Yogic Personal Development Seminar One

Concentration:

The Key to Success in Life's Endeavours

Introduction

What is Yoga? Yoga is Hinduim's personal development program. Literally yoga means to unite, or to become one. In Yoga's context, this union refers to the yogi achieving oneness or uniting his or her consciousness with God. This in fact is the goal of Hindu practice, that is God Realization and the achievement of enlightenment. 

According to Hindu philosophy, the soul reincarnates on earth many times for it to gain spiritual evolution, or spiritual growth with each life. The ultimate goal of the soul on Earth is to complete its spiritual evolution and gain liberation from the process of reincarnation. This liberation from rebirth is known as moksha. After moksha our soul lives in the Heavens until we unite with God in Vishvagrasa (total union with God). 

Coming back to Yoga, Yoga practices are the practical application of Hinduism that lead to the devotee's achievement of the goals of Hinduism which are God Realization (Samadhi) and Liberation from the cycle of reincarnation (Moksha). In the pursuit of these goals developing concentration is cardinal.

When Yoga is mentioned, most people will generally think of meditation and yoga exercises. Actually, Yoga contains all the practices of Hinduism, including worship, virtous living and scriptural study. Yoga is in fact the science behind Hinduism, while Hindu living is the art of practicing Yoga.

The entirety of the practices of yoga is contained in the system codified by Sage Patanjali in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras more than 2,000 years ago called Ashtanga Yoga. Ashtanga means eight limbs or eight parts. The eight parts of Ashtanga Yoga are 1. Yama; 2. Niyama; 3. Asana; 4.Pranayama; 5.Pratyahara; 6. Dharana; 7. Dhyana; 8. Samadhi.

In this seminar, we are going to focus on 3 parts of Ashtanga Yoga that are most pertinent to developing concentration. They are Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara.

Asanas are yoga exercises contained in Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is an exercise system that harmonizes the physical body with the spiritual energies within it. When done properly Hatha Yoga is able to remove stress, lethargy and  depression from the mind. It is also a form of physical exercise for the body to keep it fit and healthy. When done in sync with breathing techniques and colour visualization related to a particular asana, Hatha Yoga can bring about amazing results in both our body and mind, including enhancement of concentration.

Pranayamas are breathing techniques that effect the state of our mind. It is mainly done to focus the mind into deep states of concentration. There are hundreds of Pranayama techniques that create all sorts of effects from increasing body heat to stimulating the kundalini force. In, and of itself, Pranayama is a very potent practice. Its potentness increases when done after preparing the mind for concentration by doing Hatha Yoga or doing pranayama after prayers.

Pratyaharas are techniques that focus the subconscious mind into a singular purpose. There are many varied techniques in pratyahara to achieve concentration of the subconscious (which is a much more powerful state compared to the concentration of the conscious mind). These techniques include japa yoga, colour meditation and affirmations. Pratyahara techniques aim to clear the mind from cumbersome or negative tendencies that obstruct the ability to concentrate the subconscious. It also works on the causal potential of our life, through auto suggestive techniques such as affirmations to develop a positive future for ourselves.

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