Practice reference · Raja Yoga
How do conduct, posture, breath and attention relate to meditation? This reference introduces the eight limbs of Raja Yoga as Glorian teaches them, with links to the original sources.
Use it to understand the terms and how they fit together. For a practical beginning, our Meditation course guides you from preparing a session to a brief inquiry and reflection. Understanding the framework, making a plan and experiencing a practice are different steps.
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Find your beginning in the Meditation course Explore the eight limbs
Read a limb for its meaning, then open its sources if you want the fuller teaching. The sequence shows relationships within this tradition. It is not a timetable, eight assignments, or a way to grade yourself from a particular experience.
The course introduction explains the recommended grounding in Conduct, Healthy Spirituality and Concentration, or equivalent understanding. Its first lesson asks you to plan a session; the next lesson introduces a brief session. You can use a fictional case throughout.
Already following the course? Return to preparing your session plan or reflecting on that plan. Reading this reference does not add another practice to your lesson.
Coming from the ethics reference? Continue preparing one restraint and one constructive action. You do not need to add a sitting to complete that activity.
Working on attention? First concentration explains noticing and returning, with its own connection to the prepared Concentration lesson.
Further reference: studying the original series · concentration stages · keeping practice workable.
Limb 1 of 8
Glorian places ethical restraints at the beginning of this framework. Its five yamas concern non-harm, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity and non-grasping. These concern conduct alongside meditation.
Use the reference to understand one principle and the prepared Ethics lesson to consider one action. The glossary and foundation lecture provide the wider teaching; they are optional context for that local activity.
The Yama and Niyama reference explains the terms through everyday examples. For one prepared application, use Ethics lesson three; its activity covers restraint and cultivation together.
Optional study from the original publishers. The lecture chapters are navigation aids; read or hear the full preparation and context before considering a method.
Series lecture for steps 1–2. Open at the eight-step overview, then the Yama chapters.
The eight-limb framework, with passages attributed to Swami Sivananda on ethical preparation.
The five restraints as this publisher lists them.
Limb 2 of 8
Niyama concerns observances to cultivate. Glorian’s glossary lists purity, contentment, spiritual discipline, scriptural study and remembrance of God. Our reference keeps these source meanings distinct from its everyday examples.
The same Ethics activity pairs a restraint with a constructive action. There is no second assignment for this limb. If you are studying the foundation lecture, keep your question about that pair with the relevant source passage.
The Yama and Niyama reference explains the terms through everyday examples. For one prepared application, use Ethics lesson three; its activity covers restraint and cultivation together.
Optional study from the original publishers. The lecture chapters are navigation aids; read or hear the full preparation and context before considering a method.
Same lecture as limb 1. Niyama chapters begin after the five restraints.
The five observances in short form.
Optional lecture on two related terms; it is not another assignment for the Ethics activity.
Limb 3 of 8
Glorian presents asana as a posture that supports relaxation and attention. Its step-three lecture says stillness should arise through relaxation rather than force, and acknowledges that a cross-legged seat is not required.
Our Meditation course begins by planning a supported position that can be changed, a suitable opportunity and a clear ending. The publisher’s longer relaxation exercise is separate further study. Its posture and duration instructions are not additional requirements for that introductory plan.
Optional study from the original publishers. The lecture chapters are navigation aids; read or hear the full preparation and context before considering a method.
Step 3. Relaxation exercise chapter at 13:24.
Definition and passages attributed to Swami Sivananda. The longer sitting durations belong to the source, not our introductory plan.
A separate publisher’s guided-practice collection. Each method has its own instructions and context.
Limb 4 of 8
Glorian describes pranayama as work with prana, or life-energy, through chastity, concentration, imagination and breathing. This is its Gnostic account of creative energy; ordinary observation of an unchanged breath is a different activity.
The lecture and glossary include specific methods with their own preparation. Reading a definition or hearing a list of requirements does not establish suitability for a method. The introductory breathing guide below keeps its unforced attention activity separate from breath control and the publisher’s further instructions.
Our breathing introduction pairs a short glossary reading with one unforced attention activity or a reading alternative. It does not teach a pranayama method.
