Basics of yoga teachings. Yoga as a doctrine of human spiritual self-improvement

Nizhny Novgorod State Medical Academy

Faculty of Dentistry

II year 262 group

Subject: philosophy

Performed:

Kurochkina Anna

Nizhny Novgorod

Yoga is a teaching that has come down to us from time immemorial and is mentioned in the most ancient sources, the teaching of which can be found in almost all religions, ritual practices and esoteric schools.

As they say, the birthplace of yoga is the oldest civilization on Earth - Arctida. This civilization flourished many thousands of years ago on the continent connecting America and Eurasia. After a global catastrophe, she disappeared into the waters of the Arctic Ocean. The surviving inhabitants of Arctida brought yoga to the priests and initiates of Hittis, Pacifida and Atlantis, and only then yoga came to India and Egypt.

Thousand-year traditions of Indian philosophy, dating back to the 15th - 10th centuries. BC. and preserved to this day, arose on the basis of ancient human civilizations.

Archaeological finds allow us to state with certainty that the teaching of yoga was known already 2.5 thousand years BC. It is to this period that images of yogis in characteristic poses found in excavations of the ancient culture of Moheanjo-Daro date back to. However, oral tradition speaks of a much older origin of yoga. At the same time, the esoteric history of yoga, as mentioned above, leads from India back centuries to ancient Egypt, and from it to even more distant legendary civilizations - Atlantis, Arctida and some others.

During the Vedic period (from the 15th to the 6th centuries BC), the Vedas appeared in India - the sacred books of Indian sages, and then commentaries on them - the Upanishads. The Vedas and Upanishads contributed to the development of philosophical thought in India, creating a number of philosophical schools, one of which includes the yoga system. However, yoga, considered one of the six traditional systems of Indian philosophy, is recognized by all these philosophical systems as a general method and practical means of understanding the world.

Let us turn to the historical roots, to the origins of the teachings of yoga. Scientific tradition attributes the identification of the teachings of yoga as an independent system to the legendary Indian sage Patanjali (11th-1st century BC). Patanjali identified yoga as an independent system based on existing knowledge and experience accumulated by practicing yogis. In his work “Yoga Sutra”, Patanjali sets out the philosophy and practice of that yoga, which is now recognized as classical by most researchers, including Russian philosophers. According to the tradition of the ancient sages, Patanjali does not claim authorship in creating the philosophical system of yoga. He only collects oral data that has reached him and comments on them in the spirit of a single teaching. The philosophical terminology and interpretation of yoga practice given in the Yoga Sutra is also consistent with the authoritative texts of the Vedas and Upanishads.

In the original teachings of Patanjali, yoga is divided into eight parts:

1) pit - restrictions in relationships with people and nature;

2) niyama - lifestyle prescriptions;

3) asana - various poses and body positions;

4) pranayama - breathing exercises related to energy gain;

5) pratyahara - control and weakening of the flow of perception, mental relaxation;

6) dharana - concentration of thought;

7) dhyana - meditation, regulated stream of consciousness;

8) samadhi - an altered, ecstatic state of consciousness.

These eight limbs or stages, called the Eightfold Path, make up the classical system of yoga. One can see that this teaching covers, as it were, three large layers, three seemingly independent directions of human development. Firstly, this is the ethical, moral sphere (yama and niyama), secondly, this is physical development, improvement of the body (asana and pranayama) and thirdly, this is the development of human mental powers (the next four steps). Thus, human development on the eightfold path is comprehensive, harmonious in nature. This holistic system leads a person to achieve ideal health, because “health is a state of complete physical, spiritual and social well-being of a person, and not just the absence of diseases and physical disabilities.” This is how the World Health Organization defines health.

If you imagine the eightfold path in the form of a ladder, then its foundation will be spiritual internal values ​​- solid moral foundations, principles and norms of interpersonal relationships. From them, the path of individual development leads through the improvement of the physical body to the achievement of amazing abilities and special states of consciousness.

The last stage of the eightfold path is samadhi, creative insight, a special state of body and mind, when the boundaries that separate him from the big world in which he lives disappear before a person, when he feels and realizes himself as undivided, completely united by humanity, by all of nature, by all space. Some authors call this state cosmic consciousness. Those who have ever experienced such a state, even if only for a few seconds, describe it as the best, most significant moments of their lives. Yoga teaches the conscious achievement of the state of samadhi. Achieving samadhi is the pinnacle of the eightfold path, therefore a person can be called a yogi in the full sense of the word only when he can confidently enter such an ecstatic state. Without this, he can only be considered a student studying the science of yoga. It would not be an exaggeration to say that people’s mastery of the state of samadhi contributes to the development of humanity as a species, so we can talk about yoga not only as a system of personal healing and self-improvement, but also as a system of human evolution.

