Even for a long time the world is not the entity which is divided into societies, ethnic groups, and politics or economy standards according to the places of original location. The interpenetration of cultures and interests of different societies became an integral attribute of the 20th and 21st centuries.The national interests of all the countries are beyond their borders for long time already. This occurrence is strongly marked in economy and Hi-tech, but earlier those processes became apparent in interaction and influence of different spiritual streams. At different times the forms of understanding the Universe have always influenced each other significantly among the cultures of Near, Middle and Far East, sometimes displacing one by another and sometimes merging altogether and forming new directions. Following that historical logic and being changed in accordance to time and location, Yoga as a spiritual discipline has still preserved unity in approaches and integrity of views regarding the Ultimate Reality.
In spite of the fact that Yoga, as a system of knowledge, was developed in the East it didn’t remain the property of Indian civilization only. Various forms of Yoga are presented in many Eastern directions. The universality of teaching about Yoga awoke the interest of the West and nowadays it is quite difficult to imagine any metropolis without Yoga-centers oriented to any taste starting from emphasized physical development and including intellectual and esoteric forms. Probably any approach can bring a person to deeper and conscious study of Yoga, yet the teaching should explain the basic principles. As a matter of fact today Yoga was and is still not understood in the West despite seeming simplicity. Tones of books and articles, armies of gurus do not represent Yoga as a means of integral development of human being. Such situation is formed because Yoga is lacked of its true concepts in the West.
There is no common approach that includes not only some techniques but the worldview, the correct view to Guru’s role and meaning, the comprehension of different forms of Yoga and their attendant features. Right from the beginning it should be accepted that the enlightenment is attained through the Guru only. The transmission of Knowledge is possible only through the experienced and wise Teacher who is authorized by competent Teachers of the line of succession to transmit the Knowledge. In other words, all emphasized details in traditional approach in Yoga do not exist in the West at all.
In spite of the existing opinion the approach which is called traditional today, does not mean any strict control or imposing Guru’s will on execution some particular actions, as a Guru is not interested in restricting the disciple. A Guru only corrects the one who is mature and ready, and it is essential to be said the one who really needs the instructions. Without a hurry, step-by-step, a Guru will lead a disciple through all the stages of “Yogi Education” taking a role of a guide. A real Master will never try to impose anything to a student if he cannot accept and use it consciously.
As the matter of fact the practices are chosen according to disciple’s features thus by implementing them he could develop oneself and realize within oneself everything that Yoga Tradition teaches.
The feature of this approach is that a Guru does not base only upon his own experience, but follows the accumulated experience by generations of yogis throughout many hundreds of Tradition existence; otherwise it should be considered as author methods. The learning and comprehending of this experience is possible not only via direct Guru’s instructions but also by studying the Texts of the Tradition and communication with its different representatives.
Receiving different teachers’ instructions, acquiring one’s own personal experience and choice the student expands the knowledge of Yoga, forming oneself as a developed and many-sided personality. It is to be mentioned that practice and theory are inseparably linked in traditional approach. All the methods reflect some specific ideas and concepts peculiar to the doctrine, which the Teaching is based on. Especially this fact allows us not only to understand but to implement Tradition teachings in practice. Then the worldview of Yoga could become views and base for human’s life.
Eventually one would be convinced that traditional approach should not be understood from narrow-minded point of view as something archaic or sophistic. Following the path based on universal principles of Yoga a personality gradually leaves any limitations and false outlooks concerning life. And this is what exactly was and always will be necessary for a human being to live one’s life effectively and adequately and to be developed integrally.