Yoga and its Relation to Metaphysical Practice - Thesis Example

All other special sciences deal with some specific matter. For instance, physics deals with energetic states and dynamic processes, biology is the science of living things, psychology is the science of mental states, and chemistry deals with the chemical changes caused by a chemical substance. Metaphysics on the other hand deals with the nature of change itself; the change that causes the change in both the spiritual and the material world.

1.1 What is Metaphysics
A clear concept of metaphysics is necessary because it helps as an intellectual backdrop for any other discipline of study. Truth is one; the reality is one. The thinkers, scientists, and historians are all working in pursuit of the truth. The path may differ, the method of inquiry may differ but they have to be consistent because ultimately they arrive at the same point, as truth is one, truth is indivisible. That we exist cannot be denied; that we have a body cannot be denied. We may not be conscious of the cause of the existence of the body; nevertheless, the body has to be maintained. For this, we need matter; we need material things, as the body itself is matter. Mere existence is not enough. We need to know the cause of our existence as mentioned above. Every human being needs to realize why he is here on this earth. This is where metaphysics is necessary. Metaphysics is an autonomous and indispensable form of rational inquiry. The right blend of materialism and spiritualism is necessary for each one’s life to understand, fulfill, and exhaust the karmas on this earth.

Metaphysics deals with cause and composition or in other words the existence of the universe. Generally, philosophers and thinkers have classified the composition of the universe as made up of matter and spirit, visible and invisible. Materialism includes matter, energy, or anything that exists in the physical sense, which is a physical reality. Spiritualism goes beyond the matter and deals with the spirit, the truth of the invisible. Yoga is a spiritual science that has stirred unknown revelations within many. The more one travels, the more one longs for it. As the layers unfold one realizes the deep connection yoga has with metaphysics. As one delves deeper, the perceptions change. The world appears different; the people are more loving. We become capable of special perception. We are able to see the spiritual truth. We are able to see the divinity within us. Our vision goes beyond the scope of the physical eye. The intuitive power develops. One can sense a feeling of freedom; the power of healing develops. One can attain all that one longs for. In other words, longing itself ceases. One becomes what one wants.

1.2 Metaphysics and spiritualism
We are all metaphysicians in our life. Mind too is matter. Mankind has to travel beyond the mind; otherwise, they would remain stuck in materialism. Journey inwards, journey to the inner self has to be undertaken; self-inquiry has to be conducted. Yoga helps to rekindle the spiritual quest in human beings. It is by no means an easy feat to accomplish and comes with longing, love, and pain. The purpose of this thesis is to motivate human beings to tread in the path of metaphysics through Yoga, to awaken them to the truth, to make them love themselves own self. When each one loves his/her own self, they too would realize that the universe is filled with love called universal love. In this love there is no desire for possession and pleasure; this love brings about transformation and reveals divinity. This divinity is the invisible nature that is the cause of existence.

1.3 Background of Yoga
The word ‘meta’ itself means ‘beyond’. Hence metaphysics is to see beyond, travel beyond the body, or body consciousness. Yoga (with a capital “Y”) normally implies the philosophy of Yoga-Sutra (Utexas, n.d.). Each of us is a transcendent person but we mistakenly identify ourselves with the body and mind. Yogic practices help one realize true identity and consciousness. It helps an individual to travel beyond the body and re-discover the self. Yoga also means union – the union of the individual soul with the universal spirit. Yoga is concerned with regulating the life force energy generally known as prana. Yoga has been practiced by sages for times immemorial. Yoga as a philosophy was systematically developed by Patanjali in the 2nd century. Yoga calms the ever-restless mind and leads to the transformation of the mind, body, and spirit.