Historically, the eightfold, classical path of Patanjali's yoga was virtually closed to the advancement of students. The world was dominated by Kali Yuga, a black period that lasted about four and a half thousand years. The spread of yoga in our civilization was associated with the separation of separate directions from the once unified system of yoga, focusing attention on any particular link of this teaching. At the same time, the student could choose one or another direction of personal self-improvement depending on his individual characteristics and inclinations.

Among these particular areas of yoga are the following:

- hatha yoga, aimed mainly at the development of the physical and physiological functions of the body, it is usually associated with the first four steps of Patanjali;

- Raja Yoga, which examines the development of higher mental functions of a person and covers the four subsequent stages of the eightfold path;

- karma yoga associated with the harmonious development of social and public relations of the individual;

- bhakti yoga, associated with the improvement of a person in the emotional sphere, in love for one’s neighbor, for nature, for God;

- jnani yoga, associated with the development of human thinking, expanding the boundaries and possibilities of his knowledge.

Less known are such paths as lapa yoga, mantra yoga, tantra yoga, as well as Tibetan yoga (respa yoga, moon-gom-pa yoga). In China and Japan, the practice of yoga was mixed with Buddhist philosophy and spread in the form of Zen Buddhism.

As a result of the missionary work of Vivekananda, a student of Ramakrishna, at the end of the 19th century, yoga became popular in the USA and developed in new directions. Let us note the Transcendental Meditation Society, which was founded in the 60s by Maharishi Mahem Yogi, who uses a specific psychotechnique of meditation. As a result of the educational activities of Vivekananda and Atkinson (yogi Ramacharaka), the teaching of yoga became widely known in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. The subsequent spread of yoga in our country was significantly influenced by agni yoga, a teaching opened to Russia by Helena Roerich.

When people talk about yoga nowadays, they most often mean the section of hatha yoga associated with physical exercise. According to the teachings of yoga, our body lives due to positive and negative currents. If they are in balance, then we can talk about the health and harmony of the body. In the language of ancient symbolism, positive current is denoted by the word “Ha” (Sun), and negative current by the word “Tha” (Moon). From the merger of these two words we get the word “Hatha Yoga”, the meaning of which symbolizes the unity of opposites, positive and negative poles or phenomena in life.

Physical exercises represent the “ABC” of yoga, its necessary step, since only through complete physical health and control over the activities of the body can mental, spiritual and moral perfection be achieved. It is considered scientifically proven that both healthy and sick people, men and women, people of all professions and social classes, and almost any age can benefit from serious yoga gymnastics (although at every age a specialist’s consultation is needed).

The basis of physical exercises in yoga are asanas - special body positions. According to legend, the god Shiva discovered and gave man body postures designed to maintain health and achieve a higher level of consciousness. There are 8,400,000 asanas mentioned in classical literature. Of these, only less than a hundred are used by yogis at present, and only two to three dozen of them are considered the most important and sufficient to guarantee full health for life.

Patanjali points out: “Asana is a way of sitting pleasantly, steadily and without tension.” This means that the practitioner should strive for complete self-control over the body when performing asanas, so as to remain motionless in them for a long time and feel calm and comfortable.

2) Yoga is one of the systems of Hindu philosophy, which was created by the sage Patanjali and recorded by him in the “Yoga Sutras” (“Aphorisms of Yoga”) around the 2nd century BC. e.

Yoga of Patanjali is both a philosophy and a practical method, which includes 8 stages of human improvement:

1. Yama - regulation of external conditions

2. Niyama - regulation of internal conditions

3. Asana - comfortable and stable body position

4. Pranayama - perception of the movement of energies in the body

5. Pratyathara - control of the perception of senses

6. Dharana - the ability to direct our mind

7. Dhyana - the ability to perceive what we seek to understand

8. Samadhi - the ability to become and remain that which we intended to understand.

The philosophy of the Yoga Sutras is closely related to the ancient Samkhya philosophy, the main sources of which are the great Indian epic Mahabharata and the Samkhya Sutras of the sage Kapila.

According to the basic tenets of this philosophy, there are two independent substances: Purusha (the contemplator, the source of consciousness) and Prakriti (matter, nature). It is their interaction that leads to the emergence of all phenomena of this world, from the subtlest to the densest. Every person, being a product of nature, contains within himself a source of true knowledge. But being drawn into the games of nature, he loses the purity of perception of the Contemplator and becomes dependent on the conditions of the external world.

