Why Take to Yoga?

  Yoga is a must for all age groups. Here, yoga does not mean mere asana and pranayama that are normally taught in Institutes, It is more of advanced techniques of an inward journey consisting of dhyana, dharana, and samadhi (sama dheeh / equanimity). Unless, one perfects in focused attention (dharana), contemplation, that needs faith, reflection and steadfastness it is of no use (for spiritual development). The ultimate goal of life is to perfect oneself in samadhi and attain to sayujya, merger (yuj) in the highest 'unity consciousness' and, that is the real meaning and purport of yoga (merger, oneness).
   The benefits of yoga are numerous. Dhyana and dharana will help concentrate, focus attention, and get clarity, insight into the problems. Moreover, dharana helps to excel in any field. With this a person can finish a work just 45 mins. what others take 6 Hrs. Dhyana keeps the mind cool, composed and this brings out the best in a person. Thus, the last four steps of yoga bring out the potential in a person and help to attain excellence, as also, the divinity inherent in the being/jiva.

  The Patanjali Yoga System is of eight steps (ashtanga) and it starts with yama and niyama. Strict code of conduct is enforced here. Before going into the details of these eight steps, one by one, let us consider the first one, say, adherence to truthfulness and honesty'. The students are instructed to follow the rules strictly. My yoga teacher used to give special importance to satya and astheya (truthfulness and honesty) and we were not to give excuse, whatever the situation. Punishment is given for not adhering to rules. This is the first step where we shed our ego! He used to tell us that every time we tell a lie our blood flow is affected. Our breathing rhythm is affected and this causes mental aberrations. But, we do not care! By repeatedly telling lies we become sick internally since the heart, the mind, and the brain work at loggerheads and create problems subconsciously by creating cross currents of thoughts. Humans are so designed that the mind is very sensitive and the nervous system is extremely delicate. One should desist from telling lies, even for a joke, and stick to honesty, truthfulness, openness under all circumstance. This is the first lesson in yoga; we all fail this test. It seems it is not possible to take to yoga without passing this first test.
(to be contd. )