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THE PRACTICE OF
YOGA LEADS TO
SPIRITUAL LIBERATION
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISCIPLINE
T
he Sanskrit word yoga
is used to describe a
range of practices, both
physical and mental, which are
used to help achieve spiritual
insight and escape the limitations
of the physical body.
Ideas about yoga are found
in the 6th century BCE in the early
philosophical Hindu texts known
as the Upanishads, and there is
a section on yoga in the ancient
Sanskrit scripture, the Bhagavad-
Gita. The first systematic account
of yoga is found in the Yoga Sutras.
Some scholars attribute this text to
the philosopher Patanjali, who lived
in the 2nd century BCE. However, it
is now generally agreed that it was
written between the 2nd century CE
and the 4th century CE by more than
one author, and that it includes
traditions and practices from earlier
periods. The Yoga Sutras comprise
a set of techniques to promote
mental calmness and concentration,
which are deemed necessary for
gaining greater insight.Although originally devised for
those who had taken an ascetic
path, yoga was later developed
as a set of practices that could be
used by everybody. The physical
postures and techniques for
breath control are not an end in
themselves. They aim to calm
the mind and make it singular
in its focus—single-pointed. The
mind can only become calm once
the senses have been controlled.
It is only then that inner freedom
and insight may arise.A path to release
According to the Yoga Sutras,
yoga enables the practitioner to
avoid mental afflictions, such asIN CONTEXT
KEY TEXT
The Yoga SutrasWHEN AND WHERE
2nd century BCE, IndiaBEFORE
Before 1700 BCE An Indus
Valley clay tablet showing a
person sitting cross-legged
suggests a yoga posture.1000 BCE Indian Ayurvedic
medicine analyzes the body
and promotes exercise.6th century BCE Daoism and
Buddhism promote mental
and physical discipline as
aids to harmony and insight.AFTER
12th century In Japan,
Zen Buddhism refines the
pursuit of mental stillness
and focused thinking.20th century In the West,
yoga becomes popular in a
secular context for its physical
and mental health benefits.Physical postures and breath control
techniques are used in yoga to still
both body and mind. More advanced
techniques can lead to the attainment
of higher consciousness.