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PRACTICAL YOGA And Persian Magic
The Eastern religions stand forth as a guiding star to the English student of occult and philosophical subjects, beckoning him onward to the mysterious unknown worlds which he fain would explore, luring him from the prosaic rush of Western life to the dim unrealities which lie hidden beyond the Himalayas, where dwell the Adepts, who, so report says, have been since all time.
The Wisdom Religion, as Yoga has been called, is undeniably a very beautiful one in many respects, albeit selfish, for it certainly causes its votaries to shirk their earthly duties and responsibilities. Its philosophy is grand, its students pure and devoted to their creed. Many of them attain considerable powers, and are able to produce the phenomena dear to the heart of the Western races; others, no wit less pure and devoted, are still unable to reach such a high state of perfection.
The study of Yoga undeniably purifies the body, improves the health, and strengthens the mind. For these reasons alone it may be recommended; and although many of the postures and similes may appear impossible and even ridiculous to us, we must bear in mind that to the Eastern student nothing is absurd, nothing impossible, and also that he commences practice generally whilst very young, with all his limbs supple and pliable.
Raja Yoga does not call for the postures and contortions which go to make up Hatha Yoga, and much of the teaching of Hatha Yoga appears disgusting and repellant to us. I have given theory and practice of both, with some reservations in the latter case; but I have given more space to practice than to theory.
Yoga means really the merging of the lower self into the higher self — union with the Divine will; the overcoming of darkness with light; the vanquishing of the animal side of one's nature.
Any philosophy which enables man to do this is worthy of study; and whilst the man who thinks will probably be inclined to reject a good deal of these teachings, yet in the main he will find them helpful. The enthusiast, I honestly believe, can do all that the Hindoo Adepts accomplish, including levitation, if his enthusiasm is sufficiently strong to last.
The Wisdom Religion, as Yoga has been called, is undeniably a very beautiful one in many respects, albeit selfish, for it certainly causes its votaries to shirk their earthly duties and responsibilities. Its philosophy is grand, its students pure and devoted to their creed. Many of them attain considerable powers, and are able to produce the phenomena dear to the heart of the Western races; others, no wit less pure and devoted, are still unable to reach such a high state of perfection.
The study of Yoga undeniably purifies the body, improves the health, and strengthens the mind. For these reasons alone it may be recommended; and although many of the postures and similes may appear impossible and even ridiculous to us, we must bear in mind that to the Eastern student nothing is absurd, nothing impossible, and also that he commences practice generally whilst very young, with all his limbs supple and pliable.
Raja Yoga does not call for the postures and contortions which go to make up Hatha Yoga, and much of the teaching of Hatha Yoga appears disgusting and repellant to us. I have given theory and practice of both, with some reservations in the latter case; but I have given more space to practice than to theory.
Yoga means really the merging of the lower self into the higher self — union with the Divine will; the overcoming of darkness with light; the vanquishing of the animal side of one's nature.
Any philosophy which enables man to do this is worthy of study; and whilst the man who thinks will probably be inclined to reject a good deal of these teachings, yet in the main he will find them helpful. The enthusiast, I honestly believe, can do all that the Hindoo Adepts accomplish, including levitation, if his enthusiasm is sufficiently strong to last.
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2014
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