The Eightfold Noble Path & Ashtanga Yoga

The yoga system of Patanjali is based on his yoga sutras, which have been explicated and commented upon down through the centuries. The yoga path which he described is called Eightlimbed Yoga, and there are eight steps involved in its practice.

The first two steps are designed for purification, using the yamas, or abstention from evildoing, and the niyamas, the positive observances, to help the individual reach a purified state in which additional steps become possible. The following two steps are what many westerners think of as yoga, comprising the asanas, or physical postures, and pranayama, which are breathing techniques. After that point, the various forms of meditation are involved, including dhrana, the concentration of the mind upon a single object, dhyana, which represents absorption in the object of meditation, and samadhi, which is the goal of this yoga philosophy. Samadhi is essentially merging with, or absorption within, the Purusa.

The Buddhist path is also eightfold, although with quite different steps. This path begins with thought, essentially, with the first step being right faith, or right seeing. Following that, the individual aspires to release the false self and attain liberation.

In order to work that out, the next steps include right speech, right conduct, and right livelihood, which enable the individual to be congruent with his or her aspirations in daily living.

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