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Raja-Yoga
By Swami Vivekananda, Raja-Yoga, the path of meditation and control of the mind, gives a scientific treatment of Yoga philosophy describing methods of concentration, psychic development and the liberation of the soul from bondage of the body. Rja-Yoga also includes Swami Vivekananda's translation and commentary of the "Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali." Raja-Yoga, along with Swami Vivekananda's Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, and Jnna-Yoga, are considered classics and outstanding treatises on Hindu philosophy. The Swami's deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, and broad human sympathy shine forth in these works and offer inspiration to all spiritual seekers.
256 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1982
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Vivekananda
1,641 books1,572 followers"Arise Awake and Stop not til the goal is reached"
Vivekananda left a body of philosophical works (see Vivekananda's complete works). His books (compiled from lectures given around the world) on the four Yogas (Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga) are very influential and still seen as fundamental texts for anyone interested in the Hindu practice of Yoga. His letters are of great literary and spiritual value. He was also considered a very good singer and a poet.By the time of his death, He had composed many songs including his favorite Kali the Mother. He used humor for his teachings and was also an excellent cook. His language is very free flowing. His own Bengali writings stand testimony to the fact that he believed that words - spoken or written - should be for making things easier to understand rather than show off the speaker or writer's knowledge.
Swami Vivekananda [ স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ ] (1863 – 1902), born Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, and bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion.
Born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Kolkata, West Bengal, India)
Vivekananda left a body of philosophical works (see Vivekananda's complete works). His books (compiled from lectures given around the world) on the four Yogas (Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga) are very influential and still seen as fundamental texts for anyone interested in the Hindu practice of Yoga. His letters are of great literary and spiritual value. He was also considered a very good singer and a poet.By the time of his death, He had composed many songs including his favorite Kali the Mother. He used humor for his teachings and was also an excellent cook. His language is very free flowing. His own Bengali writings stand testimony to the fact that he believed that words - spoken or written - should be for making things easier to understand rather than show off the speaker or writer's knowledge.
Swami Vivekananda [ স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ ] (1863 – 1902), born Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, and bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion.
Born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Kolkata, West Bengal, India)
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December 10, 2024
Clinging to books only degenerates the human mind.
Swami Vivekananda was, among other things, one of the great grandfathers of hippiedom. I say this because he was a key figure in the introduction of Hinduism into the West.
Vivekananda arrived at an opportune moment. Nietzsche had just proclaimed the death of God, and the newly widowed people of the West were looking for something new. There was a lot of spiritual flirtation. Hypnotism was on the rise. Arthur Conan Doyle, when he wasn’t busy writing Sherlock Holmes stories, spent his time going to séances, investigating telepathy, hanging out with mediums and magicians, and looking for fairies in the garden. Clearly, people were feeling a little aimless.
(It is worth noting that Freud was involved in hypnotism in his early days. Eventually, Freud’s theories swept away these earlier trends, becoming the new secular religion for trendy urbanites. Freud, too, can claim to be a great grandfather of hippiedom, for helping to inaugurate the sexual revolution.)
Vivekananda thus arrived on the scene, giving an address in the Parliament of the World’s Religions, in Chicago, in 1893. His message fit the Zeitgeist well. He preached a universalist doctrine, proposing a religion compatible with many different creeds, not based on any faith but on direct experience. Such a religion, Vivekananda argued, required no faith since it had no dogmas, and was perfectly consistent with a rationalist worldview.
It was an event in both the West and in his homeland. Sometimes called Neo-Vedanta, Vivekananda’s new interpretation of Hinduism—stripped down of dogma, and catered to fit Western trends like transcendentalism—exerted a lasting effect on how his religion was understood abroad and in India. It was a winning formula; and the perseverance of transcendental meditation and yoga in our culture is a testament to his lasting influence.
This book, Raja Yoga, is Vivekananda’s most popular. It originated as a series of lectures; and it includes, as the final chapter, his translation of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The general idea is this. There is a higher, spiritual plane of reality which the trained yogi can access and experience. This is done through several steps. The yogi must, first of all, lead a pure life; he must eat simple foods, keep his body clean, refrain from all forms of violence. Then the yogi must learn to control his breathing, and this way to master his attention. Eventually, through intense concentration, the yogi can attain to a superconscious level.
The benefits of attaining this level are sometimes pictured as psychological—tranquility, joy, and wisdom—and sometimes as magical. Vivekananda is open-minded about the possibilities of levitation, telepathy, and telling the future. The spiritual plane is, after all, the more fundamental reality; and the yogi who can access it might be able to control the visible world in ways that break the normal laws. But as far as I know, Vivekananda himself never levitated.
