Exploration of Yoga through Scientific Studies
Shanon FitzGerald, Social Sciences Correspondent
In the heart of ancient wisdom, yoga offers a holistic philosophy and code of conduct that extends far beyond the confines of exercise postures. Rooted in ethical living and mental-spiritual purity, the ultimate goal of yoga is self-realization, culminating in the state of samadhi - ultimate absorption or enlightenment.
Central components of this philosophy include the Yamas and Niyamas, ethical restraints and observances that form the foundational code of conduct. The Yamas, such as Ahimsa (non-harming) and Satya (truthfulness), guide interactions with others and the world externally, while the Niyamas, including Saucha (purity), foster internal discipline and cleanliness of mind and heart.
The pursuit of purity of mind and heart transcends mere physical tidiness, encouraging the purification of thoughts and emotions, reducing ego-driven behaviors, and attachments. This cultivation of inner purity and sattvic qualities aims to heighten one's ability to understand and transcend illusory thoughts and actions.
A sattvic lifestyle, reflecting the concept of Sattva - one of the three gunas in Indian philosophy, promotes purity, calmness, and wholesomeness. It is reflected through diet, behavior, and thoughts that encourage clarity, health, and ethical living, aligning the practitioner towards higher consciousness.
Yoga's ultimate goal, samadhi, represents a state of profound meditative absorption and union of the individual self with universal consciousness. This transcendental state signifies freedom from suffering and complete spiritual awakening.
Researchers can draw inspiration from yoga practices by reflecting on their intentions and the purpose of their research. Balancing diet, sleep, and exercise is crucial for cognitive function, and researchers should consciously reflect on this. Setting aside time for meditation can help increase focus and keep stressful situations in perspective.
The Princeton University Yoga and Meditation Fellowship, for instance, took a group of 16 people to Maharashtra, India in 2018, providing an immersive experience that offered valuable insights into the yogic lifestyle.
The aims of yoga and academic research are strikingly similar: to arrive at a state of truth. As a writer, I found parallels between my immersive experience with the fellowship and the flexibility required in my sophomore year, as detailed in my article titled "Reflections on Sophomore Year: Staying Flexible in Times of Change."
For those interested in delving deeper into the intersection of yoga and academia, I recommend reading "Professorship and Mentorship: An Interview With Professor of Religion Anne Marie Luijendijk," found in "Research-based Courses." Similarly, my article "Live Uncertainty- Learning Abroad in Brazil," found in "Research Abroad," discusses the impact of embracing uncertainty on personal and academic growth.
In conclusion, the ancient wisdom of yoga offers valuable lessons for contemporary academic pursuits. By embracing the sattvic lifestyle and cultivating inner purity, we can foster clarity, health, and ethical living, ultimately arriving at a state of truth in our research and personal growth.
- Among the realms of science, education, and personal growth, yoga's philosophical aspects offer a unique approach to health-and-wellness, promoting purification of mind and heart for mental-health benefits and ethically-driven living.
- In the sphere of wellness, yoga's pursuit of purity, calmness, and wholesomeness (represented by the sattvic lifestyle) in diet, behavior, and thoughts, aligns with the goals of fitness-and-exercise for heightened cognitive function.
- Parallels can be drawn between yoga's ultimate goal of self-realization and the desire for truth in both research and personal growth, making a strong case for the application of yoga's teachings in the field of academia, fostering clarity, health, and ethical living.
