4 Pathways of Yoga

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Four pathways of Yoga 4 paths of Yoga Yoga leads us towards our True Self which is beyond body, mind, emotions and intellect. Yoga is the path from Ignorance (Avidya) to Enlightenment (Samadhi), Self Realisation, Pure Consciousness. Yoga offers four pathways: 1. Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of devotion: Devotion to a life of purity: Sattva Because it is not always easy to find and understand purity, we look for the purity in another person. It is not devotion to the other person or deity, it is devotion to the purity itself. It is about love and surrender to the Divine in everything. 2. Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga is the Yoga of action and Selfless service, this resonates for people who live in communities, burn away selfish actions. Every moment-to –moment action is done with awareness, becoming one with each action, putting your totality in each action. All actions are focused on Oneness, being one with the whole existence. 3. Jnana (Gjana)Yoga: Jnana or Gjana Yoga is the Yoga of will and Intellect, using logic, reading scriptures to remove the veils of avidya, inquire the Self and our True Nature. Contemplation of the very fact of Oneness. 4. Raja Yoga: Raja Yoga is the Yoga of Meditation (8 fold path of Yoga): also called Asthtanga Yoga: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. This pathway actually included the other 3 pathways of Yoga: Jnana yoga: Niyama: Svadyaya: study of the scriptures Bhakti yoga: Ishvara Pranidhanam: devotion to the Supreme Karma Yoga: Yamas: Bramacharya: to avoid me me me and self absorption, focusing on divinity in all. Aparigraha: learn to share your toys, space, time and silence with others Although these paths are mentioned individually, they are actually intertwined and co-exist together. Hatha (Flow) Yoga Teacher Training, 11th weekend, pathways of Yoga 1/1 .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Ashtanga Yoga Yama (Principles) Niyama
ASHTANGA YOGA The basis of Ashtanga yoga is the Yoga sutras (Sanskrit Verses) of Patanjali. We will consider the different aspects of yoga while remaining under the guiding principles of Patanjali's Yoga (Ashtanga yoga). The Asana, Pranayama, Dharana, Dhyan & Samadhi or the Yama and Niyama are systematically described by Patanjali in his Sanskrit Sutras (verses). YAMA (PRINCIPLES) NIYAMA (PERSONAL DISCIPLINES) ASANA (YOGA POSITIONS OR YOGIC POSTURES) PRANAYAMA (YOGIC BREATHING) PRATYAHARA (WITHDRAWAL OF SENSES) DHARANA (CONCENTRATION ON OBJECT) DHYAN (MEDITATION) SAMADHI (SALVATION) HATHA YOGA The term Hatha Yoga has been commonly used to describe the practice of asana (postures). The syllable 'ha' denotes the pranic (vital) force governing the physical body and 'tha' denotes the chitta (mental) force thus making Hatha Yoga a catalyst to an awakening of the two energies that govern our lives. More correctly the techniques described in Hatha Yoga harmonise and purify the body systems and focus the mind in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini practices. The Hatha Yoga system includes asana along with the six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox techniques), mudras and bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques) and Pranayama (pranic awakening practices). Fine tuning of the human personality at increasingly subtle levels leads to higher states of awareness and meditation. 1. YOGASANA(YOGA POSITIONS) 2. SIX SHATKARMAS(PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DETOX TECHNIQUES) 3. MUDRAS AND BANDHAS(PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL ENERGY RELEASE TECHNIQUES) 4. PRANAYAMA Read more about Hatha Yoga Paramhansa Swami Satyananda Saraswati JNANA YOGA Jnana Yoga is the process of converting intellectual knowledge into practical wisdom. It is a discovery of human dharma in relation to nature and the universe.