Although interesting from a historical perspective, I must say that I often found this book off-putting. Perhaps just to appeal to his audience, Vivekananda couched his explanation of Raja Yoga in the language of rationalism. But the intellectual substance of his arguments was often tissue-thin; and I found his insistence that his form of worship was “scientific” to be grating. What’s more, although he professes to be a universalist, in practice he treats all non-Hindu spiritual practices as failed versions of yoga. In one memorable section, he says that the prophet Mohammed “stumbled upon” the secrets of yoga, attaining the spiritual plane without the proper method. I’m not sure Muslims appreciate having their prophet called an amateur yogi.
In any case, it’s worth reading this little book, if only for Vivekananda’s historical importance. Not only was he a pioneer in bringing Hinduism to the West; he was also an early Indian nationalist. Nowadays his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day in India. He must have been a very charismatic man to have accomplished so much before his untimely death at the age of thirty-nine.
June 13, 2010
Swami Vivekananda was the first true traditional Yogi to go to the US and the UK, with short tours through Europe, and it was he with his brilliance who first popularized Yoga in the West. Traditions of Hinduism forbade all men and women from crossing the seas, and holy men specially would never do this. But this great man, with his scientific knowledge and excellent power over English, a graduate from Calcutta University, but who was also ordained into Yoga by one of its greatest traditional teachers, was the ideal man to spread the message of Yoga in the West. Before him, Yoga was heard of in the West only in snatches, and that too from westernized Indians who were divorced from its traditions, or carried back by Western academics. That is why Swami Vivekananda was such a great sensation when he appeared in the US at the end of the nineteenth century, and he was able to forge the foundations of the interest in Yoga in the West which continues to grow stronger every day.
This book was written by Vivekananda in the US, even as he was touring and delivering his speeches on Yoga in different cities, at the request of his followers. It is the only book written by him in book form, the other books like Gyana Yoga, etc. are compilations of different articles at different times. It was meant to give the first introduction to Yoga to people who had probably never even heard the word before, and inspire them to it.
And this it does with great aplomb. No one who reads the book can fail to be impressed by it. Its greatest attraction is the clear logic which Vivekananda uses to support Yoga. There is no mysterious air attached to Yoga, and the basic principles are taught in a scientific manner. At the same time, his passion and power shine through clearly, and will not fail to inspire anyone who reads this book.
This book is a must, recommended for all, whether a long time practitioner of Yoga or someone who just wants to know something about it.In fact, it is even more essential for those who are trying to gather knowledge of Yoga. These are the words of a true Yogi, a genuine teacher, who carries these teachings from a continuous ancient tradition, yet with the sense of wonder of a modern scientific mind. A book recommended for all.
This book was written by Vivekananda in the US, even as he was touring and delivering his speeches on Yoga in different cities, at the request of his followers. It is the only book written by him in book form, the other books like Gyana Yoga, etc. are compilations of different articles at different times. It was meant to give the first introduction to Yoga to people who had probably never even heard the word before, and inspire them to it.
And this it does with great aplomb. No one who reads the book can fail to be impressed by it. Its greatest attraction is the clear logic which Vivekananda uses to support Yoga. There is no mysterious air attached to Yoga, and the basic principles are taught in a scientific manner. At the same time, his passion and power shine through clearly, and will not fail to inspire anyone who reads this book.
This book is a must, recommended for all, whether a long time practitioner of Yoga or someone who just wants to know something about it.In fact, it is even more essential for those who are trying to gather knowledge of Yoga. These are the words of a true Yogi, a genuine teacher, who carries these teachings from a continuous ancient tradition, yet with the sense of wonder of a modern scientific mind. A book recommended for all.
June 12, 2017
UPDATE
Just to recall Swami Vivekananda died on the 4th of July 1902.
He made this next poem on the 4th of July 1898.
Behold, the dark clouds melt away,
That gathered thick at night, and hung
So like a gloomy pall above the earth!
Before thy magic touch, the world
Awakes. The birds in chorus sing.
The flowers raise their star-like crowns —
Dew-set, and wave thee welcome fair.
The lakes are opening wide in love
Their hundred thousand lotus-eyes
To welcome thee, with all their depth.
All hail to thee, thou Lord of Light!
A welcome new to thee, today,
O Sun! Today thou sheddest Liberty!
Bethink thee how the world did wait,
And search for thee, through time and clime.
Some gave up home and love of friends,
And went in quest of thee, self-banished,
Through dreary oceans, through primeval forests,
Each step a struggle for their life or death;
Then came the day when work bore fruit,
And worship, love, and sacrifice,
Fulfilled, accepted, and complete.
Then thou, propitious, rose to shed
The light of Freedom on mankind.
Move on, O Lord, in thy resistless path!
Till thy high noon o’erspreads the world.
Till every land reflects thy light,
Till men and women, with uplifted head,
Behold their shackles broken, and
Know, in springing joy, their life renewed!
