Four Paths to the Goal
We all carry with us the power to be infinite in being, joy, and knowledge but the power is hidden deep within us by everything else in life. So our real objective in life is to reach deep within the the most hidden parts of ourselves to find the knowledge and joy that we are wanting. Their are four paths that can take people to this and those paths vary from person to person but they are all considered yoga. Not in the same sense that the West considers yoga, but a practice for precision. A man might be reflective, emotional, physical, or experimental. Depending on ones learning style, they will follow one of these paths. But as a foundation below these paths we must remember good morals "such habits as non-injury, truthfulness, non-stealing, self-control, cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, and a compelling desire to reach the goal" (Smith 29).
The Way to God through Knowledge
Jnana yoga is a concise practice made for intellectual people. It is the quickest path to the top but it is the steepest. The key to jnana yoga is to contemplate the inner self and find who our self is. Our self is Atman and by finding this we have found Brahman. Thinking in third person helps move us along the path because it helps us consider who we are from an objective point of view. As stated in the Upanishads, "In truth, who knows Brahman becomes Brahman." (Novak 17).
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The Way to God through Love
This Bhakti yoga is different than jnana because it is important in Bhakti to view God as separate from ourselves. Houston Smith quoted a Hindu classic saying , "I want to taste sugar; I don't want to be sugar." (Smith 33).Bhakti disagrees with any notion that they love the God within themselves if that is what they loved, their love would end abruptly. Another key part of their practice is that they love god for the dear sake of loving him, not for liberation, or to be loved in return, merely to love. Because there is nothing more joyful than the pure bliss of love. Many also practice a sort of Japam, this is the repetition of God's name in order to always keep him in mind, some can do this while they sleep.
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Way to God through Work
The third path to God is made for people who take meaning in every action and this is Karma yoga. We are made to work, it's in our nature if we stop boredom comes in which is why karma practices using work to our advantage. By throwing our every effort of ourself into our work we will yield the highest rewards. Selfless acts bring one closer with God. "Do without attachment the work you have to do. Surrendering all action to Me, freeing yourself from longing and selfishness, fight- unperturbed by grief" (Bhagavad-Gita).
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The Way to God through Psychophysical Exercises
This is designed for people who are scientific bent and is the yoga we know in the West, it is Raja yoga.This is designed for people who are scientific bent and is the yoga we know in the West, it is Raja yoga. Raja yoga is a series of experiment to delve from the body to the personality to the self and then to the Atman, this is done through meditation. But the posture of the meditation is crucial because with a disturbed breathing, the breath will disrupt the journey. Upon deep meditation, outside forces will be ignored. At this point the yogi is alone with his mind but still has to quiet it. "The mind is like a crazed monkey with St. Vitus' Dance who has just been stung by a wasp." (Smith 48). Time loses meaning and the yogi reaches for the insight.In the upanishads "With upright body, head, and neck lead the mind and its power into thy heart" (Novak 18).
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