yoga and meditation
First of all, it is important to know what these two words mean and where they come from. Let's start with the word Yoga.
Yoga is an ancient Sanskrit word, which basically means "union". This union refers to the connection between the soul (the individual) and the Spirit (God or the universe). Yoga is not only the word to describe this state of union, but it is also the means to achieve this state of union. yoga principles
Patanjali, an ancient sage, is supposed to have formulated what is known as the eight principles of yoga. Without going into too many details we can summarize them as follows:Yama, the ethical principles and rules to live in society.Niyama, individual disciplines and attitudes towards oneself.Asanas (positions).Pranayama (breath control or life force).Pratyahara (Sense of withdrawal).Dharana (concentration).Dhyana (meditation).Samadhi (spiritual ecstasy).
These are the basic steps of yoga (union) to reach the state of yoga. In the true sense of the word, a yogi is one who has permanently achieved this high state of spiritual union, although it may also be true that a yogi is nothing more than one who practices yoga.Yoga is an art, a science and a philosophy. It affects all levels of human life, both physical, mental and spiritual. Meditation
Meditation, on the other hand, is apparently based on doing nothing. All you have to do is hold an object of attention, like your breath, for example, and keep watching it without distraction.Meditation comes from the word "Dhyana" (the seventh step of yoga) and is essentially a state of consciousness.
This is, in principle, a spiritual state in which the yogi has successfully come to turn his attention within himself, closing the senses and detaching himself from external distractions. He has managed to transcend the restless state of mind.The important thing to emphasize is that meditation is not an actIt is technically a bit of a misnomer to say that someone attains Unity.
Although it sounds complicated, it is necessary to understand that it is not possible to truly meditate “meditating”; only certain things can be done and practiced to reach the state of meditation or dhyana.The key ingredients to achieve the state of meditation (dhyana) and ultimately yoga (union) are a relaxed body, calm mind, proper breathing and control of prana or life force.
Yoga practices are really "designed" to help us learn to control this life force.Through constant practice, discipline, devotion, detachment, and various spiritual ideals, it is said that one can ultimately learn to reach those states. When one is able to permanently fix this state of consciousness which is known as Kaivalyam, then freedom has been achieved.