Knowledge that is not true (Avidya) Adhering to certain preferences (Raga) Excessive aversion (Dvesha) The goal of Raja Yoga is not to completely eliminate all these passions. Instead, it is important that you follow the path of Ashtanga Marga and reduce the influence of the kleshas on your behavior. Overview: the eight limbs of Raja Yoga The following section introduces the eight limbs of Raja Yoga. The order in which they are performed is not important. However, in order to develop spiritually, all steps must be practiced and studied. 1. Yamas (dealing with the world, environment) We don't live alone in this world, so it's essential that we live in harmony with the environment. Our interactions with other living beings are important. Yama is divided into five sub-themes, each of which is already very intensively addressed (e.g., Ahimsa : striving for the absence of injustice, treating all living beings with respect, Asteya : not stealing or taking what isn't yours, etc.). 2. Niyamas (how to deal with yourself) This section is about engaging with and reflecting on oneself. Here, too, there are five sub-points that demonstrate how one's mind and body should be treated, for example, shaucha (purity of the body), santosha (modesty with one's possessions), svadhyaya (exploration of one's self), etc. 3. Asanas (physical exercises) The asanas are almost the most well-known aspect of the eight-limbed path and the aspect that many people in the Western world also practice. There are countless different yoga exercises for the mat that harmonize body, mind, and soul. They also increase the practitioner's life energy and physical vitality. The effect of the exercise naturally always depends on the yoga style; Hatha Yoga has a different effect than Vinyasa, yet they all help people achieve inner peace. 4. Pranayama (breathing techniques) This point is also relatively well-known, as people all over the world practice breathing exercises in their daily lives. This requires a good degree of physical discipline. Prana is the energy that surrounds us all. There are various breathing exercises, most of which involve the same components: Exhale Hold your breath with empty lungs Inhale Holding your breath with full lungs 5. Pratyahara (dealing with the senses) This section is about controlling the senses. Pratyahara describes the withdrawal of the senses to protect yogis from sensory overload. Furthermore, no one is distracted from the essential tasks. This allows you to increase mindfulness. 6. Dhyana (meditation) In this stage, you'll learn about meditation. The goal of a meditator is to have fewer thoughts in their head while resting on the cushion , or to let them drift away. This is very difficult, especially for beginners, but with time and a little practice, you'll get better and better. With enough practice, you'll notice physical and mental differences; even in stressful situations, Raja Yoga helps you remain calmer and more focused. 7. Dharana (concentration) If you want to take this path, you should learn to concentrate completely on one thing. No one should be constantly distracted. In this context, try to focus on one specific thing during the exercise. Over time, this will become easier. 8. Samadhi (inner freedom) This point marks the culmination of the path and the goal of every yogi. The goal is to achieve the state of absolute being: a moment in which you can merge with reality, become one with God, and feel all knowledge within you. How can you integrate these stages into your life? These stages may seem very challenging at first and will naturally require a lot of time to integrate into your life. Initially, it's important that you know all these elements and gradually incorporate them into your daily routine. Everyone will have different preferences. Do everything at your own pace and don't let yourself get stressed. Don't compare yourself Read a book for more information to gain a better understanding. Find like-minded people with whom you can be motivated to follow the path Do you already practice these eight limbs in your daily life ? Have you already integrated them all?
Niyama: Größere Zufriedenheit durch Selbstbeherrschung

