Dhayan And yoga
Yoga is a group of ancient spiritual practices originating in India. As a general term in
Hinduism, Gavin Flood, the OCHS (Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies) Academic Director,defines
it as referring to "technologies or disciplines of asceticism and meditation which are
thought to lead to spiritual experience and profound understanding or insight into the
nature of existence." Outside India, Yoga has become primarily associated with the practice
of asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga (see Yoga as exercise), although it has influenced the
entire dharmic religions family and other spiritual practices throughout the world.
Hindu texts discussing different aspects of yoga include the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita,
the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita, and many others.
Major branches of Yoga include: Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga.
Raja Yoga, known simply as Yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is one of the six orthodox
(astika) schools of thought, established by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
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