Fundamental Vocabulary I Flashcards
Vocabulary due Nov 22nd
Yama
Universal moral commandments.
Patanjali’s five yamas: non-violence, truth, non-stealing, continence, and non-coveting
Niyama
Self-purification by discipline. The second stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.
Asana
Posture. The third stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.
Pranayama
Rhythmic control of breath. Fourth stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.
Pratyahara
Withdrawal and emancipation of the mind from the domination of the senses and exterior objects. Fifth stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.
Dharana
Concentration or complete attention. Sixth stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.
Dhyana
Meditation. Seventh stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.
Samadhi
A state in which the aspirant is one with the object of his meditation, the Supreme Spirit pervading the universe, where there is a feeling of unutterable joy and peace.
Three gunas
Qualities, ingredients or constituents of nature: Sattva (goodness, purity), Rajas (mobility, activity), and Tamas (darkness, ignorance).
Aum
All. Conveys “omniscience”, “omnipresence” and “omnipotence”.
Yoga
Union, communion. Derived from the root “yuj” meaning to join, to yoke, to concentrate one’s attention on. The union of our will to the will of God, a poise of the soul which enables one to look evenly at life in all its aspects. The chief aim of yoga is to teach the means by which the human soul may be completely united with the Supreme Spirit pervading the universe and thus secure absolution.
Guru
Spiritual preceptor, one who illumines the darkness of spiritual doubt.
Chakra
Literally, a wheel or circle. Energy (prana) is said to flow in the human body through three main channels (nadis), namely, Susumna, Pingala and Ida. Susumna is situated inside the spinal column. Pingala and Ida start respectively from the right and left nostrils, move up to the crown of the head and course downwards to the base of the spine.
Prakriti
Nature, the original source of the material world, consisting of three qualities: sattva, rajas, and tamas.
Purusha
the “Self” which pervades the universe. In the Rigveda, a primeval giant that was sacrificed by the gods and from whose body the world and the people were built.