Void Stage

Knowledge gathering

I took a fresh oath to succeed at the beginning of my new trip. The last time I moved out of my house, I joined several organizations that claimed to be able to teach me the ways of achieving enlightenment and inner peace, but all I discovered were a lot of convoluted ceremonies and hollow promises. Then, some groups mandated that I always meditate in robes of a particular hue, and yet others requested that I limit my diet to vegetarianism. While some organizations believed in the effectiveness of visualization techniques, others were more focused on chanting and mantras every time while meditating. I looked for many choices, but I was unable to discover one that truly spoke to me. All the groups had their peculiarities and criteria, but none of them seemed to provide the deep sense of understanding and inner serenity I was looking for. I already put the majority of my savings into those and wasted too much in the last few weeks. I decided to trust my own experiences this time. I began by just doing my experiments to learn. I shall contemplate after committing myself to God's wish. After some investigation, I discovered that a few great sages, known for their profound teachings and perceptive writings, once lived in the ancient nation of India, where spirituality and knowledge ruled supreme. This information pertains to many of our great forefathers. Maharshi Vedavyasa, Maharshi Patanjali Swami Vivekananda etc. were these knowledgeable individuals. Through their various scriptures and teachings, they each conveyed a distinct viewpoint on life and the universe.

Maharshi Vedavyasa, was a revered sage or Rishi portrayed in most Hindu traditions, and Vyasa is also regarded by many Hindus as a partial incarnation (of the god Vishnu and the compiler of the mantras of the Vedas into four Vedas, as well as the author of the eighteen Puranas and the Brahma Sutras. He is one of the eight immortal Chiranjīvis, implying he is still alive in the current time.

Maharshi Patanjali was a Hindu author, mystic, and philosopher. Patanjali is regarded as an avatar of Adi Sesha, the founder of Yoga Sutras, a classical yoga text. Finally, Swami Vivekananda, the celebrated spiritual leader, concluded the discussion. "The ultimate goal of all spiritual seekers should be to attain moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. This can only be achieved by following the path of selfless service, devotion to God, and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom."

Swami Vivekananda represented India at the Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago in 1893 and there his historic lectures received overwhelming success and he found a lot of attention from the people of the United States. He submerged all of his experiences into his multiple books.

From all of the above teachers writings, I found out about Yogas. "Yoga" in Sanatani scriptures refers to the spiritual, mental, and physical practices that aim to achieve a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. It is often described as a union or joining of the individual consciousness (Jeeva) with the universal consciousness (Parama). This can be achieved through various paths, such as devotion, knowledge, and meditation. Adiyogi, Shiva is the personification of all the main practices of Yoga, as the origin and ruling power over asana, prana, mantra, inner seeing, and meditation. He is the ultimate Yoga teacher reflecting the highest Self-awareness. Yoga is said to lead to the ultimate goal of inner peace and enlightenment after reaching the bliss layer. These are all different roads leading to the same center - God.

'Raja Yoga' says to believe only what you find out for yourself through direct experience and it's a scientific process. Hence I decided to follow the path of. 'Raja-Yoga'.

It is divided into eight steps or limbs.

Yama: These are the ethical standards for the practitioner to uphold in their daily lives. They include:

Ahimsa: Non-violence, non-injury, and non-harm in thought, word, and deed.

Satya: Truthfulness, honesty, and integrity in all aspects of life.

Asteya: Non-stealing, not taking what is not given or desired, and respecting the property of others.

Brahmacharya: Continence, moderation, and discipline in all aspects of life, including sexual behavior.

Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness, non-attachment, and non-greediness.

Niyama: These are the personal practices and observances that support the practitioner's growth and self-discipline. They include:

Saucha: Cleanliness, purity, and hygiene in body, mind, and environment.

Santosha: Contentment, acceptance, and gratitude for what is, and not seeking happiness through external means.

Tapas: Spiritual austerity, self-discipline, and willpower, which help to burn off negative tendencies and cultivate positive qualities.

Svadhyaya: Study of sacred scriptures, self-reflection, and self-study, which help to deepen the understanding of oneself and the universe.

Isvara Pranidhana: Surrender to God or a higher power, which helps to cultivate humility, devotion, and faith.

Asana: Physical postures practiced in yoga, which help to prepare the body and mind for meditation.

Pranayama: Breath control, which helps to regulate the flow of prana or life force in the body, and prepare the mind for meditation.

Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses, which helps to turn the awareness inward and reduce distractions.

Dharana: Concentration, which helps to focus the mind on a single point, object, or idea.

Dhyana: Meditation, which helps to cultivate a state of uninterrupted flow of concentration, and deepen the awareness and understanding of oneself and the universe.

Samadhi: Absorption, which is the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga, and represents a state of ecstasy, realization of the interconnectedness of all life, and union with the Eternal Self.

These are the eight limbs of Raja Yoga as described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. They are a progressive series of steps or practices designed to help an individual attain self-realization and union with the universe.