"True Meaning of Yoga"
"Yoga" is becoming increasingly popular around the world. However, in the name of "yoga" merely asanas, or physical exercises, are being taught. These are no doubt helpful, but without emphasis on the purification of the mind, their effectiveness in curing physical diseases is limited, and mental diseases remain ignored and untouched.
Jagadguru Kripalu Yog incorporates both material and spiritual knowledge for the complete physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual health of humankind. It is based upon the timeless wisdom of the Vedic scriptures. The techniques of Jagadguru Kripalu Yog are not something new; they have been practiced by true yogis in India for centuries. They are the authentic scriptural form of the various techniques - yogasanas, pranayam, meditation, subtle-body relaxation, Divine love, and proper diet - all in one place. For anyone desiring to learn the holistic science of healthy living, sincere practice of these techniques will definitely bring about well-being from within.
A healthy body and a calm, composed mind - these are the basis for attaining our goal in life. Without these, life itself becomes a painful experience. No matter how successful we become in our field of work, if the body is ailing and the mind is disturbed, then we will remain unhappy. Hence, our most valuable possession is not our wealth, property or car, but our own body and mind. The old adage states: "Health is wealth". Realizing the truth in this statement, an intelligent person should spend time and effort to learn the science of healthy living, for physical and mental wellbeing.
Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, the Supreme Jagadguru of this age, explains that the attainment of a healthy mind in a healthy body requires a synthesis of body material and spiritual knowledge. The body, which is made from the five material elements and sustained by what we eat and drink, must be kept in good shape through of material science. And the mind must be cleansed and elevated through spiritual science.
Simplistic spiritual practitioners sometimes proclaim that since we are the soul and not the material body, we must only cultivate the spirit and pay no attention to the body. However, if the body falls sick, the mind gets filled with the sensation of physical pain, and one cannot even think of God. A healthy body is our boat for crossing the ocean of material existence. Conversely, materialists often proclaim spiritual science as a waste of time and an impediment to material progress. This is also naïve, for without the help of spiritual knowledge, material science has no means of eliminating the negative propensities of the mind. We may harness external nature through modern technology to multiply our bodily comforts, but how will we harness the forces of our internal nature, such as lust, anger, greed, envy and illusion.
Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji, lovingly called "Maharaj Ji" by his devotees, teaches the perfect synthesis of material and spiritual knowledge, by both precept and example. At the age of 85, he still spends over an hour everyday to remain physically fit, and possesses such health that would be the envy of a 50 year old. He follows a perfect regimen for his meals and adheres to a meticulously healthy diet, not so much for his own well-being, but rather to set an ideal for all of us.