Niyama: Greater satisfaction through self-control

by Nick on Nov 02 2018
Niyama: Greater satisfaction through self-control Perhaps you've already come across a guidebook that recommends living according to the Niyama code of conduct. They often promise self-purification, valuable self-knowledge, and a generally better quality of life. However, you haven't yet fully grasped it. We want to help you: We explain in simple terms what the code is and what you might be able to achieve by following it. Niyama: The second stage of Raya Yoga The Indian scholar Patanjali wrote the fundamental text of yoga in the form of the Yoga Sutras more than 2,000 years ago. He described his " Raya Yoga " as " Ashtanga ," or "eight-stage/eight-limbed." The second stage/level is Nimaya—it follows Yama (the "interpersonal ethics"). While Yama sets out principles for living with others, Niyama sets the rules for living with yourself. Simply put, it's about achieving a form of self-control through which you can achieve greater inner contentment. The code consists of five guiding principles: Sauca Samtosa Tapas Svadhyaya Ishvarapranidhana Sauca Sauca refers to internal and external cleansing or purity. External cleanliness simply refers to physical hygiene. Internally, sauca, on the other hand, represents a dual goal. On the one hand, physical functions should not be blocked. This requires, for example, a healthy diet. On the other hand, purity of mind should also be achieved. The asanas (yoga postures), kyrias (special cleansing exercises), and pranayama (breathing exercises) help with this. Samtosa Samtosa is the Sanskrit word for modesty and contentment. Through this rule, Niyama encourages not to expect too much and then be disappointed. Instead, one should accept things as they are. Furthermore, one should not compare oneself with others but focus on one's own achievements. Tapas Tapas means "heating" or "burning." This means that people should stay healthy and fit. Patanjali primarily focused on breathing exercises. Over time, however, the meaning has broadened. Regular physical exercise describes this rule of the Niyama, as does mindful eating. Overall, it's about giving the body a chance to detoxify itself. This refers not only to the toxins that have accumulated within it, but also to psychological stress. Through tapas, these are supposed to be burned through the body's own fire (Agni). Svadhyaya Svadhyaya is the Sanskrit word for "self-reflection." It means critically observing one's own actions and thoughts in order to become more aware of the hidden motives behind one's actions. Svadhyaya also refers to living according to guiding role models. Patanjali, for example, recommended studying ancient texts with a spiritual, philosophical, or religious background. Today, it is defined more broadly. You should be inspired by the example of a self-realized master. Ishvarapranidhana Ishvarapranidhana (sometimes also Ishvara Pranidhana), as part of the Niyama, means something like "trust in God." Specifically, it means that you should entrust yourself to the guidance of a higher power. You should understand all challenges in life as divine tasks intended to give you strength. The idea behind it is to let go of fears and doubts and trust that the divine power will show you the right path—it works even through our mistakes and knows what we need. Ideally, you go through everyday life no longer worrying about what will happen; otherwise, you consciously experience and enjoy the here and now. Conclusion: A lot of familiar things in a compact form You've probably heard many of these principles before, in this or a similar form. The great advantage of the Niyama is that you find all the rules in a compact form, making them easier to follow. Image © luismolinero / 123rf.com

Pratyahara: the fifth limb in Raja Yoga

by Nick on Jul 07 2018
Pratyahara: the fifth limb in Raja Yoga Pratyahara: the fifth limb in Raja Yoga For people who are new to yoga, yoga practice primarily consists of physical exercises, the asanas. But yoga is, of course, much more, as anyone who delves deeper into this millennia-old tradition will recognize. The fact that yoga embraces body, mind, and spirit equally is particularly evident in Raja Yoga (Asthanga Yoga). It has eight limbs, which Patanjali describes in his Yoga Sutras. Pratyahara is the fifth limb in the eight-limbed system of yoga. Here you can learn more about its classification, practice, and effects. The eight limbs of Raja Yoga Raja Yoga consists of the following limbs: Yama : dealing with others Niyama: the attitude towards oneself Asana: the physical exercises Pranayama : the breathing exercises Pratyahara: withdrawing the senses Dharana: concentration Dhyana: absorption during meditation Samadhi: the superconsciousness The stages of Pratyahara will not be explained further here. The point is simply to help you understand how Pratyahara fits in and that yoga considers body, mind, and soul as a whole. Pratyahara: the withdrawal of the senses Pratyahara, like many yoga terms, comes from Sanskrit. The word means "retreat from battle." Even though it's not military-related, the image is somewhat appropriate for today's world. We're often overwhelmed by sensory impressions and thoughts. The "war" that rages in our minds causes stress. Therefore, Pratyahara is an essential building block when it comes to our well-being. When nothing is bombarding us anymore, when our "inner troops" have withdrawn, we often feel the peace and relaxation we've long sought. Characteristics of Pratyahara This fifth limb in the eight-limbed path has several characteristics. First, it is the withdrawal from sense objects. In yoga, this refers to everything we can perceive with the senses: everything we can see, hear, taste, smell, or touch. Another characteristic is the withdrawal from our perception. This means that we do not allow any sensory impressions in this state at all. The third characteristic is the withdrawal from attachment. This involves not allowing the mind to become active. Pratyahara in everyday life and meditation In your daily life, you continually incorporate the fifth limb of Raja Yoga. This is, of course, only possible once you have gradually developed an awareness of this state. You can also incorporate it into meditation. Here, you might recall your first yoga classes, where you were supposed to sit in silence and allow any thoughts that arise to pass by without judgment. Preparation is necessary. Pratyahara is the fifth limb of Raja Yoga for a reason. You should only begin these practices once you are somewhat familiar with the previous stages. It is also helpful to have a yoga teacher with solid spiritual practice at your side. Discipline and perseverance are very important in the beginning. The more you try not to focus on something, the more likely you are to do it in the beginning. Withdraw the senses one by one Withdrawing all the senses at once is almost impossible. Therefore, there's a rule of thumb for how to best achieve Pratyahara. This involves the wildest sense. It's the one that's most active in you individually. Concentrate on gradually reining in this sense. Once you succeed, you can add the next sense to your practice. Force is absolutely essential. The important thing is to withdraw the senses gently, so as not to draw the mind's attention to them and refocus. Image © deklofenak / 123rf.com