Home > Indian History > Indian Philosophy > Concept of Yoga philosophy
Concept of Yoga philosophy
Yoga philosophy is ideally concerned with the mind.

Share this Article:

Patanjali - Concept of Yoga philosophyThe concept of Yoga philosophy is ideally concerned with the mind. The mind is traditionally conceptualised as the "king" of the psycho-physical structure which does its bidding. Due to the relationship between the mind and body, the body must be first "chastened" through self-discipline and sanctified by various means. A sound level of overall health and psychological consolidation must be achieved before the deeper aspects of yoga can be quested for. Humans are plagued with all kinds of addictions and obsessions and these prevent the attainment of tranquil abiding (meditation). Through restraint (yama) like celibacy, staying away from drugs and alcohol and careful attention to one`s actions of body, speech and mind, the human being becomes fit to practise meditation. This discipline that one puts upon oneself is another meaning of the word yoga.

Raja Yoga MeditationPatañjali`s Yoga Sutras begin with the statement yoga? citta-vrtti-nirodhah (1.2), "Yoga limits the oscillations of the mind". They go on to detail the ways through which the mind can create false thinkings and recommend meditation on real objects, which process, it is said, will lead to a spontaneous state of quiet mind, the "Nirbija" or "seedless state", in which there is no mental object of focus.

Practices that serve to maintain for the individual the capability to access this state may be considered Raja Yoga practices. Thus Raja Yoga comprehends and differentiates itself from other forms of Yoga by encouraging the mind to avoid the sort of preoccupation in obsessional practice (including other traditional yogic practices) that can create false mental objects.

In this sense Raja Yoga is referred to as the "king among yogas": all yogic practices are seen as prospective tools for obtaining the seedless state, itself considered to be the starting point in the pursuit to cleanse Karma and obtain Moksha or Nirvana. Historically, schools of yoga that label themselves "Raja" offer students a mix of yogic practices and this philosophical viewpoint.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Philosophy


Classical Indian Philosophy
Classical Indian Philosophy contains many analyses, rational principles and explanations. The Vedas have been considered as the first and the oldest scriptural texts of the Classical Indian Philosophy.
Ajivika Philosophy
Ajivika philosophy is different from the mainstream religion
Gunas - Hindu Philosophy
Guna in Hindu Philosophy in its philosophical sense refers to the constituent quality. The whole universe is guided by the three gunas, which are basically attitudes, qualities found in human being.
Bodhisattvas - Hindu Philosophy
Bodhisattva is a concept in Hindu philosophy and the Buddhist philosophy and refers to someone who is committed to attain Enlightenment.
Religion and Philosophy in Later Vedic Period
Religion and Philosophy in later Vedic period did see minute growth. However, rituals and traditions were religiously followed.
Theory of inference in Nyaya philosophy
Nyaya theory of inference is divided into five steps.
Theory for God in Nyaya philosophy
The Naiyayikas tried to establish the existence of God through logic.
Religious Influence on Indian Philosophy
Religious influence on Indian philosophy has been almost enigmatic, making it complimentary in perspective.
Morality and Ethics in Jain philosophy
Jains follow a fivefold path of morality and ethical purity, by which one can reach moksha.
Indian Philosophy In The Vedic Period
Indian Philosophy in the Vedic Period was primarily based on the concepts of nature worship.
Metaphysics in Jain philosophy
Metaphysics in Jain philosophy revolves heavily around the soul and its governing path and final emancipation.
Nether World in Jain Philosophy
Nether World according to Jain Cosmology consists of seven subterranean regions. Of the seven regions the above two regions serve as the abode of heavenly gods and in the rest torture of the souls is undertaken for any kind of misdeed.
Achintya Bheda Abheda Philosophy
Achintya-Bheda-Abheda is a School of Vedanta that represents the philosophy of unimaginable one-ness and difference in relation to the power creation and creator.