This is a very authoritative approach to Yoga. You can easily notice the "scientific" concern to counter the "fraudulent" or "superstitious" tones the subjects at stake induce; mind you this is a 1897 book, and SCIENCE was gainning momentum.
The book had a long title,"Raja Yoga, also Patanjali's Yoga aphorisms, with commentaries and glossary of Sanskrit terms"; basically it's an assembly of lectures by Vivekananda on Raja Yoga, Vedanta Philosophy and "other subjects". You get a sense of completeness.
Most striking to me were the introductory words, I can not escape quoting them:
"Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this divinity within by controlling nature external and internal. Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control or philosophy, by one or more, or all of these AND BE FREE. This is the whole of Religion. Doctrines or Dogmas or rituals, or books, or temples or forms are but SECONDARY DETAILS".
Most of the book is dedicated to describing the eight steps leading to Samadhi, starting with 2 basic levels of moral training. It advances through Asana (posture), Pranayama (breathing), Pratyama (introspective mind), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and finally Samadhi (Superconsciousness).
Yoga as science.
The "Royal" way.
Just to recall Swami Vivekananda died on the 4th of July 1902.
He made this next poem on the 4th of July 1898.
Behold, the dark clouds melt away,
That gathered thick at night, and hung
So like a gloomy pall above the earth!
Before thy magic touch, the world
Awakes. The birds in chorus sing.
The flowers raise their star-like crowns —
Dew-set, and wave thee welcome fair.
The lakes are opening wide in love
Their hundred thousand lotus-eyes
To welcome thee, with all their depth.
All hail to thee, thou Lord of Light!
A welcome new to thee, today,
O Sun! Today thou sheddest Liberty!
Bethink thee how the world did wait,
And search for thee, through time and clime.
Some gave up home and love of friends,
And went in quest of thee, self-banished,
Through dreary oceans, through primeval forests,
Each step a struggle for their life or death;
Then came the day when work bore fruit,
And worship, love, and sacrifice,
Fulfilled, accepted, and complete.
Then thou, propitious, rose to shed
The light of Freedom on mankind.
Move on, O Lord, in thy resistless path!
Till thy high noon o’erspreads the world.
Till every land reflects thy light,
Till men and women, with uplifted head,
Behold their shackles broken, and
Know, in springing joy, their life renewed!
This is a very authoritative approach to Yoga. You can easily notice the "scientific" concern to counter the "fraudulent" or "superstitious" tones the subjects at stake induce; mind you this is a 1897 book, and SCIENCE was gainning momentum.
The book had a long title,"Raja Yoga, also Patanjali's Yoga aphorisms, with commentaries and glossary of Sanskrit terms"; basically it's an assembly of lectures by Vivekananda on Raja Yoga, Vedanta Philosophy and "other subjects". You get a sense of completeness.
Most striking to me were the introductory words, I can not escape quoting them:
"Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this divinity within by controlling nature external and internal. Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control or philosophy, by one or more, or all of these AND BE FREE. This is the whole of Religion. Doctrines or Dogmas or rituals, or books, or temples or forms are but SECONDARY DETAILS".
Most of the book is dedicated to describing the eight steps leading to Samadhi, starting with 2 basic levels of moral training. It advances through Asana (posture), Pranayama (breathing), Pratyama (introspective mind), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and finally Samadhi (Superconsciousness).
Yoga as science.
The "Royal" way.
November 19, 2015
Read as part of the Complete Works edition. Here Vivekananda explains the practice of meditation and the theory behind it in some detail.
Do not miss the Patanjali section.
Do not miss the Patanjali section.
October 22, 2016
This book as Swami Vivekananda said explains the "science of religion". This book is necessary to understand the actual purpose and essence of religion. It addresses the ignorance from extreme opinions on religion, which are criticism on the existence of religion and blind belief on various religious dogma. One main thing I liked what the author said is that, you believe in something you experience and all these religious beliefs are from experiences.
I did not really have much idea on spirituality and I was not too fond of it until I read this book. My love for science made me embrace spirituality through this book. I would recommend everyone to read this book even if they are not spiritual and I personally think it would awestruck mostly everyone, especially science buffs, as it did to me. Throughout the book I could feel the inspiration and passion of Swami Vivekananda behind the message of the book. Whatever development in science was done when the book was written, has been incorporated by the author to explain several phenomena in spirituality (A huge salute to the Rishis who actually wrote the Vedas and Upanishads and formulated the practice of this Yoga. They thought so much about these phenomena well before scientific development). Generally, such spiritual realities when revealed blandly wouldn't get much convincing done, but Swami Vivekananda ran through these phenomena using a series of logical explanation, which got me hooked onto the book and that's what makes this book stand out. The analogies given in the book makes the difficult concepts easy to understand and I would really commend the author for his effort. Usually philosophical books are not page turners, but for me, this one surely is, mostly due to my curiosity and surely this book made me want to know more about spirituality. However, I must warn you that this book is very technical and it takes several reads to decipher and absorb in these concepts, but I still have several gaps in understanding them. Also, as Swami Vivekananda said no matter how much you read about it, it always seem as something abstract until you experience it through practice.