[Show full text]
Jnana, Bhakti and Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita
Jnana, Bhakti and Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita - written between 600 -500 BCE is sometimes referred to as the last Upanishad. As with many Yoga texts and great literature there are many possible layers of meaning. In essence it is grounded by the meditative understanding of the underlying unity of life presented in the Upanishads, and then extends this into how yoga practice, insight and living life can become one and the same. Ultimately it is a text that describes how yoga can clarify our perception of life, its purpose and its challenges, and offers guidance as to how we might understand and negotiate them. It encourages full engagement with life, and its difficulties and dilemmas are turned into the manure for potential liberation and freedom. The Bhagavad-Gita is actually a sub story contained within a huge poem/story called the Mahabharata, one of the ‘Puranas’ or epics that make up much of early Indian literature. It emphasises the importance of engagement in the world, perhaps a reaction to the tendency developing at the time in Buddhism and Vedanta to renounce worldly life in favour of personal liberation. The yoga of the Bhagavad-Gita essentially suggests that fully engaging in all aspects of life and its challenges with a clear perspective is a valid yogic path and possibly superior to meditative realisation alone. There is an implication in this emphasis that there is a potential danger for some people of using yoga practice and lifestyle to avoid difficulties in life and not engage with the world and the culture and time we find ourselves in; and/or perhaps to misunderstand that yoga practice is partly practice for something – to re-evaluate and hopefully enrich our relationship to the rest of life.
[Show full text]
The Concept of Bhakti-Yoga
Nayankumar J. Bhatt [Subject: English] International Journal of Vol. 2, Issue: 1, January 2014 Research in Humanities and Social Sciences ISSN:(P) 2347-5404 ISSN:(O)2320 771X The Concept of Bhakti-Yoga NAYANKUMAR JITENDRA BHATT B-402, Ayodhya Appt., Maheshnagar, Zanzarada Road, Junagadh Gujarat (India) Abstract: Bhakti-Yoga is a real, genuine search after the lord, a search beginning, continuing, and ending in love. One single moment of the madness of extreme love to God brings us eternal freedom. About Bhakti-Yoga Narada says in his explanation of the Bhakti-aphorisms, “is intense love to God.” When a man gets it, he loves all, hates none; he becomes satisfied forever. This love cannot be reduced to any earthly benefit, because so long as worldly desires last, that kind of love does not come. Bhakti is greater than Karma, because these are intended for an object in view, while Bhakti is its own fruition, its own means, and its own end. Keywords: Bhakti Yoga, God, Karma, Yoga The one great advantage of Bhakti is that it is the easiest, and the most natural way to reach the great divine end in view; its great disadvantage is that in its lower forms it oftentimes degenerates into hideous fanaticism. The fanatical crews in Hinduism, or Mohammedanism, or Christianity, have always been almost exclusively recruited from these worshippers on the lower planes of Bhakti. That singleness of attachment to a loved object, without which no genuine love can grow, is very often also the cause of the denunciation of everything else. When Bhakti has become ripe and has passed into that form which is caned the supreme, no more is there any fear of these hideous manifestations of fanaticism; that soul which is overpowered by this higher form of Bhakti is too near the God of Love to become an instrument for the diffusion of hatred.
[Show full text]
What Is Causal Body (Karana Sarira)?
