The Goal of Yoga – Daily Pioneer

Yoga is the art of looking inward. The ultimate purpose of this ancient science of human well-being is to understand and experience the reality that underlies this ever-changing apparent world. Through the sincere practice of yoga, one becomes aware of Purusha (the Atman). He gains knowledge of his true nature and also of the true nature of the universe. In this exalted state of being, one obtains supreme mastery over the senses and the mind. He, then, is freed from the worldly sorrows. This is what is called liberation of the soul.

From the practical standpoint, yoga is meant to be a system of the enhancement of ones physical, psychological and emotional robustness. Yoga aims at the cultivation of an attitude of self-discipline, focussed attention and higher awareness. Constant mindfulness of inner experiences helps one in reducing mental stress and increasing inner joy.

Patanjali in his yoga sutras has defined yoga as the cessation (nirodha) of fluctuations (vrittis) of the mind-stuff (chitta). Yoga, thus, means checking the chitta from taking different forms. To put it in simple words, yoga is the control of various thought-waves, arising in the mind, from time to time. Restraint of the thought-waves brings about an exhilarating flow of tranquility. Serenity of the mind is thus attained. It has further been explained that the thought-waves can be controlled by practice and detachment. Yoga, thus, defines the goal and also prescribes the means of achieving that goal.

The chitta comprises three components namely manas, buddhi and ahamkara. Manas is the storing facility which gathers messages, received through the senses, from the outside world. Buddhi is the faculty of intelligence which classifies these messages and responds to them accordingly. Ahamkara is the self-sense, an idea of egoism. It is the concept of individuality, which creates a sense of I and my.

All three constituents of the chitta relate to the material nature ; and are, therefore, not self-aware. The chitta is not called self-luminous as it cannot perceive both (the mind itself and the object of its perception) simultaneously. It itself is an object of perception (different from the seer, the one who perceives it i. e. the soul). Purusha, on the other hand, being pure consciousness is self-luminous. Though indivisible oneness, it yet expresses itself through different minds, various thought-waves ; and innumerable activities. Chitta is the instrument through which jivatman (the self) relates to the external world. It is only when the self stands behind the mind, that it becomes intelligent.

Though non-conscious itself, chitta reflects the consciousness of the Atman. Being animated by the consciousness of the soul, the mind also appears to be conscious. The seer forgets his real nature ; and identifies himself with the mind and senses etc. In other words, instead of the soul, one considers himself to be only the mind-body complex. This wrong identification of the jivatman with the chitta is avidya, the spiritual ignorance. It is the cause of misery in life. The aim of yoga is to end this false identification by overcoming avidya, and thus escape from the worldly sufferings.

How can this ignorance be removed ? Patanjali has explained that uninterrupted awareness of the distinction between the self (which is timeless, changeless and free of sorrows) and the non-self (the material nature) i.e. between the soul on the one hand and the mind and other objects of nature, on the other leads to destruction of the ignorance. He has also enumerated various methods through the practice of which impurities of the body and of the mind are wiped out ; and the veil of ignorance is removed.

The yamas and niyamas have prescribed ethical behaviour. The practice of asanas improves physical health. Through the practice of pranayama, vital energy is enhanced. Pratyahara seeks to bring the senses under control. And the three internal components of yoga namely dharana, dhyana and samadhi turn the mind towards kaivalya, the eternal liberation. When the thought-waves are stilled through the use of above methods, all the obstacles to awareness are removed ; and the lake of the mind becomes quiet and clear. And through that transparent mirror of the mind, one is able to see the inner light of the soul. The ego-sense dissolves and one attains his essential nature. Serenity of the mind is obtained.Patanjali has also disclosed that on the way to spirituality, one may get some siddhis (perfections). These supernatural powers such as the capacity to levitate, walk on water etc. etc. are met on their own. They are not the real goal of yoga. They, in fact, are obstructions on the path of self-realisation. When the aspirant remains indifferent to these powers, only then can he attain the highest goal of spiritual freedom.

Yoga, thus, cannot be reduced into the pursuit of a singular activity. It is rather a comprehensive way of leading a healthy, harmonious and blissful life. When one realises that he himself is the light of knowledge, the self is established in its own purity. One attains the freedom of the soul, which is the ultimate purpose of life.

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The Goal of Yoga - Daily Pioneer