Yoga, as stated by sumaru in the first post, means "to unite with". Its original meanings are lost nowadays due to extensive commercialism and new age "yoga gurus" who features it as a system of physical exercises for general well being, just like aerobics or modified form of physiotherapy. In its birthplace, India, the term Yoga was used to denote every form of spiritual pursuits which enables one to "be one with the absolute". As its original meanins are in spiritual arena, a brief introduction about Indian spiritual systems would be required.
India, from the ancient times, believed in personal experience as the perfect proof of reality. This experience should not be tainted with clouded vision or intellect. Purity of the mind and single-pointedness of the intellect were the key factors of Indian spiritual practices. Generally, the entire system was divided in to four paths as follows.
1. Bhakthi Yoga, the path of absolute love for god
2. Karma Yoga, the path of selfless service towards the mankind
3. Jnana Yoga, the path of knowledge in which a seeker analyzes everything, including his body, mind and the universe intellectually and differentiates between the permanent and transient. He the devotes his whole attention towards the permanent reality, which we call in India as "Brahman".
4. Raja Yoga, the path of specific meditations and physical exercises that enables one to control his mind and senses so that it can be directed towards higher goals in life.
The popular Yoga sessions in western countries are mainly based on the Raja Yoga, but in a highly diluted and altered manner. Originally the Raja Yoga system was organized by an Indian saint called "Patanjali". His popular book, "Patanjala Yoga Sutras" are the authoritative text on the subject of Yoga. In the first dictum, he states that "Yoga Chitta Vritti Norodha", that means "Yoga is cessation of mental projections", even though I am not fit to provide an in-depth philosophical description. So, practicing Yoga means practicing willful control of the mind and senses so that we could see things as it is, not through the mind which modifies the reality.
While composing this, I got an email from Vivekananda Vedanta Network that explains the goal of all Yogas including the Raja Yoga that I am reproducing here.
"In whom is the universe, who is in the universe, who is the universe; in whom is the Soul, who is in the soul, who is the soul; knowing that Truth--and therefore the universe--as our Self, alone extinguishes all fear, brings an end to misery, and leads to infinite freedom."
Written by Swami Vivekananda in March 1899, to be included in the prospectus
of the Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati in the Himalayas. Complete Works, 5.435.
For followers of Christian faith, the entire system of Yoga is nothing but practical applications of the teachings of Lord Jesus, "Let thy know the truth, the truth shall make you free".
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