Yoga Terminology
Advaita
Non-dualistic, a school of Vedanta philosophy that declares absolute existence of God, Brahman is everything
Ahankar
I consciousness, ego
Anand
Bliss. It is the nature of the self. It is non-dualistic. It does not depend on external stimulation for the experience of bliss
Asana
Yoga position, steady sitting position
Ashram
Communal place of spiritual retreat and rejuvenation directed by a spiritual master
Atman
Individual self, pure consciousness, beyond ego.
Aum
Highest Bija mantra, sacred syllable, primordial sound
Awareness
Knowing and realizing using alertness and observation. Firsthand experience that transforms.
Ayurveda
Science and knowledge of life, Indian holistic naturopathic healing system.
Bhagavad Gita
Song of God, Indian holy scripture
Bhagwan
Incarnation of God in human form, god with qualities and forms
Bhakti
Devotion to God
Brahman
Universal God, unmanifested absolute
Buddhi
Intellect, discriminative faculty of mind.
Chit
Consciousness, nature of self
Chitta
Mind-stuff, total mind
Consciousness
It refers to I-consciousness. It is subtler than the mind and is the witness of everything.
Dharma
Moral duty that is in line with universal flow. It is guided by intuition.
Dharana
Concentration
Dhyana
Meditation
Dogma
Belief based on external authority
Gnana
Knowledge
Guru
Spiritual master
Hatha Yoga
Physical disciplines to purify the body for meditation, preparatory stages of Raja Yoga
Hindu
A believer in Hindu faith
Hinduism
Religions of India based upon Vedic tradition
Introspection
Looking into one’s own mind and feelings. Observation and analysis of own self
Ishwar
Formless god with qualities in Vedanta philosophy, similar to Purush in Sankhya philosophy. Ishwar projects maya
Jagat
Phenomenal world, Projection of Brahman as Maya
Jagrat
Awake
Jivatma
Individual soul
Karma
Action, law of cause and effect. Karma is produced by thought, speech and action. Law of karma means all actions produce reactions. Actions and reactions balance out.
Kosha
Coverings, sheaths that hides Atman
Kundalini
Coiled serpent power, hidden spiritual energy within the spine
Lila
Divine play, entire universe is Lila of God
Mantra
Sacred incantation, repetition of mantra purifies heart, mantra is used for meditation
Mauna
Silence, restrain of speech to attain inner stillness
Maya
Cosmic illusion, it is impermanent in nature, creative energy of God (Ishwara). Same as Prakriti
Moksha
Liberation, freedom from trans-migration
Prakriti
Nature, projected energy of god (Purusha), same as Maya
Prana
Vital force, prana is the essence of universal energy that sustains all life.in the gross sense, breath is considered prana
Pranayama
Breath control, mastery of life force
Purush
Formless God with qualities in Sankhya philosophy, similar to Ishwar in Vedanta philosophy, Purush projects Prakriti to create universe
Raja Yoga
Royal yoga. It uses eight systematic steps to control body and mind to attain union with god.
Rajas
Activity
Rishi
Prophet, revered seers and sages of ancient India
Samadhi
State of perfect bliss. One transcends the limitations of mind.
Samata
Mental equilibrium. One remains undisturbed by the pairs of opposites.
Sampraday
Sub branch of religion
Sankhya
Gnana yoga, one of six classic Hindu philosophies
Sanskara
Subconscious impressions, sanskaras are stored in the chitta
Sat
Eternal existence, immortality
Satva
Purity
Seer
Prophet, visionary
Self
Individual or cosmic consciousness
Shanti
Peace
Susupti
Slumber, dreamless sleep
Sutra
Aphorism relating to some aspect of the conduct of life
Swa-dharma
Personal dharma, personal duty guided by intuition
Swami
A member of ancient monk order, master of own self
Swapna
Dream
Tamas
Inertia, laziness
Tapas
Spiritual austerity for self-purification
Upanishad
Philosophical essence of Vedas, same as Vedanta
Vairagya
Renunciation, non-attachment
Vedas
Wisdom, authoritative scriptures of Hinduism
Vedanta
Essential teachings of Vedas, one of six classic Hindu philosophies
Vipashyana
Insight, seeing clearly without judgments. Experiencing the reality firsthand.
Viveka
Spiritual discrimination between real and unreal
Witness
To observe passively without judgment or involvements
Yagna
Sacrificial fire ceremony, selfless service
Yoga
Union with God, one of six classical Hindu philosophies |
