Attaining Self knowledge Through Yoga

Samadhi or the attainment of pure inner bliss is the ultimate purpose of practicing yoga. In fact, it is the final stage in the eight-limbed path or stages that was written in the Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. However, an important prerequisite towards attaining that inner bliss is self-knowledge. Despite the impression that yoga is all about physical enhancement and benefits, it really is more of an inner spiritual journey that enable you to open up a new dimension in your consciousness so you are more aware of the concept of self.

Each aspect of yoga performance – the asanas, breathing, and meditation – represent the different components of your experience, which is a combination of the physical, mental, and spiritual body. The merging of all these aspects into one help to build that awareness and form the knowledge of the self so you can be on your path towards samadhi.

The process of attaining self knowledge does not just happen by accident. It is a conscious effort that your body and mind is working together towards achieving for. What are these methods? They are discussed below:

*Yoga Asanas – This is at the core of the yoga discipline and is the most basic aspect of yoga that beginners will learn. But this one is only utilized as a gateway in an effort to embark on an internal journey towards gaining self knowledge.

*Breathing Exercises – This one is often performed in yoga to calm your nerves and muscles. But it also plays a role in your goal of awakening the inner self since it affects your life energies. Proper breathing is also vital in creating awareness of your physical body as you slowly move inwards to your spiritual body.

*Meditation – No yoga performance is ever complete without meditation. However, true meditation is what you need to achieve that self knowledge so you can experience a deep spiritual journey. An important prerequisite is for you to enter into this deep and contemplative state that allows you to block out any negative energies coming from an external source.

*Dynamic Yoga – The physical exercise aspect of dynamic yoga enables your body to open up a wide range of motion, while the philosophical aspect of it marries together your mind, body, and energy. It enables you to attain full relaxation and soul purification.

The path towards attaining inner self knowledge is never easy, even expert yogis would agree with this. However, there are a few yoga styles or techniques that use methods that better facilitate in this objective. So if you want to attain a deeper level of self knowledge through yoga, it is important to always begin by examining the yoga styles you adapt. Once you have chosen a particular yoga style, devote yourself into practicing its methods for full attainment of benefits.

Below are a brief discussion of suggested yoga styles that will show you the path towards unleashing the inner you.

Adhyatma Yoga

This yoga style aims to practice your views and beliefs in life as consistent to that of a Supreme Being, which in this case is the Brahman. This will help ensure that you are following the right path towards your aim for self knowledge.

In particular, Adhyatma Yoga views your inner state of meditation as closely connected with your actions in life. Moreover, it emphasizes on three vital components that you need to comply with: devotion, knowledge, and action.

Anyone who wishes to practice Jnana Yoga as a means toward self knowledge must begin by developing humility. In this style, you will learn to admit your vulnerabilities as a human and let go of all negative behaviors in an effort to follow the example of the Brahman, which represents the Absolute Being in Hindu philosophy.

More than just looking up to the Brahman's ideals, you need to acquire them in your life and practice them in a regular basis. There are two ways for you to achieve this. First, use self-inquiry so you can determine what aspects of your life needs to be changed, improved, or developed. Then, meditation will enable you to create that internal connection with a Higher Being that will provide you with a true perception of reality and the world per se.

In the form of Kundalini Yoga, there are two paths that you need to take towards self knowledge: meditation and physical manipulation. The exercises to be conducted in Kundalini Yoga are far more advanced and are infused with spirituality. But it utilizes your body as a gateway towards opening up a new consciousness that will enable you to become internally aware of the self, which is cultivated through deep meditation. In fact, this style of yoga is often suggested for individuals who want to achieve spiritual growth.

You are probably familiar with the concept of “karma” and in this style of yoga, you are taught to practice selfless service. This is considered as the best vehicle toward fulfilling your desire to gain self knowledge. Performing service that will benefit others more than it benefits yourself is one of the best manifestations of the yoga teachings. Hence, putting your ego in the backseat will enable you to practice selfless service with more ease.

Sahaja Yoga

Sahaja Yoga is one of the more distinctive styles of yoga that was ever developed. It differs in both ways: approach and objective. Most yoga techniques would often look at self-knowledge and fulfillment as the endpoint of their yoga experience. But in Sahaja Yoga, this is the most vital first step. In fact, it is specifically referred to as Kundalini Awakening.

Instead of building that up inside you from an outward source, Sahaja Yogis believe that it is something rooted deep inside every individual that is simply “awakened” in the practice of deep meditation. Once you have reached this point, you are able to open up a new dimension in your internal consciousness such that you realize the power of a Divine Being that governs all things in the universe.