Yoga Practices in the Kaṭha-Upaniṣad

บทคัดย่อ

The ultimate goal of yoga is to escape from the cycle of birth and death. Yoga in the Upaniṣads emphasizes the Ātman, Jivātman, Paramātman and Brahman. It is a practice that uses the mind to control the Indrīya (consciousness). The Kaṭha-Upaniṣad, one of the 108 Upanishads, contains many interesting Hindu philosophical teachings, especially on yoga or meditation.  The content of the scripture tells the story through two people: Yama as the teacher and Najiketa as the listener. Yama explains how to meditate to examine oneself, to distinguish opposites from each other, to control emotions and senses, to focus inward, to restrain speech, to unite the mind with wisdom, and to have the ultimate God, Brahman, as the goal. Most importantly, practicing yoga requires diligence and discipline. Practitioners will have to face many tests and obstacles before finding the path to success, which is the attainment of enlightenment.