Yoga

What is Yoga?

In the west it usually refers to a system of exercises. The meaning in Sanskrit, roughly, union or yoke. In original practice in India, a yoga or yoga system, was an approach to identity of individual and Being—of self and universe. The system of exercises—hatha yoga—originated in India as one aspect of realization.

Until we understand the nature of self and universe, understanding of yoga is incomplete.

The universal metaphysics shows directions of perfect knowledge and other directions in which knowledge and being are ever in process.

Therefore, while we can have perfect generic understanding of yoga in the sense of identity, understanding of the dimensions and ways or paths must remain ever in process. As we have seen from the metaphysics:

Realization and therefore Yoga is process without limit to way, duration, extent, variety, peak and dissolution of Being.

Yoga is incompletely understood in the West—perhaps we cannot expect more from a discipline that is transplanted from one culture to another. What is not so clear is that Yoda is widely misunderstood everywhere—especially in India: from what we have just seen there is no final Yoga and therefore no final master of discipline. Where is the future of Yoga—East, West, or anywhere at all? That remains to be seen!

Also see Yoga.