Overall this book is a masterpiece, and using science to logically explain the practice of Yoga and religion makes this book phenomenal. I hope this book achieves its purpose, as envisioned by Swami Vivekananda.
I did not really have much idea on spirituality and I was not too fond of it until I read this book. My love for science made me embrace spirituality through this book. I would recommend everyone to read this book even if they are not spiritual and I personally think it would awestruck mostly everyone, especially science buffs, as it did to me. Throughout the book I could feel the inspiration and passion of Swami Vivekananda behind the message of the book. Whatever development in science was done when the book was written, has been incorporated by the author to explain several phenomena in spirituality (A huge salute to the Rishis who actually wrote the Vedas and Upanishads and formulated the practice of this Yoga. They thought so much about these phenomena well before scientific development). Generally, such spiritual realities when revealed blandly wouldn't get much convincing done, but Swami Vivekananda ran through these phenomena using a series of logical explanation, which got me hooked onto the book and that's what makes this book stand out. The analogies given in the book makes the difficult concepts easy to understand and I would really commend the author for his effort. Usually philosophical books are not page turners, but for me, this one surely is, mostly due to my curiosity and surely this book made me want to know more about spirituality. However, I must warn you that this book is very technical and it takes several reads to decipher and absorb in these concepts, but I still have several gaps in understanding them. Also, as Swami Vivekananda said no matter how much you read about it, it always seem as something abstract until you experience it through practice.
Overall this book is a masterpiece, and using science to logically explain the practice of Yoga and religion makes this book phenomenal. I hope this book achieves its purpose, as envisioned by Swami Vivekananda.
February 25, 2016
Another excellent read by Swami Vivekananda. I appreciated the overview of Raja Yoga, as the different systems of yoga can get confusing. I also greatly appreciated and found it helpful to have Swami Vivekananda's commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. This interpretation is not something that one can easily find in the modern day. Too many Western interpretations of the Yoga Sutras and by people who are using the lens of Western ideals and philosophies to interpret an at least 5000 year old way of living. If you want to read about yoga's roots, or at least closer to it than many of the writings being produced today, especially in the West, and want an authentic understanding, then this is a must read.
September 29, 2014
If there is a book that every one must read then this is the book.This opens door to some great ancient theories with a lots of help in applying them.For sure this is not a page turner ,as the lesson in each and every page of this book has to be absorbed by mind and body with practical reasoning.Reading this with full concentration will make one wonder about the way we are,without knowing such great truths so far.Swami Vivekananda ,has made a great effort to make an awareness about this great philosophy ,by simplifying it and providing the direction on how to practice it.A great book each and every one should posses and practise.
February 26, 2013
A great classic of ashtanga yoga. This review is for the 1973 edition, 2nd ed., 4th printing. This book is taken from dictation of Sw. Vivekananda, and also from some lectures given in the late 19th century.
Sw. Vivekananda was one of the first teachers to bring yoga to the west. He has a great talent for using (at the time) current scientific knowledge to reinforce vedic teachings. Though this is a slim volume, it packs in a lot of information, and it is a must read for anyone who is interested in deepening their yoga practice.
Sw. Vivekananda was one of the first teachers to bring yoga to the west. He has a great talent for using (at the time) current scientific knowledge to reinforce vedic teachings. Though this is a slim volume, it packs in a lot of information, and it is a must read for anyone who is interested in deepening their yoga practice.
Read
June 24, 2025You can't review a book like this. Simply because its about something which one might have to still go through in their life. Why i put a 5/5 for review is the approach of Swami Vivekanand while informing the readers about Yoga. He clarifies that there is no religion to be trusted with blind faith. One must live his/her life the way they assess it. More or less he is not sounding preachy. However, in the latter half the focus is completely on inviting the readers to accept Yoga as a way of life.
April 27, 2012
Early 20th century book literally teaches walking on water and glowing. Awesome awesome awesome.
Those two things aren't really possible. But if you want to try, knock yourself out.
Useful as a short introduction to meditation and development of siddhis, or yogic psychic powers. Essential reading for the modern day jedi.
Those two things aren't really possible. But if you want to try, knock yourself out.
Useful as a short introduction to meditation and development of siddhis, or yogic psychic powers. Essential reading for the modern day jedi.
