Understanding Yoga

The word 'yoga' is often used, particularly in the western world, to describe postures and breath practices that originated in India and have a range of health benefits. However, yoga is actually far more than this. One way to answer the question 'what is yoga?' is to consider the ultimate goal of yoga, then to look at the many practices which move us toward that goal; just as there are many paths which all lead to the top of a mountain. The Ultimate Goal of Yoga

The goal of yoga is to grow in awareness so that we rediscover the majesty of our essential nature, and fully live in this state. Our essential nature is called by many names in spiritual, religious and secular language. Examples are 'the Higher Self', 'Life', 'God', 'Buddha nature', '(Christ) Consciousness', 'the Absolute', 'Spirit', 'the Toa', 'Allah' and 'Shiva'. However, our essential nature cannot be fully defined in words, or completely understood, because it is beyond the mind's ability to comprehend. To know it, we must be it, and this 'becoming' is the purpose of the various yoga practices.

As we become more attuned to life through yoga (more 'in sync'), qualities are enlivened within us such as happiness, love, wisdom, peace, trust, compassion, strength, clarity and creativity. We also experience more harmony, freedom and well-being in our lives. We begin to see the big picture more often, and are less caught up in the ego's limited perspective. As we come to identify with who we really are, suffering ceases to exist for us and we live in the highest bliss, regardless of our life circumstances.

We can also see yoga as a way to improve our relationship with our self and life. As any relationship develops and blooms we naturally feel more closeness, love and connectedness. We start to have more experiences of effortless attunement and flow. We can have moments when the sense of separateness dissolves and we experience unity or oneness. Ultimately yoga can lead us to a state of permanent unity or connectedness, a state of effortless being.