Only a return to inner comprehension allows a person to find peace, equanimity, experience a blissful state of freedom and learn to manage his life based on a true understanding of the essence of things and phenomena of this world.

To achieve this higher state of consciousness, one must calm and balance the qualities of nature in the body, mind and senses. This is what the first five steps of Patanjali’s yoga are aimed at. The first five steps are the regulation of the 5 primary elements of nature (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether (Space)). When the elements of nature in a person are balanced, a person is able to consciously control the unconscious and subconscious areas of his psyche, that is, his animal nature.

The last three steps are possible only with successful mastery of the first five and allow one to achieve higher states of deep insight into the essence of all phenomena of the world.

In the Middle Ages, based on the classical yoga of Patanjali, a special type of yogic practice emerged, called “hatha yoga”. One of the translations of the term “hatha” is “sun and moon.” These are, in essence, two energies that are manifested in the body in two channels: the left - Ida (property of the lunar channel) and the right - Pingala (property of the solar channel).

Ida controls mental energy and corresponds to the parasympathetic reaction in the body (passivity, relaxation). Pingala is associated with vital energy and corresponds to the sympathetic reaction in the body (activity, tension). The main goal of hatha yoga is to balance these two energies in the body and maintain them in a clear balance.

This makes it possible to balance the qualities of nature in the body and promotes the passage of energy through the central channel - Sushumna. It is this energy that is used to awaken higher forms of consciousness.

Hatha Yoga uses the concept of chakras - special energy centers in the human body, each of which is associated with a certain level of consciousness. The lower chakras are responsible for the unconscious plane of existence, the middle ones - for subconscious mechanisms, the upper ones - for consciousness, the seventh chakra - sahasrara connects a person with the superconscious. If the higher chakras in a person’s body remain closed, the person will be under the influence of the unconscious and subconscious layers of his psyche all his life, without being able to consciously control his body, mind and feelings.

The first 7 steps of Patanjali yoga correspond to the 7 chakras in the human body, and the 8th step corresponds to the chakra located above the head.

Hatha Yoga is a precise sequence of certain actions that brings people of different types into the same state: calmness of the qualities of nature in the body, feelings, mind (the first five chakras). This makes it possible to divert energy from external stimuli to the inner world to ensure a process of deep understanding.

When the body, feelings and mind are calmed, energy freely rises through the central channel - Sushumna, awakening all chakras, from the lowest to the highest, and a person has the opportunity to comprehend the highest principle, which by nature is the entire manifested world. As a result, a person leaves the power of external circumstances and becomes the ruler of his life, gaining freedom.

That is why Patanjali’s Yoga is often called “Raja Yoga”, which translates as “Royal Yoga” or “Yoga of Kings”.

Yoga

Yoga is a concept in Indian culture, in a broad sense meaning a set of various spiritual and physical practices developed in different directions of Hinduism and Buddhism and aimed at controlling the psyche and psychophysiology of the individual in order to achieve an exalted mental and spiritual state. In a narrower sense, yoga is one of the six orthodox schools (darshan) of Hindu philosophy. The original goal of yoga is to change the ontological status of man in the world.

The main directions of yoga are Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Hatha Yoga. In the context of Hindu philosophy, yoga refers to the system of Raja Yoga, set forth in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and closely related to the fundamental principles of Samkhya. Yoga is discussed in various scriptures of Hinduism such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Shiva Samhita and Tantras. The ultimate goal of yoga can be completely different: from improving physical health to achieving moksha.

In Indian philosophy, yoga is one of the six orthodox philosophical schools of Hinduism. The philosophical system of yoga is closely related to the Samkhya school. According to the teachings of Patanjali, the school of yoga accepts the psychological and metaphysical aspects of Samkhya philosophy and is more theistic compared to Samkhya. An example of the theism of yoga is the fact of adding the Divine Being to the 25 elements of Samkhya existence. Yoga and Samkhya are very close to each other, on this occasion Max Muller said that “these philosophies are colloquially called Samkhya with God and Samkhya without God...”. The close connection between Samkhya and yoga is also explained by Heinrich Zimmer:

The main text of the yoga school is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, who is considered the founder of yoga philosophy. Patanjali's yoga is known as raja yoga, or the yoga of mind control. Patanjali defines the word yoga in the second sutra, which is the key sutra of the entire text. This definition is based on the meaning of three Sanskrit terms. I. K. Taimni gives the following translation: “Yoga is the curbing (nirodhah) of the variability (vritti) of the mind (chitta).” Vivekananda translates the sutra as “Yoga consists of not allowing the mind (chitta) to take different forms (vritti).”

