The History of Yoga

"The ancient great teacher known as Patanjali began his lessons
with the fact that each student was the Son of God...
Patanjali's living principles were quite easy.
​The main central thrust was to know you are the Son of God
and then proceed to deal with the hindrances that make you think you are not."

 Serge Benhayon
The principles of Esoteric Yoga stem from the Pythagorean teachings 500 BCE that presented the way of the inner heart, or way of living in connection to our innermost – ‘where man meets his soul’. The term esoteric, from the ancient Greek word esōterikós, meaning within or innermost (further within), is used in its ancient meaning here and represents the principles of connecting to and being in union with our innermost. This philosophy and the importance of living in connection with the soul has been presented throughout the ages via the well known writings associated with yoga such as Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.

Living in union with our innermost refers to an energetic state of being that arises from the connection with our soul. This impulses a way of living, thinking and behaving which produces harmonious rhythms within the body. The Pythagoreans lived a way of life that was based on these ancient teachings and it was through this way of living that they were able to bring to us the deeper understandings of life and the universe. These ancient teachings were expanded upon by the great philosopher Plato and have formed the foundation of much of our approach to life today. Esoteric Yoga reminds us that this way of living is as important now as it was then. Our daily choices play a significant role in our own physical and energetic state of well-being and the health of our society through our actions and relationships.

Patanjali - Raja Yoga
Patanjali also expanded on these principles with the first systematic presentation of yoga via the well-known Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras brought together what was previously an oral tradition of yoga and presented in extensive detail a lived way of being that offered all the essential elements for living in union with our innermost self, our Soul. Patanjali’s teachings on Raja Yoga describe the difference between spirit and soul and the development of the ‘Kingly Body’.
The term 'Kingly Body' refers to the development of this connection to our innermost through our human body, which is the vehicle for our soulful expression on earth. The way we treat our body, the way we move, and what we consume, are therefore all vitally important as it is these choices that affect our ability to receive the inner impulses of our soul. The way we are living in society today, which could be described as indulgent, self-abusive and harmful by comparison, does not allow this connection to our soul to be felt or lived. This is despite the
awareness and knowing of its importance, as has been taught throughout these well known teachings for centuries. Raja Yoga was once again teaching a practical way of living in union with our body and soul as opposed to the daily struggle of the ‘waywardness of the spirit’, where we wrestle with the loud, incessant distractions of the mind versus the quiet inner impulses of the heart, which provide the knowing of a true way of life.

For further reading on Patanjali's life and work visit:
www.unimedliving.com/ageless-wisdom/the-lineage/patanjali.html
Bhagavad Gita
The well-known Bhagavad Gita, a chapter from the ancient writings of the Mahabharata, also discuss the soulful and spiritual aspects of ourselves as human beings. The Bhagavad Gita uses the language of symbolism to deliver the Ancient Wisdom of who we truly are, and the means to free ourselves from the illusionary thoughts that keep us separate from our divine origin – our soul. A dialogue between Arjuna, representing man, and Krishna, representing the soul or innermost, depicts a war between family members and Arjuna's struggle with the sense of right and wrong. Arjuna is symbolically faced with choices that disrupt the spiritual ideals and beliefs about family and love, to offer a greater purpose for harmony and evolution for mankind. Krishna (soul) guides Arjuna (man) towards the soulful way.

Esoteric Yoga
Throughout history mankind has been presented with the teachings of our divine origins, our soulful nature and the soulful way. Esoteric Yoga, founded by Serge Benhayon, once again presents these ancient and timeless principles of yoga, which is to live in union with the stillness of our soul. Without this connection to our soul we can easily allow thoughts and behaviours that produce a disharmony within ourselves and society. If we consider the declining states of health, economies, relationships between people and nations, human rights, war etc, it is evident that these principles of living are still very much needed in today's society.
Esoteric Yoga presents the ancient and timeless principles of yoga,
which is to live in union with the stillness of our soul.
​
"Esoteric Yoga develops the quality
that becomes the movement
that you will magnify throughout your body."
Serge Benhayon
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The material on this website is based upon the principles of The Ageless Wisdom which offers an energetic understanding of life. Any references to science are references to energetic science as presented by the Ageless Wisdom, and not to evidence-based science in mankind’s modern era. Any references to specific aspects of Medicine are to illustrate the relevance of energetic wisdom, as presented by the Ageless Wisdom, in the interplay of bodily illness and disease rather than contradicting the current theories of disease causation or in any way to replace epidemiology. The principles conveyed on this website are philosophical and religious, and thus are not verified within the evidence-based rationales and critical appraisal process of evidence-based science including CONSORT2010 compliant double blind randomised controlled trials. The presentations and teachings of Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine do not diagnose, treat, prevent or offer any therapeutic cure to any disease or illness; they are complementary-to-medicine and never a replacement of or alternative to conventional medicine. If you have any question or concern about the cause, diagnosis, prevention or treatment of any disease or illness, you should consult a registered medical practitioner.