Hatha Yoga deals with physical body and astral body purification and training. Its goal is to bring the physical body into a perfect state of health so the soul has an appropriate vehicle of expression to work through.

Hatha Yoga embraces many practices, including physical postures and breathing exercises ( pranayama ) , which also act upon the physical nervous system and etheric body. It helps bring the vital energies of the physical and etheric bodies under conscious control.

(See also: Yoga Systems, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

Hath Yoga: Yoga of physical postures

(See also: Hath Yoga, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Ridvan is a garden chosen by Baha'u'llah for announcing his divine mission. The Festival of Ridvan is celebrated over 12 days from April 21 to May 2. The first, ninth and twelfth days are consecrated for special worship and service.

The Baha'is believe that the events in the Garden of Ridvan are of tremendous significance for the regeneration of humankind. So the festival is celebrated with great joy and fellowship.

(See also: Festival of Ridvan, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Hinduism lays great emphasis on ethical discipline. Yama (self-restraint) and Niyama (religious observances or canons) are the foundations of Yoga and Vedanta.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Ethics: Ethical Codes In Hinduism

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra forms the basis of all yoga that is practised today. It contains knowledge which is useful for all, whether one is an evolved yogi, a developing sadhaka or an uninitiate.

In the Astanga Yoga, the eight constituents of yoga are discussed. Of these, the first constituent talks of the five Yama. These are the restraints every human being is advised to practise in day-to-day living.

(See also: Patanjali Yoga Sutras, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The word ' Yog ’ is derived from the verb yuj which means to yoke, to join, to connect. The end of life is to yoke oneself to the holy spirit i.e., the Paramchaitanya. Hindu scriptures enlighten us on the various ways or margas of doing so. The union with the holy spirit is possible through Gyan Yog, Karma Yog, Bhakti Marg, Mantra Yog, Raj Yog, Sanyas Marg or Hath Yog.

The rishi-munis have particularly adopted the Gyan Yog which is possible only through Dhyan . For the householder, Karma Yog and Bhakti Marg are the most practical ways of attaining moksha. Ascetics have developed the knowledge of mantra-tantra . Hath Yogis have evolved various Aasanas, postures and occult practices for awakening the Kundalini. Shri Aadishakti Shri Mataji Nirmaladevi has advocated the Sahaj Yog for householders to attain the Parmachaitanya through the raising of the Kundalini.

(See also: Sahaj Yog, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

India needs rejuvenation. This rejuvenation will come only with the revival of our great Indian ideals. India needs shakti. For this, extensive re-building needs to be initiated for the country to acquire physical, mental and spiritual strength.

For creating this stupendous energy, India needs a new spiritual awakening. A new direction. The inspiration for such an awakening could come from a prophet of peace, for instance, someone like Guru Nanak, who proclaimed: "Love the saints of every faith, Put away the pride! The essence of religion is Humility, service, and sympathy.  Not fine clothes, Not the yogi'sgarb and ashes, Not the blowing of horn, Not the shaven head, Not long prayers...".

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Poet Terhune recollects how when he was a child, his mother, returning after an hour from a neighbour's, asked him, "When I left you were playing on the floor and a sugar candy was there on the table. Now you are there, but not the candy." "I ate at it up, Mother," replied the child.

"But you already had your share and I had forbidden you to touch what was left" demanded the mother.

"You had, Mother, but believe me, I wept while I was eating it," said the boy.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

During the mid-19th century, Baha'u'llah proclaimed three cardinal principles: The oneness of mankind, oneness of God and oneness of religion. He provided the blueprint for a New World Order which would help reduce h uman suffering.

Baha'u'llah revealed: "The All-Knowing Physician hath His finger on the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the disease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wisdom, the remedy." The entire focus of Baha'u'llah's revelation is the well-being of humanity, mitigation of man's suffering in this world and the progress of his soul both in this world and in the world to come.

(See also: Declaration of the Bab, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Each soul is potentially divine. "We are not human beings learning to be spiritual; we are spiritual beings learning to be human," said Jacqelyn Small. If this be so, why this forgetfulness about our divine potential?

What causes this amnesia? Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin has summed up the ultimate aim of Satan as: "The worst thing that the evil one can achieve is to make man forget that he is the son of a king."

(See also: Spiritual Growth, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Kriya Yoga: The Path of Kriya Yoga

The Kriya Path is: Attaining eternal Tranquility by practice of Pranayam and continuing meditations on the Formless, i.e. Tranquility.

Increasing the practice of Kriya, doing all works without expectations for the results thereof, the path aims at achieving Tranquility, observing everything which is revealed in Yonimudra (Beatific Inner Revelation Kriya), and terminating all desired expectations, renouncing every desire before it originates, being freed from all thoughts.

