I THINK.  THEREFORE I AM NOT.

While the Western pillar of human existence is based on one's ability to think, and self-identify, the profound teaching of Eastern philosophy suggests otherwise.  Yoga teaches us that as a result of our thoughts we harden the patterns of our likes and dislikes and thereby our belief system which prevents us from realizing our fullest potential. The teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism is largely to overcome this human condition, which otherwise causes us to suffer. Hence happiness is not a result of intellect, career, or self-worth; it is as a result of minimizing the demarcation of what is myself and what is not.  This realization cannot be brought about via thinking, or intellectualizing, but via practices and sensations of self-realization. 

Raj Patra is an inspirational teacher of philosophy of Yoga to the western world, with a mission to help people understand who they truly are.  He teaches that the western emphasis on thinking and analyzing rapidly moves us away from self-realization.  Finding happiness and purpose comes from the heart. He was born and brought up in India, and educated in the United States.  Using ancient wisdom embedded in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantra, Raj combines scientific and logical approaches to bring out deeply seated potential in all individuals. He is a student of Dorje Andrey Lappa, father of Universal Yoga lineage. LEARN MORE ABOUT RAJ.

What is purposeful living?

Everyone, at some point in their life, inevitably faces the question, "Who am I?" or "What is my purpose?" In this training you will go through specific exercises of self discovery, dissecting your innate tendencies, likes and dislikes, and therefore find a map of the journey that will make your life fulfilling. You will discover your Dharma, or innate purpose which will heighten your sense of fulfillment, success, and happiness in life. This program is rooted in scientific understanding of ancient wisdom rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Listen to lecture series.

Here are what the recent graduates have to say about the program:

what is universal yoga?

Universal Yoga is a multi-faceted system of yogic methodology representing the essential approaches to yoga as a spiritual science, unifying all disciplines that can be used to achieve any broad or specific yogic goal. Universal Yoga is suitable for any practitioner seeking to be conscious of all behaviors and patterns within themselves and the surrounding environment for the benefit of beings everywhere, striving for total karmic liberation from conditioned forms of existence. Its goal is to create strength, balance and unification of all koshas (shells), chakras (energetic centers), and rasas (emotions), through the practice of asanas, pranayamas, mudras, bandhas, visualizations (yantrayana), and chantings (mantrayana).

Created by my teacher, Guruji Andrey Lappa, it is one of the most complete system of yoga incorporating all 8 Limbs of Raja Yoga.  This practice is deeply rooted in Tantrayana practices of Hinduism and Buddhism.  Join me for Cross-mat Mandala Yoga practices at Yoga for Life.