Lessons in Practising Yoga

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'._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ContentsPrayer — Pgs. 7In Praise of God — Pgs. 9The Divine Promise — Pgs. 10Message — Pgs. 11Foreword — Pgs. 13Preface — Pgs. 15Transliteration Key — Pgs. 18Section IVedic Philosophy in Diagram — Pgs. 271. Introduction to the Philosophy of Yoga — Pgs. 292. Yoga: The Science of Mind — Pgs. 303. The Purpose of Yoga — Pgs. 334. The Universality of Yoga — Pgs. 355. Misconceptions about Yoga — Pgs. 376. The Constituents of Yoga — Pgs. 397. Step I: Moral Discipline — Pgs. 428. Step II: Asana (Physical Exercises) — Pgs. 459. Step III: Pranayama (Breathing Exercises) — Pgs. 4610. Step IV: Meditation — Pgs. 4911. What is Meditation? — Pgs. 5012. Meditation: Revelation of Secrets of Nature — Pgs. 5213. Meditation: Source of Supernatural Powers — Pgs. 5314. Experiences in the Hour of Meditation (Anubhuti) — Pgs. 5615. Meditation: Way to Realisation of Self and God — Pgs. 59Section II16. The Fundamentals of Ancient Indian Philosophy — Pgs. 6717. Proofs of Existence of God — Pgs. 6918. Nature, Attributes and Functions of God — Pgs. 7819. Nature and Activities of Soul (JIVA) — Pgs. 8220. Is Time of Death Pre-determined? — Pgs. 8621. Where is the Soul Located in the Body? — Pgs. 8722. Relationship between God and Soul — Pgs. 8923. God and Souls – Entirely Different Entities — Pgs. 9224. What is Nature (Prakriti) and Its Role — Pgs. 9525. The Doctrine of Maya (Illusion) — Pgs. 9826. The Concept of Trividha (Three-fold) Brahma — Pgs. 10127. The Doctrine of Karma — Pgs. 10428. The Gita's Views on Karma, Akarma, Vikarma — Pgs. 10729. Karma and Destiny (Bhgaya) — Pgs. 10930. Non-Hindu Sciptures' and Philosophers' Views on Karma — Pgs. 11331. The Doctrine of Reincarnation of Soul — Pgs. 11532. Proofs of Soul's Reincarnation — Pgs. 11733. Views of Renowned Philosophers on Reincarnation of Soul — Pgs. 12234. References of Reincarnation in Non-Hindu Religions — Pgs. 12635. The Doctrine of Moksha (Liberation) — Pgs. 12936. Is Moksha an Eternal State? — Pgs. 13337. Belief in Return from Liberated State (Moksha)in Non-Hindu Cultures — Pgs. 13638. Yoga – The Workshop of Indian Culture and Philosophy — Pgs. 13739. Arise! Awake! — Pgs. 139Section III40. Practical Lessons in Yoga — Pgs. 147Step I: Moral Discipline41. Moral Conduct — Pgs. 16342. Treat Others Like Thyself — Pgs. 16443. Follow the Dictates of Your Conscience — Pgs. 16644. Think about the Opposite or Adverse Consequences — Pgs. 16845. Be Always Mindful of Death and God — Pgs. 17046. Inculcate Feelings of Detachment — Pgs. 17247. Self-Introspection (ATMA – NIRIKSAN) — Pgs. 17448. Complete Control over Senses (Pratyahar) — Pgs. 176Step II: Asana (Physical Exercises)49. Instructions Regarding Asana and Health — Pgs. 17950. Meditation-Related Asanas — Pgs. 18251. Health-Related Asanas — Pgs. 18452. Dhanur Asana (Bow Posture) — Pgs. 18653. Bhujanga Asana (Cobra Posture) — Pgs. 18754. Pashchimottan Asana (Forward- Bending Posture) — Pgs. 18855. Matsya Asana (Fish Posture) — Pgs. 18956. Ardhamatsyendra Asana (Spinal Twist Posture) — Pgs. 19057. Gomukh Asana (Cow-Head Posture) — Pgs. 19158. Makar Asana (Crocodile Posture) — Pgs. 19259. Sarvanga Asana (All-Limbs Posture) — Pgs. 19360. Hala Asana (Plough Posture) — Pgs. 19461. ShIrSa-Asana (Head Posture) — Pgs. 19562. Surya (Isha) Namaskar Asana (Salutation to God) — Pgs. 19663. Satkarma (Six Procedures) — Pgs. 199Step III: Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)64. Instructions Regarding Pranayama: — Pgs. 20365. Meditation-Related Trividha Pranayama — Pgs. 20666. Meditation-Related Chathurtha (Fourth) Pranayama — Pgs. 20867. Health-Related Svar Parivartan (Altering Breath)Nadi Shodan (Cleansing of Nerves)/AnulomVilom Pranayama — Pgs. 21068. Health-Related Svar Parivartan Pranayama(Altering Breath): Sûrya Bhedi/Chandra Bhedi Pranayama — Pgs. 21269. SthantrayI Pranayama (Three-Stage Breathing) — Pgs. 21370. Bhastrika (Bellow Breathing) — Pgs. 21571. UjayyI Pranayama (Throat- Massaging Pranayama) — Pgs. 21672. ShItali/ShItkari Pranayama (Cooling Exercise) — Pgs. 21773. Kapal Bhati (Head-Glow Pranayama) — Pgs. 21874. Bhramari (Bumble Bee) Pranayama — Pgs. 21975. Synchronised Breathing – Pranic Healing(Tartamay Pranayama) — Pgs. 220Step IV: Meditation76. Important Observations regarding Meditation — Pgs. 22577. Trataka : Open-Eyed Concentration — Pgs. 22778. Meditation by Concentration on the Breath — Pgs. 22979. Meditation by Concentration on Your Forehead(Agya Chakra) — Pgs. 23080. Meditation by Concentration on Navel Chakra — Pgs. 23181. Meditation by Recitation of a Mantra or Hymn or Ayat — Pgs. 23282. Meditation by Concentration on Objects of Nature — Pgs. 23383. Meditation by Concentration on Sound (Anahat Nada) — Pgs. 23484. Meditation on Eight Chakras — Pgs. 23685. Meditation on Any Object of Liking — Pgs. 23886. Therapeutic Meditation — Pgs. 24187. Self-Confidence– Related Meditation — Pgs. 24388. Contemplative Prayer Healing — Pgs. 24689. Total Devotion to God – Ishvara Pranidhana(Does God Listen to One's Prayers?) — Pgs. 24890. Experiences (Anubhûti) During Meditation — Pgs. 251मूल संस्कृत उद्धरण — Pgs. 253(Sanskrit Text in Devanagari Script in Annexture)