Ok, so, there’s this thing called Astanga yoga, it translates to the Eight Limb path. A guy named Patanjali wrote about it in his book The Yoga Sutras. Patanjali’s entire second Pada (chapter) is pretty much dedicated to Astanga yoga. The Eight Limb path is for those who require a more active approach towards the self. Similar to the “citta-vrttis”, in this action based approach there are impediments known as Klesas. For the time being, let’s avoid getting hooked by these Klesas and continue on with Astanga yoga. Which is literally the purpose 8 limb path to weaken the force of the Klesas and allow the individual to discover self (soul).
The first two limbs are Yama (moral commandments) and NIyama (self purification by discipline). These two limbs make Astanga yoga what it is and create a base to embark from. Using the Sanskrit names the Yamas are as follows. 1. Ahimsa (non-violence), 2 Satya (truthfulness), 3. Asteya (non-stealing), 4. Brahmacharya (abstinence), and 5. Aparigraha (non-clinging). The Yamas begin to purify the soul. These five features are to assist in one’s approach to other individuals. Think of it as a code of conduct. I believe it’s very easy to get overwhelmed by these concepts.
Most recently the Niyamas have become extremely fascinating to me. From my understanding these joints create two very distinct classifications. Without going into great detail, the first two Niyamas are 1. Sauca (cleanliness) and 2. Santosa (contentment). In some cases these two aspects are referred to as Bhoga Yoga “look good, feel good… but do no good”. This raises curiosity in me because it comes directly after the Yamas. Leading to my thoughts of why the yamas can be overwhelming. However, if the path is linear then it’s even more exciting that the last three NIyamas are referred to as the ingredients needed to tickle the fancy of enlightenment. 3. Tapas (discipline), 4 Svadhyaya (study), and 5. Isvara-Pranidhana (surrender to god) are necessary in the further exploration and mastery of the self. Later in the essay these three Niyamas will be reexplored.
With a base established in philosophical ideology one can confront the physical aspects of Astanga yoga. Yes, the Yamas and Niyamas were skimmed over. I plan on discussing those in another paper, consider the before mentioned as teaser.
Asana (posture) is next, more than likely this is the aspect of yoga that most everyone is familiar with. Here is where a lot of the various “styles” of yoga are form. Those classifications I mentioned early are probably most prevalent in asana. I believe the Klesas are at their most powerful during the asana practice. Learning and executing the poses is very exhilarating, the sheer effort alone is enough to over shadow humility. Regardless, the body has to be strong and limber in-order to continue on the path of action. In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras there are three sutras dedicated to Asana, they are 2.46, 2.47, and 2.48.
Moving to the forth limb Pranayama (rhythmic breath control). Prana is considered to be “life giving” and the more we study the breathe we realize the drastic effects it can have. With little awareness a person and experience the double edge of the breathe. In most cases breathe work is very beneficial to those who practice. When done with a rigorous asana practice is ultimate times better. Now the person can begin use pranayama as segway towards deeper more internal exploration. Due to the continuing effort in the first three limbs the mind is able to be stilled for the breath to quiet the mind. Once this happens one continues towards the next limb Pratyahara (sense control).
Before preceding forward, it’s around here in the 8 limb path where things become a lot more subtle. A person has obtained a suitable body due to the first four limbs. Thus as stated in the last paragraph, in Pranayama the mind begins to quiet, the practice enters into the “mental” realm.
Withdrawal of the mind from the senses on external objects is Pratyahara. Here the self is prepping to enter the spiritual quest. The sense is our direct connection to the world around us. In a way they create the issues that we attempt to rectify through the yoga practice. To be clear the goal isn’t to exterminate the senses and become a recluse. It’s to have the ability to continue penetrating towards the self. To allow space for the spiritual quest to manifest.
Dhrana (concentration) and Dhyana (mediation) are limbs six and seven. They are considered to be apart of the spiritual quest. The mind gets fixed here and one is as close as possible to Samadhi (enlightenment) the final limb. Since the senses are voluntarily absent one is further capable to focus on the self. This level of concentration rare and isn’t something to take lightly. People experiencing Dhrana are beginning to fully understand the oneness of all beings and all things.
When this understanding becomes normal, a person is in Dhyana the seventh limb. This type of mediation completely opposite from a most conventional comprehension of mediation. Dhyana isn’t sitting in a room, shutting the eyes and proclaiming to have mediated all day. In all honesty who’s to say that’s mediation and not simply just doing literally what was described. To experience Dhyana a person has gone through extraordinary lengths to tap into a true connection with their soul.
Samadhi is ultimate enlightenment, it’s the final step if Astanga yoga. somewhere other than right here that claiming to be in Samadhi automatically negates the experience. For if you were truly in Samadhi how would you even know??
To recap Astanga yoga is apart of an action based style known as Kriya yoga. There are three aspects that form Kriya-yoga. They are Karma, Jnana, and Bhakti, the interesting thing is these three aspects are also the last three ingredients of the Niyamas. Meaning to experience true bliss in yoga one must have 1. physical discipline (tapas/karma), 2. Mental discipline (svadhyaya/jnana) and 3. Spiritual discipline (isvara-pranidhana/bhakti). Maintaining the progress of these aspects keep the Klesas at bay and one is able to use Astanga for liberation.