Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1997 11 YJA Regional Convention

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

Page 85

Karma-yoga (Path of Action):
The path of action aims at the dedication of every human activity to the supreme Will. It is the yoga of action and selfless service for the benefit of humanity at large. This includes social work, ecology, environmental protection, education, animal protection and the like. It can be practiced anywhere at any time. Ultimately the person dedicates all Works and Services as an offering to God, without any expectation of results or personal gain. This dissolves one's ego or I-ness. This is an excellent form of yoga for action oriented people.
Raja-yoga (Path of Self Control and Meditation):
Raja-yoga aims at the liberation and perfection not only of the body, but also of the mental being, the control of the emotional and sensational life, the mastery of the whole apparatus of thought and consciousness.
It is the science of physical and mental control. A great sage, Shri Patanjali, pioneered it. It is also known as Astanga yoga, or the yoga of eight steps. All eight steps are important and are to be followed sequentially, leading to the ultimate realization of Truth or God.
Astang Yoga (eight steps of Raja-yoga):
1) Yama - restraints
In the initial stage, a person should restraint from non-chastity, stealing, and material possessions.
violence, untruthfulness,
2) Niyama - observances
In the second stage, a person should develop virtues like cleanliness (external and internal), contentment, austerity, religious study, and self-surrender to God.
The first two stages are meant for moral purification, without these no spiritual progress is possible.
3) Asana - physical exercise
In the third stage, a person should do physical exercise (Hatha yoga) to keep the body healthy and the spinal cord straight in preparation for long periods of meditation (at least one hour).
4) Pranayama - rhythmic breathing
In the fourth stage, a person should practice regularly the control of vital energy through certain breathing techniques. Rhythmic breathing helps concentration of the mind.
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Jain Education Interational