by Gurani Anajali
What is Yoga dharma (tradition)? It is a way of life that does not restrict any particular religious group or segment of humanity: age, class, nation or race of people.
The Yoga dharma is rooted in the Universal Vision. The spiritual experiences of sages form the basic foundation of the Yoga dharma. Let us always remember and speak out with praise—and honor them. The great seers [of truth] have gone through deep concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and absorption (samadhi); and have discovered that there are basic universal principles that bring order to all living beings in this vast universe. That there is the divine inherent in all living beings, from which nothing is excluded. Hence the Yoga dharma has a Universal appeal.
The Yoga dharma teachings and lived experiences enhances fearlessness, and courage to live one day at a time. Thus coming to the realization of that great Universal hypothesis of the Vedas: aham brahmasmi, meaning: ‘I am the very i from which the universe proceeds.’ This knowledge brings about stability and freedom from [all the] insanity arising from ignorance; resulting in fear, anxiety, pain.
The Yoga dharma instructs us as to how we can come to this understanding. There are divine laws in the universe. Come to know them; and practice will give [your] embodiment perfection. Every human being is entitled to have knowledge regardless of sex, race, color, or religion. The Yoga dharma has eight steps, and if one has an education in world religions, Eastern and Western philosophies, then the Yoga path will be greatly appreciated.
The conflicts in the world are due to two main, vicious reasons. They are dogmatic attitudes and blind faith. Understanding the wisdom of the great seers through the Yoga dharma will eliminate the confusion and conflicts. The great question of “Who am I?” will not remain a mystery any longer to those who sincerely care to live life fully.
No genuine peace can be achieved without a true spirit of nonviolence (ahimsa) towards all living beings.
When a devout seeker goes into meditation, he or she prays for Universal peace and harmony for enlightening the intellect; for the welfare of all people and all living beings in the world. They say sacred prayers (mantra) that are chanted, recited and sung by millions of Yoga practitioners all over the world. One such prayer (mantra) is:
Om
asato ma sad gamaya
tamaso ma jyotir gamaya
mrtyor ma-amrtam gamayaFrom nonexistence lead me to existence
From the darkness lead me to the light
From death lead me to immortality.Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28
I respect all religions of the world and it is the duty of all cultured and educated women and men to read, with respect, the great scriptures of the world. It is a sacred duty. The readings and the study of great religions has broadened my view and I walk in humble dignity.
Om shanti,
Gurani Anjali