The 4 Paths of Yoga
Karma yoga is the path of action and of service. Through acts of selflessness, you try to purify your mind and your heart. The karma yogi attempts to do all work as though it is a kind of worship. This form of yoga involves the practice of giving your hands to your work and your mind to the Divine essence. If you have an outgoing nature, if you are active and energetic, you may see working in the world as your spiritual path par excellence. Examples of well-known karma yogis are Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. Volunteering to serve meals to homeless people or read to lonely elderly people are forms of selfless service. Karma yoga can be summed up in the words of Swami Sivananda: 'Serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realize.'
Bhakti yoga involves devotion and unselfish love; it is the path of the heart. Using the techniques of singing, dancing, mantra (sound energy) repetition and prayer you try to channel your emotions into feelings of devotion. When you practice bhakti, you attempt to see God everywhere and in all beings. If you are more emotional in nature, you may be drawn to the bhakti path. Some examples of bhakti yogis are Jesus and Mother Theresa.
Jnana yoga is the philosophical approach. The Sanskrit work jnana means knowledge, insight or wisdom. Jnana yoga is considered to be the most difficult of all the paths of yoga because it requires great strength of will and intellect. It is also seen as the most direct, as there are 'no frills'. Jnana teaches that the world is unreal and illusory. Its techniques include the study of the ancient scriptures. This is done by listening to a teacher who explains the texts, reflecting on them, discussing the texts with others, asking for clarification and ultimately realiing your identity with all existence. Examples of the analytical and scholarly people who are drawn to the path of jnana yoga include J. Krishnumurthi, Ramana Maharishi, Kabalistic scholars, Jesuit priests and Benedictine monks.
Raja yoga is the scientific, psychological approach. It is the yoga of mental self-control, often referred to as 'classical' yoga. The Sanskrit work raja translates as 'kind'; this practice allows you to become the master of your own mind. Patanjali lists eight limbs of yoga in his Yoga Sutras:
- Yama -- your ethical relationship with society -- restraints (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation and non-covetousness)
- Niyama -- your moral relationship with yourself -- observances (purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, surrender of the ego)
- Asana -- steady pose
- Pranayama -- control of your vital energy
- Pratyahara -- the ability to draw your attention inward, away from your senses
- Dharana -- concentrating your mind
- Dhyana -- meditation
- Samadhi -- the enlightened state
Hatha yoga, while not formally designated a specific yoga path, it is the most popular form of yoga in the West today, gives you the tools to strengthen and purify your physical body as the primary vehicle of your soul.
Used with permission:
Swami Saradananda; teach yourself yoga; Copyright 2007 Swami Saradananda by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
