Mysticism, from the Greek μυω (muo, "to conceal"), is the pursuit of achieving communion with or conscious awareness of ultimate reality, the divine, spiritual truth, or God through direct, personal experience (intuition or insight) rather than rational thought; the belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible through personal experience; or the belief that such experience is a genuine and important source of knowledge. In the Hellenistic world, ...

Including:

• Mysticism - Types of mystical experience
• Mysticism - Mysticism and epistemology
• Mysticism - Subjectivity and mysticism
• Mysticism - Self-transcending self-discovery
• Mysticism - Mysticism and syncretism
• Mysticism - On the difficulty of defining mysticism
• Mysticism - Theosophy and Occultism
• Mysticism - Examples in major traditions
• Mysticism - Hindu mystics
• Mysticism - Chinese mystics
• Mysticism - Christian mystics
• Mysticism - Islamic mystics
• Mysticism - Jewish mystics
• Mysticism - Other mystics

Read more here: » Mysticism: Encyclopedia - Mysticism

YOGA

(Sanskrit for "union," related to our "yoke.") Conquering the self is known as Yoga, the esoteric Eastern teaching of human perfection that lies behind all occult wisdom. It is a thread that binds the individual to the "Supreme Reality" (or, as Watts would say, "The Supreme Identity"). In the Upanishads is written:

"By Vayu, the Inner Controller, as by a thread, O Gautama, are  this world, the other world, and all beings held together.

"Quite so... Now describe the Inner Controller.

"He who inhabits the earth, yet is within the earth, whom the earth does  not know, whose body the earth is, and who controls the earth from within --  he is your Self, the Inner Controller, The Immortal."

A teacher of Yoga is called a guru and a student is called a chela, a practitioner of Yoga is called a Yogi or Yogin. Yoga reveals the beginning yogi's weaknesses and also what transcendent strengths are available to him. There are 12 essential types of Yoga, here presented in arbitrary order:

Hatha-Yoga (The Breath: physical vitality). Bhakti-Yoga (Loving: The way of Devotion of Religion). Shakti-Yoga (Energy: The way of nature). Mantra-Yoga (Sound: Power through sound vibrations). Laya-Yoga (The Will: Mental powers). Yantra-Yoga (Formation: Powers through the use of geometric forms). Dhyana-Yoga (Thinking: Way of thought). Raja-Yoga (Methodology: Power to discriminate and develop consciousness). Jnana-Yoga (Knowledge: Intellectual power). Kundalini-Yoga (Kundalini energy: Development of psychic nerve energy). Samadhi-Yoga (The Self: The way of ecstasy). Karma-Yoga (Action: The way of right action). To these we must also add the esoteric Martya Yoga (willed death).

(See also: YOGA, Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul, )

A Theosophical definition of Yoga :

Yoga

(Sanskrit) Literally "union," "conjunction," etc. In India it is the technical name for one of the six Darsanas or schools of philosophy, and its foundation is ascribed to the sage Patanjali. The name Yoga itself describes the objective of this school, the attaining of union or at-one-ness with the divine-spiritual essence within a man. The yoga practices when properly understood through the instructions of genuine teachers  - who, by the way, never announce themselves as public lecturers or through books or advertisements  - are supposed to induce certain ecstatic states leading to a clear perception of universal truths, and the highest of these states is called samadhi.

There are a number of minor forms of yoga practice and training such as the karma yoga, hatha yoga, bhakti yoga, raja yoga, jnana yoga, etc. Similar religious aspirations or practices likewise exist in Occidental countries, as, for instance, what is called salvation by works, somewhat equivalent to the Hindu karma yoga or, again, salvation by faith  - or love, somewhat similar to the Hindu bhakti yoga; while both Orient and Occident have, each one, its various forms of ascetic practices which may be grouped under the term hatha yoga.

No system of yoga should ever be practiced unless under the direct teaching of one who knows the dangers of meddling with the psychomental apparatus of the human constitution, for dangers lurk at every step, and the meddler in these things is likely to bring disaster upon himself, both in matters of health and as regards sane mental equilibrium. The higher branches of yoga, however, such as the raja yoga and jnana yoga, implying strict spiritual and intellectual discipline combined with a fervid love for all beings, are perfectly safe. It is, however, the ascetic practices, etc., and the teachings that go with them, wherein lies the danger to the unwary, and they should be carefully avoided.

