#50 - 8 Limbs of Yoga

The word "Yoga" means "to connect", "to unite", "to come together" (it's a verb). It's about an active path to look for a deep connection with the "True Self", "Own True Nature". The process that lets us reconnect with that "divine part of us". It's more a system or a philosophy, and it cannot be misinterpreted as a religion. Yoga in practical terms is a lifestyle thus the way of living. Its holistic approach develops all the elements; body, mind, and spirit. That's all merely a limited interpretation, and by any means doesn't include its deep nature.

A long time ago a sage is known as Maharshi Patanjali systemized Yoga philosophy. He wrote "The Yoga Sutras", a complete spiritual system and organized knowledge of classical yoga. One of the best know references is to "Ashtanga".

The term Ashtanga literally means eight limbs and it's often called the eightfold path of Patanjali. It's a step-by-step guideline to live a meaningful and purposeful life. It's a path leading to liberation.

The eight limbs are a sequence from the outer to the inner. First, four limbs are often described as external (Yamas, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama) - they create a strong roots foundation. The last four limbs as internal (Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi).

They go as follows:

1.Yamas (abstinence, restrains) are the "don'ts". These are ethical rules, moral disciplines/vows. They are primary connected with the world around us and our interaction with it. There are five Yamas that are listed in Yoga Sutras.

• Ahimsa: nonviolence, non-harming other living beings

• Satya: truthfulness, non-falsehood

• Asteya: non-stealing

• Brahmacharya: chastity, marital fidelity or celibacy

• Aparigraha: non-avarice,non-coveting, non-possesiveness.

Each of the above self-restraints helps in personal growth.

2.Niyama (observances) are the "dos", it include virtuous habits and observances. This limb is more directed towards ourselves, but it can be also considered with our actions towards the outside world.

• Shaucha: purity, clearness of mind, speech, and body.

• Santosha: contentment, acceptance of others, optimism for self. acceptance of one's circumstances,

• Tapas: persistence, perseverance, asceticism, self-discipline.

• Svadhyaya: a study of spiritual texts, the study of self, self-reflection, introspection of self's thoughts, speech, and actions.

• Ishvarapranidhana: contemplation and surrender to a higher power

3. Asana (posture) - This is what most people call yoga. It originally refers to the meditative seat. Patanjali in Yoga sutras doesn't describe a variety of different yogic postures. One of the most known came from different texts like Hatha Yoga Pradipika. His instruction is that posture should be steady and comfortable. The goal of this limb is to be able to sit in a comfortable way for a prolonged period of time. That would require the regular practice of physical postures. This asana prepares the body for the 'meeting' with the Divine.

4. Pranayama (breathing techniques). Prana means energy or life source. It describes the essence of what keeps us alive and the energy around us. Mastering this limb will let you recognize the connection between the breath and emotions. Pranayama can both mean breath control, breath restraint, or can be translated to freedom of breath, breath expansion, breath liberation. That might be interpreted as two different directions on the same path. Breath is a bridge between the outer and inner journey.

5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). State when senses don't actively engage with the external environment. Senses are turned inward towards consciousness away from outside stimuli. The practitioner is isolated from the distractions. There is a tendency to misunderstand it as, senses completely disappear. It's more about closing mind processes to the sensory world. This limb can be also directly connected with Pranayama practice.

6. Dharana (concentration, attention). It's about a state of deep concentration on one thing, idea, place, diety. That can be practiced in a variety of different forms. You can use a mantra, breath, or focus on one place in the body, a candle, visualization, and so on. Prolonged concentration will let your mind stop wondering. As a result, everything slows down, your mind is calm, and emerge into the moment therefore you effortlessly enter the Dhyana.

7. Dhyana (meditative absorption). The mind is becoming still and quiet therefore there is no 'space' for thoughts. It's an effortless and uninterrupted flow of awareness/concentration. State of mind where we become completely absorbed in the focus of our meditation. Dhyana's something that spontaneously happens as a result of Dharana thus Dhyana is reflecting on what Dharana was focused on. It can be also described as the state of awareness without focus.

8. Samadhi (absorption, ultimate bliss). In this path, it's considered the ultimate state of consciousness. The object of awareness is present and the awareness that one is meditating disappears. It's being said that a person who is in Samadhi, is depicted as one who is in ultimate joy, bliss, and liberation. Spiritual ecstasy. Samadhi happens when there is a 'feeling', a 'sense' of oneness with the infinite self.

Trying to put 'it' in words, only limitate 'that' therefore it takes away the true nature of 'it'. That's why some sages talk about what Samadhi is not.

Ashtanga is one of my favorite spiritual systems due to its practicality, logically and ease of comprehension. Patanjali's system inspired me to write many of the lessons in this online course.

Let's not focus too much on theoretical understanding, but rather on practical appliances. Eight limbs can be practiced simultaneously. At the end of this month, you will get an example step by step spiritual practice. Before that will happen, feel free to join (if you haven't already) MySpiritWay Youtube live streams and practice deliberately separate routines from this month.

If it comes to Yamas and Niyamas most of them are explained in different ways throughout the course. I encourage you also towards personal studies.

*If you will decide to learn more about the eightfold path, interpretations might be slightly different. Study 8 limbs of yoga, by yourself and feel free to question and doubt everything that is in this course and around you. That's what makes you seeker of the truth.