Yoga

Yoga

Yoga means UNION. It implies that one is constantly connected to God all the time. Absolutely! How is this possible? Its best understood by imagining one to be like a wireless equipment always searching for the satellite, pinging for connectivity at all times. Without the satellite connectivity at all times. Without the satellite connecting, the wireless equipment  is useless. Similarly, we are   useless without the connectivity with God.

For most of the world, being connected to the world, to friends, and to family is what matters. They don’t get  into the introspective and inquisitive mode of asking - who am I? why am I here? They think that the purpose or goal of life is happiness. They seek pleasures. They live and die only to be born again and again in this world of suffering. It is the seeker one  who is ever connected to god who achieves the ultimate bliss that comes from the realization of the truth.           

Life is meant to be lived with god, being constantly connected with god.

The world has distracted us. So, we do not connect with God. In fact, we have forgotten god. However, one is often compelled to think of God at times of distress, misfortune, or death.

Yoga or Union with god is possible in four ways:

1.   Yoga of action:  One who creates a union   with god through his work does everything as an offering to god.  There is no selfish objective in his work. He lives as God would like him to. He surrenders like a flute to god so that god can play His music through him. He considers himself to be God’s instrument. God works through him. Therefore, his actions are not his actions, but actions that are inspired by God and that build a connection with god.

2.   Yoga of Devotion: one who creates a union with God through his devotion is one whose life is full of love and longing for God. His devotion and dedication are seen through his prayer. A devotee sings spiritual hymns and dedicates himself to god, never forgetting god

3.   Yoga of Education: The third connection is gaining union with god through acquiring knowledge and wisdom. A seeker who reads, searches, learns, and contemplates all the time is a time is a seeker of wisdom. Because of such seekers, there is so much knowledge of god available in the world today. This seeker is always connected to god through the intellectual channel. Though the seeker knows much, he understands that he is nothing and god is everything.

4.   Yoga of Mediation:  the last union is considered  is all about meditation and silence. It includes the yoga of breathing and postures. However, meditation means focus of body and mind. If the mind is wandering while the body is in a yogic position, it has no meaning.

A true seeker who wants the ultimate answers knows that  there is a power: a power that created this whole universe; a power that’s responsible for its preservation, a power that manages the sun, the moon, the stars, the birds, animals, flowers, and us humans. This is the work of a creative power, a power beyond human imagination and beyond human comprehension a power we call god. For one who seeks liberation and enlightenment, it becomes imperative to be in yoga, to connect with this power.

Author

Narain Balchandani.