Yoga is a science and practice of experiencing and evolving a unifying quality of intelligence that underlies all diversities of life and existence. The practice of yoga leads human life to grow in harmony and balance; in wisdom and happiness; in enlightenment – a state of wholeness of consciousness or Kaivalya as described by Maharishi Patañjali.
In the literature of Vedic Science, yoga is one of the six Upangas, also known as shad-darśana, or the six systems of Indian philosophy, namely, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, Sankhya, Yoga, Karma Mīmāṃsā and Vedānta. Yoga has the quality of unifying. This unifying quality finds its fulfilment in the life experience of Being or Atma, the experience of Samādhi or Transcendence one experiences through the practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM).
Maharishi Patañjali cognized this unifying quality within the structure of the Vedas. The first chapter of his great exposition – Patañjali Yoga Sūtra (P.Y.S.), on Samādhi, and in the first verses, he defines yoga and describes the experience and nature of Samādhi – Transcendental Consciousness. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi explains the first four verses of the Yoga-Sūtra as follows:
अथ योगानुशासनम् ॥1.1॥ योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥1.2॥ तदा द्रष्टु: स्वरूपेऽवस्थानम् ॥1.3॥ वृत्तिसारूप्यमितरत्र ॥1.4॥
atha yoganuśāsanam. yogaścittavṛttinirodhaḥ. tadā draṣṭu: svarūpe’vasthānam. Vṛttisārūpyamitaratra. (P.Y.S. 1.1-1.4)
‘Now begins the teaching of yoga.’ ‘Yoga is the transcending of the activity of the mind.’
‘Then the observer remains established in his own nature.’ ‘Tendencies of the observer emerge from here (self-referral state) and remain here (within self-referral state).’
Śrīmad Bhagavadgītā, another most profound treatise on yoga, defines yoga as follows:
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया । यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति ॥6.20॥ सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद्बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् । वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वत: ॥6.21॥
yatroparamate cittaṃ niruddhaṃ yoga-sevayā yatra caivātmanātmānaṃ paśyann ātmani tuṣyatisukham ātyantikaṃ yat tad buddhi-grāhyam atīndriyamvetti yatra na caivāyaṃ sthitaś calati tattvataḥ (Śrīmad Bhagavadgītā – Chapter 6, verse 20-21)
That (state) in which thought, settled through the practice of yoga, retires, in which, seeing the Self by the Self alone, he finds contentment in the Self
Knowing that which is infinite joy and which, lying beyond the senses (Samādhi), is gained by the intellect, and wherein established, truly he does not waver
Samādhi – The experience of transcendence
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Vedic Science teaches the simple, effortless technique of Transcendental Meditation to allow the mind to settle, in an easy and effortless manner, to progressively more refined levels of thinking until the mind experiences its quietest, most expanded state – the field of pure intelligence or Samādhi at the source of thought. This state, known as Turiya or Transcendental Consciousness, is the state of yoga – a state of perfect balance, harmony, and unity.
Stabilizing the practice
तत्र स्थितौ यत्नोऽभ्यास: ॥1.13॥ स तु दीर्घकालनैरन्तर्यसत्कारासेवितो दृढभूमि: ॥1.14॥
tatra sthitau yatno’bhyāsaḥ. sa tu dīrghakālanairantaryasatkārāsevito dṛḍhabhūmiḥ (P.Y.S. 1.13-1.14)
Regular experience of transcendence – Samādhi – is the practice. This is stabilized through long-time devoted practice
Regular experience of transcendence through TM leads to the development of higher states of consciousness, bringing human life to perfection in complete harmony with Natural Law – individual life in unification with cosmic life – life in Enlightenment, the fulfilment of Veda, Yoga and Vedanta.
Experience of Transcendence and Growth of Consciousness through Transcendental Meditation
Some of the research studies conducted on the impact of Transcendental Meditation on the functioning of the brain have found increased coherence in brain functioning. The effect seems to be more pronounced in people who had undergone prolonged intervention of Transcendental Meditation.
