Yoga, meditation and sādhanā (spiritual practice) are practically synonymous
terms. By properly understanding their meanings, forms, uses and purposes,
there is every possibility of resolving a seeker’s problems about spiritual
progress.
Wise men and women have identified the path of worldly pleasures as the path of
bhoga (pleasure-seeking) and the path of spiritual elevation as the one of yoga
(union with God). The former path is meant for the worldly person aspiring for
material well-being and the latter one is meant for the renunciate aspiring for
spiritual well-being.
Only that person who has detached himself from all worldly concerns is capable
of treading the path of yoga.
Does this mean that yoga is meant only for the renunciate? Can a worldly person
have access to it?
The path of spiritual well-being is, no doubt, a universal one, so in order to make
progress one has to acquire fitness.
A human being is born, lives and dies in society. As a result, he is influenced by
the environment of worldly enjoyments. Until that influence vanishes or until his
longing for worldly pleasures cease, respect and receptivity for the spiritual path
are not generated in him.
After many years of worldly enjoyments when he is not able to find eternal
happiness, peace and bliss, he may resort to the spiritual path. Even a worldly
seeker can walk along the path of spirituality, but his journey remains incomplete,
for his major goal is the attainment of wealth and the satisfaction of desires. Only
a pious or religious person can tread the path of liberation.
Human efforts are of four types since there are four ends or objectives of life,
viz., artha (wealth), kāma (desire), dharma (religion), and mokśa (liberation). The
first two drag one towards worldly things while the last two lead one towards
God. The first two result in one’s downfall and ignorance whereas the last two
culminate in one’s upliftment and knowledge.