Optional study from the original publishers. The lecture chapters are navigation aids; read or hear the full preparation and context before considering a method.
Step 4. Requirements from 29:32; exercise at 39:48.
Definition, plus the books Glorian names for further study: Kundalini, Treatise of Sexual Alchemy, The Yellow Book.
Includes Christic Egyptian pranayama and related chapters. Link-out only.
Named on Glorian’s pranayama glossary as a book to learn more.
Named on the same glossary. Sexual transmutation as this school frames it — not clinical advice.
A separate collection that includes Ham-Sah. This link does not assess suitability for that method.
Limb 5 of 8
Glorian’s glossary describes pratyahara as withdrawing consciousness from sensory objects so attention can turn inward. Its quoted account places this within the preparation for concentration and meditation.
This term describes a traditional practice context. Our introductory course keeps the surroundings and real responsibilities available; it does not ask the student to become unresponsive. Reducing an optional interruption may help with preparation, but it does not establish that the fuller practice of pratyahara has been learned.
Optional study from the original publishers. The lecture chapters are navigation aids; read or hear the full preparation and context before considering a method.
Step 5. Development chapters from 23:11.
Definition and passages attributed to Swami Sivananda on the relationship between preparation, concentration and meditation.
Limb 6 of 8
Glorian’s Dharana glossary defines concentration as fixing consciousness in one place. Its step-six lecture describes five stages of concentration within the wider Raja Yoga teaching. A brief experience of focus or distraction does not establish a spiritual stage.
For an introduction, First concentration explains the difference between noticing a distraction and returning attention. Its practical continuation is the prepared first Concentration lesson. The publisher’s two video practices are separate further study; our activity does not require completing them or qualifying through a timed sitting.
First concentration gives an everyday example. For a guided attempt, read the Concentration course introduction or return to the first lesson’s preparation.
The First concentration reference collects stage summaries and source chapters. A moment of focus or distraction does not establish your spiritual level. The prepared course activity has its own ending and reflection.
Optional study from the original publishers. The lecture chapters are navigation aids; read or hear the full preparation and context before considering a method.
Step 6. Stages from 22:10; Practice 1 at 35:03; Practice 2 at 37:03.
Patanjali: fixing the consciousness in one place. Precursor of dhyana.
Limb 7 of 8
Glorian relates dhyana to meditative contemplation and the perception of internal images. Its glossary also describes differing uses of the term across traditions. This page presents that publisher’s interpretation without treating every image as knowledge about the world.
Our Meditation course distinguishes what was noticed from what was inferred. Its brief inquiry does not require visual imagery or an unusual experience. The publisher’s inner-perception practices remain further study with their own preparation; a vivid impression alone cannot establish its accuracy or someone’s attainment.
The course’s lesson on imagery, memory and interpretation explains how to distinguish an impression from a factual conclusion. It includes a nonvisual alternative.
Optional study from the original publishers. The lecture chapters are navigation aids; read or hear the full preparation and context before considering a method.
Step 7. Warning at 25:07; Practice One at 30:51; Practice Two at 31:55.
Glorian’s account of contemplation and inner perception, with a discussion of different uses across traditions.
Handbook through the eight steps of Raja Yoga, emphasizing perception of internal images. Link-out only.
Limb 8 of 8
Glorian’s glossary describes samadhi through clarity, absorption and freedom from the ego, while noting that the word has several meanings. It also distinguishes a temporary experience from the enduring transformation it calls self-realization.
These are spiritual claims within the source’s framework. Understanding their description, finishing a course or having a striking experience does not establish that transformation. Our introductory activities ask for careful observation, interpretation and conduct; they do not ask students to reproduce samadhi or imitate descriptions of breath cessation.
Optional study from the original publishers. The lecture chapters are navigation aids; read or hear the full preparation and context before considering a method.
Step 8. “Samadhi is Not Realization” at 15:19.
Definitions, attributed passages and a section distinguishing samadhi from self-realization. Further context, not a checklist of experiences to produce.
A separate Glorian course to explore from its introduction; it is not a second required programme alongside our course.