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: The Path of Kriya Yoga

A man, who has attached ethical perfection by the continued practice of right conduct or Yama and Niyama, has got a magnetic personality. He can influence millions. Character gives a strong personality to man. People respect a man who has good character. Moral people command respect everywhere. He who is honest, sincere, truthful, kind and liberal-hearted always commands respect and influence at the people.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Sadachara: Glory of Sadachara

Karma Yoga Lesson I

What the West thinks of Eastern Yogi methods; History of Karma Yoga Buddhist and Jain views thereof; Their Law of Karma The Hindu view and caste system; "In the beginning was the Deed"; Free will and Predestination; The doubter dissected; The Power and Nature of Faith; Mantra.

Read more here: » Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga - Lesson I (of XI )

Karma Yoga Lesson V

Further study of thought; Contacting thought; Enjoying every thought; Especially painful thought; Keeping a notebook, for study, after meditation; Meaning of suffering; The fire trial; Mantra for this lesson (Maatra-asparsa-astu) contact, suffer, everything.

Read more here: » Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga - Lesson V (of XI )

Ethics as a Means to Yoga.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Yoga: Yoga of Right Conduct

The mark of Dharma is Achara or good conduct. Achara is the mark of the good. From Achara is Dharma born. Dharma enhances life. Man attains prosperity and fame, here and hereafter, through the practice of Dharma.

Good conduct is the highest Dharma. It is the root of all Tapas or austerities. Righteousness, truth and good works, power and prosperity - all originate from conduct.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Ethics: Ethics in Hindu Darma

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita Gita ...

Read more here: » Ushas: Encyclopedia - Ushas

Sri Aurobindo (Bangla: শ্রী অরবিন্দ) (August 15, 1872–December 5, 1950) was an Indian nationalist, scholar, poet, Hindu mystic, evolutionary philosopher, yogi and guru. His followers further believe that he was an avatar, an incarnation of the supreme being. Sri Aurobindo spent his life—through his vast writings and through his own development—working for the freedom of India, the path to the further evolution of life on earth, and to bring down what he called the Supramental Truth Consciousness Forc ...

Including:

• Sri Aurobindo - Early experiences
• Sri Aurobindo - Final conversion
• Sri Aurobindo - Philosophical and spiritual writings
• Sri Aurobindo - The Mother
• Sri Aurobindo - Contribution to Hindu philosophy
• Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's evolutionary philosophy
• Sri Aurobindo - Involution
• Sri Aurobindo - Evolution
• Sri Aurobindo - Other points
• Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's integral yoga
• Sri Aurobindo - Divine Life on Earth
• Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's influence
• Sri Aurobindo - Quotation
• Sri Aurobindo - Partial bibliography
• Sri Aurobindo - Related links

Read more here: » Sri Aurobindo: Encyclopedia - Sri Aurobindo

Hanuman Chalisa (Hindi: हनुमान चालीसा Forty chaupais on Hanuman) is Tulsidas' most famous and read piece of literature apart from the Ramacharitamanasa, a poem primarily praising Hanuman. Although it is not one of his best poems, it has gained enormous popularity among the modern-day Hindus. Many of them recite it as a prayer every week, generally on Tuesdays. Hanuman Chalisa - Text. दोहा श्र ...

Including:

• Hanuman Chalisa - Text

Read more here: » Hanuman Chalisa: Encyclopedia - Hanuman Chalisa

The soul, according to many religious and philosophical traditions, is the ethereal substance — spirit (Hebrew:rooah or nefesh) — particular to a unique living being. Such traditions often consider the soul both immortal and innately aware of its immortal nature, as well as the true basis for sentience in each living being. The concept of the soul has strong links with notions of an afterlife, but opinions may vary wildly, even within a given religion, as to what happens to the soul after death. Many wi ...

Including:

• Soul - Etymologies
• Soul - Philosophical views
• Soul - Socrates and Plato
• Soul - Aristotle
• Soul - Religious views
• Soul - Bahá'í beliefs
• Soul - Buddhist beliefs
• Soul - Christian beliefs
• Soul - Hindu beliefs
• Soul - Islamic beliefs
• Soul - Jainist beliefs
• Soul - Jewish beliefs
• Soul - Other religious beliefs and views
• Soul - Science and the soul
• Soul - Materialistic Science and the Soul
• Soul - Scientific approaches for study of a non-material soul
• Soul - Other uses of the term
• Soul - Movie
• Soul - External references and links

Read more here: » Soul: Encyclopedia - Soul