Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga

Though the term Raja Yoga has been in existence for many centuries, the original teachings of the ancient Raja Yoga, have been lost to mankind, which is why we have been unable to experience that highest state of union, or True Yoga.

This modern technique is based on an ancient understanding of the mind and its power.

• Raja Yoga is different from other forms of meditation. Raja Yoga does not involve any physical exercises, chanting, breathing control or mantras.  There is no physical guru or rituals of worship. It is based on clear, original knowledge including the identity and history of the self and the Supreme Being. Raja Yoga meditation is practiced with the eyes fully open.
  
  

• The AIM of Raja Yoga is Perfection. Perfection can be described as: BEING COMPLETELY VICELESS, COMPLETELY VIRTUOUS, FILLED WITH ALL DIVINE TALENTS AND ATTRIBUTES AND COMPLETELY NON-VIOLENT - the soul who follows the highest code of conduct.
  
  There is a recognition that the soul, which was once divine, can regain that divinity once again. So Raja Yoga works on transforming the soul - personality, sanskaras. Negative qualities, acquired over time, are shed and are replaced by original divinity.

• The METHOD is connection with the Supreme.  I cannot reach my own most elevated stage through connection with human beings or even with prophets and messengers.
  
  

Question:  Why become the master over myself, my own 
    mind, my senses, my personality?

Answer:     So that I can develop in the direction of my 
    choice.  

Instead of being manipulated by outside events and circumstances, or even by other people, the soul can see its target and will move forward with constancy and with determination, thus achieving its target, its final aim and object.

• First stage - Meditation: It is interesting that the very foundation of Raja Yoga is different from most other forms of meditation.  One of the very first stages of Raja Yoga could be described as meditation.  But in this meditation we are not using a "mantra" (a holy word or phrase) nor any physical images.  We are using knowledge.
  
  When the soul churns this knowledge, it moves away from the gross, corporeal World into subtle areas - the Subtle Region.
  
  There is then "meditation" taking place on the most natural level.
  Then there is full concentration on the Supreme Being.

• Second stage - Concentration: With meditation, straying thoughts cease, and there is concentration.  Far from concentration on a mere physical object, the Raja Yogi seeks union with the Supreme, who is incorporeal, without physical form of any description.
  
  As I go deeper and deeper into the Ocean of Knowledge, discovering His qualities, experiencing the different relationships that I have with Him, conscious thoughts are still operating, but now all thoughts are focused on One - on Baba (Father) - not even on other areas of spiritual knowledge.
  
  During the meditation, perhaps many areas of spiritual knowledge are being taken up.  During the concentration I speak to my Supreme Father - my thoughts become quieter, calmer, no longer racing.  And as the mind becomes still, I even begin to hear what my Supreme Father is saying to me.  I reach the stage where there is "concentration" - the experience of my Supreme Father as He truly is.

• Third stage - Realization: So the aim of my meditation is to have total concentration on or connection with the Supreme Being.  This total concentration can be called realization.
  
  I am flooded with the experience of His qualities.  I absorb them. I am transformed.  I even begin to radiate them into the universe. I have reached a stage where there are no longer any conscious thoughts at work.  Pure experience has taken over.  And as I come away from that stage of experience, I can classify it, and conscious thought comes.  But whilst in that experience, there is not even conscious thought.

• How does one achieve communication?  The basis of that communication is thought. I must use my thoughts if I am to communicate with the Supreme Father.
  
  This is not difficult to do for there is no difficult body posture to observe, no penance or ritual - nothing for me to perform.  All I must do is think, turn my thoughts, my mind, towards God.
  
  Yet, this simple task proves to be difficult because I don't know where to focus my thoughts.  I do not know how to discipline my thoughts.  Therefore the following is needed:
  
  

• Baba (Father) teaches us a very beautiful system: let the mind race, but simply control the direction in which it is going.  When the intellect has knowledge, thoughts will be elevated from the level of physical mundane activity to thoughts of the self.
  
  

              1.  Who am I?
              2.  What am I?
              3.  What are my original qualities?
              4.  Where is my home?
              5.  Who is my Father?
              6.  What is my relationship with Him?
              7.  What are His qualities?
              8.  What is His address?
              9.  What does He do?

When the soul ponders on these questions and as it discovers and churns the answers, the soul finds it has moved away from the gross, corporeal World into subtle areas - the Subtle Region.

As I practice, and observe the disciplines of a yogi way of life, and understand more and more knowledge, the soul

WHAT IS RAJA YOGA

Raja Yoga is different from other forms of meditiation.

Raja Yoga is the clearest method of attaining mastery over your own life. Unwanted habits are banished forever, stress is replaced with peace, worry is transformed into well-being.

This modern technique is based on an ancient understanding of the mind and its power. When the intellect has mastery over these powers, there is peace and contentment. On a practical level, concentration and efficiency levels are increased, relationships are improved and negative habits are overcome.

Raja Yoga is a method of meditation which can be practiced at any time of the day in any situation. It is a training which enables the individual to remain involved in family and society, fulfilling all responsibilities, yet detached from negative influences.

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