Raja Yoga, also known as the "royal path" or the "yoga of mind and body control," is a systematic approach to calming the mind through meditation, focusing on both physical and energetic well-being
. It is considered one of the four classical schools of yoga, alongside Jnana (knowledge or self-study), Bhakti (devotion), and Karma (action)
. Raja Yoga is highly revered because it attains enlightenment from direct control and mastery of the mind
. Key aspects of Raja Yoga include:
- Meditation : Raja Yoga emphasizes meditation as a means to transcend identification with the body-mind-intellect complex and ultimately achieve a state of unity of mind-body-spirit
- Eight Limbs : The practice of Raja Yoga is broken down into eight limbs or sub-practices, which include both external and internal limbs
. The first four limbs are referred to as the external limbs and are to be practiced simultaneously
- Control of the Self : Raja Yoga involves control of the body, breath, mind, and desires to remove the ego and reach the state of Samadhi
- Connection to Other Yogas : Raja Yoga is considered a modern retronym and has been equated with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
. It encompasses teachings from all the different paths of yoga and is the source of Hatha Yoga and modern Asana practice
To practice Raja Yoga, one must focus on calming the mind through meditation, starting with the physical and energetic bodies, then working through the emotional and intellectual aspects of the mind, and finally developing the capability to bring the mind to a one-pointed focus, which leads to true meditation and Samadhi
