Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda: Philosophy & Meditation

Pedro Nonell: facilitate access to knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita Book (Yoga of Wisdom, Gandhi, Sivananda) Pedro Nonell
Swami Vidya Prakashananda: Author Gita Makaranadam
Sri Ramakrishna, Harmony, so many paths, so many religions Swami Vivekananda Vision: Liberating humanity from ignorance (Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta)
Bhagavad Gita recited in Spanish (Pedro Nonell) and Sanskrit with music (Dr Ghazal Srinivas) Bhagavad Gita Recitation in Spanish (Pedro Nonell)
Bhagavad Gita Course (Philosophy of Yoga) according to Gandhi, comments Sivananda) in Spanish
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Swami Vivekananda Vision: Liberating humanity from ignorance (Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta)

Embarking on the path of Raja Yoga opens the doorway to the deep inner control of human consciousness. Known as the royal path of meditation, Raja Yoga reveals that every human being is an open channel for an infinite ocean of knowledge and power residing right behind humanity.

Based on the masterworks of Swami Vivekananda and the classical foundations of Sage Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, this deep wisdom has been brilliantly illuminated for global seekers by Pedro Nonell—a leading Spanish expert on the Bhagavad Gita, Advaita Vedanta, Sri Ramakrishna, and Swami Vivekananda.

By systematically taming the internal waves of the mind, you clear away distraction to allow God to radiate naturally within your pure soul.

Pedro Nonell, expert in Bhagavad Gita and Advaita Vedanta
Professor: Pedro Nonell (Expert on Swami Vivekananda, translator, and commentator of the Bhagavad Gita into Spanish)

The Deep Path of Dhyana and Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda (Philosophy of Yoga) translated into Spanish by Pedro Nonell

Raja Yoga declares that every man is only a conduit for the infinite ocean of knowledge and power that lies behind humanity.

All orthodox systems of Indian philosophy have one goal: The liberation of the soul through perfection. The method is through Yoga. The word Yoga covers an immense terrain, but both the Sankhya and Vedanta Schools point to Yoga in one way or another.

Subject Syllabus:

1- Introduction to Raja Yoga

  1. Knowledge, religion and the Science of Raja Yoga
  2. Concentration of the mind to dominate the universe and control nature
  3. Discriminative knowledge
  4. The Sankhya Philosophy: The pillar of Raja Yoga

2. First steps in Raja Yoga

  1. Philosophy of Yoga
  2. The eight limbs of Raja Yoga: Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi
  3. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Yoga Aphorisms)
  4. Yoga Sutras by Swami Vivekananda
  5. Yoga Shastra: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is Yoga-Shastra
The Bhagavad Gita is Yoga-Shastra

3. Prana

  1. Akasha: The infinite and omnipresent material of this universe
  2. Objective of Pranayama: control Prana (the life force in every being)
  3. The subtle vibration of the universe

4. Psychic Prana

  1. Pingala, Ida, Sushumna and Kundalini
  2. Muladhara, Sahasrara and Manipura
  3. The awakening of Kundalini: The path to achieving Divine Wisdom

5. Control of Psychic Prana

  1. Pranayama techniques
  2. Changes in face and voice
  3. Ojas: The higher energy of man
  4. Pratyahara and Dharana
  5. Pratyahara: The mental strength to ignore the senses
  6. The mind like a crazed monkey stung by a scorpion
  7. Dharana: The strength of one-pointed concentration

7. Dhyana and Samadhi

  1. Dhyana: meditation as one of the paths of yoga
    1. The Yoga of Meditation
  2. Samadhi: The state of supraconsciousness

8. Raja Yoga in brief

  1. Raja Yoga in brief (based on the Kurma Purana)
  2. There is no virtue higher than non-harm (Ahimsa)
  3. The history of Narada: The God-Yogi

  1. Shvetashvatara Upanishad
  2. Yajnavalkya quoted by Shankara
  3. Sankhya (Books III, IV, V and VI)
  4. Sutras of Vyasa-Sutras

Aphorisms (Sutras) / verses (Shlokas, Bhagavad Gita)

Outline: Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda
Outline Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda Course Bhakti Philosophy (Bhagavad Gita)

Source: Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda by Swami Vivekananda. Volume 1, Raja Yoga.

Edited, revised, improved (several verses from the Bhagavad Gita have been added, preface translated), etc. by Pedro Nonell.

