In nutshell; Yoga is a program of individual and global welfare (inseparably connected, which is essence of yoga); inseparably integrated (again the essence of yoga) with; • The perspective of global unity and harmony, • The thoughts and policies of global welfare, • Motivation and concern for global welfare, • Healthy and mutually gratifying and satisfying instincts and • Sharing of resources on a “just” basis at personal and global levels! The immortal gurus say that NAMASMARAN is essence of yoga.

1. ESSENCE OF YOGA
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. Five intrinsic aspects of yoga:
1. One of the basic elements in human life is that; we sense the
environment and respond to it. There is a sequence of
stimulation, integration and motor activity; or cognition,
affect and conation; or perception, feelings and behavior;
and stimulus, homeostatic change and response!
Appropriateness of this sequence is essence of yoga.
When this sequence is deranged; in quantity, frequency,
rhythm, quality and proportions; it is called stress. Since;
stress is a lack of yoga in life!
2. Yoga is integration of; prefrontal cortex; and left and right
parietal (cerebral) cortexes. It is also the integration of
metabolic, endocrine, autonomic and central nervous
activities; and global perspective, thoughts, emotions,
instincts and actions. In other words; it is the experience the
union (YOGA) of individual and universal consciousness;
and its concerted expression in every sphere of life.
3. Yoga constitutes the unification that wields; every moment
in our life; with love. Hence there is no “vacancy” for
deception and deceit. There is no “room” for delirium and
delusion. There is no “space” for despondency, despair and
degeneration. There is no “chance” for degradation,
decomposition, destruction and devastation!

3. 4. Yoga is an ecstatic union! The union however is increasingly
difficult at physical, instinctual, emotional, intellectual and
spiritual levels. Interestingly; it is also increasingly more
complete longer lasting; at every level of these! The highest
kind of union is at spiritual level and embodies all the other
levels, and is seen amongst the guru and shishya i.e. the
master and disciple. Hence all differences, disputes and
contradictions; dissolve in spiritual union within oneself and
between the guru and shishya.
Lack of yoga; is disintegration of our personality; that reflects
in personal and social life! Thus even if a person is intelligent
in terms of memory, analytical thinking, and innovation; i.e.
(left cerebral development); he/she can be vicious, perverted
and antisocial if not balanced and integrated with right brain.
Conversely mere development of right cerebral cortex is not
adequate. This is because, if the utopia, benevolence, kindness,
and subtle artistic and poetic feelings are not buttressed and
supported by reasoning; then they are rendered lame and
futile. In fact; they can be counterproductive as; the barbaric
elements within us; can take undue advantage of them.
In short in both cases; there is inability to realize the unity of
universe. There is inability to understand the interrelationship,
interactivity, interdependence and complementarity in various
fields of transactions such as agriculture, science, technology,
industry, trade, culture, and politics!

4. This inability leads to sectarian prejudices and fanatic bigotry;
even amongst rational and intelligent; and kindhearted and
generous gentle men/women. This is a fundamental cause of
discord and chaos, which leads to hatred, exploitation and
crimes; and averts the emergence of justice.
Hence some mediocre techniques; hyped and sold; merely
for some petty personal or mercenary gains or gratification
of ego; are NOT yoga!
This era is especially and uniquely conducive to yoga; as
explained above; by virtue of speedy means of transport; and
communication and networking through satellite and
information technology.
5. The final stage of yoga; is beyond all this. It is not
intelligible. It constitutes the union of all these three
components (cognition, affect and conation) of the sequence.
Thus a profoundly evolved yogi; would be seen as if he is not
doing any thing but in fact he is sensing beyond all sensory
capacities, he is feeling beyond all subjective emotional
depths and he is responding beyond anything “apparent” in
action!
He is free from slavery of the intellectual, emotional,
instinctual and physical vacillations; due to ups and downs
of the hormones and the neurotransmitters.

5. This is yoga (union); where impeccable and accurate
perception, pinnacle of individual satisfaction and infinitely
exuberant benevolence for the universe; unite with (as they
begin from and end in the same) absolute consciousness; and
constitutes the final destiny of individual and universal
blossoming!
In nutshell;
Yoga is a program of individual and global welfare
(inseparably connected, which is essence of yoga);
inseparably integrated (again the essence of yoga) with;
• The perspective of global unity and harmony,
• The thoughts and policies of global welfare,
• Motivation and concern for global welfare,
• Healthy and mutually gratifying and satisfying instincts
and
• Sharing of resources on a “just” basis at personal and
global levels!
The immortal gurus say that; NAMASMARAN is the essence
of yoga.