July 30, 2018
Raja Yoga paves pathways toward conquering the enlightenment of our internal human nature. The infinite soul of the human spirit exists beyond our current state of consciousness. We are gods of our world within nature with God. Through the way of the Yogi, we are realized beings, capable of actualizing reality. By means of the 8 limbs of ashtanga, by practicing proper posture, by natural and organic consumption, by monitoring sensual inputs, by practicing perfect concentration, by understanding the limits of external knowledge, by restraining and training cyclical desires, among others; we become who we truly are meant to be. We become the full potential of our divine humanity. This is how we positively contribute to the culmination of human consciousness, across the spectrum of our DNA, which we all add to with each new life. Human willpower possesses infinite force. The human soul and spirit is forever in flux. Humanity will continue to progress and strive for unified conscience within nature.
May 4, 2020
Many would think that hindu tradition is full of supertions just because of Marxism and Post colonialism, one of the best book to decolonize ourselves and to develop scientific temper and he has initiated for rode to modernity 🙏🙏🙏
unfinished
November 14, 2009Terrific book. I am spellbound. I want to take up some of the Upanisads and perhaps even a detailed study of Sanskrit.
February 27, 2019
Raja yoga is one of the four types of yogas to attain enlightenment and Vivekananda could not have explained it any better. The word yoga has been misinterpreted by many. What we mean by "yoga" is nothing but "Asana" - one of the eight steps in Raja Yoga. Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and finally Samadhi. All these eight steps are illustrated very clearly with the hows and whys. Vivekananda prefers the various meditative states to be understood through experience rather than just reading or pondering over it. It still amazes how much effort he had to put and the circumstances (India was under British rule) he was in to learn all these and yet share it with the entire world in a clear, concise way. This book is a must-read for someone seeking spiritual independence!
October 25, 2020
My second full read-through of Raja Yoga, a book which I reference regularly, confirms in my mind that this is one of the most important texts on the spiritual and mental disciplines of Yoga. This book was suggested as a foundational text by Aleister Crowley for a very good reason - it balances reason, religion, and the practical application of both for the methods of disciplined consciousness development and expansion. The definitive text on Raja Yoga.
April 8, 2018
Intro to Indian mind science and sankhya philosophy.
June 23, 2016
"To get any reason out of the mass of incongruity we call human life, we have to transcend our reason, but we must do it scientifically, slowly, by regular practice, and we must cast off all superstition. We must take up the study of the super-conscious state just as any other science." p. 96
September 19, 2017
The book will take you through how the world of meditation and Yoga functions, also focusing on the biological aspects of what yoga does.
May 28, 2022
In Raja Yoga there is no specialization only on sound, only on breath, only on physical postures, only on devotion, or only on jñana, or knowledge.
Instead, it is a holistic path. When you go through Ashtanga Yoga, you go through all the postures and pranayama not separately, but when you are doing things you are aware of the whole.
In the movement of action you are aware of the movement of the breath, you are aware of the glandular, the muscular, the neurological movement.
The physical, the verbal, the psychic—they are all woven together. Raja Yoga is the culmination of these different branches of yoga that have specialized in one or two directions.
Raja Yoga is not a specialization in one direction. In its compass it takes the whole life—individual and collective; physical, verbal, and psychic; human and cosmic; birth and death.
Rāja literally means “the prince.” Raja Yoga is the prince of yoga.
Before one turns to Raja Yoga, one must be aware that it had the background of the rishi culture, which was interested in a holistic perspective of life and manifesting wholeness as the content of consciousness.
If these investigations, experimentations, explorations of hard work in the laboratory of the human body and brain had not taken place, we would not have inherited from the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the rishis like Patanjali what they have got to tell us.
Since the dawn of history, various extraordinary phenomena have been recorded as happening amongst human beings. Witnesses are not wanting in modern times to attest to the fact of such events, even in societies living under the full blaze of modern science.
The vast mass of such evidence is unreliable, as coming from ignorant, superstitious, or fraudulent persons. In many instances the so - called miracles are imitations. But what do they imitate? It is not the sign of a candid and scientific mind to throw overboard anything without proper investigation.
Surface scientists, unable to explain the various extraordinary mental phenomena, strive to ignore their very existence. They are, therefore, more culpable than those who think that their prayers are answered by a being, or beings, above the clouds, or than those who believe that their petitions will make such beings change the course of the universe. The latter have the excuse of ignorance, or at least of a defective system of education, which has taught them dependence upon such beings, a dependence which has become a part of their degenerate nature.
The former have no such excuse.
For thousands of years such phenomena have been studied, investigated, and generalized, the whole ground of the religious faculties of man has been analyzed, and the practical result is the science of Raja-Yoga. Raja-Yoga does not, after the unpardonable manner of some modern scientists, deny the existence of facts which are difficult to explain; on the other hand, it gently yet in no uncertain terms tells the superstitious that miracles, and answers to prayers, and powers of faith, though true as facts, are not rendered comprehensible through the superstitious explanation of attributing them to the agency of a being, or beings, above the clouds.
