The term Yoga, used here, refers to the Original Yoga System. Thus, this writing does not pertain to any of types or schools of so-called “yoga” prevalent today. Whilst these tend to use some aspects of the Original Yoga System, they neither posess its positive effects nor its benefits. This subject will be covered in more detail in the forthcoming chapters.

The knowledge of Yoga could perhaps be compared to a river. A river begins it’s journey from pure and clean water sources in the mountains. Whilst we can find the clearest water at the beginning of the river, this water can often become muddy and contaminated as it flows downward and reaches the ocean. By no means can water taken from the foot of a river show how clean and clear it actually was at its source. Therefore, if we try to determine its quality at the place where the river reaches the ocean, we would inevitably come to the wrong conclusions. If we want to understand the essence and particularities of the water we need to examine the river at its source.

Similarly, in order to grasp the Yoga System fully and correctly we need to derive the knowledge of Yoga from its original sources. Nowadays, the knowledge of Yoga represented in so-called “yoga” books resemble the muddy waters of a river that reaches the ocean. Such books not only misinform and confuse their readers, but they also propagate conflicting ideas. As a result, people tend to believe that there are many different types of Yoga. This in turn leads to disputes about the superiority of one type of Yoga over another.

This confusion further opens up discussions on whether Yoga is to be considered a religion or not. The present book provides the reader with transparency-glasses to see through this confusion. Thus, with these glasses on readers can plunge into the muddy waters of contemporary discourses on Yoga and tell apart right from wrong for themselves. In other words, with the knowledge-glasses we are providing in this book it will be possible for anyone to distinguish between correct and false information on Yoga.

The Original Yoga System

Maha Yoga is the original and basic yoga system. (Yoga Shikha Upanishada)

The Original Yoga System is called Maha-Yoga. Maha means ”great” or “highest”. İndeed, in Vedic literature the Original Yoga System is refered to as “great” or “supreme”. The Original Yoga system configures hundreds of thousands of different techniques. These techniques are the basis of the Yoga system and as such can satisfy any and all needs Thus it does not make any sense to invent different types of “yoga” as a means to meet special needs. Practised in its original form Yoga has a postive impact on all aspects of the human organism and its development.

Once, the leader of a religious sect which was hiding its true aim behind the term Yoga responded with a strong reaction to my explanations about the Original Yoga, claiming “There is no such thing as Original Yoga”. This reaction exemplifies the ignorance and intolerance of the leaders of a so-called “yoga society”. The true purpose of such so-called yoga societies is not to convey the knowledge of Yoga, but to spread their religious beliefs— thereby brain-washing unassuming minds. These religious sects that operate under the name of “Yoga Centers” and/or “Meditation Centers” contaminate peoples minds with harmfull ideas, using all kinds of fabrications they call Yoga. The leaders of such “societies” tend to neglect the basic principles and techniques of the Original Yoga System as supposedly inessential. Thus, their denial of the existence of an Original Yoga System is not only irresponsible, but also at odds with the fact that the basic knowledge they employ stems from the Original Yoga System itself. What they are actually doing is, “spiting into the well from which they drink ”. While the false methods they proclaim as “yoga” or “meditation” may suit their sect’s purpose, they also lead to dangerous speculations.

An explaination of The Original Yoga System can actually be found in Vedic literature.These explanations usually come in the format of a brief summary. The basic knowledge conveyed in Vedic literature is explained in more detail in the books of Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishada. Nevertheless, it is imperative that the techniques introduced in the Original Yoga System are learned in their particular aspects under the guidance of an actual Yoga master.

The Original Yoga System is called Maha-Yoga and consists of eight parts. These eight parts—technically referred to as Ashta-Anga— constitute elements of the general structure of the Original Yoga System. Ashta is the Sanskrit word for “eight” and Anga the Sanskrit word for “part”. In each of the eight parts there are hundreds of thousands of techniques introduced. Thus the modus operandi of the basic practice consists of eight parts.

The Yoga system is based on progressive control. Yama (control) is developed step by step and reaches its highest level with Samyama (super-control). Sam which means “super” is attached here to Yama (control) as a prefix. Yama is closely linked to “concentration”. At this level of Samyama, concentration developes into super-concentration, which is called Samadhi. Concentration is at once linked to “connection”. When concentration reachest its highest level, connection becomes super-connection which is called Samyoga. Thus, at the level of super-control , concentration turns into super-concentration and connection into super-connection. The condition reached at this level is what we refer to as YOGA, which stands for unification. This explains why the Yoga system is considered to contain the following three aspects:

1. Samyama (Super-control)
2. Samadhi (Super-concentration)
3. Samyoga (Super-connection)

These three aspects which are closely connected with each other are constitutive—and therefore inseparable—parts of the Yoga system. Super concentration turns into superior concentration in the last stage of the Yoga system. At this stage consciousness fully merges with the object of concentration. As a result, super connection turns into true (superior) unification. This unification is realized between the individual soul and the Universal Soul. That is, the individual soul and the Universal Soul join into a unified whole. Since there is no more need for control at this stage, supercontrol turns into true freedom. Thus, the Yoga (unification) state turns into the state of Maha-Yoga (superior unification). It is in this state that individual consciousness reaches its highest level.

In order to arrive at this superior level of Yoga it is of absolute necessity that the power of control is developed step by step and in stages. There are eight stages or parts to The Original Yoga System. An advancement on the way to spiritual evolution requires that the techniques constituting each stage are practiced correctly and on a regular basis.