VEDANTA CONCEPTS Sarada Cottage Cedar Rapids July 9, 2017 Peace Chanting (ShAnti PAtha) Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning ॐ गु셁땍यो नमः हरी ओम ्। Om Gurubhyo Namah Hari Om | Salutations to the Guru. सह नाववतु । Saha Nau-Avatu | May God Protect us Both, सह नौ भुन啍तु । Saha Nau Bhunaktu | May God Nourish us Both, सह वीयं करवावहै । Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai| May we Work Together तेजस्वव नावधीतमवतु मा Tejasvi Nau-Adhiitam-Astu Maa with Energy and Vigour, वव饍ववषावहै । Vidvissaavahai | May our Study be ॐ शास््तः शास््तः शास््तः । Om Shaantih Shaantih Enlightening and not give हरी ओम ्॥ Shaantih | Hari Om || rise to Hostility Om, Peace, Peace, Peace. Salutations to the Lord. Our Quest Goal: Eternal Happiness End of All Sufferings Transcending Birth & Death Problem: Fleeting Happiness Endless Suffering Cycle of Birth & Death 3 Vedanta - Introduction Definition: Veda = Knowledge, Anta = End End of Vedas Culmination or Essence of Vedas Leads to God (Truth) Realization Truth: Never changes; beyond Time-Space-Causation Is One Is Beneficial Transforms us Leads from Truth Speaking-> Truth Seeking-> Truth Seeing 4 Vedantic Solution To Our Quest Our Quest: Vedantic Solution: Goal: Cause of Problem: Ignorance (avidyA) of our Real Eternal Happiness Nature End of All Sufferings Attachment (ragah, sangah) to fleeting Objects & Relations Transcending Birth & Death Problem: Remedy: Fleeting Happiness Intense Spiritual Practice (sadhana) Endless Suffering Liberation (mukti/moksha) Cycle of Birth & Death IdentificationIdentification &&
[Show full text]
View of Gita Rahasya About Bhakti-Yoga (A Devotion) for Salvation: a Critical Evaluation
© 2019 JETIR June 2019, Volume 6, Issue 6 www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162) View of Gita Rahasya about Bhakti-Yoga (A Devotion) for Salvation: A Critical Evaluation Dr. Hitesh Ch. Kalita HOD &Associate Professor in Philosophy MNC BalikaMahavidyalaya, Nalbari, Assam, India ABSTRACT The paper proposes to present and and critically evaluate the main concept of G.ita Rahasya about bhakti-yoga for salvation. Bhakti-yoga is the combination of Bhakti and yoga which generally means devotees’ prayer to God. It believes in God as our ultimate Lord. It is simply ‘love for God’. But Gita Rahasya against it significantly states that Bhakti-yoga is not an independent path or means to attain salvation. Keywords: Gita Rahasya, salvation or ultimate truth or Brahman and karma-yoga. INTRODUCTION Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s (1856-1920) wrote the Gita Rahasya as the interpretation of the Gita in the Mandalay Jail in March, 1911. He was a mainly freedom fighter, philosopher, social reformer and humanitarian. Gita Rahasya establishes philosophy into practical religion. METHODOLOGY: It has been mainly used by rational and analytical methods. It is mainly helped by, news paper, book, journal, research paper, internet (web resources) and discussion of the issue. OBJECTIVE The main objectives are to be stated as following: (1) To study the main concept Tilak’s Gita Rahasya relating bhakti-yoga. (2) To study the concept of bhakti-yoga for attaining salvation. (3) To study the relations among jnana, bhakti and karma. Result and Discussion: Gita Rahasya and Bhaki-Yoga According to the Gita Bhakti-yoga is important one of the eighteen Yogas.
[Show full text]
Essence of Yoga
ESSENCE OF YOGA By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA 6(59(/29(*,9( 385,)<0(',7$7( 5($/,=( Sri Swami Sivananda So Says Founder of Sri Swami Sivananda The Divine Life Society A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION Thirteenth Edition: 1988 (5000 Copies) World Wide Web (WWW) Edition : 1998 WWW site: http://www.rsl.ukans.edu/~pkanagar/divine/ This WWW reprint is for free distribution © The Divine Life Trust Society ISBN 81-7052-024-x Published By THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192 Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, Himalayas, India. PUBLISHERS’ NOTE Even among the inspiring books of Sri Gurudev, this is a unique book. It was written with the special intention of having the entire matter recorded on the gramophone disc. For this purpose Gurudev had given in this book the very essence of his own teachings. Hence, this book was chosen for being sent to every new member of the Divine Life Society on enrolment. It is, as it were, the ‘Beginner’s Guide to Divine Life’. Members of the Divine Life Society and spiritual aspirants have added this precious volume to the scriptures which they study daily as Svadhyaya and have derived incalculable benefit by the assimilation of these teachings into their daily life. This text containing, a valuable treasure of wisdom is placed in the hands of aspirants all over the world in the fervent hope that it will guide them to the great goal of human life, viz., God-realisation. —THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY iii UNIVERSAL PRAYER Thou art, O Lord! The creator of this universe.
