Some people have a curiosity about what yoga is and what tantra is. What similarities and differences exist between these two? The word 'yoga' is derived from the root 'yuj,' which means to join. Just as two and two make four. Its meaning is unity. When sugar and water are mixed, they no longer remain separate, but if you add two and two, they become four. The idea is unification. Maharishi Patanjali's interpretation is - yoga is that which can control the fluctuations of the mind. The human mind primarily has fifty thoughts. If these thoughts are stopped, then the mind will not function. The state it is in is called yoga.
If we say that the meaning of the word yoga is unification, then where the fluctuations of the mind have been stopped, unification is not happening there. So, what is being unified? Its meaning is also not being expressed. Another interpretation is when there are no emotions of any kind in the mind. Where the mind has become devoid of worries, that is called yoga. Earlier, it was said that yoga means unification. So, here also, through being worry-free, unification will happen. There is nothing strange about it. When a person is in deep sleep, he doesn't even dream. In that state, he is without worries. When a person loses consciousness, even then he is not worried. Is that also yoga? No. It is only when one is worry-free. The unification that exists between the individual soul and the divine soul is yoga.
Now the question arises, how is the unification of the individual soul and the divine soul possible? It will happen through practice. Practice means tantra. What is tantra? Expanding and expanding until liberation is achieved. So now how will expansion happen? The feeling of the individual soul for the divine soul will be established, then the individual soul will also become like the divine soul, and then both will become one. One virtue of the Supreme Being is that those who feel Him become like Him. If a person takes on the feeling of money, then over time, his mind will become as gross as money. Whatever the goal is, the individual becomes like that. If a person takes on the feeling of the Supreme Being, then he will also become the Supreme Being. How will a person take on the feeling of the Supreme Being? People might say that without action, nothing can happen. The world is created through action.
Let's say there is a person who is a guru, but doesn't do any work. Is he a guru? No, he is not a worthy guru. People won't have faith in him. A guru should perform actions. What does guru mean? One who imparts teachings through his conduct is a guru. Remember, conduct should be appropriate. A person who is called a guru, if he sits and chews betel leaf, then he is not a guru. Guru, the name, should be worthy. Guru exists through actions. Guru means what? One who imparts teachings to others through his conduct is a guru. Devotees, what connection do they have with knowledge? Devotees observe that we can be righteous, we can be wise, we can be foolish. But, O Divine! We are Yours. Just like in relation to one's own people, how people think 'mine.' My Supreme Being, my Param Purush. As people keep thinking like this, their minds expand. This sense of belonging, it is through this sense of belonging that humans merge into the Divine. That is what is called a devotee.
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