When
I talk of Yogis, I am implying people like Patanjali and other Upanishadic
sages. I am not talking about modern Yogis, about whom I will talk later.
Patanjali’s
techniques as well as the goal are almost similar to the ones enunciated by
Buddha. But the methods suggested by Patanjali are not as explicit and direct
as the Buddhist ways.
 |
| Patanjali's 8 step Yoga process |
Besides,
Patanjali’s aim is not complete annihilation of the mind, but just calming it down
to such a point that one attains ‘self realization’.
Once
that is reached, fantastic things are believed to happen and a person comes out
of all miseries including the endless cycle of births and deaths.
But unlike the Buddhists, a Yogi continues to exist in the form of a liberated soul that is believed to be eternal and ever blissful (read my book How and Why of Yoga and Meditation to know how this happens).
But unlike the Buddhists, a Yogi continues to exist in the form of a liberated soul that is believed to be eternal and ever blissful (read my book How and Why of Yoga and Meditation to know how this happens).
Upanishads
as well as the Sänkhya emphasize on this ultimate realization that can free one
from all miseries. Patanjali seems to have taken the best of Upanishads,
Sänkhya as well as Buddhist ideas.
No comments:
Post a Comment