Glossary Of Terms

A

Advaita:	nonduality, teaching that there is only one singular reality.
Ahimsa:	nonharming, a moral discipline (yama)
Akasha:	ether, space, the first of five elements that compose universe.
Amrita:	immortal, the nectar of immortality, when activated at the crown chakra, transforms the body into Divine body.
Ananda:	bliss, utter joy, essential state.
Arjuna:	a warrior in Bhagavad Gita
Asana:	seat, a physical posture
Ashrama:	that where the effort is made, a hermitage.
Asmita:	I-am-ness
Atman:	self, the transcendental Self or Spirit, eternal and superconscious
Avadhuta:	a radical renouncer
Avidya:	ignorance
Ayurveda:	India’s traditional systems of medicine.

B

Bandha:	energy locks used to regulate the flow of prana
Bhagavad Gita:	important yogic text containing the teachings on Karma yoga through self transcending action.
Bhakti yoga:	yoga of devotion that is utilizing the capacity to feel to realize the ultimate Reality.
Bindu:	seed, point, the creative potency of everything, all energies focused.
Brahmacharya:	the discipline of chastity.
Buddha:	“awakened” title of Guatama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
Buddhi:	the higher mind, the seat of wisdom.

C

Chakra:	wheel, the psychoenergetic centers of the subtle body.
Cit:	the superconscious ultimate Reality
Citta:	ordinary consciousness

D

Dharana:	holding, concentration
Dharma:	used in the sense of law, virtue, righteous
Dhyana:	meditation
Diksha:	initiation, all traditional yoga is initiatory
Drishti:	view, sight, gazing such as the spot between the eyebrows.
Dukha:	suffering caused by ignorance of our true nature.

G

Gayatri Mantra:	a vedic mantra saying let us contemplate the most excellent splendors of God Savitri so he may inspire our visions.
Guna:	quality, any of the three primary qualities
Guru:	a spiritual teacher
Guru Gita:	a text in praise of the guru.

H

Hatha Yoga:	branch of yoga emphasizing physical aspects of transformation, using asanas, breath control and cleansing practices.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika:	a classical manual on Hatha Yoga.

I

Ida Nadi:	the prana current ascending on the left side of the central channel associated with parasympathetic nervous system. When activated, calming the mind.
Ishvara Pravidhana:	“dedication to the Lord” one of the practices in eight limbed yoga.

J

Japa:	mantra recitation
Jivan Mukti:	living liberation while in the body.
Jnana Yoga:	based on wisdom and steady application of discernment between the Real and unreal. Rhat which is unreal is inconsequential to the goal of liberation.

K

Karma:	desire, the appetite for sensual pleasure blocking the the pathway to true bliss; the only desire conducive to freedom is the desire for liberation.
Karma Yoga:	yoga of action, liberation through self transcending action.
Kosha:	“casing”, the five sheeths surrounding the transcendental Self.
Kumbhaka:	breath retention.
Kudalini Shakti:	a spiritual energy power existing in potential form at the base of the spine, must be awakened and guided to the sahasrara at the crown of head for full enlightenment.