Lessons in Practising Yoga (hardcover)

Description

Lessons in Practising Yoga’ is a comprehensive book on the philosophy of Yoga and how to practise it. Yoga is the workshop of Indian Philosophy and the soul of Indian Culture. For the proper understanding of what Yoga is and what its purpose is, the book covers, in detail, the whole gamut of Indian philosophy comprising the Trinity of God, Soul and Nature and the Triad of Bondage of Karma, Reincarnation of Soul and Liberation. Ashtanga Yoga
of Maharishi Patanjali is essentially a spiritual discipline. Accordingly, the book lays due emphasis on Moral Discipline and Meditation. The book contains tips as to how to elevate oneself spiritually and  how to meditate apart from how to do the Yoga-asanas and Pranayama exercises. The book is replete with relevant quotations of renowned philosophers and scientists as also references from the scriptures of major Religions of the world. The book stresses the universality of Yoga, stating that Yoga is both spiritual and secular. Those who meditate on material subjects attain knowledge of worldly matters as did Newton discover the Law of Gravity. And those who meditate on spiritual matters, advance spiritually as did Swami Dayananda Sarasvati, Swami Vivekananda and Yogi Aurobindo Ghosh. Rev. Albert Mohler Jr. said ‘You may be twisting yourself into pretzels or grass hoppers, but if there is no meditation or direction of consciousness, you are not practising Yoga’.

