Our main problem is to be free. Until we realize ourselves as the Absolute, we cannot attain to deliverance. Yet there are various ways of attaining to this realization. These methods have the generic name of Yoga - to join, to join ourselves to our reality. The word Yoga means union, to unite or make whole. A yogi is one who practices yoga.
Yoga is essentially a path of discovery, discovery of the self and discovery of the light of Divinity. The Divine light can be found in many different ways. The path one takes may be uniquely one's own. As a path, yoga involves the removal and overcoming of bad habits of thinking and behavior and the development of a healthy and moral approach to living. The qualities one acquires along the way include gentleness, truthfulness, self-control, healthy habits of living, self-discipline, and an inner commitment to ethical and moral behavior.
The Yogas, though divided into various groups, can principally be classed into four. It is not that the assumed man becomes the real man or Absolute. There is no becoming with the Absolute. It is ever free, ever perfect; but the ignorance that has covered Its nature for a time is to be removed. Therefore the whole scope of all systems of Yoga (and each religion represents one) is to clear up this ignorance and allow the Atman to restore its own nature.
There are four main paths of Yoga - Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga - SERVE, LOVE, MEDITATE and REALIZE. Each is suited to a different temperament or approach to life. All the paths lead ultimately to the same destination - to union with Brahman or God - and the lessons of each of them need to be integrated if true wisdom is to be attained.
RAJA YOGA. Raja means king and Raja Yoga is known as the kingly Yoga.
In Raja Yoga the goal is to quiet the mind through meditation where the attention is fixed on an object, mantra, or concept. Whenever the mind wanders it is brought back to what ever is the object of concentration. In time the mind will cease wandering and become completely still. A state of focused uninterrupted concentration will occur. From this state the yogi will eventually merge with the higher SELF. Please note that this whole process may take hours, weeks, months, or years of consistent practice before the complete merging with higher SELF...or it could happen in an instant. It just depends on the yogi
