Glossary of Terms
Ashtanga
Ashtanga is a Sanskrit term meaning eight limbs. Yoga is a time-honored path to finding out who and what you are in relationship to life.
Eight Limbs of Yoga
description here
Yamas & Niyamas
These are the first two limbs of yoga and lay out ethical precepts or suggested ways of being that foster freedom from suffering while living in human form.
Pranayama
Pranayama is the extension, expansion, and retention of breath.
Dharana
Dharana means concentration.
Dhyana
Dhyana means meditation.
Asanas
These are the postures or gestures formed with the body.
Pratyahara
Pratyahara is a withdraw of the sense organs. In order to properly withdraw the senses, it is necessary to refine the sense organs via a healthy central nervous system. A proper quieting of the senses is also relative to one’s quality of mind. Awareness is key here.
Samadhi
Samadhi means absorption.
Zen
Please come and take your seat to observe and to find out for yourself what this is.
Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva is an awakened or enlightened being who renounces the experience of nirvana in order to remain with unenlightened beings and work for the liberation of others. The bodhisattva ideal is closely associated with Mahayana Buddhism.
Dharma
Dharma is Sanskrit for truth. This word has many layers, forms, and meanings and Dharma can refer to the principle or law that orders the universe. It refers to the path you are on, the karmic law, or the essential function or nature of a thing.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is many things. For our purposes here at yoga. the awareness institute, it is a householder’s practice.
Kriya yoga
Kriya Yoga is a mystical science meant to harmonize and balance the forces that govern your physical, perceptual and spiritual energies.
The law of karma is the essential teaching of Kriya Yoga. Kriya techniques are meant to soften karmic patterning that perpetuates our suffering.
A kriya is a sacred action with intent. The word yoga is difficult to define since it is primary or direct in its meaning and experience. We might say that yoga is not two.
Kriya’s cultivate the skills necessary to soften karma and to live in a way that is generous and loving to oneself and to others.
The ideology of Kriya Yoga is: He who knows a drop of water knows all water, whenever or wherever it is found. In the self same manner, when you realize the truth of the temple of your own body, so will you know the truth of the total universe.” Goswami Kriyananda
Gasho
Hapjang is bowing with two palms coming together. It signifies gratitude. In bringing the two hands together we can sense that they must have been one before.
Sangha
Sangha is a community of individuals coming together in search of the fundamental nature of existence.
Four Noble Truths
The Buddha’s great realization that
Suffering is all around us; it is a part of life.
The cause of suffering is craving and attachment.
There is a way out; craving can be ended and thus suffering can be ended.
The way to end craving is the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path
The first talk the Buddha gave included the following tenets:
Right View (or Understanding)
Right Thought (or Resolve)
Right Speech
Right Conduct
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration