Yoga

Yoga is union, and Yoga is also separation. Yoga is both a science and an art. Ancient yogis observed nature and discovered 84 asanas (postures). They watched the behavior of animals, birds, and trees. They also discovered 21 pranayamas (breath control). But the yogis went much further and reached the very essence; they reached the Source and attained Immortality. True Yoga begins when all practices and all activities of the mind and body are abandoned.

Yoga practices are very powerful and can grant immense strength and abilities on the level of demigods. However, practice is always activity and action, whether of the body or the mind. But that Yoga, in which the practice itself is discarded, is far more powerful. A practice where practice is absent can reach Brahman. It is precisely where practice ends that true Yoga begins. A Yogi goes beyond practice. Where sadhu-practitioners finish their work, the Yogi only begins their true activity. Yoga goes beyond practice, beyond rituals and scriptures.

Krishna is the greatest Yogi. His Cosmic Play is beyond time and space, beyond the mind. Without Krishna, Yoga would not be complete. Krishna is creativity and the Cosmic Play, Lila, while His opposite pole is Lord Shiva, who is always in total stillness. Krishna and Shiva complete Yoga. Shiva is the Original Yogi, the Adi Yogi. From Shiva, all Yoga originated. To reach the ultimate goal of Yoga, one must become totally still like Shiva.

My Guru, Pilot Babaji, was once asked: "What do you practice? What kind of Yoga do you practice?" To this, Babaji replied very briefly: "We practice Immortality." Jesus was also a Great Yogi, and through all his actions and teachings, he too affirmed Immortality.

Author: Yogi Isha