Introduction: Four Main Paths...Highways

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Introduction: Four Main PathsKarma-yoga (the yoga of selfless action)

 

Karma-yoga begins with the understanding that selfish action binds the soul. By giving up the fruits of action, one is relieved from the reactions to self-centred activities.This does not mean giving up the activity itself, for karma-yoga, on a lower level, recommends that all activities be linked to a greater cause. Karma-yoga specifically refers to sacrifices offered to variousdeities to attain material necessities in this life and the next,without accruing any reaction.On the highest level, karma-yoga means the unreserved dedicationof all activities to serve the Supreme Lord.Karma-yogis tend to have a materially progressive attitude towards the world and their aim is often the heavenly planets.Jnana-yoga (philosophical research and wisdom)Whereas karma-yoga usually involves bhukti,enjoying worldly pleasure, jnana-yoga promotes knowledge through seclusion,study, and sense abnegation. Activities and the necessities of life are minimised.Since the pursuit of wisdom and realisation is not simply an academic exercise, much emphasis is placed on becoming free from the sensual desires that delude the soul.Jnana is sometimes considered the antithesis of karma. Jnanayogis negate the world and usually aim at liberation (mukti or moksha)Astanga/RajaYoga (physical exercises and meditation)Asta means "eight" and anga means "part."Astanga-yoga is a process divided into eight distinct and essential stages, based on the Yoga Sutras of the sage, Patanjali. It is explored succinctly in the Bhagavad-gita.Many modern practices of yoga are related. However, Patanjali's system requires the observation of standardsdifficult for most contemporary practitioners.The sutras discuss superstates of consciousness and the obtainmentof eight main types of mystic power,such as the ability to become "smaller than the smallest."India is replete with tales of such feats,which are largely accepted as feasible.Nonetheless, Patanjali warns the yogi not to becomeenamoured of such mystic powers but to keep the mind fixed on leaving the material realm.The highest perfection is to focus on God within.Bhakti-Yoga (the path of devotional service)Bhakti (devotion) appears to be the path most recommended in the Gita.Krishna says that at the beginning, bhakti-yoga appears simple, but as it is perfected and as the practitioner matures, it combines all types of yoga.Within modern Hinduism, bhakti-yoga remains the predominantpath towards spiritual fulfilment.It includes the external and symbolic worship of the murti,other practices such as pilgrimage and thesophisticated processes of inner development.It has often been condescendingly presentedas suitable to those with emotional rather than intellectual dispositions,but thinkers such as Ramanuja, Madhva, and Vallabha have refuted such claims.Their theologies emphasise the importance of developing bhakti based on knowledge.They also stress the importance of grace in achieving such spiritual knowledge, often received via the guru, the mediator of God's mercy.Though bhakti may involve approaching God for material benefit or liberation these are technically karma-yoga and jnana-yoga respectively. Bhakti-yoga is sometimes considered the synthesis and ultimate goal of karma and jnana.The goals of many bhakti schools transcend both bhukti(enjoyment) and mukti (liberation) and aim at pure,selfless service to a personal God.