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Summary of Question:	Raja Yoga
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Monday, 7/22/2002 5:36 AM MDT

Sat Sri Akal

I was wondering if you could help me, I read a Shabad in the SGGS on page 409, and Guru Arjan Dev Ji says "Practice Raja Yoga, the Yoga of meditation and success. Says Nanak, this is the way to dwell with the people, and yet remain apart from them."

I wanted to know if anybody could tell me more about this Yoga and how to practice it so that one is able to remain detached whilst in the company of others. I heard that there are 8 steps ? im not sure.

thank you for your time
(REPLY) Raj Yoga ("Royal" yoga) is fully described in the aphorisms of Patanjali, who wrote them hundreds of years ago. They are translated in a book called "How to Know God" that was co-authored by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood. These succint instructions describe the eight limbs of Raj yoga, starting with the Yams and Niyams, the ethical precepts (the "don't" and the "do's") which a person will follow who wishes to progress on a spiritual path. Then it talks about the Asanas (the way of sitting) and then describes breath techniques (pranayam), etc, leading up to what they call Samadhi - or merging with the Infinite. I found the commentary in this book especially valuable for it explains about karma and how the soul uses the mind and body to progress in this life. Raj Yoga philosophy is integral to the practice of Kundalini Yoga, which is the yoga of Awareness, and emphasizes the elevation of character and the living of life in the most ethical and righteous manner while exercising to be healthy, as well as meditating and chanting to experience the God within. You can get the book from Ancient Healing Ways www.a-healing.com or phone 1-800-359-2940 if you are in the United States. SP