Jňāna yoga
“What is our purpose?” I asked the teacher. Answer: “To find the True Self”. The True Self in yoga means the individual consciousness as part of the universal consciousness or oneness. All Yogic techniques are directed towards this aim. Karma yoga, the yoga of action and Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion, are two paths one can take. Jňāna yoga, the yoga of knowledge, is a third path. Intellectuals are often drawn to this path as it involves the study of philosophy and ancient scriptures. The knowledge referred to is not necessarily intellectual knowledge, however, it is the study and understanding of consciousness, both individual and universal. Learning Sanskrit and history are also included. Many commentaries on philosophical texts are available to help the modern reader put concepts in context and understand how to apply them to everyday life. Some key texts in the yoga tradition include the four books of the Yoga Sutras, the four Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita. I am most familiar with the Bhagavad Gita, the story of Arjuna and Krishna on the battlefield. Arjuna, a warrior about to fight, experiences a crisis of consciousness and asks for help. Krishna provides direction. Since it is told in the form of a narrative story with explanations about yoga paths, it is an accessible starting point.
Headache Yoga
Baba Hari Dass once called the study of yoga sutras “headache yoga”. This is a joke, but sometimes during and after a Yoga Sutra study class I am confused and my mind is quite full! Then I remind myself that understanding is multi-layered and comes with time, discussion and reflection. Maybe. Hopefully. And if not, I can focus on karma yoga and bhakti yoga. And take solace in the fact that the underlying principle of this path is that all knowledge is within. It is revealed with the practices of concentration and meditation which clear away the illusions and false perceptions clouding the Truth.
“Simple and straightforward understanding is better than complicated philosophies. I keep it very simple for myself. I keep God’s presence in my heart and move on. “ Baba Hari Dass
