{"id":18700,"date":"2023-02-22T14:53:29","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T13:53:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/?p=18700"},"modified":"2026-01-17T17:11:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T16:11:43","slug":"thoughts-on-raja-yoga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/en\/thoughts-on-raja-yoga\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts on Raja Yoga"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Assagioli reflects on psychospiritual development and how we can take inspiration from the Raja Yoga system of India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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By Roberto Assagioli.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong> Original title: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Eastern and Western Methods of Psychospiritual Development<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em> . Course of Lectures on: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>The Latent Energies In Us.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em> Lecture X April 15, 1934 (Unrevised notes). Original Italian Title: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Metodi Orientali E Occidentali Di Sviluppo Psicospirituale<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em> . Translated with Notes by Jan Kuniholm.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

(Editors note: this document is two lectures about the Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga combined into one article. Unfortunately I have not been able to identify the last lecture on Dhyana and Samadhi; however, look at the articles <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Meditation – Contemplation – Enlightenment<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> and <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Meditation and Contemplation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> and <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Contemplation and Illumination<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> . You should also visit <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>A \u200b\u200bPractical Contribution to Modern Yoga<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> and Assagioli’s introduction to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Yoga Sutras<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> )<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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A comparative examination of the methods of psychospiritual development taught and used in the East, with those adopted in the West, may prove instructive:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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  1. For the many identities and similarities that are discovered, and which are valuable in increasing our confidence in those methods.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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    • For the differences that are detected, and whose reasons and nature it is very interesting to research and examine.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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      • For the possibility of combining elements of one and the other so as to constitute a more complete and integral method.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

        The Orientals, and particularly the Indians, have definitely turned their interest, aspiration and efforts towards the conquest of the inner world, towards the discipline of psychological faculties, and towards the awakening and development of spiritual consciousness. It is natural, therefore, that they have become masters in those arts and have much to offer and teach. If we refused to examine the fruits of their efforts and victories without preconceived notions, we would display unwarranted pride and deplorable narrow-mindedness.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

        On the other hand, as much as Western civilization has been increasingly oriented towards the conquest of the external world, there has certainly been no lack of individuals or groups in it who have striven with all their might towards the attainment of the mastery of their own inner forces, towards spiritual perfection, towards union with the Supreme. In antiquity there were the initiations into the mysteries, the Pythagorean and Stoic disciplines; and then Christianity gave rise to a rich harvest of ascetic and mystical endeavors that have taken the most diverse forms over the centuries. Recently, numerous movements have arisen and have developed widely \u2014 especially in England and America, \u2014 some of them with spiritual tendencies, others of a purely practical nature aimed at using psychological faculties and energies for purely utilitarian purposes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n