Sadhguru: Essentially in the tradition, once we attach the word “yoga” to anything, it indicates that it is a complete path by itself. We say hatha yoga, but we will not say asana yoga. Of course, if you come from the United States, they say anything!
The moment you attach the word “yoga,” it indicates it is a complete path by itself.
If it is a complete path by itself, how should it be approached? Whether practicing Surya Kriya, Hatha Bliss, or seeking the physical and mental health benefits of classical yoga, it is not just a simple exercise. People today talk about “recreational yoga” or “health yoga” as mere entertainment. But classical yoga is a complete path of self-realization, far beyond a simple workout.
The word “yoga” essentially means, “that which brings you to reality”. Literally, it means “union.” Union means it brings you to the ultimate reality, where individual manifestations of life are surface bubbles in the process of creation. Right now, a coconut tree and a mango tree have popped up from the same earth. From the same earth, the human body and so many creatures have popped up. It is all the same earth.
What classical yoga means is to move towards an experiential reality, supporting mental health and inner well-being, where one knows the ultimate nature of existence.
The word “yoga” essentially means, “that which brings you to reality.”
Yoga refers to union not as an idea, a philosophy or as a concept that you imbibe. As an intellectual idea, if you vouch by the commonness of the universe, it may make you popular in a tea party, it may give you a certain social status, but it does not serve any other purpose. You will see, when things come down to even money – it does not even have to boil down to life and death – even for money, “This is me, that is you.” The boundary is clear; there is no question of you and me being one.
It actually causes damage to the individual if you intellectually see everything is one. People do all kinds of silly things because they got this idea that everybody is one, before somebody teaches them a good lesson and then they see, “This is me, that is you. No way to be one.”
If it becomes an experiential reality, it will not bring forth any immature action. It will bring forth a tremendous experience of life. Individuality is an idea. Universality is not an idea, it is a reality. In other words, yoga means you bury all your ideas.
Editor’s Note: Excerpted from Sadhguru’s discourse. To experience these classical teachings, Yogpriya offers specialized programs including Hatha Bliss, Surya Kriya, Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga for Women (including Yoga for PCOS and Prenatal Yoga classes), and Yoga for Children. Book a Personal Session or register for a Free Demo Class today. Contact us at our classical yoga studio near me or call the Yogpriya contact number to start your journey.
Leave a Reply