Maharishi Patanjali, one of the Great Unknown Masters of ancient Indian sciences and languages, was no longer human when he transmitted the aphorisms that came later to be recorded and popularised as Raja Yoga, or the Royal Yoga.
The very essence of the Raja Yoga lies in the understanding of what it means to be human and how, given that understanding, one can willfully transcend unto higher states of consciousness. Having then transcended to beyond where there is no more transcendence, the thing that remains is not a human, in fact it is not even a thing. It is simply a happening-an undefinable, separately defined by each observer as per his/ her capacity.
Maharishi Patanjali was communicating from the plane of this undefinable, in non-human language, through ‘telepathy’ as per the ancient record, with the students he had chosen as recipients for the Yoga Sutras, the aphorisms of Yoga. The Raja Yoga system is also called Ashtanga, which translates to 8 limbs - ashta(eight) & anga(limbs).
What it means to be human is what the mind conceives it to be. It is nothing more or less than a conception. Based on the conception, we form frames of reference based on our upbringing and learning experiences. From this frame of reference arises the character, the fully formed ego and way, unique to each one of us, of experiencing the world around us. Patanjalis revolutionary teaching is to take this whole lot and dump it at one go. To detach the conceived world from its source of projection with one fell stroke. These, then are the 8 Limbs of Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, divided into four sections, that make up the millennia old teaching of Integral Yoga, the royal path of Raja Yoga.
In this module, the first sub-section of the first chapter of Patanjali's Raja Yoga Sutras : "Samadhi Pada - The Highest Yoga", which introduces the very objective of all Yogas and the splendorous levels of higher consciousness states that are to waiting be experienced, is explained verse by serve with utmost clarity and brevity.
The great Sage Patanjali, guides us in the Opening Chapter Sutras of the 1st Chapter, the entire essence of the Raja Yoga or Highest Yoga in brief. Between Sutra 1-22, Sage Patanjali presents the entire essence of Reality, Non-Reality, Yoga, the Self, Objectives, levels and types of Yogas, and the Obstacles on the path of Yoga practice.
For the highest level student, these 22 Sutras are sufficient, given time and practice, to achieve and experience enlightenment.
Yoga practitioners, psychologists and cognitive scientists would appreciate these teachings, which have been presented in a systematic and syncretic approach, keeping in mind the present-day socio-cultural trends.
The following sub-topics are covered in this course -
a) True Nature of the Self - Highest Yoga
b) Ego or Non-Self According to Yoga
c) The Two Wings of the Bird of Yoga
d) Systematic and Non-Systematic Yoga