It declares that each man is only a conduit for the infinite ocean of knowledge and power that lies behind mankind.
It teaches that desires and wants are in man, that the power of supply is also in man; and that wherever and whenever a desire, a want, a prayer has been fulfilled; it was out of this infinite magazine that the supply came, and not from any supernatural being. The idea of supernatural beings may rouse to a certain extent the power of action in man, but it also brings spiritual decay.
It brings dependence; it brings fear; it brings superstition. It degenerates into a horrible belief in the natural weakness of man. There is no supernatural, says the Yogi, but there are in nature gross manifestations and subtle manifestations. The subtle are the causes, the gross the effects.
The gross can be easily perceived by the senses; not so the subtle. The practice of Raja - yoga will lead to the acquisition of the more subtle perceptions.
Every Indian must read this book.
Instead, it is a holistic path. When you go through Ashtanga Yoga, you go through all the postures and pranayama not separately, but when you are doing things you are aware of the whole.
In the movement of action you are aware of the movement of the breath, you are aware of the glandular, the muscular, the neurological movement.
The physical, the verbal, the psychic—they are all woven together. Raja Yoga is the culmination of these different branches of yoga that have specialized in one or two directions.
Raja Yoga is not a specialization in one direction. In its compass it takes the whole life—individual and collective; physical, verbal, and psychic; human and cosmic; birth and death.
Rāja literally means “the prince.” Raja Yoga is the prince of yoga.
Before one turns to Raja Yoga, one must be aware that it had the background of the rishi culture, which was interested in a holistic perspective of life and manifesting wholeness as the content of consciousness.
If these investigations, experimentations, explorations of hard work in the laboratory of the human body and brain had not taken place, we would not have inherited from the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the rishis like Patanjali what they have got to tell us.
Since the dawn of history, various extraordinary phenomena have been recorded as happening amongst human beings. Witnesses are not wanting in modern times to attest to the fact of such events, even in societies living under the full blaze of modern science.
The vast mass of such evidence is unreliable, as coming from ignorant, superstitious, or fraudulent persons. In many instances the so - called miracles are imitations. But what do they imitate? It is not the sign of a candid and scientific mind to throw overboard anything without proper investigation.
Surface scientists, unable to explain the various extraordinary mental phenomena, strive to ignore their very existence. They are, therefore, more culpable than those who think that their prayers are answered by a being, or beings, above the clouds, or than those who believe that their petitions will make such beings change the course of the universe. The latter have the excuse of ignorance, or at least of a defective system of education, which has taught them dependence upon such beings, a dependence which has become a part of their degenerate nature.
The former have no such excuse.
For thousands of years such phenomena have been studied, investigated, and generalized, the whole ground of the religious faculties of man has been analyzed, and the practical result is the science of Raja-Yoga. Raja-Yoga does not, after the unpardonable manner of some modern scientists, deny the existence of facts which are difficult to explain; on the other hand, it gently yet in no uncertain terms tells the superstitious that miracles, and answers to prayers, and powers of faith, though true as facts, are not rendered comprehensible through the superstitious explanation of attributing them to the agency of a being, or beings, above the clouds.
It declares that each man is only a conduit for the infinite ocean of knowledge and power that lies behind mankind.
It teaches that desires and wants are in man, that the power of supply is also in man; and that wherever and whenever a desire, a want, a prayer has been fulfilled; it was out of this infinite magazine that the supply came, and not from any supernatural being. The idea of supernatural beings may rouse to a certain extent the power of action in man, but it also brings spiritual decay.
It brings dependence; it brings fear; it brings superstition. It degenerates into a horrible belief in the natural weakness of man. There is no supernatural, says the Yogi, but there are in nature gross manifestations and subtle manifestations. The subtle are the causes, the gross the effects.
The gross can be easily perceived by the senses; not so the subtle. The practice of Raja - yoga will lead to the acquisition of the more subtle perceptions.
Every Indian must read this book.
September 20, 2023
Hard for beginners
It was hard for me to completely understand this book. I will come back to it once I grasp Yoga more
It was hard for me to completely understand this book. I will come back to it once I grasp Yoga more
May 19, 2018
This book has changed my life. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to know about your self.
August 18, 2018
Reading this has rekindled my interest in yoga again and reminds me of the time that I loved it so much that I read as much as I could, and was one of the most interested students in yoga teachers' class. I was not interested only in asanas, but in the philosophy and the spiritual path too.
The recent years had been challenging as I grappled with a hectic life of work and school. I lost interest in many things, including yoga as I was just too sucked up in the mundane, in running on the hamster wheel. That I forgot to see the magic. The magic in the unseen. The wonder in the things that are not obvious to ordinary eyes. To the things that reside within.
