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“The
four main spiritual paths for realisation are Karma Yoga,
Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Karma Yoga is suitable
for those with an active temperament. Bhakti Yoga, for
those with a devotional temperament, Raja Yoga, for those
with a psychic, mystic temperament and Jnana Yoga for
those of rational and philosophical temperament. “
Swami Sivananda Bliss Divine pg 496
Hatha
Yoga and Mantra Yoga are now also considered branches
of yoga.
The
Branches of Yoga
Hatha
yoga- Is primarily concerned with bodily purification
practices which tranquilize the mind and discipline the
body. “Hatha Yoga is based on the principle that
one can become aware of higher states of mind by manipulating
the different forces and systems in the physical body.”
“Hatha Yoga considers the body as the temple of
the soul and as such should be kept in good condition.”
Swami Satyananda Meditations from Tantras, Chapter other
forms of Yoga
Mantra
yoga- Chanting or repetition of sounds which
have an effect on the mental and psychic consciousness
of man. “This a powerful way of approaching meditational
states, for the mind is rendered calm and at the same
time concentrated on the mantra.”
Swami Satyananda Meditations from Tantras, Chapter other
forms of Yoga
Karma
yoga- Yoga of dynamic meditation or action performed
with meditative awareness.
“Karma Yoga is doing work with complete awareness
but without attachment to the fruits or outcome of the
work. The work is the end in itself, not the means to
attaining some reward, payment etc. It is selfless work.
It is work in which one loses identity with one’s
ego. One merely becomes an instrument”. Swami Satyananda
Meditations from Tantras, Chapter other forms of Yoga
Karma
Yoga is being aware of how / why we interact with the
external environment, - becoming aware of our karmas and
their influence, and maintaining equilibrium, freedom
from the negative and positive inputs in life.”
I am not the doer”
Bhakti
yoga-“ ..is the path of devotion. It is
generally devotion to the supreme consciousness in one
of its many manifestations…..Instead of directing
attention to an impersonal form of consciousness, as in
Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga, attention is directed to something
more tangible and concrete.” “How does Bhakti
Yoga bring about states of meditation? The answer is that
a person who feels devotion automatically concentrates
their mind.”
Swami Satyananda Meditations from Tantras, Chapter other
forms of Yoga
Raja
yoga- Raja yoga is the most systematic, method
of attaining states of meditation.
Raja yoga is the path of meditation which maps the subtle
states of consciousness.
The process allows practitioner to enter into the realm
of psychic consciousness, to discover the dormant areas
of the mind and the consciousness.
Jnana
yoga- “It is known as the yoga of knowledge
and wisdom .” “….means the process of
meditative awareness which brings us closer to our inner
nature and gives birth to our intuitive faculties.”
“...the removal of speculative knowledge…
is the aim of Jnana Yoga” and “ … to
have experiential knowledge which is your own understanding
and experience.
Swami Niranjanananda – Yoga Darshan chapter Jnana
Yoga
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