Raja Yoga
also known as "the Kingly Light of the Soul", is known by many names. It has been called the chiefly way and the kingly way as well. Asana, the physical poses, practices, and sequencing in its multitude of variations, is so often what we experience in vinyasa and hatha yoga classes here in the west. Asana is not where Patanjali was going with Raja yoga in his masterful and lengthy document known as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In fact, Patanjali only spends two sutras (threads) talking about asana and refers to them only as seated postures. What Patanjali is attempting to help us do is to become acquainted with the more subtle realms of ourselves, purify, and master them from the realm of the soul, Atman, or self.
Swami Satchidananda says, "Raja Yoga's goal is nothing less than the transformation of a seemingly limited physical, mental, and emotional person into a fully illumined, thoroughly harmonized and perfect being. From an individual with likes and dislikes, pains and pleasures, successes and failures, to a sage of permanent peace, joy and selfless dedication to the entire creation". Satchidananda was the founder of Integral Yoga and helped to launch and shape modern yoga, primarily here in the West, which has become a global phenomenon.
It has been noted that some of the most prominent and religious figures down through history, have easily been students of this practice. Siddhartha Gautama before he became the Buddha was considered a master adept in several forms of yoga. The kingly light of his own soul gave him the experience of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, and he gave the four noble truths and the eight fold noble path. His legacy and teachings have left an indelible mark, in the east especially, in the hearts of humanity.
In the most esoteric of implications, Christ, when he tore the veil of illusion between spirit and matter at his crucifixion, undoubtedly exemplified the ultimate sacrifice of humility. The hearts of man (implying the human family, brother, and sister) were forever changed no matter if one believes in the various church doctrines or not. It has long been considered in northern India that Jesus was a student and disciple of the master Babaji, in the so-called 'lost years' of Jesus. It has been stated that Jesus was considered a master of several forms of yoga, and it wouldn't surprise many of us, that being called the king; he was a perfected master of Raja.
"Matter is the vehicle for the manifestation of the soul on this plane of experience, and the soul is the vehicle for the manifestation of spirit in the higher turn of the spiral. These three are a trinity synthesized by life that pervades them all," Alice A. Bailey.
Patanjali offers us the unprecedented opportunity to become purified on so many levels other than the just the bare physical (matter) part of our existence should we take up the study. And, on this journey home, it may be a good choice to give of us to this study for a period. To not just purify and discipline the physical through our asana practice, but to take this opportunity as bright souls to reflect, into the subtle realms of the truth within ourselves, in our meditations.
In this consideration, the whole purpose of our ascension out of matter is to perfect, purify, and spiritualize matter as the saints and sages of the ages have exemplified for us throughout history. To be the bright and shining soul that we are, capable of offering transformational experiences to all we come into contact with, is what Raja Yoga offers us.
Rod Buckner, Massage Therapist and advanced Rolf Therapist for over twenty years, Reiki Master, Practitioner of Quantum Touch, E-RYT 500 at My Hot Yoga, Springfield, MO., Organic and Biodynamic Gardener
http://www.rodbuckner.com www.rodbuckner.com