Raja or Ashtanga Yoga involves strong meditation techniques.
The basic breathing techniques of Raja
or Ashtanga Yoga to gain control over the mind and experience deep meditation are
as follows:
Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, and Raja Yoga are considered the four main
yoga's, but there are many other types. (The word "yoga" from the Sanskrit root yuj ("to yoke") is generally translated as "union of the individual atma (loosely translated means soul) with Paramatma, the universal soul." This may be understood as union with the Divine by integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Raja Yoga involves meditation techniques which lead to experiences
and some kind of liberation, described in Hindu thought as moksha. ( or liberation from the cycle of birth and death).
Moreover in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, "Yogas chitta vritti nirodhah," or, "The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga! Raja Yoga
suggests the following.
Raja Yoga is also known as Ashtanga (8 limbed) Yoga which
also refers to the eight principles which are:
Yama: or the Code of conduct that is, self-restraint
Niyama: religious observances - commitments to practice, study and devotion
Asana: integration of mind and body through physical activity
Pranayama: regulation of breath leading to integration of mind and body
Pratyahara: abstraction of the senses, withdrawal of the senses of perception from their objects
Dharana:
concentration and focus of mind
Dhyana: meditation (quiet and non-sensual activity that leads to samadhi)
Samadhi: the quiet state of blissful awareness,
super conscious state
Raja
Yoga or Ashtanga is
called eight-limbed, it is really a road to self-realization, with each limb leading into the next, ending with the goal, or Samadhi (and the union sought).
First you must learn self-control.
Without it nothing that follows is possible. In conjunction with the self-control, you must practice religious observances, and seek to expand your quality of devotion. These two lead to
asana, or an integration of mind and body.
At this stage, you are ready to begin control over the breath, which is main life force that animates our existence.
As in each subsequent practice led the way to the next, so this stage prepares one for crucial stage of meditation. Control of the breath is basic to this, and indeed, automatically assists in the next phase of Pratyahara, where you learn to turn off all the senses, and become internalized (not affected by sensatory stimulation). This is the control you need to approach Dharana, or single-pointedness. From this point, meditation is said to begin. All the rest was preparatory for it and to it.
Finally one arrives at Dhyana, which is mediation. Your senses are internalized, your breath is controlled, your mind is thus free from the stuff that keeps it perpetually busy.
Once in true mediation, the road leads directly to Samadhi. In Samadhi you are in harmony with all creation, and non-creation, and are yourself the five principles or Yamas, which are:
Ahimsa - of the refraining from injury (non-life supporting action)
Satya which is truthfulness
Asteya of the freedom from stealing
Bramacharya which is living within the Self (moderation; abstinence)
Aparigraha or the freedom from attachment to possessions
Having attained this, you are considered in perfection and able to feel one with your creator. This is the goal of all yoga, but in
Royal Yoga, the path is easily set out, and if followed without deviation, you may arrive just there.