Contents

Prayer — Pgs. 7

In Praise of God — Pgs. 9

The Divine Promise — Pgs. 10

Message — Pgs. 11

Foreword — Pgs. 13

Preface — Pgs. 15

Transliteration Key — Pgs. 18

Section I

Vedic Philosophy in Diagram — Pgs. 27

1. Introduction to the Philosophy of Yoga — Pgs. 29

2. Yoga: The Science of Mind — Pgs. 30

3. The Purpose of Yoga — Pgs. 33

4. The Universality of Yoga — Pgs. 35

5. Misconceptions about Yoga — Pgs. 37

6. The Constituents of Yoga — Pgs. 39

7. Step I: Moral Discipline — Pgs. 42

8. Step II: Asana (Physical Exercises) — Pgs. 45

9. Step III: Pranayama (Breathing Exercises) — Pgs. 46

10. Step IV: Meditation — Pgs. 49

11. What is Meditation? — Pgs. 50

12. Meditation: Revelation of Secrets of Nature — Pgs. 52

13. Meditation: Source of Supernatural Powers — Pgs. 53

14. Experiences in the Hour of Meditation (Anubhuti) — Pgs. 56

15. Meditation: Way to Realisation of Self and God — Pgs. 59

Section II

16. The Fundamentals of Ancient Indian Philosophy — Pgs. 67

17. Proofs of Existence of God — Pgs. 69

18. Nature, Attributes and Functions of God — Pgs. 78

19. Nature and Activities of Soul (JIVA) — Pgs. 82

20. Is Time of Death Pre-determined? — Pgs. 86

21. Where is the Soul Located in the Body? — Pgs. 87

22. Relationship between God and Soul — Pgs. 89

23. God and Souls – Entirely Different Entities — Pgs. 92

24. What is Nature (Prakriti) and Its Role — Pgs. 95

25. The Doctrine of Maya (Illusion) — Pgs. 98

26. The Concept of Trividha (Three-fold) Brahma — Pgs. 101

27. The Doctrine of Karma — Pgs. 104

28. The Gita’s Views on Karma, Akarma, Vikarma — Pgs. 107

29. Karma and Destiny (Bhgaya) — Pgs. 109

30. Non-Hindu Sciptures’ and Philosophers’ Views on Karma — Pgs. 113

31. The Doctrine of Reincarnation of Soul — Pgs. 115

32. Proofs of Soul’s Reincarnation — Pgs. 117

33. Views of Renowned Philosophers on Reincarnation of Soul — Pgs. 122

34. References of Reincarnation in Non-Hindu Religions — Pgs. 126

35. The Doctrine of Moksha (Liberation) — Pgs. 129

36. Is Moksha an Eternal State? — Pgs. 133

37. Belief in Return from Liberated State (Moksha)

in Non-Hindu Cultures — Pgs. 136

38. Yoga – The Workshop of Indian Culture and Philosophy — Pgs. 137

39. Arise! Awake! — Pgs. 139

Section III

40. Practical Lessons in Yoga — Pgs. 147

Step I: Moral Discipline

41. Moral Conduct — Pgs. 163

42. Treat Others Like Thyself — Pgs. 164

43. Follow the Dictates of Your Conscience — Pgs. 166

44. Think about the Opposite or Adverse Consequences — Pgs. 168

45. Be Always Mindful of Death and God — Pgs. 170

46. Inculcate Feelings of Detachment — Pgs. 172

47. Self-Introspection (ATMA – NIRIKSAN) — Pgs. 174

48. Complete Control over Senses (Pratyahar) — Pgs. 176

Step II: Asana (Physical Exercises)

49. Instructions Regarding Asana and Health — Pgs. 179

50. Meditation-Related Asanas — Pgs. 182

51. Health-Related Asanas — Pgs. 184

52. Dhanur Asana (Bow Posture) — Pgs. 186

53. Bhujanga Asana (Cobra Posture) — Pgs. 187

54. Pashchimottan Asana (Forward- Bending Posture) — Pgs. 188

55. Matsya Asana (Fish Posture) — Pgs. 189

56. Ardhamatsyendra Asana (Spinal Twist Posture) — Pgs. 190

57. Gomukh Asana (Cow-Head Posture) — Pgs. 191

58. Makar Asana (Crocodile Posture) — Pgs. 192

59. Sarvanga Asana (All-Limbs Posture) — Pgs. 193

60. Hala Asana (Plough Posture) — Pgs. 194

61. ShIrSa-Asana (Head Posture) — Pgs. 195

62. Surya (Isha) Namaskar Asana (Salutation to God) — Pgs. 196

63. Satkarma (Six Procedures) — Pgs. 199

Step III: Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)

64. Instructions Regarding Pranayama: — Pgs. 203

65. Meditation-Related Trividha Pranayama — Pgs. 206

66. Meditation-Related Chathurtha (Fourth) Pranayama — Pgs. 208

67. Health-Related Svar Parivartan (Altering Breath)

Nadi Shodan (Cleansing of Nerves)/Anulom

Vilom Pranayama — Pgs. 210

68. Health-Related Svar Parivartan Pranayama

(Altering Breath): Sûrya Bhedi/Chandra Bhedi Pranayama — Pgs. 212

69. SthantrayI Pranayama (Three-Stage Breathing) — Pgs. 213

70. Bhastrika (Bellow Breathing) — Pgs. 215

71. UjayyI Pranayama (Throat- Massaging Pranayama) — Pgs. 216

72. ShItali/ShItkari Pranayama (Cooling Exercise) — Pgs. 217

73. Kapal Bhati (Head-Glow Pranayama) — Pgs. 218

74. Bhramari (Bumble Bee) Pranayama — Pgs. 219

75. Synchronised Breathing – Pranic Healing

(Tartamay Pranayama) — Pgs. 220

Step IV: Meditation

76. Important Observations regarding Meditation — Pgs. 225

77. Trataka : Open-Eyed Concentration — Pgs. 227

78. Meditation by Concentration on the Breath — Pgs. 229

79. Meditation by Concentration on Your Forehead

(Agya Chakra) — Pgs. 230

80. Meditation by Concentration on Navel Chakra — Pgs. 231

81. Meditation by Recitation of a Mantra or Hymn or Ayat — Pgs. 232

82. Meditation by Concentration on Objects of Nature — Pgs. 233

83. Meditation by Concentration on Sound (Anahat Nada) — Pgs. 234

84. Meditation on Eight Chakras — Pgs. 236

85. Meditation on Any Object of Liking — Pgs. 238

86. Therapeutic Meditation — Pgs. 241

87. Self-Confidence– Related Meditation — Pgs. 243

88. Contemplative Prayer Healing — Pgs. 246

89. Total Devotion to God – Ishvara Pranidhana

(Does God Listen to One’s Prayers?) — Pgs. 248

90. Experiences (Anubhûti) During Meditation — Pgs. 251