|
Three paths for seeking the absolute truth are delineated
in the Vedas:
Karma-kanda - through
selfless activities, and sacred rituals one can enjoy the world to maximum benefit and make material advancement,
even reach heavenly planets. This path, however is intrinsically slow.
Jnana-kanda
- through rigorous austerity, asceticism, and study of Vedic texts one learns to detach altogether from the illusory
influence of Maya, this path is arduously difficult.
Bhakti - this
is the synthesis of the previous two; in which the individual focuses on love and service to the absolute truth.
This way the aspirant remains active in the world without falling prey to the influence of Maya
Yoga is technology -
Yoga and its various
systems are essentially technologies for enhancing any of the above paths and can take on the philosophies of any
of them. For the less informed, Yoga can also be practiced as an end unto itself with the result of entangling
one in the effects of Maya (karma.)
The reemergence of spiritual knowledge in every age has often been
gradual -
Depending on time and circumstance the authorized purveyors of the Vedas
would sometimes provide fragmented versions of Vedic instruction. These fragmentations were always purposeful,
as in the teachings of Buddha or the teachings of the Adi Shankaracharya.
Most of the Yoga systems practiced in the United States stem from
these purposely incomplete philosophies -
This is not to say that that the extant Yoga Schools and their predecessor
Gurus are without value and beauty. Quite the contrary, like Lord Buddha and Shankaracharya before them, they brought
the right knowledge at the right time for the people who needed it.
Nonetheless, the possibility of a more advanced and more complete
system of Yoga has always existed...
The essence of Atma Yoga is: Atma Tattva
(Truth of the Soul)
I do not have a soul
I AM a soul;
I have a body and a mind
The frailties, fears, and inflexibilities
of my mind and body
are gates to my freedom;
passing through them
ignites the fire of self knowledge
I am a waking soul
rediscovering my true nature
and source
Soon I will be Atma Rama,
(self-satisfied)
all my desires will be fulfilled
Free of fear and full of divine love
I am able to serve the complete whole
and can choose to fulfill my original purpose
om tat sat
|
ATMA YOGA - Why it works:
Efficacy is evidence (the proof is in the pudding)
The Atma Yoga system and its related programs (Hatha and Kundalini Yoga, Soul Mate Yoga, Advanced Leadership Yoga,
etc.) are effective because they are based on the most complete understanding of human psychology: that we are
simultaneously one with and yet different from God.
Founded on the complete knowledge of who we are, Atma Yoga addresses the individual in an integrated way. By providing
dynamic practices that teach the individual to look for problems rather than wait for them, Atma Yoga is aggressive
in removing obstacles to personal growth and assertive in healing and reestablishing healthy self-esteem. By directly
addressing issues of humility and one's absolute identity, Atma Yoga is a powerful route to deep confidence.
While Atma Yoga builds its case philosophically, its strength lies in the persistent application of its practices.
It is not necessary to rely on beliefs or "self-talk" - sincere practice will bring about changes in
your state of mind and in your sense of being. Atma Yoga works from big to small, from gross to subtle. Change
your behavior and your consciousness will change.
The connection to Bhakti Yoga
According to Yoga science (as described in the Vedic texts) Bhakti is the most powerful yoga system because it
is the only yoga that dissolves the false ego 100 percent and reveals one's true identity. Bhakti Yoga consists
of nine practices: hearing Divine sound vibrations, repeating Divine sound vibrations, remembering the name, form,
qualities, and activities of God, rendering practical service to God and highly evolved personalities, worshiping
the Deity form of God, prayer, always considering oneself a servant of God, becoming the friend of God, surrendering
oneself utterly to God. A person who follows one or more of these practices according to the Vedic standards is
on the path of Bhakti Yoga.
Atma Yoga - a more Vedic system
Taken as a whole or individually, these processes constitute
full-time spiritual activism, also known as devotional service. Atma Yoga is designed to raise the student to the
platform of Bhakti, ecstatic devotional service to God. Hatha yoga, by contrast, is designed to raise the student
to the platform of Raja Yoga. But the Vedas teach that Bhakti Yoga is superior to Raja yoga. Moreover, Bhakti Yoga
is more accessible than the other yogas, including Raja yoga. Therefore Bhakti yoga is recommended over Raja Yoga
and all others. From this perspective Atma Yoga is the system of Hatha Yoga that most closely adheres to Vedic
teaching. This results in Atma Yoga's increased capacity over other physical yoga's to bring about changes within
the individual
Purpose is paradigmatic (The tree is known by its fruits) -
It is the final goal of a spiritual path that imbues the process with its power and efficacy. For example, the
goal of Raja Yoga is unvarying union with the Divine. This imbues the process with a certain uniformity and homogeneity.
The goal of Bhakti Yoga is endlessly varied and spontaneous expressions of love toward the Divine. This goal, of
course, colors the process in a very different way. Consequently, Bhakti provides the fullest possible spectrum
of transcendental experience, namely eternal existence, complete knowledge, and unending bliss.
Spontaneous divine love is the goal
Atma Yoga is Hatha Yoga and Sankhya Yoga infused with the spirit
of Bhakti (pure love of God.) In other words, it is a combination of Bhakti (devotional service) and mystic realizations
received in a disciplic succession that can be traced back to Lord Brahma, the first student of the Vedas.) Bhakti
(the re-establishing of our true identity through pure love for God) is a state of being beyond even the spiritual
goals of liberation. Although Atma Yoga is not the same as Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti is the ultimate goal of Atma Yoga. |
