Definition – pathway to God. The main aim of the yogas are to control the physical mind and senses. This leads to Renunciation which allows one to be freed from Samsara leading to Moksha . Hence it allows you to fulfil a main aim of life.
There are 4 Yogas – 1) Bhakti – Devotion 2) Karma – Selfless Action 3) Gnan – Knowledge 4) Raj – self control
Key Points
Bhakti Yoga
Defined : the path of loving devotion
Practises: 1) Loving and devoting to a personal god 2) keeping the name of the god in the foremost of one’s mind. 3) Chanting / Singing/ reading/dancing ( 9 types of bhakti) 4)directing rituals / ceremonies towards the deity.
It is the SWEETEST and EASIEST pathway to God. You can develop a personal loving relationship with God. The devotee who totally surrenders themselves to God can attain peace of mind, and renounces the world to attain Moksha, and attaches to God.
Gnan Yoga
Defined : the path of Knowledge & Understanding
This yoga is based on worship to an impersonal God. The devotee attains god through self realisation. This is knowing the true relationship between Atma and Brahman, without resorting to worship of avatars(BHAKTI) or by doing good karma (KARMA). To attain divine wisdom you have to have complete faith in God.
Tools required by a Gnan Yogi : 1) Dispassion 2) Vairagya – Detachment 3)Viveka – Discrimination. By being dispassionate you can take no interest in the world and look inwards to God instead. By being detached you can lose interest in the body and renounce the world to focus on God. By being discriminative, you can determine the true natures of other people, yourself, and God. When one achieves complete self control and has complete faith in their knowledge of God; the soul will attain moksha.
Raja Yoga
Defined: the path of self control of the body, mind, senses & soul
The word Raj means controller or King. By practising this type of Yoga you become the controller or King of your physical and mental body. Raj also means secrets, and hence you open up many locked secrets in your mind. Raj Yoga works on the soul and transforms your personality to more peaceful and calm.
The main practises are :
1) Control of the body & posture 2) Control of mind & senses 3) Control of breathing 4) Meditation of Brahman 4) Detachment from greed, lust, envy.
Karma Yoga
Defined: Pathway of selfless action. Based on cause and effect without expectations of reward
This pathway is based on worship to God, via action. Following Karma yoga, one can attain perfection by performing all actions as a divine offering (seva). When actions are performed out of love for God, one is conducting your real duty to the world. Importance of Karma Yoga:
1) Traditionally pathway of attain moksha 2) Emphasised by Bhagwat Gita
3) Available to anyone regardless of caste, sex etc.. 4) Incorporated in to daily life
5) It has an obvious effect of your future re-incarnation
Practise questions answered
Explain why karma yoga is important for many people? 8 marks write in sentences but...
1) Traditionally pathway of attain Moksha 2) Emphasised by Bhagwat Gita
3) Available to anyone regardless of caste, sex etc.. 4) Incorporated in to daily life
5) It has an obvious effect of your future re-incarnation
Explain why bhakti yoga is important for many people? 8 marks
Write in SENTANCES but..
1) Aim of life to get moksha therefore – via a recognised pathway to Moksha.
2) you do bhakti yoga by developing a personal relationship to a supreme personal god – via Parabhakti
3) it is also regarded as the easiest and sweetest pathway to God, and hence more favoured
4) available to all, regardless of caste etc.. as God sees all as equal
5) total surrender leads to peace of mind & calmness
6) emphasised in the Bhagwat Gita.
Outline the practises of raja yoga? 6 marks
WRITE IN SENTANCES but
1) Control of the body & posture 2) Control of mind & senses 3) Control of breathing 4) Meditation of Brahman 4) Detachment from greed, lust, envy.
What is Karma Yoga ? 2 marks
The pathway of good deeds with an attitude of selfless. Or Discipline of action