These images show brain activity between different parts of the brain in the alpha range (8-10 hertz) during Transcendental Meditation. The COSPARs of subjects practicing Transcendental Meditation show a marked increase in orderliness even before the first session of practice, which is progressive as practice progresses. Remarkably, in more advanced subjects the coherence expands to other frequencies and stabilizes outside the meditation period.12
The EEG graph in the next figure shows high amplitude of local coherence in the left frontal and right frontal brain, and LF-RF Frontal Global Coherence which maximizes and stays very high during TM practice. Transcending leads to a distinct experience, pure consciousness, that transforms the inner nature of the mind, and so provides a new platform for living. The integration of transcendental experiences with waking, dreaming, and sleeping is also marked by distinct subjective and objective markers. This integrated state is called Cosmic Consciousness in the Vedic tradition.13
जात्यंतर परिणामः प्रकृत्यापूरात् ॥4.2॥
jātyaṃtara pariṇāmaḥ prakṛtyāpūrāt (P.Y.S. 4.2) Transformation of the inborn tendencies takes place through alignment with natural law
Transformation at the epigenetic level
Today’s epigenetic research shows an increase in telomerase gene expression through the Transcendental Meditation (TM) practice, and also through lifestyle changes using extensive health education. Both have been shown to stimulate two genes that produce Telomerase. Telomerase maintains telomeres which in turn protect the DNA. This in turn maintains the health and reverts ageing of the whole physiology.
Another study published in PLOS ONE found that the Transcendental Meditation technique and lifestyle changes both seem to stimulate two genes that produce telomerase.14
In this study 15 (with a duration of 16 weeks), researchers investigated whether stress reduction and lifestyle changes affect high blood pressure. To do so, participants were divided into two groups: one that practiced Transcendental Meditation and received health education, and one that received only comprehensive health education. Both groups showed an increase in telomerase gene expression and reduction of high blood pressure to clinical normal values.
Aṣṭāṅga Yoga – The eight limbs of yoga
Patañjali in his exposition of Yoga Sūtra has presented eight limbs of yoga, each is designed to establish the state of yoga in the sphere of life pertaining to that limb. The purpose is that life as a whole is lived in perfect harmony.
- Yama – Five observances
The entire field of creation lies outside the individual but is constantly influenced by his thoughts and actions. The state of yoga, or perfect harmony, is found established in this field when man’s life is naturally upheld by the five qualities of observances (yama) – Maharṣi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad Gita, A New Translation and Commentary, Chapters 1-6, Appendix.
Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra (P.Y.S.) describes the life-transforming influence of these qualities.
- Satya – Truthfulness
सत्यप्रतिष्ठायां क्रियाफलाश्रयत्वम् ॥2.36॥
satyapratiṣṭhāyāṃ kriyāphalāśrayatvam (P.Y.S. 2.36)
‘Established in Truthfulness, one achieves mastery over action and achievement’
- Ahiṃsā – Non-violence
अहिंसाप्रतिष्ठायां तत्सन्निधौ वैरत्याग:॥2.35॥
ahiṃsāpratiṣṭhāyāṃ tatsannidhau vairatyāgaḥ (P.Y.S. 2.35)
‘Established in Non-violence, enmity in the environment is neutralized’
- Asteya – Non-covetousness
अस्तेयप्रतिष्ठायां सर्वरत्नोपस्थानम् ॥2.37॥
asteyapratiṣṭhāyāṃ sarvaratnopasthānam (P.Y.S. 2.37)
‘Established in Non-covetousness, all precious things present themselves’
- Brahmacharya – Pure lifestyle
ब्रह्मचर्यप्रतिष्ठायां वीर्यलाभः ॥2.38॥
brahmacaryapratiṣṭhāyāṃ vīryalābhaḥ (P.Y.S. 2.38)‘
Established in Pure lifestyle, one gains great vitality, great brilliance’
- Aparigraha – Non-accumulation
अपरिग्रहस्थैर्ये जन्मकथन्तासम्बोध:॥2.39॥
aparigrahasthairye janmakathantāsambodhaḥ (P.Y.S. 2.39)
‘Established in non-accumulation, one gains the knowledge of past, present and future’
- Niyama – The five rules of life
The physical structure of the individual body and nervous system. The state of yoga is established in the field of the body and nervous system when one is naturally upheld by the five rules of life (niyama) – Maharṣi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad Gita – A New Translation and Commentary, Chapters 1-6, Appendix. Patañjali’s Yoga Sutra describes the life-transforming influence of these qualities.
