Path of Yoga
HATHA YOGA
Hatha yoga is a traditional form of practice that is a basis for all the types of yoga asana styles we have today. A yoga practitioner who has established themselves in Hatha Yoga has a solid foundation for self-development and exploration.
Hatha is a Sanskrit word that comprises from two Mantras: Ham – representing Solar energy/ Prana Shakti and mantra Tham is representing the lunar energy/ Chitta Shakti. In order to live a healthy, abundant and balanced life we practise yoga – the union of the two life governing energies.
Hatha Yoga involves elements of practice such as asana (posture), pranayama (control of prana – life force energy), mudras, bandhas (gestures and locks) and Shatkarma (six actions of purification), kriyas.
As Hatha Yogi dives deeper into practice and develops strong personal sadhana, eventually, they develop siddhis – mastery of prana (life force energy). The union of Prana (upward flow of energy) and Apana (downward flow of energy) becomes available and with a great mastery it can be risen through the six main chakras (energy channels) to the seventh chakra – the seat of spirituality. Such a process can happen also by divine grace – to a devotional person –Bhakta – who surrenders himself to the divine.
Kriya is a more intense practice that requires the yoga practitioner to have their body prepared to a certain physical level. There are a few main kriyas that should be practised by an expert yoga practitioner: Neti, Dhauti, Nauli, Basti, Tratak and Kapalabhati.
It is important to remember, that Hatha yoga is not a goal, but rather a means to an end, a part of an ever unfolding path of self-discovery and self-mastery. As one sustains a strong Hatha sadhana, this will further lead to Raja yoga.
RAJA YOGA
“The Hatha Yoga can not be obtained without Raja Yoga, nor can the Raja Yoga be obtained without Hatha Yoga”
Raja Yoga begins where Hatha Yoga ends. Raja Yoga encompasses both body and mind, but the emphasis is on mental and spiritual development. Its purpose is to unite the practitioner with the higher self. Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga are interdependent. No one can become a perfect Yogi without the knowledge and practice of both these Yogas. Hatha Yoga prepares the student to take up Raja Yoga.
There are 8 limbs of Raja Yoga:
Yama
Niyama
Asana
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Dharana
Dhyana
Samadhi
‘The science of Raja Yoga is a time-tested method of reaching the truth.
KARMA YOGA
Lord Krishna says in the Bhagwad Gita: “Tasmat sarveshu kaleshu mam anusmara yudhyacha”. Which translates as “Therefore, at all times think of Me and fight”. This means to give the mind to God and the hand to work. Half-hearted service is no service at all. Give your whole heart, mind and soul when you serve. This is very particularly important when you practise Karma Yoga.
Some people have their body in one place, mind in another place, and soul in another place. This is the reason why they do not attain any substantial progress in the path. Do not forget not the goal of life amidst selfish activities. The goal of life is Self-realisation!
The mind is programmed so as to always expect something in return for little work. When you smile at someone you expect a smile in return. When you raise your hand in salutation, you expect a salute in return. Even when you give a cup of water to another man, you expect him to be grateful. When such is the case how can you perform Nishkama Karma Yoga? We must prepare the mind for Karma Yoga by applying diligently to selfless service with the right mentalality. In other words practicing selfless action.
A true Yogi does not see any difference between menial and respectable work. It is the ignorant man who makes such a difference. Some aspirants are humble in the beginning of their spiritual career. However when they acquire the name, fame, followers, admirers, devotees and disciples, they become victims of pride.
By purifying the heart through service, all the kindred nagative qualities such as Egoism, hatred, jealousy or superiority and all the kindred negative qualities start to vanish gradually. Humility, pure love, sympathy, tolerance and mercy will be developed. The sense of separateness will be annihilated. Selfishness will be eradicated. We will procure a broad and liberal outlook on life. We begin to feel oneness and unity. Eventually we obtain knowledge of the Self. We realise "One in all" and "all in One".
We experience unbounded joy.
JNANA YOGA
Jnana Yoga or Yoga of knowledge :
Jnana yoga also known as Jnanamarga (Path of knowledge) or ( path of self realisation)
In the Bhagavadgita Sri Krishna explains to his disciple Arjuna “There is nothing more purifying than transcendent knowledge”.
One who is perfect in devotion realizes the understanding within himself in due course”.
Jnana Yoga is a spiritual practice that pursues knowledge with questions such as "who am I, what am I" among others.
The mind is very much part of the world. The mind is the bondage.
to “Know yourself” is the ultimate goal and the purpose of a Jnana Yogi. To realize the own self through being free from the conditions of waking, dreaming and deep sleeping, and obtaining Truth, knowledge and Absolute Bliss.
The practice of Jnana Yoga can help to discover the real nature of one’s Atama (pure consciousness).
BAKTI YOGA
Bhakti Yoga or Yoga of Devotion
Human minds tend to have affection for things. You will not find a single human being who is not attached to something or the other.
Bhakti Yoga is based on this tendency of the human mind. Love and affection are the most fundamental features of the human personality.
This love gets distracted and spread in various directions, inasmuch as love is a predominant feature of the human mind.
Bhakti yoga is the spiritual methodology of converting human affection into a system of meditation. We can meditate through love. That is called Bhakti-yoga. Meditation is the goal.
In Bhakti Yoga, the features of the mind such as emotion or love are used as a medium for concentration of the mind through Japa, Kirtan, chanting, etc.
One method of developing a love of God as the Supreme Father is to listen to His glories. You go on hearing about His glories: “Oh how great, how glorious, how magnificent, how wonderful! God, You are everything.
The other method in Bhakti Yoga is practicing devotion by singing, dancing, chanting, etc. or through mass prayers, we see it all the time in churches, temples, mosques, etc.
The highest form of Bhakti Yoga is self-surrender. “I do not exist at all; He is everything.” If God is everywhere, you are nowhere. You cannot be anywhere when He is everywhere. You are part of Him; you are merged with Him. This is the highest form of devotion. This is equal to wisdom, knowledge, realization itself.
This yogic path has great appeal for people who are emotional by nature.
In the 12th chapter of Srimad Bhagwad Gita, Sri Krishna says “ Those who, fixing their mind on Me, worship me, ever steadfast, and endowed with supreme faith, are the best in Yoga in My opinion.”
In Indian tradition, Meera Bai, Bhakta Prahlad are great examples of Bhakti (devotion) towards God.