Objects of meditation in Raja Yoga.

[FlipAsso]

I'm very thankfull for your answers.
Philippe, you know where I come from. I originally read a (non-religious) book on self-observation. I searched thoroughly to know more about it, and got into Buddhism. The self-observation practice is very much used there, but the metaphysics don't satisfy me.
It was in hinduism that I found and explanation of the world, god, and all that, that I identified with. The samskara's are much better explain in hinduism than in buddhism (sankhara).

Although I kind of lacked that self-observation practice in hinduism. As I'm not very well read in this religion I had to ask.

2 more questions:
- In buddhism, jhana(absorption) is a state which one attains by the practice of samadhi (concentration). There are a lot of jhana states. In hinduism is samadhi a state one attains by the practice of dhyana?? Samadhi, means a state of no-thought, I understant that there are various degrees and the culminating one is enlightenment or turya (or moksha). Is this correct??
- Also the practice of brahmacharya is of great debate. Is retaining sperm (or as I heard it bindu) good in Raja Yoga?? Or is absolute celibacy necessary??

Thanks for prior answers and thanks in advance.

[Philippe*]

I'm very thankfull for your answers.
Philippe, you know where I come from. I originally read a (non-religious) book on self-observation. I searched thoroughly to know more about it, and got into Buddhism. The self-observation practice is very much used there, but the metaphysics don't satisfy me.
It was in hinduism that I found and explanation of the world, god, and all that, that I identified with. The samskara's are much better explain in hinduism than in buddhism (sankhara).

Although I kind of lacked that self-observation practice in hinduism. As I'm not very well read in this religion I had to ask.

2 more questions:
- In buddhism, jhana(absorption) is a state which one attains by the practice of samadhi (concentration). There are a lot of jhana states. In hinduism is samadhi a state one attains by the practice of dhyana?? Samadhi, means a state of no-thought, I understant that there are various degrees and the culminating one is enlightenment or turya (or moksha). Is this correct??
- Also the practice of brahmacharya is of great debate. Is retaining sperm (or as I heard it bindu) good in Raja Yoga?? Or is absolute celibacy necessary??

Thanks for prior answers and thanks in advance.

dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation/contemplation) and samadhi (absorption/enstasis) are linked, there are states of mind. Dharana is also the practice of concentration per se, dhyana means also the practice of meditation, moreover in Sanskrit dhyana means also concentration on a single train of ideas about the same subject. Samadhi when it is not spontaneous can follow dhyana, it is a matter of degree or time of concentration. But well don't bother too much about that, keep in mind that all of that is a mental classification.

There are different interpretations of yamas and niyamas, some say that ahimsa implies automatically vegetarianism for instance others don't. Brahmacarya means brahmic (from the god Brahma) conduct. The theory has been developed in Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda. The point is not to refuse the sexual energy, it is accepted. It can be found such explanation : the semen/retas can be transformed into ojas, vital force of stamina and stability, which is needed for a harmonious growth of tejas/fire and the accumulation of prana. This is a kind of austerity/tapas. The yogi keeps the energy for his own sadhana. In Yoga Sutra it is written :

brahmacarya pratishthAyAm vIrya lAbhah II.38
When brahmacarya is established a great vigor is acquired.

This must be done without repression which would trigger off agitating flucuations (vrittis) in mind. It can be interpretated at different levels : symbolic, psychological, practical...

It doesn't mean that a yogi has to remain celibate or have no sexual relationship. Behind this theory is the point of the balanced control of one's energy. Most of yogis have been married for instance, some of them had also several wives, for instance Yajnavalkya (cf Yoga Yajnavalkya Samhita).

However some spiritual teachings don't have anything to do with sex at all, they aim at getting over sex and using the sexual energy for a lasting spiritual fulfilment.

There are very different traditions both in Buddhism and Hinduism. As a matter of fact, Raja Yoga has been developped within Hinduism and vedic culture but it is independant of any religious engagement. Let's say that Raja Yoga can offer a wonderful set of technics for self-development, but one can find it somewhat unsatisfactory, moreoever it is rarely practiced just for the sake of Patanjali's metaphysics which is open to a lot of interpretations. On this point, some Buddhist teachings can be seen as more consistent and religious. A lot of yogis follow some religions, spiritual paths for instance it is often combined with Vedanta in India. Not to mention that you have to find a competent teacher, because Raja Yoga has to be learnt through oral transmission, a misguided practice can be dangerous.

Philippe

[FlipAsso]

Thanks a lot.
I feel relieved that brahmacharya is not just about celibacy. I'll investigate thoroughly.

As far as I understand Samyama, is about concentrating on one object alone. What you achieve by it will come with time, whether samadhi, or whatever you call it, it doesn't matter. The technique is concentrating on one object.
Luckily, I can concentrate on the object of "witnessing/witness" which with Advaita Vedanta and Psychology, very much fulfills my beliefs.

Thx a lot.