- Saucha – Purity
सत्त्वशुद्धिसौमनस्यैकाग्र्येन्द्रियजयात्मदर्शनयोग्यत्वानि च ॥2.41॥
sattvaśuddhisaumanasyaikāgryendriyajayātmadarśanayogyatvāni ca (P.Y.S. 2.41)
‘From Purity, one achieves a purity of heart, cheerfulness, one-pointedness, control of the senses and ability to realize the Self.’
- Santosha – Contentment
सन्तोषादनुत्तमसुखलाभ: ॥2.42॥
Santoṣādanuttamasukhalābhaḥ (P.Y.S. 2.42)
‘From Contentment, supreme happiness’
- Tapas – Continued spiritual practice
कायेन्द्रियसिद्धिरशुद्धिक्षयात्तपस: ॥2.43॥
kāyendriyasiddhiraśuddhikṣayāttapasaḥ (P.Y.S. 2.43)
‘From continued spiritual practice comes the removal of impurities, giving rise to the perfection of the body and senses’
- Svadhyaya – Study of the Self
स्वाध्यायादिष्टदेवतासम्प्रयोग:॥2.44॥
Svādhyāyādiṣṭadevatāsamprayogaḥ (P.Y.S. 2.44)
‘From Study of the Self, the realization of one’s presiding intelligence’
- Ishvara-pranidhana – Worship of God
समाधिसिद्धिरीश्वरप्रणिधानात्॥2.45॥
samādhisiddhirīśvarapraṇidhānāt (P.Y.S. 2.45)
‘From the worship of God comes, the perfection of Samadhi (pure consciousness)’
- Āsana
स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥2.46॥ प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम् ॥2.47॥
sthirasukhamāsanam. prayatnaśaithilyānantasamāpattibhyām (P.Y.S. 2.46-2.47)
‘That which is steady and comfortable is Āsana.’ ‘Through relaxation of effort and absorption in the infinite (the posture is perfected).’
‘When a pose gives that experience of pleasant steadiness, then it is called an Āsana—it is a successful Āsana, perfect Āsana, perfect yoga Āsana. The test of correct Āsana is in feeling restful, pleasantly settled—the whole restfully seated in the collection of parts, and parts restfully seated under the umbrella of the whole.’ — Maharṣi Mahesh Yogi
- Prāṇāyāma
Prāṇa is the vital force that pervades the whole universe. Prāṇa is the link that connects consciousness and matter, Atma (individual Self) and the body. Prāṇāyāma is a means to connect individual breath with Cosmic breath, individual life with Cosmic Life.
5. Pratyāhāra
The sphere of life that lies between the senses and their objects. The state of yoga in this sphere is marked by complete self-sufficiency on the part of the senses.
6. Dhāraṇā
The steadiness of mind. The Sphere of life lies between the senses and the mind. The state of yoga in this sphere is marked by the withdrawal of the mind from the realm of the senses.
7. Dhyāna
The sphere of life that lies between the mind and Being. The state of yoga in this sphere is marked by the refining of the mental impulses until the most refined state of mental activity is transcended and the mind gains the state of pure consciousness.
8. Samādhi
The sphere of absolute Being, the state of transcendental consciousness Samādhi, which is already the state of yoga in the sense of transcendental consciousness, serves as a means to the ultimate state of yoga, cosmic consciousness.
Regular practice of yoga brings life in harmony, happiness, and good health for individuals and society.
12. Levine, P. H., Hebert, J. R., & Haynes, C. (1975). T., & Stobel, U. EEG coherence during the Transcendental Meditation technique. Unpublished manuscript, Maharishi European Research University, Weggis, Switzerland.
13. Travis, F. (2014). Transcendental experiences during meditation practice. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1307(1), 1-8.
14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0142689P
15. Duraimani S, Schneider RH, Randall OS, Nidich SI, Xu S, et al. (2015) Effects of Lifestyle Modification on Telomerase Gene Expression in Hypertensive Patients: A Pilot Trial of Stress Reduction and Health Education Programs in African Americans. PLOS ONE 10(11): e0142689. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0142689
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