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Hatha Yoga and Mastering Self-Realization
By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
Hatha is only one of the nine main forms of Yoga from India. Each of us begins to practice Hatha Yoga for a variety of reasons. Among these many reasons for practicing – some of us are drawn to Hatha Yoga by the healing aspects, the spiritual journey, a feeling of inner peace, or the joy of physical mastery. No matter what the original reason was, self-realization will become a reality sooner or later.
Among those who practice Yoga, on a steady basis, are people with a variety of religious beliefs. Some Yoga practitioners believe in God, or Gods, and some do not believe in the concept of a single or multiple God entities. Yet, practitioners with a wide variety of spiritual beliefs, practice in the same class in complete tranquility.
Self-realization could be defined as a state of mind, where we are present in the moment. Yogis might describe it as the achievement of higher consciousness, through the realization of the inner-being. Some spiritual teachers say self-realization is a state of seeing, knowing, feeling, and being the soul.
Regardless of your exact beliefs, self-realization in Yoga, is being present for practice. The practice of Hatha Yoga is usually pranayama, meditation, mantra, relaxation, asana, mudra, or a combination of these techniques. The study of any form of Yoga will result in the accumulation of wisdom, understanding, and the clarity of perception.
There are some benefits, which result from long-term Yoga practice and self-realization. To know one’s self is to know one’s true nature, but it takes time, practice, and work. Each of us has a special purpose, but not all of us find it. To know one’s true purpose in life is a mystery to most of us. Through insight, and the development of one’s intuition, we can attain our true purpose.
How do we develop the insight to find our true purpose? Spiritual beauty is easy to see. Children are good examples of spiritual beauty. The longer we live, the easier it is to be confused by erroneous information. In the confusion, our visions of a brighter future can become clouded by pessimism. The truth is: Spiritual beauty is within each of us.
The next step is to concentrate and find those thoughts that bring happiness to us. When we find inner harmony, all we have to do is share it with those around us. Each day is a second chance to improve our ways. The result of our continued efforts will put us on a path to achieve goodness.
© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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Yoga is not merely physical exercises. Yoga is yoking of the power of body, mind and soul. Yoga consists of concentration, meditation and realization. I quote a passage below:
“Unlock Your Energies Through Yoga
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
Yoga means to be in perfect tune. When you are in Yoga, your body, mind and spirit, and existence, are in absolute harmony. Yoga is the science of activating your inner energies in such a way that your body, mind and emotions function at their highest peak.
Modern science says that the whole of existence is energy manifesting itself in different ways. If this is so, then you are also a little bit of energy functioning in a particular way.
As far as science is concerned, this same energy which you call ‘myself’ can be a rock, mud, tree, dog, or you. Everything is the same energy, functioning at different levels of capability.
Similarly among human beings, though we are all made of the same energy, we still do not function at the same level of capability.
This energy in one plant if functions to create roses, in another it functions to create jasmine, but it is the same energy manifesting itself.
Once you activate your inner energies, your capabilities happen in a different sphere altogether, Yoga is a tool to find ultimate expression to life.
The Times of India, New Delhi, Wednesday, November 18, 2009, p.14″