Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Wisdom
Jnana (wisdom or knowledge) is considered the most difficult of
the four main paths of Yoga, requiring great strength of will and
intellect. In Jnana yoga, the mind is used to inquire into its
own nature and to transcend the mind’s identification with its
thoughts and ego. The fundamental goal of Jnana yoga is to become
liberated from the illusionary world of maya (thoughts and
perceptions) and to achieve union of the inner Self (Atman) with
the oneness of all life (Brahman). This is achieved by
steadfastly practicing the mental techniques of self-questioning,
reflection and conscious illumination that are defined in the Four
Pillars of Knowledge.
The Four Pillars of Knowledge (sadhana chatushtaya) are the
prescribed steps toward achieving liberation in Jnana Yoga. These
practices build upon each other and thus should be practiced in
sequential order. Even if one does not have the goal of achieving
liberation, practicing these techniques will cultivate spiritual
insight and understanding as well as reduce one’s suffering and
dissatisfaction of life.
Viveka
(discernment, discrimination) is a deliberate, continuous
intellectual effort to distinguish between the real and the
unreal, the permanent and the temporary, and the Self and
not-Self.
Vairagya
(dispassion, detachment) is cultivating non-attachment or
indifference toward the temporal objects of worldly possessions
and the ego mind. "It is only when the mind is absolutely free
from the attachment of all sorts that true knowledge begins to
dawn." - Swami Sivananda.
Shatsampat
(six virtues) are six mental practices to stabilize the mind and
emotions, and to further develop the ability to see beyond the
illusions of maya.
• Shama (tranquility, calmness) is the ability to keep the mind
peaceful, through moderating its reaction to external stimuli.
• Dama (restraint, control) is the strengthening of the mind to be
able to resist the control of the senses, and the training of the
senses to be used only as instruments of the mind.
• Uparati (withdrawal, renunciation) is the abandonment of all
activities that are not one's Dharma (Duty). A simple lifestyle is
followed that contains no worldly distractions from the spiritual
path.
• Titiksha (endurance, forbearance) is the tolerance of external
non-conducive situations that are commonly considered to produce
suffering, especially in extreme opposite states (success and
failure, hot and cold, pleasure and pain).
• Shraddha (faith, trust) is a sense of certainty and belief in
one's guru (teacher), the scriptures and the yogic path.
• Samadhana (focus, concentration) is the complete one-pointedness
of the mind.
Mumukshutva
(longing, yearning) is an intense and passionate desire for
achieving the liberation from suffering. In order to achieve
liberation one must be completely committed to the path, with such
longing that all other desires fade away.
It can be difficult to grasp or comprehend the intellectual
approach of jnana yoga, and since one can easily overemphasize
intellectual attainment it is important to cultivate humility and
compassion on this path. It is easy to become entangled in the
constructs and thoughts of the mind and loose sight of the goal of
jnana: to realize the divine oneness inherent in all beings.
Obviously, this approach would be contraindicated for anyone with
a history of mental disease or emotional instability. It is also
highly advised to find a competent teacher before divulging deeply
into the path of jnana yoga.
back to
home for other articles
