Jnana Yoga - Yoga of True Knowledge Jnana Yoga – also called Gyana Yoga – is concerned with the search for knowledge and salvation. It is therefore also called the "yoga of true knowledge." Jnana Yoga is thus the highest stage of the yoga paths, so that Bhakti Yoga or Karma Yoga, for example, are considered "merely" preparatory to purifying the mind. It is also part of the teachings of "Advaita Vedanta." It is about recognizing that there is no duality of subject and object. This means that there is no distinction between humans, the world, and God. Rather, everything forms a unity, and the world into which we are born with a body and thoughts is a pure illusion. Jnana Yoga represents the method of this realization.
Jnana Yoga is ultimately about discovering, in a ritualized way, who you are, the origin of all being and thus the unchanging reality (Brahman). Another goal is the overcoming of ignorance (avidya). You are meant to find yourself and shed all learned, traditional untruths, such as that some people are more valuable or that gender roles exist. In this way, you will attain your true self, a changed self-awareness, and inner peace. You are meant to experience your strength, courage, and joy. Hinduism is also about liberation from reincarnation, which occurs due to ignorance in a previous life.
How is Jnana Yoga performed?
Jnana Yoga is typically practiced in four steps: First, a yoga teacher will convey the ideas behind the yoga path to you. This is called the listening phase (Shravana). In the second step, you should reflect on what has been said (Manana) and, if you have any doubts, enter into dialogue with your yoga teacher. This is followed by the meditation phase (Nididhyasana), through which a state of realization is achieved. The fourth step (Anubhava) represents perfection, that is, the realization of the self. If you make it to Anubhava, you have reached the truth.
The scholar Swami Sivananda reported this truth in his book "Yoga in Daily Life." In it, he describes how Jnana Yoga aims to attain a sense of invincibility and immortality. The ultimate goal is liberation from all everyday worries, including the fear of death. For realization also means seeing that mortality does not exist.
Means of salvation
During the four-phase process, various means of realization and liberation are available to you. This includes, first of all, the knowledge of what is reality and what is illusion (viveka). Furthermore, "vairagya" supports the path to realization. This involves renouncing everything worldly, including the sexual urge. The Sanskrit "neti neti," which means "not this, not that," also helps you gain realization, as it helps you understand what is not Brahman. Furthermore, a strong desire for liberation (mumukshutva) must be present during Gyana Yoga.
Meditation is initially focused on proper breathing. Furthermore, it should consist of several different formulas that you should repeat daily. These formulas include the utterance "OM-Compassion" or "OM-Patience." This should make these and other virtues, such as charity and courage, second nature to you ("Shad-sampat"). You should become an embodiment of these virtues. Other formulas relate to the idea behind Vedanta. Typical phrases include "You are That," "I am not this body," "Everything is just a long dream," or "I am immortal." Another thought you can incorporate into your meditation is that of unity and diversity. See yourself not as an individual, but as part of a unity. Here, there are no differences, discord, or multiple thoughts; rather, harmony and unity prevail. You can recite formulas such as "The whole world is my home," "Everything is One," or "I see through all eyes."
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