If you choose Glorian’s full series, its ordered playlist (opens in a new tab) begins with the foundation lecture on ethics (opens in a new tab) . Keep the author’s explanation, preparation and practice instructions together. Reaching a later chapter does not itself establish readiness to perform its method.
A useful reading question is: what does this source mean by the term, and what preparation does it describe? Keep a claim you have read distinct from something you have experienced. An unanswered question can remain open; you do not need to produce the described state to finish reading.
Meditation Essentials (opens in a new tab) is a separate Glorian course. Chicago Gnosis’s guided practices (opens in a new tab) is another collection with its own instructions. Neither is a second required programme alongside our six-lesson course.
If you are following a prepared course activity, use its reflection before adding another practice. Describe what you noticed and what you actually did; a plan to return, a felt state and a completed return are different observations.
For our first lesson, that means reviewing your plan. Planning can reveal a missing condition or a reason to postpone. It is preparation for experience, rather than evidence that a session has taken place.
Follow the preparation for the activity you actually choose. In our introductory course, use a comfortable, supported position you can change, keep ordinary breathing and necessary responsibilities available, and end if the attempt becomes distressing or difficult to leave. The fictional alternative remains a complete way to study the decisions.
If a practice disrupts sleep or ordinary functioning, pause it and seek appropriate support rather than adding more techniques. The US and UK support routes remain available. NCCIH’s overview (opens in a new tab) explains the limits of safety evidence and advises against replacing or delaying health care with meditation.
An optional meditation timer can mark an ending. Its default is 20 minutes; choose your own brief, comfortable length before starting. The default is not a course assignment.
Let the course introduction help you decide where to begin. Its first practical task is one realistic session plan, with preparation, an alternative and reflection. You can return to this framework when a source term needs more context.
Find your beginning in the Meditation course
Already on lesson one? Return to preparing your plan. For further source study, use the original-series guide.
Optional publisher entrances collected in one place. These are reference choices, not an additional practice list.
The publisher’s introduction to restraints and observances. Begin here if you choose to study its series.
The full ordered spine from ethics through samadhi.
Definitions and attributed passages on the relationship between ethical preparation and meditation.
A separate Glorian course. Explore its introduction when choosing further study; it is not an additional assignment.
Handbook through the eight steps, emphasizing perception of internal images.
A separate collection of guided practices, each with its own preparation and context.
Primary English hub for free books, courses, and practice in the Samael Aun Weor stream.
IntroductionMeditationPsychology
IntroductionMeditationPsychology
Resource listed with credit to Glorian (glorian.org), a non-profit publisher of practical Gnostic teachings. Titles and excerpts remain © Glorian / respective authors; link out rather than republish.
Last checked 10 October 2026
English lecture library and guided practices complementary to Glorian’s books.
IntroductionMeditationRunes
IntroductionMeditationRunes
Listed with credit to the Gnostic Academy of Chicago (chicagognosis.org).
Last checked 10 October 2026
Audio distribution of Glorian lectures.
MeditationIntroduction
MeditationIntroduction
Resource listed with credit to Glorian (glorian.org), a non-profit publisher of practical Gnostic teachings. Titles and excerpts remain © Glorian / respective authors; link out rather than republish.
Last checked 10 October 2026
Audio lectures mirroring the Chicago Gnosis curriculum, including dreams and psychology.
MeditationAstralPsychology
MeditationAstralPsychology
Listed with credit to Chicago Gnosis. Titles and pages remain with their publishers; we link out rather than republish.
Last checked 10 October 2026
Independent library of SAW-tradition practices. Verify lineage before treating it as official curriculum.
RunesMeditationBreathing
RunesMeditationBreathing
Listed with credit to Gnostic Practices (gnosticpractices.org). Practice pages remain with that site; we link out rather than republish.
Last checked 10 October 2026
Quetzalcoatl / Instituto English portal for SAW lectures and practices, distinct from Glorian and AGEAC.
IntroductionMeditationPsychology
IntroductionMeditationPsychology
Listed with credit to Instituto Cultural Quetzalcoatl / SamaelGnosis (samaelgnosis.us). Weekly lectures and practices remain with ICQ; we link out rather than republish.
Last checked 10 October 2026
