Our Purpose
The Maharishi Yoga Ashram recognizes four ways of God-realization — Karma-yoga, Bhakti-yoga, Raj-yoga and Gyaan-yoga — and the spiritual transformation of life through harmony at every plane of human personality.
Four Paths of God-Realization
Karma-Yoga is for assiduous persons, Bhakti-Yoga for those of devotional nature, Raj-Yoga for esoteric ones and Gyaan-Yoga for one equipped with the faculty of discrimination.
Karma-Yoga
For assiduous persons
Leads to selfless service
Discharging one's duty under all circumstances while maintaining independent wholeness — excellence in action.
Bhakti-Yoga
For those of devotional nature
Leads to devotion
The path of heartfelt surrender and love that unites the seeker with the Divine.
Raj-Yoga
For esoteric ones
Leads to self-discipline
The royal path of meditation, pranayam and inner mastery over body and mind.
Gyaan-Yoga
For one equipped with the faculty of discrimination
Leads to prudence
The way of wisdom that dissolves the veil of ego and reveals the true Self.
Three Impurities Blocking the Way
The Ashram recognizes three types of impurities that obstruct progress on the spiritual path. Each is dissolved through a specific yogic discipline.
Mal
Impurities in body and organs
Eradicated by the practice of Karma-Yoga
Vikshep
Attachment resulting in wandering of mind
Removed by Upasana
Avaran
Ego in intellect
Dissolved by Gyaan-Yoga
Harmony Across All Planes of Life
The Ashram believes in the spiritual transformation of life. Yoga invariably establishes harmony in the human personality at the physical, vital, emotional, intellectual and spiritual planes of life.
Physical
Maharishi Yoga Ashram practices that render the body healthy and strong.
Vital
Pranayam activates nectar-like subtle energy at the vital plane.
Mental
Meditation cultivates clarity, peace and higher consciousness.
Yoga is Excellence in Action
Discharging one's duty under all circumstances, you have to perform respective duties assigned to you by Him. But you have to maintain your independent wholeness in the presence of men and matter in practical life. This very state is known as adeptness or excellence in karma.
“While dwelling in the world, the world must not dwell in you.”
Yoga as a Way of Life
Principally, Yoga is a way of life, a complete life. It is the way of transformation of all facets of human personality. There is nothing to be forsaken. Spiritual yoga does not imply the abandonment of karmas, but rather their performance in a well-considered manner.
Beyond Doctrine, Creed and Caste
The Maharishi Yoga Ashram does not stand in opposition to any religious doctrines, caste, creed or holy thoughts. Rather, it appreciates the basic principles of all religious values. The Ashram endeavors to take the aspirant out of darkness, weakness, disharmony, hatred, disease, frustration and limitations and safely escort one to light, strength, harmony, love, health, self-confidence, abundance and limitlessness.
One Family of Truth Seekers
The truth seekers conveniently take the shape of one family of universal brotherhood. There is no other way to achieve universal brotherhood. The Maharishi Yoga Ashram, on the strength of this principle, is determined to establish unity and universal brotherhood.
Complementary, Not Conflicting
Any attempt prompting one to elevation is instinctively worthy of acceptance. Spiritualism therefore has no conflict with scientific development — both are complementary. The edifice of scientific progress cannot stand without the foundation of spiritualism. The Ashram does not take scientific development to be an obstacle but deems it absolutely essential for spiritual upliftment.
A Single, Unified Divine Thread
Ultimately, we proclaim that the Maharishi Yoga Ashram believes in weaving together diverse beliefs and cultures into a single, unified divine thread, with equal respect for all religions.