See also: Yoga, Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul)

Mystical Experiences: Mystical Experiences during meditation

These are short explanations of various categories of mystical experiences that Sadhakas will experience in meditation. Includes:

Anahata Sounds: The Mystical Internal Sounds Heard During Meditation

Movement of the Mind

Astral Journey and the Astral Body

Separation from the Physical Body

Visions of Lights in Meditation

Dazzling Mystical Lights in Meditation

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Dazzling Mystical Lights in Meditation

Sometimes, during meditation, you will get very powerful and dazzling lights, bigger than the sun. They are white in color. In the beginning, they come and disappear quickly. Later on, they are steady and they become fixed for ten to fifteen minutes according to the strength and degree of concentration. For those who concentrate at the Trikuti, the light appears in the forehead; while for others who concentrate at the Sahasra Chakra, the light manifests itself at the top of the head. The light is so powerful and dazzling sometimes that you have to withdraw yourself from looking at it and break the meditation.

Read more here: » Mystical Experiences: Dazzling Mystical Lights in Meditation

 The word "yoga" often brings to mind a classroom of students attired in exercise clothing attempting to stretch their bodies into different postures. A more traditional yoga class will even include instruction in breathing techniques, concentration, meditation, and positive thinking. In the media today, yoga is often associated with health benefits such as stress reduction, lower blood pressure, and an overall decrease in illness and hospitalization rates. This is the Western idea of yoga. If we look to the Eastern approach, where yoga is a part of the great Hindu and Buddhist traditions, we find that yoga is all of these things but much, much more as well.

Read more here: » Yoga: Serve, Love, Meditate, Realize - The Inner Teachings of Yoga

Links to archives related to mysticism:

Tsedeq, Tsela`, Tselem, Tsien'sin, Tsien-Sin, Tsien-sin, Tsien-Tchan, Tsimtsum, tsipporah, Tsiruph, Tsi-tsai, Tso-ch'an, Tsong-kha-pa, Tsu No Gai No Kami, Tsuflifu, Tsulma', Tsung-men, Tsurah, Tuan Ying T'u, Tuat, Tubal Qayin, Tubal-Cain, Tuisco, Tukui, Tula, Tulku, Tullia, Tulpa, Tum, Tumo, Tune In, Tunkashila, Tunnels Of Set, Turanian, Turiya, Turiya Avastha, Turiya-avastha, Turiya-samadhi, Turvasa, Tushita, Tushitas, tusitas, Tvashtri, tvastr, Twashtri, Twelfth House, Twelve, Twenty-seventh Parallel, Twice-born, Twilight, Twilight Icon, Twin-Souls, Two-dimensional Space, Twofold Man, Txuringa, Tychism, Tylwyth Teg, Tyndareus, Tyndaridae, Tyndarus, Types of, Typheus, Typhoeus, Typhon, Tyr, Tzaila, Tzedeq, Tzelem, Tzigadze, Tzim-tzum, Tziruph, Tzite, Tzon-kha-pa, Tzool-mah, Tzuphon, Tzurah, Tzure, Tzyphon

Here are links to all 10 527 archives related to mysticism:

Mysticism Dictionary

Mysticism Dictionary - A, Mysticism Dictionary - B, Mysticism Dictionary - C,

Mysticism Dictionary - D, Mysticism Dictionary - E , Mysticism Dictionary - F,

Mysticism Dictionary - G, Mysticism Dictionary - H, Mysticism Dictionary - I,

Mysticism Dictionary - J, Mysticism Dictionary - K, Mysticism Dictionary - L,

Mysticism Dictionary - M, Mysticism Dictionary - N, Mysticism Dictionary - O,

Mysticism Dictionary - P, Mysticism Dictionary - Q, Mysticism Dictionary - R,

Mysticism Dictionary - S, Mysticism Dictionary - T, Mysticism Dictionary - U,

Mysticism Dictionary - V, Mysticism Dictionary - W, Mysticism Dictionary - X,

Mysticism Dictionary - Y, Mysticism Dictionary - Z, Mysticism Dictionary - Numbers

More popular related archives:

Consciousness, Chakras, Kundalini, Kundalini Yoga, Cosmic Consciousness, Meaning of Dreams, Gaia Hypothesis, Life after death, Prana, Subconscious, Kalki, Mayan Calendar, 2012, Indigo Children, Diksha, Morphogenetic Fields, Enligtenment, Bhagavan, Past Lives, Parapsychology, Psychic Ability, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul

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Few people try to explore the frontiers of their consciousness. Their pleasure-seeking passion never permits them to sit quietly, wrote Soren Kierkegaard who revolted against the traditional religiosity of man. Agreeing with him, William James, the father of paranormal psychology opined that religion was like a thin verbal oil slick floating atop the deep ocean of mysticism.

