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| # '''Karma yoga''', which is the path of right action, detachment from the fruits of one’s labor, and dedicating our activities for a higher and spiritual purpose, especially to Bhagavan. This is not merely to acquire good karma, but to become free from it altogether to attain moksha. | | # '''Karma yoga''', which is the path of right action, detachment from the fruits of one’s labor, and dedicating our activities for a higher and spiritual purpose, especially to Bhagavan. This is not merely to acquire good karma, but to become free from it altogether to attain moksha. |
| # '''Jnana yoga''' (pronounced gyana), the path of intellectual development and understanding of what is real and what is not. On a deeper level, jnana yoga is the process of discriminating between truth and non-truth, or reality and illusion (maya), and understanding what is the Divine. This is the knowledge of the soul and Bhagavan, and the relationship between them. Therefore, the acquirement of jnana or spiritual knowledge is one of the first steps in spiritual development. | | # '''Jnana yoga''' (pronounced gyana), the path of intellectual development and understanding of what is real and what is not. On a deeper level, jnana yoga is the process of discriminating between truth and non-truth, or reality and illusion (maya), and understanding what is the Divine. This is the knowledge of the soul and Bhagavan, and the relationship between them. Therefore, the acquirement of jnana or spiritual knowledge is one of the first steps in spiritual development. |
− | # '''Raja or dhyana yoga,''' known as the royal (raja) way, also called astanga yoga, is the eightfold path leading to liberation. From either hatha yoga, karma yoga, or jnana yoga, a person may go on to practice raja yoga. It is one of the most popular systems of yoga today.
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− | ## '''Calming all mental agitation,''' which gradually helps the meditator to fuse with the objects of meditation by supraconscious concentration.
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− | ## Patanjali defined in the Yoga Sutras the eight steps of this path, consisting of the first two steps as following the '''yamas and niyamas''' or the essential rules of moral conduct, explained above.
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− | ## '''Asana''', which means a seat or postures for meditation that are often used in hatha yoga.
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− | ## Pranayama, breath control for fixing the mind in concentration. Prana means life or energy, and also can mean spirit. Ayama indicates the length and retention of breath between inhalation and exhalation, and control of the prana within the body.
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− | ## The fifth step is pratyahara, control of the senses and checking the mind’s attraction to external objects.
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− | ## sixth step is dharana, concentrating on the object of meditation. The seventh step is dhyana, when the mind is in a state of undisturbed flowing meditation. This leads to the eighth step which is samadhi, in which, according to the eightfold path, the yogi becomes one with the Supreme, or fully engaged in thought of the Supreme. This ultimately reaches to moksha if performed diligently and steadily. However, this is an arduous path and much more explanation is required.
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| # '''Bhakti yoga''' is the final form of spiritual realization and attainment of the spiritual world. It is the process of simply developing loving devotional service to the Bhagavan. It is by far the easiest of all the yoga processes and has fewer requirements for the practitioners than any other process. Bhakti is the yoga that begins, continues, and ends with love and devotion to the Supreme. There is no stronger binding mechanism than love, and spiritual love is the natural sentiment that emanates from Bhagavan and connects all living beings. Thus, it is said that attaining this sentiment of devotion to Bhagavan holds the sum and substance of all other yoga processes and religions. It is the strength of this connection that can deliver one to the spiritual realm or Bhagavan’s domain. | | # '''Bhakti yoga''' is the final form of spiritual realization and attainment of the spiritual world. It is the process of simply developing loving devotional service to the Bhagavan. It is by far the easiest of all the yoga processes and has fewer requirements for the practitioners than any other process. Bhakti is the yoga that begins, continues, and ends with love and devotion to the Supreme. There is no stronger binding mechanism than love, and spiritual love is the natural sentiment that emanates from Bhagavan and connects all living beings. Thus, it is said that attaining this sentiment of devotion to Bhagavan holds the sum and substance of all other yoga processes and religions. It is the strength of this connection that can deliver one to the spiritual realm or Bhagavan’s domain. |
| == Some important points of Sanatana Dharma == | | == Some important points of Sanatana Dharma == |