Thursdays and Thoughts 01: Swami Vivekananda and Raja Yoga

Swami Vivekananda was born on 12th January 1863 as Narendranath Dutta in Kolkata. He was the chief disciple of Ramakrishna paramahamsa. He also propagated Ramakrishna mission with the principle of "Universal religion". Well known for his Chicago speech and his words which run like an electric current in the youth of the nation to do something for their "MOTHERLAND".

The book - Raja Yoga 

Swamiji during his venture in the Western land, divided the teachings of Hinduism into four streams of yoga which ultimately all reaches to the same supreme goal. The four streams of yoga are: 

1. Bhakti yoga (Love)

2. Jnana yoga (Knowledge)

3. Raja Yoga (Control of mind)

4. Karma Yoga (Working selflessly)

Raja yoga is believed to be Swamiji's favorite stream of yoga.

The book- Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda is the extracts of his teachings and interpretations of how to control the psychic energy of mind.

Raja Yoga in day to day life.

Raja Yoga in simple words is nothing but 'strong will power'.Raja Yoga is also known as 'royal union'. 

Swamiji always emphasizes that "Knowledge is based on experience, unless you practise it you can't realise'. Raja Yoga is an art of concentrating the mind in whatever work you do. It is one of the most practical stream of yoga. It first begins from within and then controls both internal and external. It is nothing but calming down the doubts of mind, channelizing the energy in the right direction. Raja Yoga has become synonymous with magic, tricks like eating grass, swallowing stones, burrying themselves under earth and are applauded as great Yogis. The world easily falls into prey for such things. This is a typical instance of an unfortunate attitude of mind which shows how 'uncommon' is 'common sense'.

Raja Yoga according to yogic aspect as told by Swamiji is achieved by following Ashtanga yoga given by Patanjali. They are Yama (abstinence), Niyama (rules), Asana (yoga postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of sensors), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (Meditation) and samadhi (union).

Raja Yoga can be explained like this with strong will power and determination The child has the willpower to 'crawl'.

The child has the willpower to 'sit down'. The child has the willpower to 'stand up'. The child has the willpower to 'work'. Any number of times the child may fall it will not give up. It continuous its attempt over the years. That will power is polluted by self doubt. 

Therefore by the practice of Raja Yoga one can 

Revive the willpower, 

Restore the willpower, in 

Righteous way.

"Each soul is potentially divine, the goal is to manifest the divinity within us. Do this either by work or worship or psychic control or philosophy." -Swami Vivekananda

Raja Yoga can be summed up as:

it can be achieved by following 3D's

D - Dedicated

D - Devoted

D - Determined, in whatever work you do.

Thank you.

(Received from one of my dear readers)