Yoga is a gradual process that works on the level of one's body,
mind, emotion, and energy, and which the one’s
conscious self-encompassing thoughts, ideas, and emotions are replaced by an
understanding of the higher consciousness and can lead us on the path of true
self-realization. Yoga has given rise to four broad classifications: Karma Yoga where we utilize the body; Jnāna Yoga where we utilise the mind; Bhakti Yoga where we
utilize the emotion and Kriya Yoga where we utilise the energy. Each
system of Yoga we practice falls within the gamut of one or more of these
categories. Every individual is a unique combination of these four factors.
Only a guru can
advocate the appropriate combination of the four fundamental paths as is
necessary for each seeker. "All ancient commentaries on Yoga have stressed
that it is essential to work under the direction of a guru."
The
different philosophies, traditions, lineages, and guru-shishya paramparas of Yoga led
to the emergence of different traditional gurukuls. These include Jnāna
Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Pātanjala Yoga, Kunḍ
ạ lini
Yoga, Haṭha Yoga,
Dhyāna Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Rāja Yoga, Jain Yoga, Bouddha Yoga etc. Each Gurukul has its own approach and practices that lead to the ultimate aim and objectives of Yoga.
The
different types of mental and physical dispositions of different individuals the
early practitioners of yoga classified this ancient branch of learning into the
following broad categories.
·
Jnāna Yoga: This form of yoga is all about the liberation of the mind and
attainment of wisdom through yogic practice.
·
Bhakti Yoga: In Bhakti Yoga one can achieve the state of spiritual enlightenment
or liberation through the realization of oneness with GOD.
ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि
मयि संन्न्यस्य मत्पर: |
अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते ॥6॥
ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ
ananyenaiva yogena māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate
(As for
those who, having dedicated all actions to Me and accepted Me as the supreme,meditate by thinking of Me with single-minded concentration only-.)
·
Karma Yoga : Karma yoga teaches the philosophies of selfless action through
which liberation can be achieved.
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा
नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन |
कर्मेन्द्रियै:
कर्मयोगमसक्त: स विशिष्यते ॥7॥
yas tvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate ’rjuna
karmendriyaiḥ karma-yogam asaktaḥ sa viśhiṣhyate
(But,
O Arjuna, one who engages in Karma-yoga with the organs of action, controlling
the organs with the mind and becoming unattached-that one excels.)
·
Hatha Yoga: The form most often associated with yoga, it combines a series of
basic movements with breathing.
·
Rāja Yoga: This is traditionally regarded as Classical Yoga and aims to teach
the yogi the principles of gaining control over the mind and emotions.
·
Tantra Yoga: Tantra Yoga is a form of yoga where two people in conjugation try
to attain a common or universal consciousness by practicing certain yogic
principles and asanas. Tantra yoga has nothing to do with sex or man–woman relationships.
·
Mantra Yoga: Mantra Yoga aims to attain liberation through continuous chanting
of powerful words (Mantra) which creates a certain aura of empowerment
around the reciter.
Cont.d....
