Each evolutionary period has its own yoga, its own goal and its own means to attain it. Our current evolutionary goal is to become Soul-conscious in the here and now. The yoga of the 21st century is a mix of karma yoga (yoga of selfless service), bhakti yoga (yoga of the heart/devotion to a higher ideal), jnana yoga (yoga of wisdom), raja yoga (royal/kingly yoga) and agni yoga (yoga of synthesis; fiery union).

Physical health and fitness are, of course, very important because the body is the Soul’s instrument of manifestation. So, go swimming, hiking, biking, running, play soccer, play basketball, do whatever sporting activities inspire you. Do something that moves your whole body and do it outside in nature, if you can. This way you will also get into deep breathing and charge your system with prana, but you will do it the healthy way.

There are seven main yogas (and some minor ones that complement these major branches). They are:

  1. Hatha Yoga (yoga of the physical body; asanas and pranayama)
  2. Laya Yoga (kundalini yoga; yoga of etheric centers)
  3. Karma Yoga (union through selfless service)
  4. Bhakti Yoga (yoga of the heart or devotee; worship)
  5. Jnana Yoga (union through wisdom)
  6. Raja Yoga (yoga of the mind or will; kingly yoga; makes us the king of our lower self and inner kingdom)
  7. Agni Yoga (fiery union; union with the fire of God; yoga of synthesis)

A close look at these branches of yoga will reveal that they actually constitute a step-by-step system or outline of the major steps we have to take on the Spiritual path – steps on the evolutionary ladder which, in the end, lead us to conscious union with the Divine. As such, each yoga has its rightful place and time in the gradual unfoldment of man. As we progress through these seven steps of yoga, with each step we take, we realize our oneness with the Divine on the next higher level. So the goal of yoga is conscious union with the Divine. The various branches of yoga constitute the steps necessary to attain this union.

The days of hatha yoga lie behind us. Let’s focus on union with the fire within. Let’s strive to become Soul-conscious in the here and now and reveal the Spirit of the Divine in our daily life!

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