Who is a true Yogi? To understand this, we must understand the true meaning of Yoga. Yoga is a popular word all over the world today. But unfortunately, the world doesn't understand the true meaning of Yoga. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word 'Yuj', which means union, and therefore, actual Yoga is living in union with the Divine. Somehow, the word Yoga has been popularized in the world as the union of body, mind, and Soul more through a set of body exercises known as Asanas and breathing techniques known as Pranayama.
By themselves, these are not harmful, and they may promote the wellbeing of our body and help in silencing our mind. But they are not responsible for being in Yoga. These seem to have originated in India over thousands of years ago by the famous saint, Patanjali who introduced the 8 limbs of Yoga. Asanas - body postures and prayanama or breathing exercises are just two of the 8 limbs of Patanjali Yoga. Even the original Patanjali Yoga was intended to achieve the objective of uniting with God, with the ultimate steps of dhyana—contemplation, reflection and meditation, dharana–concentration, introspective focus, and samadhi–or becoming one with the Divine. These practices are meant to control the mind, to help meditate and experience the state of Divinity through yamas or ethical rules and niyama or the virtuous habits, behaviors, and observances. Without investigating the history of Yoga, humanity has started practising certain fashionable body postures because they all want to improve the health of the body, as well as temporarily quieten the mind through breathing techniques. Without doubt, we can lose weight and gain body flexibility with asanas; we can also overcome stress to some extent with pranayama. But these by themselves will not lead to Yoga, a Divine Union which is the objective of a Yogi.
What then is true Yoga and what is it to live like a Yogi? True Yoga is a thirst for the Divine. It is knowing that we are not the body and the mind. Ultimately, it is realizing that we are the Divine Soul. Even before one realizes this truth, one can try to live a life of Yoga or live in constant union with the Divine. It starts with a dedicated prayer as a believer. Then we evolve on the spiritual ladder and because of our faith, hope, trust, and love, we develop a passion and obsession for God. This makes us a true seeker who tries to practice Yoga. Sometimes, it is the practice of Yoga that leads us to God-realization just as it is possible to experience constant Yoga after realization. In a state of true Yoga, we are like a good SIM card that is always connected to the network through the satellite. Yoga is a spiritual connection with the Divine. Once we develop a strong union with God, we are in a state of constant prayer.
An aspiring Yogi will practice 4 types of Yoga. Karma Yoga, or the Yoga of action; Bhakti Yoga, or the Yoga of devotion. Gyana Yoga, or the Yoga of education, knowledge, and wisdom, and Dhyana Yoga, or the Yoga of silence and meditation, also referred to as Raja Yoga. Every moment that he lives, he tries to be in Divine union. He starts his day with silence, contemplating the Divine. He doesn't leap out of his bed and jump into the world, tapping away on his laptop and mobile phone. He remains in Divine silence, communicating with God and more importantly, listening in silent Yoga. This can't happen for very long. But the moment the Yogi receives instructions to act as a Divine instrument, he moves on to Karma Yoga, or the Yoga of action. In this Yoga, the Yogi realizes he is nothing. The Divine is everything. He is only an instrument of the Divine. He seeks no fruits for the actions that he performs. He expects no results. Whatever is the result, a true Yogi offers it back to the Divine. The Yogi spends the rest of his time either in Bhakti Yoga, in devotion, singing hymns or in prayers. Once free, a Yogi moves into a state of Gyana Yoga - reading spiritual texts, listening to Spiritual Masters or reading relevant scriptures that help in God-realization.
It must be understood that an aspiring Yogi who lives in constant Yoga can attain God-realization, just like one who attains God-realization becomes a true Yogi, constantly living in the cycle of the 4 methods of Yoga.
It is understanding Yoga, realizing God and living like a true Yogi that leads us to ultimate and true prayer. This may sound difficult but everybody in this world is not going to be fortunate to realize God. If we are really seeking God and wish to love God and pray, then this is the way. It is realizing God's Divine presence and then living our life ever connected with the Divine.
What is the truth? The truth is that we human beings are the Divine Soul embodied in a body-mind complex. We don't realize this. We think we are the body and mind that has a Soul. We think we are human beings having a Spiritual experience. We don't realize that we are the Divine Spirit that is imprisoned in a body-mind complex. In fact, the ultimate goal of life is to realize this truth and be liberated.
How should we live and why are we existing on earth? Both these questions may inspire us to live like a true Yogi. We are given this human life so that we ultimately realize God and unite with the Divine. We are not supposed to just exist and then die, only to be reborn based on our Karma and suffer. We should learn to live in constant Yoga. We should not get entangled in the illusion of this world. After all, nothing is real. It is all a projection, just like a movie. We must observe the show on earth, living as a Divine Soul, being conscious and aware of the truth that we are nothing but the Divine. A true Yogi is ever conscious of this. The Yogi realizes that he has to be liberated and ultimately unite with God. He, therefore, transcends his ego and his mind. He lives like a boat that does not sink in the waters of the world. However, being embodied till he has breath, he floats on the worldly waters to reach his ultimate destination. Life and death are in the hands of the Divine. We don't know how many times we have been born and we don't know what will happen after death. Human life is a gift. We are the only unique beings who are blessed with an intellect and who can realize the truth. When we live a life of Yoga, we become free from the sensual desires and attractions of the world. We become liberated from the distractions of the mind. Yoga helps us transcend the ego as we live with true and Divine prayer all the time.
We must beware! In this world, there are many people who behave like Yogis or saints, but internally, they are not genuine lovers of God. A Yogi is not recognized from his outer appearance, his attire, his long beard or his flowing hair. One can recognize a Yogi from his Divinity, his Spiritual awareness, his wisdom, his Divine Consciousness and his Godly connection. We must not be carried away by fake people who pretend to be Yogis of the world. We must aspire to be a true Yogi, who seeks nothing but the Divine, knowing that we come with nothing and we take nothing with us when we go.
It is living like a Yogi that will help us transcend prayers that are but a formality. When we become a Yogi, we know whom we are praying to, because we experience the Divine everywhere, all the time. We are constantly expressing our gratitude, our love and seeking nothing but the Divine. This is true prayer.
True prayer is living like a Yogi,
In this material world, he doesn’t sink.
He is ever-connected with the Divine,
And worldly thoughts, he doesn’t think.