Patanjali's "Yoga Sutras" also served as the basis for the Ashtanga yoga system ("eight limb yoga"), the definition of which is given in the 29th sutra of the 2nd book. Ashtanga yoga is the main distinguishing feature of almost all modern variations of Raja Yoga. Eight steps, or levels of Ashtanga yoga:

• 1. Pit - principles of interaction with the external environment
• 2. Niyama - principles of interaction with the internal environment
• 3. Asana - unification of mind and body through physical activity
• 4. Pranayama - control of breathing, leading to the unification of body and mind
• 5. Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses from contact with their objects
• 6. Dharana - purposeful concentration of the mind
• 7. Dhyana - meditation (internal activity that gradually leads to samadhi)
• 8. Samadhi - a peaceful superconscious state of blissful awareness of one's true nature

Sometimes they are divided into four lower and four higher stages, of which the lower ones are compared with hatha yoga, while the highest stages belong specifically to raja yoga. The simultaneous practice of the three highest stages is called samyama.

The term "yoga" is often used in the Bhagavad-gita. Bhagavad Gita describes yoga as control of the mind, the art of activity, awareness of the supreme nature of the soul (atma) and the transcendence of the Supreme Lord (Bhagavan). Krishna teaches that the root of all suffering is the mind excited by egoistic desires. The only way to stop the flames of desire is to control the mind through self-discipline while simultaneously engaging in sublime spiritual activities. Abstaining from an activity, however, is considered just as undesirable as over-involvement in it. According to Bhagavad-gita, the supreme goal is to liberate the mind and intelligence from material activities and concentrate them on the spiritual platform by dedicating all activities to God.

In addition to Chapter 6, which is entirely devoted to traditional yoga practices, including meditation, the Bhagavad Gita describes the three most important types of yoga:

• · Karma yoga - “yoga of activity”
• · Bhakti yoga - “yoga of devotion”, or “yoga of devotional service”
• · Jnana yoga - “yoga of knowledge”

Although these paths are different from each other, their main goal is practically the same - to realize that God in His personal form (Bhagavan) is the original truth on which all existence is based, that the material body is temporary, and that the Supersoul (Paramatma) omnipresent. The ultimate goal of yoga is moksha - liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) through awareness of God and one’s relationship with Him. This goal can be achieved by practicing any of the three types of yoga, although in the sixth chapter Krishna speaks of the superiority of bhakti over other ways to achieve the highest goal.

Hatha Yoga is one of the yoga systems described by Yogi Swatmarama in his work “Hatha Yoga Pradipika”, compiled in India in the 15th century. Hatha Yoga differs significantly from Patanjali's Raja Yoga: it focuses on shatkarma, the purification of the body, leading to the purification of the mind (ha), and prana, or vital energy (tha). Hatha yoga further develops the seated yogic poses (asanas) of Patanjali's Raja Yoga, adding gymnastic yogic elements to them. Currently, Hatha Yoga, in its many variations, is the style of yoga most commonly associated with the term “yoga.”

But I must say that not all people have this activation quickly. Therefore, for many, yoga remains a physical exercise such as morning exercises, which simply allows a person to “feel good.” This is for those people who understand their physical body by the word “I” or “myself”. That is, for those who think that he is “a piece of meat with bones and marrow.” And that’s why many people get stuck in yoga. The physical body feels good - and okay.

After practicing this type of yoga exercise for several years, a person develops flexibility and a certain dexterity in performing asanas. In the future, people often become yoga instructors (since it is now profitable and fashionable) and continue the line of “yoga without teaching.” Therefore, at the moment we have many yoga schools in which the instructors know nothing about yoga! Although they bend beautifully on the mat into different poses.

But I'm not saying it's bad! For most people this is exactly what is needed. Since not everyone can understand yoga as a teaching. And yoga, first of all, is a teaching! And it was intended for the warrior caste (rulers) and brahmins (teachers). For those who can see in this teaching a school of life on Earth. Other castes can only experience yoga as an exercise for the physical body.

But for me personally, magic began with yoga, so I want to explain to everyone what yoga is, since I get asked this question quite often. You can say that I still do yoga, but at its highest levels. In my understanding, magic is the so-called raja yoga (yoga of kings or yoga of the chosen ones). There are currently thousands of different variations of yoga. How to understand them?

