Essence and Purpose of Yoga

Yoga is now a household word, but what does it really denote? What are its philosophical, spiritual, and practical aspects?

The essence of yoga is the absorption of individualised consciousness into universal consciousness. It is an experiential vision, with theoretical and practical aspects which need to be integrated to give the right result.

Raphael here presents a cognitive and operative synthesis of the various paths of yoga, because seekers of truth need to know their own constitutions and dominant energy complexes in order to be able to choose the most congenial type of yoga and enjoy maximum benefits from yogic training.

This, then, is a valuable book, both for those who recognise the need to be correctly informed about the essence and purpose of yoga and for those who feel the 'call' to self-comprehension. Yoga is the science of knowing oneself in order to be.

Introduction               

1.   The personal and impersonal aspects 

of the Divine                  

2.   Bliss and the ways of attaining it      

3.   The ethics of yoga            

4.   Haṭhayoga               

5.   Karmayoga               

6.   Bhaktiyoga               

7.   Rājayoga              

8.   Jñāna Yoga               

9.   Asparśayoga or Asparśavāda      

10. Realisation and psychological comfort    

    Glossary                  

    Raphael: Unity of Tradition