Dhyana Yoga Course

About Raja Yoga

The topic of this subject is that form of Yoga known as Raja Yoga. Patanjali's Aphorisms of Patanjali (Yoga Shastra) are the highest authority on Raja Yoga and form his reference book.

Padas Yoga Sutras, or Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali

  1. Samadhi Pada
  2. Sadhana Pada
  3. Vibhuti Pada
  4. Kaivalya Pada

Patanjali's system is based on the system of the Sankhya philosophers, with very few points of difference. The two most important differences are, first, that Patanjali admits a Personal God in the form of a first teacher, while the only God the Sankhyas admit is a nearly perfect being, temporarily in charge of a cycle of creation. Secondly, the yogis hold that the mind is equally all, pervaded by the soul, or Purusha, and the Sankhyas are not.

Raja Yoga is divided into eight limbs. The first is Yama: non-killing, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence and not receiving any gifts. Next is Niyama: cleanliness, contentment, austerity, study and surrender to God.

Next comes Asana, or posture; Pranayama, or control of Prana; Pratyahara, or restriction of the senses of its objects; Dharana, or fixing the mind in one place; Dhyana, or meditation; and Samadhi, or supraconsciousness.

Nirvikalpa Samadhi of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa thanks to his guru Totapuri

Both Yama and Niyama are moral trainings; Without these as a foundation, no Yoga practice will be successful. As these two become established, the yogi will begin to realize the fruits of his practice; Without these he will never bear fruit. A yogi should not think of hurting anyone, whether by thought, word or action. Mercy will not be only for men, but will go further and embrace the entire World

Synthesis of Raja Yoga:

  1. Every soul is potentially divine
  2. The objective is to manifest this inner Divinity through the control of nature, external and internal
  3. Do this either through Work (Karma Yoga), worship (Bhakti Yoga), psychic control (Dhyana Yoga) or Philosophy (Jnana Yoga), through one, or more, or all of these, and be free
  4. This is the whole religion. Doctrines, dogmas, rites, books, temples or forms are nothing more than secondary details

Additional information:

  1. What is Yoga according to the Bhagavad Gita
  2. Yoga Sutras (formal), Bhagavad Gita (poetry)
  3. Bhagavad Gita (dialogue), Yoga Sutras (scientific text)
  4. Non-repetition technique of the Yoga Sutras
  5. Length Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the primary purpose of Raja Yoga according to Swami Vivekananda?

A1: According to Swami Vivekananda, the main objective of Raja Yoga is the complete liberation of the soul through self-perfection and psychological focus. It provides a scientific methodology to concentrate the human mind, dismantle internal ignorance, and master internal forces to reveal our true state of spiritual freedom.

Q2: How does Spanish expert Pedro Nonell bridge Raja Yoga with the Bhagavad Gita?

A2: Pedro Nonell integrates these frameworks by showing how the mental concentration text of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras pairs harmoniously with the emotional and devotional poetry of the Bhagavad Gita. His specialized courses, such as the Dhyana Yoga Course, demonstrate how Raja Yoga actions enrich the practical lessons found across the Gita.

Q3: What are the eight limbs of classical Raja Yoga?

A3: The classical system is structured into eight progressive limbs: Yama (moral constraints), Niyama (internal observances), Asana (stable posture), Pranayama (regulation of vital breath), Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal), Dharana (one-pointed focus), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (supraconsciousness or absolute union with God).

Conclusion

Raja Yoga stands as an empowering, practical path proving that every soul is potentially divine and capable of achieving total mental liberation. Whether approached through the analytical framework of Sankhya philosophy or the meditative absorption of Patanjali's core aphorisms, its rules offer a reliable blueprint to transcend everyday sensory attachments.

Through the ongoing dedication, translations, and course curricula provided by Spanish expert Pedro Nonell, modern students can systematically implement these classic techniques. By focusing our mind, we look past superficial dogmas and step forward into a living, personal relationship with God.

Bhagavad Gita in Spanish Raja Yoga por Swami Vivekananda Bhagavad Gita in Portuguese Raja Yoga por Swami Vivekananda.

Listen to the video of Pedro Nonell with English subtitles


Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. Course: Philosophy Dhyana Yoga

Dhyana (Raja): The Meditation as one of the Paths of Yoga
Dhyana (Raja): The Meditation as one of the Paths of Yoga (Course) Swami Vivekananda



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