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The teaching of yoga itself is described in only one treatise. This treatise is called the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. What it is? Such a sage Patanjali used to live (according to various sources, it was around the second or fourth century BC). He was a sage who studied the Vedic scriptures for many years. And since the era of degradation had already begun, he collected his knowledge for posterity in his yoga sutra and passed it on to his students along with a set of exercises. So, all yoga there is divided into 8 steps.

Each step involves passing through the previous steps. The first 4 steps are conventionally called hatha yoga. The next steps are Raja Yoga. That is, both hatha yoga and raja yoga are just subsections of the classical eight-limbed yoga described by Patanjali. All other types of yoga are also just smaller fragments of the classic 8-step yoga! With the exception of the already obvious gag, which has nothing to do with yoga. Therefore, in order to understand whether any direction can be called yoga, you need to read the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali itself.

Yoga steps

1. Niyama.
2. Asana.
3. Pranayama.
4. Pratyahara.
5. Dharana.
6. Dhyana.
7. Samadhi.

The first two stages, Yama and Niyama, are philosophical life principles, without approval of which the student was not allowed to proceed to the next stages. The very first principle of Yama is Ahimsa(non-causing harm - neither in thoughts, nor in words, nor in actions), hence vegetarianism and the corresponding perception of the world! This is only the first riser of the first step, and there are five of them.

Only after mastering the philosophy of yoga was the student allowed to study asanas, and only then was he shown pranayama. The student could reach the next fifth stage only after dozens of years. Everything depended on the student’s abilities. Since yoga is the “white path,” assistance to the student was minimal. The best assistant for a white teacher is a stick.

All steps, starting from the fifth, are what we call magic. But we do this already in isolation from the body, and also with the help of body-oriented practices. We can afford this because we have the skills and energy. For people walking on their own, this approach is impossible. Therefore, their path is longer and more difficult. However, with all this, those who follow this path develop more harmoniously and correctly, since they do not forget about their body! Therefore, I strongly recommend that all magicians and esotericists do not abandon body-oriented practices.

Modern people today are again coming to realize the importance of everything spiritual. Exhausted by incessant worries and stress, they simply need a breath of fresh air, a source of peace and inspiration.

And this source can be the philosophy of yoga, which allows one to gradually discover the true path to liberation. And awareness of one’s own essence with the further disclosure of hidden internal potential.

Understanding yoga in a philosophical sense

For many people, the philosophical teaching of yoga becomes an incredible discovery, saving them from constant anxiety and stress, helping them to openly see the main thing in life. But you shouldn’t think that yoga comes down to the usual performance of asanas.

In a philosophical sense, it helps to find the shortest path to liberation, unlock your own potential and discover the true path to your inner essence.

Therefore, the basic principles of yoga come down to achieving a harmonious fusion of the human soul with the body. In a deeper understanding, this implies unity with the Almighty. In general, the basics of yoga are not very systematized, and its individual aspects are described in detail in various ancient sources - the Vedas.

And according to numerous sources, the philosophy that became part of the foundations of yoga was first described in the works of Patanjali. In the classical sense, yoga includes two main categories - Purusha (spirit) and Prakriti (matter). Together they make it possible to consider and unite the external and internal world of each person.

The philosophical theory of yoga is multifaceted, and its main goal is the gradual achievement of the state of Nirvana in the form of complete reunification with the Creator. In the modern world, there are a number of different yogic trends that can effectively help in achieving Nirvana.

It is also worth noting that the philosophical teaching of yoga is also valid in the case when a person has little knowledge in this area or practically does not believe in the power of the teaching. And this approach is completely justified for a modern person who strives to gain more material rather than spiritual things in the learning process.

Purusha and Prakriti

For those who find it difficult to understand what the essence of yoga is, it is necessary to study various sources of information and first try to understand what Purusha (spirit) and Prakriti (matter) are. It is the spiritual and material components that are the main basis of everything in the world.

According to the teaching, Prakriti consists of three main forces:

• peace - Guna Sattva;
• degradation – Guna Tamas;
• movements - Guna Rajas.

But the true essence of the spiritual component in the philosophy of yoga is very difficult to imagine. It does not have a specific form, and its location is outside the boundaries of the material world.

Purusha also has real consciousness, but in matter it is completely absent. And its embodiment is the ancient god Inshvara, although other deities are also known.

Having studied the basics of philosophical teaching, one can realize the unity of the material and spiritual, which forms all that exists on Earth. And beyond the framework of space and time, since yoga implies continuous processes of change occurring in material structures. But the spiritual basis remains completely unchanged, since it is timeless.