It would seem that everything is so simple, but not many do it. Yogis, in order to succeed, first develop the ability to think in clear, vivid images. Psychologists and neurophysiologists explain that the transition from the logical, verbal thinking that is usual for a Westerner to spatial-shaped thinking is associated with a change in hemispheric asymmetry. The left hemisphere gives way to the right.
Empirically, yogis have established that the development of right-brain thinking is facilitated by a special nutrition system (milk-vegetable diet), static exercises - asanas, breathing exercises - pranayama and meditation technique.
Improving these methods, combining individual types of exercises into groups, yogis formed practical sections of their teachings, called Kriya and Hatha Yoga, and together with exercises in meditation and concentration, Raja Yoga. Success in one form of yoga leads to positive results in others. Their relationship is shown in the diagram.
The section of Raja Yoga contains a technique that not only develops a figurative perception, but also allows you to control your thinking and, if you wish, hold a visible image for as long as you like. Duration of retention is an important factor. The effect of self-programming and the possibility of achieving Samadhi depend on it.
The traditional goal of yoga is Samadhi. True adherents of yoga strive for it, trying to achieve the merging of individual consciousness with the Cosmic Mind. But in modern conditions, another goal is more realistic - the transformation of the personality in a given direction, the achievement of physical health, increasing the capabilities of thinking and psyche. An important condition for success is an understanding of the terminology of the primary sources, the correct interpretation of the particular and global goals of teaching, familiarity with the philosophical views of yogis, their vision of the world and the place of man in it.
In the ancient Indian texts - the Vedas and the Upanishads, the views of the founders of the teachings of yoga were reflected. They acquired a complete look in the work of the Indian thinker Patanjali “Yoga Sutra” (2nd century BC). The foundations of the teachings were transferred from India to neighboring regions, where many of its directions arose and developed: Tantrism - in Tibet, chans of China, Zen - in Japan. Draw parallels between yoga, certain provisions of Christianity and Sufism (the mystical branch of Islam). Everywhere where methods of contemplation are practiced, where the ray of attention becomes the key to the doors of altered states of consciousness, we can talk about yoga. But, using identical methods, they often hold differing philosophical views.
Famous teachers of India Vivekananda, Yogananda, Sivananda, representatives of the Tibetan schools Padmasambhava, Tilopa, Naropa, Milarepa - they all had their own philosophical approaches and points of view. There are areas where they are trying to find a compromise between different schools of Vedanta (from the word Veda), Tantrism and Buddhism, on the one hand, and modern philosophical thought, on the other (Aurobindo Ghosh, Rajnesh, Muktanda).
Nevertheless, there are still some common philosophical features that underlie the philosophical positions of various schools and areas of yoga. These are representations of man as a logical and necessary part of the Universe; the thesis of a continuous circle of reincarnations (Samsara); the law of Karma, or causal relationships, rewarding a person for transgressions in past lives and giving him the opportunity to improve in the present; the concept of the ultimate goal of human existence is Moksha (liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and the achievement of absolute freedom), etc. Their consideration is useful for a better understanding of the tradition of yoga.
The unity of all things. In the philosophical systems of India, the prevailing views on the existence of the One World, the One Universe. All that is in it is manifestations of the One God, the Universal Principle, Cosmic Consciousness. Brahman He appears in two principles: material - manifested (Prakriti), spiritual - unmanifest (Purusha). The material world is the dense physical bodies of minerals, plants, animals, and humans, formed by the gross vibrations of Brahman. All incarnations of Prakriti (objects, phenomena, beings) can be in three basic states, three Gunas. This is Tamas - inertia, darkness, ignorance; Rajas - movement, struggle, effort, passion, action and Sattva - light, harmony, joy. None of these states exists in its pure form; everything is a mixture of inertia, passion and light.
The manifested Universe is studied by means of five Indriyas (sense organs): sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell. The rational mind (Manas) is the sixth essential tool of knowledge that analyzes the perceived information. However, the picture of the world created on the basis of sensory perception, according to the yogis, is not true, because it reflects, and even then distorted, only a world of gross vibrations. The unmanifest Universe of subtle vibrations remains beyond the possibilities of cognition by the ordinary consciousness of man. Therefore, a really perceived picture of the world is defined by yogis as a universal illusion. - Maya
The unmanifest spiritual Universe - Purusha, contains subtle vibrations that make up emotions, feelings, thoughts, ideas, They form the mental and spiritual spheres of the world. The carrier of subtle vibrations is Prana. It is a quickening principle that energizes everything. In minerals it is not much, more in plants and animals, and especially in man. “When Prana leaves the body, it becomes just a lump,” they write in Indian philosophical texts.
Vibrations of all kinds permeate every point in space and time in the universe. Living, being, in the opinion of yogis, the receiving device of Cosmic Energies, perceives them in accordance with its nature. Thanks to the practice of yoga, one can expand the range of perceived vibrations. Having plunged into the depths of consciousness, the yogi is able to enter a state of harmony, resonant fusion of the individual soul, cognizing the "I" (Atman) with the Universal Cosmic vibrations (Brahman).
This is Samadhi. Being in it, a person gains the ability to extrasensory, intuitive comprehension of the world. Only such a perception of yoga is declared not illusory (Maya), but true.