[Show full text]
Different Paths of Yoga: an Overview Dr
1 Overview Article International Journal of Science and Consciousness Access online at: www.ijsc.net March 2017, 3(1), 1-5 Different Paths of Yoga: An Overview Dr. Ajay Bhardwaj Sr. Asst. Professor, Dept of Communication, DSVV, Haridwar, India Abstract Yoga is the union of the individual soul with the supreme soul. Yoga is a practical path to self-realization, a means of attaining enlightenment by purifying the entire being. Yoga is the science that teaches us the method of uniting the individual soul with the Universal soul, of merging the individual will in the cosmic will; of experiencing our oneness with the divine consciousness. We have the description of the aim of yoga in almost all the holy books. Almost all the scriptures have declared that self – realization is the supreme aim of human life and this can be attained only by the constant practice of yoga. The different paths of yoga whether they be karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga or raja yoga, they pave the way for the lifting up of human consciousness to a higher and nobler realm of light, love and life with divine harmony and joy. Key words: Self-realization, Individual soul, Supreme soul, Consciousness, Paths of yoga Article Received: 16-03-2017, Accepted: 30-03-2017, Published: 31-03-2017 Conflict of interest: None declared *Corresponding Author: Dr. Ajay Bhardwaj, Sr. Asst. Professor, Dept of Communication, DSVV, Haridwar, India E-mail: [email protected] International Journal of Science and Consciousness (IJSC): a Bio-Psycho-Spiritual approach Published by the Research Foundation for Science & Consciousness, Uttarakhand, India Copyright IJSC 2017 | March 2017 | Vol.
[Show full text]
Jnana Yoga – Yoga of Knowledge – to Attain Self Knowledge Through Study, Practice and Experience
Yoga Essentials WORKSHOP 1 8 LIMBS What is Yoga? ❖Union - of the the body, breath & mind > union with the universe ❖What happens when this is achieved - stillness, clarity, samadhi ❖Yoga chitta vritti nirodha ❖How do we achieve this? Through the progression through the 8 limbs 4 main paths of yoga – not separate Karma Yoga – the path of action, deals with the laws of cause & effect. It’s action has a corresponding reaction. Bhakti Yoga – the path of devotion. Jnana yoga – Yoga of knowledge – to attain self knowledge through study, practice and experience. Raja / Hatha yoga – Eight limb path. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra’s ❖Written by Patanjali over 2000 years ago ❖196 verses ❖4 Chapters: ❖Chapter 1 - Defines yoga and the activities of the mind ❖Chapter 2 - Describes the practices used to transform the mind ❖Chapter 3 - Describe what can be achieved via the progression through the practices (Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi). ❖Chapter 4 – Liberation, the possibilities which are possible for a person with a highly refined mind ☺ FREEDOM ☺ 8 limbs of Yoga (hatha / raja yoga) Yamas: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha, Brahmacharya Niyama: Tapas, Santosha, Saucha, Svadhyaya, Ishvara Pranidhana Asana – Yoga postures (Can be taught in different ways – iyengar, hatha vinyasa, power yoga) Pranayama – Breath control, controlling the vital energy *Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses (stage 1 of meditation) *Dharana – Connection with an object (stage 2 of meditation) *Dhyana – Sustained concentration (stage 3 of meditation) Samadhi – Enlightenment / complete union
[Show full text]
Dhyana in Hinduism
Dhyana in Hinduism Dhyana (IAST: Dhyāna) in Hinduism means contemplation and meditation.[1] Dhyana is taken up in Yoga exercises, and is a means to samadhi and self- knowledge.[2] The various concepts of dhyana and its practice originated in the Vedic era of Hinduism, and the practice has been influential within the diverse traditions of Hinduism.[3][4] It is, in Hinduism, a part of a self-directed awareness and unifying Yoga process by which the yogi realizes Self (Atman, soul), one's relationship with other living beings, and Ultimate Reality.[3][5][6] Dhyana is also found in other Indian religions such as Buddhism and Jainism. These developed along with dhyana in Hinduism, partly independently, partly influencing each other.[1] The term Dhyana appears in Aranyaka and Brahmana layers of the Vedas but with unclear meaning, while in the early Upanishads it appears in the sense of "contemplation, meditation" and an important part of self-knowledge process.[3][7] It is described in numerous Upanishads of Hinduism,[8] and in Patanjali's Yogasutras - a key text of the Yoga school of Hindu philosophy.[9][10] A statue of a meditating man (Jammu and Kashmir, India). Contents Etymology and meaning Origins Discussion in Hindu texts Vedas and Upanishads Brahma Sutras Dharma Sutras Bhagavad Gita The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Dharana Dhyana Samadhi Samyama Samapattih Comparison of Dhyana in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism Related concept: Upasana See also Notes References Sources Published sources Web-sources Further reading External links Etymology
[Show full text]
Hinduism: Sanatana Dharma Or Brahmanical Religion Dr
Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Abbreviated Key Title: Saudi J Humanities Soc Sci ISSN 2415-6256 (Print) | ISSN 2415-6248 (Online) Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Journal homepage: https://saudijournals.com/sjhss Review Article Hinduism: Sanatana Dharma or Brahmanical Religion Dr. Satendra Kumar Mishra1*, Dr. Satyarth Prakash Tripathi2 1Assistant Professor, Amity School of Languages, Amity University, Lucknow Campus, Uttar Pradesh, India 2Professor, Amity School of Languages, Amity University, Lucknow Campus, Uttar Pradesh, India DOI: 10.36348/sjhss.2020.v05i06.005 | Received: 03.06.2020 | Accepted: 12.06.2020 | Published: 18.06.2020 *Corresponding author: Dr. Satendra Kumar Mishra Abstract Religious debates today are challenging the very peace and fraternity of society just because the people who actually practice religion are often misguided by those who actually don‟t practice any religion. I mean the political parties and politicians. The politics round the globe has hijacked and reinterpreted the basic concepts of religion. The religion was actually established to unite the society and to guide the people to follow a particular series of morals and ideals. Today people have misunderstood Hinduism with „Brahmanical religion‟. Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma prescribes to live a simple dignified life for the service of humanity and nature. It has no definite set of rules. In the later Vedic age, the Varna system became more complex. The Brahmans created many complex set of rituals to be followed to be called a Hindu. They prescribed to follow different ways to get rid of sin and gain virtue. The Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism gradually was dominated by Brahmanical religion.
[Show full text]
Concept of Salvation in Hinduism
HINDUISM AND CONCEPT OF SALVATION {With special reference to The Bhagavad Gita} Tahira Basharat∗ The concept of salvation is present in almost all religions in its own distinct way. The primary purpose of all religions is to provide salvation to their followers and the existence of many different religions indicates that there is a great variety of opinion about what constitutes salvation and the means of achieving it. The term salvation can be meaningfully used in connection with so many religions, however, shows that it distinguishes a notion common to men and women of a wide range of cultural traditions. The monotheistic religions state that barrier between human and God is a sin. The monotheistic religions define salvation as entering a state of eternal communion with God, which means that personhood will not be abolished but perfected. However, they differ greatly on the way one can be saved and on the role Jesus Christ has in it. According to Judaism and Islam, salvation is attained by performing good deeds and following the moral law. According to Christianity this is not enough and the role of Jesus Christ as Savior is essential. Other Eastern religions, such as Buddhism and Taoism, take salvation as an illumination, meaning the discovery of and conformity of oneself with an eternal law that governs existence. Dualistic religions, which state that two opposed forces of good and evil rule our world, see salvation as a return to an initial angelic state, from which humans have fallen into a physical body. Salvation, for the Hindu, can be achieved in one of three ways: the way of works, the way of knowledge, or the way of devotion.
[Show full text]
Satsanga and Svadhyaya
SATSANGA AND SVADHYAYA The Glory, the Importance and the Life-transforming Power of Holy Company and Spiritual Books. By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA SERVE, LOVE, GIVE, PURIFY, MEDITATE, REALIZE Sri Swami Sivananda So Says Founder of Sri Swami Sivananda The Divine Life Society A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION First Edition: 1965 Sixteenth Edition: 1996 (3,000 Copies) World Wide Web (WWW) Edition: 2000 WWW site: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/ This WWW reprint is for free distribution © The Divine Life Trust Society ISBN 81-7052-125-4 Published By THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192 Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, Himalayas, India. PUBLISHERS’ NOTE This book offers, between the covers of one volume, the varied writings of H.H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj on the subject of Satsanga or holy company and the related topic of Svadhyaya or daily study of sacred literature. The second part of the book throws more light on the subject. Therein Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj analyses in detail the subtle connection and the subtle distinction between the company of a holy man and the company of the Guru and points out clearly the circumstances under which Satsanga can prove most fruitful for the Sadhaka. It is a slightly abstract subject, but one which is vital for all spiritual seekers. It is our sincere hope that the pages that follow will open up a glorious new chapter in the lives of many. THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY s:ts:ög:tv:ð en:Hs:ög:tv:ö en:Hs:ög:tv:ð en:m::ðühtv:m:Î .
[Show full text]