First one must have a sense from where Yoga comes from. It seems as if Vedic writings have been evolving from the beginning of human time advancing towards Vedanta, Absolute Reality, Truth. The Advaita Vedanta which has gained tremendous momentum amongst modern day spiritual seekers (not to be confused with the new agers) is part of it. The Bhagavad Gita deals with Vedanta and is also the first mention of Yoga; the second mention of yoga being the Yoga Sutras. The Sutras are more of an outline of a technological science based on trial and error i.e. comprehensive methodologies and skillful techniques that attempts to clear the way for direct experience (Samadhi) and application of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy (Jana Yoga), Truth can’t be found through a belief system, a scientific approach based on expansion of consciousness is required. Unfortunately most people seem drawn towards the mystical, occult like phenomenon’s that are related to the yogic sciences and offshoots Tantric, Kundalini etc. etc. (enter the new agers).
Thanks to eloquent intellectual explanations/clarifications from Adi Shankara, Siddharameshwar Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj some type of direction/advice for difficult intellectual topics from beyond the mind, can assist one along the way. They are the first to admit no one can do it for you, they did not call themselves gurus or appoint disciples since that which is beyond the mind cannot be transmitted through limited finite tools such as the a mind or language, Truth lies in the infinite absolute and is self- apparent.
“Truth is not a reward for good behavior, nor a prize for passing some tests. It cannot be brought about. It is the primary, the unborn, the ancient source of all that is. You are eligible because you are. You need not merit truth. It is your own. Just stop running away by running after. Stand still, be quiet."
“All you can teach is understanding. The rest comes on its own.”
“There is nothing to practice. To know yourself, be yourself. To be yourself, stop imagining yourself to be this or that. Just be. Let your true nature emerge. Don’t disturb your mind with seeking.”
“The search for Reality is the most dangerous of all undertakings, for it destroys the world in which you live.”
~ Nisargadatta Maharaj
“Nobody doubts that he exists, though he may doubt the existence of God. If he finds out the truth about himself and discovers his own source, this is all that is required.”
“Realization is our true nature. It is nothing new to be gained. What is new cannot be eternal. Therefore there is no need to be doubting whether we would gain or lose the self.”
“Turn the mind inward and cease thinking of yourself as the body; thereby you will come to know that the self is ever happy. Neither grief nor misery is experienced in this state.”
“You need not aspire for or get any new state. Get rid of your present thoughts, that is all.”
~ Ramana Maharshi
“Reality can be experienced only with the eye of understanding, not just by a scholar. What the moon is like must be seen with one’s own eyes. How can others do it for you?”
“Stop thinking about anything which is not your true self, for that is degrading and productive of pain, and instead think about your true nature, which is bliss itself and productive of liberation.”
“Abandoning the concerns of the world, abandoning concern about the body, and abandoning even concern about scriptures, see to the removal of wrong assumptions about yourself.”
“When by the effect of constant meditation, the purified mind becomes one with God, then samadhi, now freed from images, experiences in itself the state of non-dual bliss.”
~ Adi Shankara
