The yoga vidyā is the knowledge that empowers connection
Definition
Yoga is the science of connection to the highest consciousness and to life. The yoga vidyā is the knowledge we need in order to achieve connection.
There are many branches on the tree of the yoga vidyā, many paths to the same goal. Each branch contains within it a system for practicing yoga and attaining its benefits.
For example, hatha yoga is the science of connection to the body and vitality in order to attain health and mastery of the body; mantra yoga is the science of connection to powerful cosmic forces that vibrate and create the universe.
The benefits of the yoga vidyā include health, vitality, peace of mind, balanced emotions, connection to deeper parts of us, awakening our intra-psychic reality and self-realization.
Meaning
The yoga vidyā is an extremely powerful science. It is more than merely exercise. Rather it is a science and psychology, a path of self-healing, a science of the expansion and deepening of consciousness, and a path to self-perfection.
The yoga vidyā takes us from the state of avidyā, ignorance and suffering, to the state of vidyā, a state of knowledge, wisdom and empowerment based in truth, sat.
Yogis seek knowledge as a living experience based in practice, rather than as intellectual knowledge gained from books. This is why yoga is an experiential vidyā, one that gives us techniques we can apply in our life to make practical changes rather than a theoretical vidyā.
Application
The vidyā is seen as a living entity, a shakti, a force of consciousness that existed prior to us. It is said that when a person wants to study a vidyā that they seek to enter into the vidyā as part of a sacred act. In this ritual the yogi seeks to form a benevolent relationship with the vidyā in the hope that the vidyā itself will teach, protect and shower blessings on the seeker.
To enter into the yoga vidyā the yogi will go into meditation in an attempt to open his or her mind to the vidyā, to become a worthy vessel to hold the knowledge. This requires that we consciously aim to become a student worthy of being taught, one who is sought after by teachers.
A good student cultivates humility, sincerity, discipline and sacrifice – over time. All of these virtues are required if we are to change, transform and evolve ourselves by entering into a relationship with a system of sacred knowledge, a vidyā.