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

The word Yoga comes from the root Yuj which means to join. Yoga is restraint of the activities of the mind, and is the union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul.

Hiranyagarbha is the founder of the Yoga system. The Yoga founded by Patanjali Maharshi is a branch or supplement of the Sankhya. It has its own charm for students of a mystic temperament and of a contemplative type. It claims greater orthodoxy than the Sankhya proper by directly acknowledging the existence of a Supreme Being (Isvara).

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga: Hindu Philosophy - The Yoga

Brahmacharya is very very essential Even in dreams you must be free from lustful thoughts. It requires long practice and careful watch over the mind and Indriyas. Foolish people hastily jump up to the higher courses in Yoga in vain without having this important item which is very useful for spiritual Sadhana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

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An Introduction to Yoga

Yoga can be defined as a complete science of life. It was originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the most diversified spiritual practice in the world and crosses over many cultures including Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Yoga also extends over multiple languages such as Hindi, Tibetan, Sanskrit and many more.

Read more here: » Yoga: An Introduction to Yoga

While in recent years the word "yoga" has been heard more in gyms than in religious discourse, "yoga" in its original sense has little to do with exercise. "Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit verb yuj, to yoke or unite. The goal of yoga is to unite oneself with God; the practice of yoga is the path we take to accomplish this.

Read more here: » Yoga: The Meaning of Yoga

Yoga is union with the infinite through meditation and Samadhi.

A Yogi is freed from Karma or the law of cause and effect, from births and deaths and from the trammels of mind and flesh.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga: The Quintessence Of Yoga

Ethics as a Means to Yoga.

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

Read more here: » Yoga: Yoga of Right Conduct

Perfection In Yoga

A Yogi can switch his life-currents, to and from the senses. He takes the Prana and the mind to the Sahasrara or the thousand-petalled lotus at the crown of the head. He enters into Samadhi. He is dead to the world. He experiences superconsciousness or Nirvikalpa Samadhi. He is in blissful union with the Lord.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga: Perfection In Yoga

A seeker asked, "What action shall I perform to attain God?" "If you wish to attain God" came the response, "there are two things you must know. The first is all efforts to attain God are of no avail."

"And the second?" the seeker asked.

"The second is that you must act as if you do not know the first!"

The stages in yoga:

-       The Beginning Stage

-       The Intermediate Stage

-       The Advanced Stage

-       The Achievement Stage

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

Yog means union. Union with a supreme power which is the source of creation, perfection and destruction. Union with the supreme intellect and the guiding force behind the perfect mechanism of the universe. Yoga is merging oneself with this force that guides the human being to a state of total bliss. A human being is a small universe in itself. When the consciousness of this small universe unites with the energy prevailing in the vast canopy of the universe the union is complete and the light of wisdom starts flowing in the human body.

Read more here: » Yoga - Beyond The Body And Mind

 Laya Yoga - The Essence Of All Religion

Yoga is the essence of every religion and is that what all religions have in common. If a man really wants to go deeply into the mystical and spiritual essence of their religion, then he or she comes to practise yoga. We say that yoga is not a religion in a sense of an individual creed or a sect separating from others, we also say that yoga is the substance and profundity of every religion and its inner cult. That is why one can be a member of every religious society and practise yoga. Two rules, or if one prefers, two commandments present in all scriptures such as Veda, Koran or the Bible are as if two angelic, divine wings of the Laya Yoga training. " Be holy because I am Holy" and " Be so perfect as your Heavenly Father is" these are the signs of an authentic, spiritual path of universal life.

Read more here: » Laya Yoga: The Essence Of All Religion - Laya Yoga

Yoga-II

Yoga is primarily a process of self-culture. Its aim is the attainment of spiritual perfection or Self-realisation. The process of Yoga pertains to the control of the physical organs, the breath, the mind and the senses.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga: Yoga for Self-realisation

Yoga - I

Yoga is a perfect practical system of self-culture. Yoga is an exact science. It aims at the harmonious development of the body, the mind and the soul. Yoga is the turning away of the senses from the objective universe and the concentration of the mind within. Yoga is eternal life in the soul or spirit. Yoga aims at controlling the mind and its modifications. The path of Yoga is an inner path whose gateway is your heart.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga: Yoga - a perfect practical system of self-culture