Swami Vivekananda reminds me of the importance of perseverance, of concentration, of regular practise. That practise will allow us to experience yoga empirically, and that this will give us faith to continue. That it is important to take a balanced approach, one that is not of extremes. That the ultimate aim is not to live long like the Hatha yogis do, but to gain wisdom and final liberation.
I am reminded to be more conscious of my pranic energies, because prana and akasha make up everything in the universe. And by controlling prana, we can control many things.
He writes in a direct and simple way, and what he says is not shrouded in mystery. I like this interpretation of Patanjali's yoga sutras. While perhaps not as comprehensive as IK Taimni's academic version of the yoga sutras, it is simple yet not simplistic, and is direct and clear. It is better to read Vivekananda's version before IK Taimni's.
I will keep this book at my beside for a while, for some encouragement in my practise.
The recent years had been challenging as I grappled with a hectic life of work and school. I lost interest in many things, including yoga as I was just too sucked up in the mundane, in running on the hamster wheel. That I forgot to see the magic. The magic in the unseen. The wonder in the things that are not obvious to ordinary eyes. To the things that reside within.
Swami Vivekananda reminds me of the importance of perseverance, of concentration, of regular practise. That practise will allow us to experience yoga empirically, and that this will give us faith to continue. That it is important to take a balanced approach, one that is not of extremes. That the ultimate aim is not to live long like the Hatha yogis do, but to gain wisdom and final liberation.
I am reminded to be more conscious of my pranic energies, because prana and akasha make up everything in the universe. And by controlling prana, we can control many things.
He writes in a direct and simple way, and what he says is not shrouded in mystery. I like this interpretation of Patanjali's yoga sutras. While perhaps not as comprehensive as IK Taimni's academic version of the yoga sutras, it is simple yet not simplistic, and is direct and clear. It is better to read Vivekananda's version before IK Taimni's.
I will keep this book at my beside for a while, for some encouragement in my practise.
June 28, 2024
Vivekananda’s advaita Vedanta varied from that of Shankara in numerous respects. It was non-sectarian and comprehensive with regard to gender and caste. It could be justified in terms of reason and science, and it could engender a practical, egalitarian ethic based on foundational Upanishadic texts (e.g. the tat tvam asi verse of the Chandogya Upanishad). It also brought about a renovation of the understanding and practice of yoga.
Up to 1895 Vivekananda’s main concern in the West was to explicate and justify the Hindu tradition to his audiences. At about this time he began to concentrate his energies on building up a dependable and financially supportive following to whom he presented a more focussed form of universal teaching based on different types of yoga.
His Raja Yoga: Conquering the Internal Nature was published in 1896. In it he explains that ‘as every science has its methods, so has every religion. Methods of attaining the end of our religion are called Yoga.’
There are four main types: karma yoga (the realization of divinity through duty and action), bhakti yoga (the realization of divinity through devotion to and love of a personal God), raja yoga, the accomplishment of divinity through control of the mind, and jñana yoga (the comprehension of divinity through knowledge).
Vivekananda’s reworking of yoga – which is normally known as Modern Yoga – is principally based on the sections of the Yoga Sutras which are most practice-oriented. These are the astangayoga (i.e. ‘the yoga of the eight limbs’). Vivekananda brought to bear on his yoga amplifications very dissimilar systems of thought: from traditional Hindu lore to elements of Western science (mainly physics, psychology, anatomy and physiology); from modern philosophy (especially empiricism and idealism) . . . to the Neo-Vedantic esotericism of the Brahmo Samaj.
Vivekananda’s reinterpretation of yoga for Western audiences subsequently branched into various forms of body–mind–spirit integrative training known as Modern Psychosomatic Yoga. Modern Postural Yoga consequently emphasized postures (asana) and breathing (prajayama), whereas Modern Meditational Yoga stresses concentration and meditation.
By emphasizing that traditional advaita Hindu goals could be achieved while continuing to participate in worldly life, using yoga as the vehicle, Vivekananda and his successors offered, quite literally, the best of all possible worlds to their followers.
Up to 1895 Vivekananda’s main concern in the West was to explicate and justify the Hindu tradition to his audiences. At about this time he began to concentrate his energies on building up a dependable and financially supportive following to whom he presented a more focussed form of universal teaching based on different types of yoga.
His Raja Yoga: Conquering the Internal Nature was published in 1896. In it he explains that ‘as every science has its methods, so has every religion. Methods of attaining the end of our religion are called Yoga.’
There are four main types: karma yoga (the realization of divinity through duty and action), bhakti yoga (the realization of divinity through devotion to and love of a personal God), raja yoga, the accomplishment of divinity through control of the mind, and jñana yoga (the comprehension of divinity through knowledge).
