The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2737 page)

(Skt., ‘yoking’, ‘joining’). The means or techniques for transforming consciousness and attaining liberation (
mok
a
) from
karma
and rebirth (
sa
s
ra
) in Indian religions. The mind (
manas
,
citta
) is thought to be constantly fluctuating, but through yoga it can be focused, one-pointedness (
ek
grata
) developed, and higher states of consciousness (
sam
dhi
) experienced. Such control of consciousness, which is taught by a
guru
, also results in the attainment of paranormal powers (
siddhi
).
Techniques of meditative absorption (
dhy
na
, sam
dhi) were developed in the
ramana tradition which constrained Jainism and Buddhism, emphasizing control of consciousness as the means of liberation. Although the early
Upani
ads
speak of the interiorization of the sacrifice, the actual term ‘yoga’ and technical terms such as
sana do not appear until the late Upani
ads (500 BCE onwards).
Classical yoga is referred to as one of the six systems of Indian philosophy (
dar
ana
). Expressed in
Patañjali's
Yoga
S
tra (2nd–3rd cents. CE) it represents a refinement of ideas and practices found in the Upani