Yoga: The Path to Enlightenment

by Dr. Brian Sheen

Throughout the ages, one of the most compelling aspects of the human race has been its quest for enlightenment. Ever since recorded history the profound questions of, “Who am I?” “Where do I belong in the grand scheme of things?” and, “what is the meaning of life?” has brewed within the depths of our minds. Philosophies, theologies, myths, legends and scientific theories have been created each seeking to answer these inquiries. Complex beliefs and rituals have evolved to satisfy our insatiable hunger to know the Truth. However, despite its noble intention it is this same quest that has also spawned the greatest tragedies of hatred, murder and war. Nevertheless, the failure to find a universal theology to provide a workable solution that brought about enlightenment has not curtailed the undisputed desire to know God, to obtain knowledge of our Divine Beingness and to achieve spiritual freedom.

Despite the vast variety of paths to enlightenment, perhaps Krishnamurti said it best “There’s only one path – the path of the heart”. He commented how finding that path was like walking through a field with a fresh covering of snow. The path is wherever your feet left marks.

Undoubtedly there are many paths to travel to enlightenment, but like spokes on the wheel each leads to the center. Yet, one of the most ancient and perhaps most traveled path to enlightenment, is that of yoga. Yoga has become popularized today by movie stars in TV commercials, print ads and scores of promotional tie-ins. The former TV series Dharma and Gregg was built around Dharma's yogic lifestyle upbringing with all its quirks and idiosyntricity. The commercialization of yoga has been massive as America has turned this ancient wisdom from India into a new age aerobics filled with the latest fashion gear and feel good “look at me I’m spiritual” pretense. There are more types of yoga practiced today than ever before as the mixtures of classical hatha yoga becomes integrated with regional tastes and marketing savvy. Branding is an important business concept, which has certainly not been lost in the struggle for market share. Though it would be easy to criticize the westernization of yoga, I prefer to acknowledge that any taste is better than no taste, and any opening to knowledge is better than a closed door. Given the popularity of yoga videos, magazines and proliferation of information, I can only conclude that great good will come of it for many people. After all, regardless of the spiritual journeys of the participants and whether their yoga practice is for weight loss, delivery of a healthy baby, staying connected to your spouse or as a social connection, the fact remains yoga is scientifically proven as being excellent for physical health. Yoga helps detoxify and strengthen the body and help achieve its true purpose; preparing a person to comfortably sit in meditation to realize the Self – to obtain enlightenment.

The Origin of the Path

It is estimated that approximately 5,000 years ago a great sage named Patanjal Muni appeared at the ashram of Paanni in the form of a thousand fanged serpents, Shayash Naag. In an act of compassion Patanjali offered to answer the question of Paanni to share his superior knowledge and enlightenment. Whereupon Patanjali answered thousands of Patanjali’s questions while a celestial Being sitting in a tree recorded the discussion on leaves of the tree. These leaves form the basis of the sacred text known as the Mahaabhasshya. Within this sacred text a portion known as Patanjali Yog Darshan was extracted which has become the basis of yoga, as we know it today. The word Patanjali comes from the Sanskrit – Paat, meaning leaves and Anjali meaning handful.