We choose the journey of Yoga to destroy our ego. In short, Yoga means to destroy our ego or to decrease it. The fewer ego we have the more joyful our life will become and the more ego we have the less joyful our life becomes. In yoga, the term Samadhi means there is no ego anymore that's why we do Yoga. There are many types of Yoga- Raja Yoga, Gynana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga. Some people do Karma Yoga which means destroying the ego through some action, some do Bhakti Yoga which means destroying the ego through devotion. There are several different paths but there is only one destination, to reach to a state where there is no ego.
Many times people practice yoga and their ego suddenly increases. If this happens, it means that they are not on the right path. Whenever we go on a journey we need some information. Without the information, the journey is not possible and when you miss some information or you try to put your own logic to the information you go on the wrong path and ego increases. Yoga is not a science of 'show me' it is the science of 'know me’.
Yoga is a science so only gathering information is not going to work but its practical implementation is also important. First getting the correct information and fulfilling it in a practical way is the right approach to Yoga. You'll notice that day by day your ego is decreasing. After practicing Yoga for more than a year also if you feel pain, need, fear, or loss that means you are not on the right path of Yoga.
Many people go for Bhakti Yoga. They go to temple daily. They left their families and friends and they say they are devotee of god. Previously they were working to earn money, from that money they wanted to build the house. Now they are working for donation to build a temple. There is not change in ego previously is was for family now the ego is for god. Before if somebody says anything wrong about his wife they were becoming angry, now they do not feel angry if somebody says something about his family, but now they feel angry if somebody enters the temple wearing shoes. They may think the attachment is gone but the attachment is same. If you are doing yoga practice, there are proper methods to get the maximum benefits. You do not have to leave your family or your children. You just need to leave your desire, fear, attachment. Otherwise, you'll get attached to something else. When you are not on the right path you will start comparing yourself. But in reality "Eko brahma dwitiyo nasti", if you come to Yoga everywhere you will see oneness. Then you will not say I'm the follower of Krishna or the follower of Shiva. In the beginning, you may feel the difference but if you are on the right path your ego is starting decreasing slowly and you'll stop comparing yourself to anyone. Everywhere you'll feel the oneness.
In Yoga, our duality goes. You'll not say I'm a Hindu or Christian or Muslim or Indian or Pakistani or this or that. This all are the part of our ego. Ego always compares, and when ego compares duality is created. If you're doing yoga and creating bias this means that you are not on the right path of Yoga. The primary nature of ego is to compare and tell that you're better from others.
There was a professor of Philosophy in a University of Paris. He was the Head of Philosophy department. The student in the first year were excited to listen to him on the first day of class. He was an expert in Purana, Gita, Yoga philosophies as well as many western philosophies. Most of the philosophies talk about non-duality. When he arrived for the lecture, he introduces himself to the class and said I'm the best person in this world and also the most intelligent person in this world. Everybody got shocked and one student asked him, how can you say that? we know you're intelligent but this world is very big. You cannot say that I'm the best. The professor replied, I know I'm the best and I can prove that. So the professor pulled out the world map and again he said that I'm the best person in this world. Everybody was thinking he is crazy and he has a big ego. Then the professor asked a question to the student, Which is the best country in this world? As every student there belongs to France they all said France. Then he asked which is the best city in France? As all of them were from Paris they all replied Paris. Then he asked which is the best place to study in Paris? Students replied the University of Paris. And then he asked which is the best department in this university? Everybody said. Department of Philosophy. The professor said I'm the head of this department, now tell me who is the best person in this world. You all proved it. Ego directly will not say that I’m the best as it will shock the people. Our mind is very smart it wants excuses, but the hidden motto of ego is to say I’m the best. You say I’m hindu means I’m better than a muslim or a christian.
So Yoga means to delete the ego. After that, you'll not compare yourself to someone else. Once your ego is gone then only non-duality occurs. Yoga does not belong to any religion. Yoga promoted the feeling of love for every human, animal and even material things. This is the true path of Yoga.
