The Science of Yoga

The Science of Identity Foundation teaches the science of yoga, the science of identity, from the yoga/Vedic (Hindu) viewpoint or tradition, which answers the questions: “Who am I?” “What is the purpose of life?” “Where can happiness be found? ”

According to yoga, there are two fundamental elements: matter and life (or life force).  Each of us is an eternal, effulgent spirit soul (atma), covered or contaminated by different kinds of subtle material air.

As described in yoga scripture:

The life particle or self is atomic in size and can be perceived by perfect intelligence. This atomic self is floating in the five kinds of air, is situated within the heart, and spreads its influence all over the body of the embodied living entity. When the self is purified from the contamination of the five kinds of material air, its spiritual influence is exhibited.
Mukunda Upanishad 3:1:9

According to yoga, each of us is part and parcel of the Original Cause:

As innumerable sparks emanate from a fire, so all the individual spirit souls (atmas) with their particular characteristics emanate from the Original Cause.
Brhad-aranyaka Upanishad 2:1:20

On a practical level, what this means is that because an individual atma is spirit, not matter, we cannot be truly happy just living for sense gratification or material wealth, fame, glory, etc., but rather we can only be happy when we are tasting the nectar of devotion and, motivated by that spiritual love, engage in karma yoga—i.e., actions in the service of all living beings. In other words, because each and every one of us is part and parcel of the Absolute Whole, we cannot be happy just living for ourselves.