Vivekananda’s reworking of yoga – which is normally known as Modern Yoga – is principally based on the sections of the Yoga Sutras which are most practice-oriented. These are the astangayoga (i.e. ‘the yoga of the eight limbs’). Vivekananda brought to bear on his yoga amplifications very dissimilar systems of thought: from traditional Hindu lore to elements of Western science (mainly physics, psychology, anatomy and physiology); from modern philosophy (especially empiricism and idealism) . . . to the Neo-Vedantic esotericism of the Brahmo Samaj.
Vivekananda’s reinterpretation of yoga for Western audiences subsequently branched into various forms of body–mind–spirit integrative training known as Modern Psychosomatic Yoga. Modern Postural Yoga consequently emphasized postures (asana) and breathing (prajayama), whereas Modern Meditational Yoga stresses concentration and meditation.
By emphasizing that traditional advaita Hindu goals could be achieved while continuing to participate in worldly life, using yoga as the vehicle, Vivekananda and his successors offered, quite literally, the best of all possible worlds to their followers.
September 2, 2022
I do agree that Swami Vivekananda was one of the greatest person to walk on earth. While maintaining his highest form of yogi practices, he was also coping up with his household issues.
There were many such points that I liked and highlighted but then other things were just superficial. Use of words like "samadhi", "nirvana", "mahayoga" and so without proper explanation gave it away. I know that one understands these concepts only when he achieves the states but still I was expecting something scientific.
Following are some things I was not able to digest.
1. Man's current state is a degeneration. There will be a point when he can not be more degenerate, so he will start shooting upwards to the beginning - the perfect state. This way he will complete the circle.
- I dont understand this!!
2. Human beings have self-awareness but other animals don't.
- I have never liked this humans/animals distinction. It should be treated as a continuum. And if you have to, where would you draw the boundary - monkeys? Neanderthals?
Both the thoughts seem quite human-centric. What if there are more self-aware beings out there!!
This book may be good for some people but I won't recommend it if you want to have some proper scientific perspective.
There were many such points that I liked and highlighted but then other things were just superficial. Use of words like "samadhi", "nirvana", "mahayoga" and so without proper explanation gave it away. I know that one understands these concepts only when he achieves the states but still I was expecting something scientific.
Following are some things I was not able to digest.
1. Man's current state is a degeneration. There will be a point when he can not be more degenerate, so he will start shooting upwards to the beginning - the perfect state. This way he will complete the circle.
- I dont understand this!!
2. Human beings have self-awareness but other animals don't.
- I have never liked this humans/animals distinction. It should be treated as a continuum. And if you have to, where would you draw the boundary - monkeys? Neanderthals?
Both the thoughts seem quite human-centric. What if there are more self-aware beings out there!!
This book may be good for some people but I won't recommend it if you want to have some proper scientific perspective.
August 16, 2020
I recommend this book if you are looking for deeper ways to understand how your mind works and how to make it cooperate with your inner self in the daily life struggles; but also if you want to enjoy your life in a different way, finding those moments of active meditation where you enjoy a simple but deep moment whithin yourself, connected to the outside world or just submerged in your own self.
This book changed my way to see the outside and inside world, understanding more things about it.
It also helped me understand religion and religious texts and philosophies in a different way, being more able to extract what can be useful for me and leave aside what is less relevant.
I took quite long to finish this book - although is quite short - because I really wanted to absorb and comprehend all the information Sivananda is giving us.
I read the Spanish version and the translation was awful at some points but I think this also made me rethink almost every phrase in an easier way so I made sure I was understanding every word before continuing reading the next page.
You may need patience with this book id you really want to learn from it but you will have a life-lasting reward.
This book changed my way to see the outside and inside world, understanding more things about it.
It also helped me understand religion and religious texts and philosophies in a different way, being more able to extract what can be useful for me and leave aside what is less relevant.
I took quite long to finish this book - although is quite short - because I really wanted to absorb and comprehend all the information Sivananda is giving us.
I read the Spanish version and the translation was awful at some points but I think this also made me rethink almost every phrase in an easier way so I made sure I was understanding every word before continuing reading the next page.
You may need patience with this book id you really want to learn from it but you will have a life-lasting reward.
September 23, 2018
Introduces you to what Yoga is. Also explains the powers and end goal than can be achieved by practicing Yoga. Probably only an introduction to one's journey if one believes in it.
(If you are buying in India: Advaita Ahrama, Publication house of Ramakrishna Math sell this at INR 60)
(If you are buying in India: Advaita Ahrama, Publication house of Ramakrishna Math sell this at INR 60)
October 24, 2018
One of the potential Eye opener
Opens up all the possibility infront of you , it's totally up to you to pursue life or ignore it
Opens up all the possibility infront of you , it's totally up to you to pursue life or ignore it
February 1, 2018
everything about yoga!!
March 10, 2018
This is probably the best book on Raja Yoga available across the world.
May 30, 2019
Provides the easiest and the safest method of meditation in a systematic format. Great for yog enthusiasts
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