Paths of Yoga
The ultimate goal of yoga is to create a union between body, mind and spirit; as well as self with TRUE SELF, sometimes called Brahman or Atman, the Divine, the Universe or God. Based on a student’s temperament, he or she may choose the path most suitable for his or her physical, mental and spiritual journey.
The four mokshas are listed below (paths to liberation):
Bhakti Yoga
Temperament - Emotional
Stages:
1. Faith (sraddha) - unconditional belief
2. Support (sadhu-sanga_ - association with others sharing your faith
3. Service (bhajana-kriya) - performance of devotional service
4. Detachment (anartha nivrtti) - decreasing unwanted attachments
5. Steadiness (nistha) - consistency
6. Taste (ruci) - attraction to spiritual matters exceeds attraction to the material
7. Attachment (asakti) - attachment to the Universal
8. Love (bhava) - ecstacy in love of the Universal
9. Pure Love (prema) - unconditional love; union with the Universal
Raja Yoga
Temperament - Physical & Mental
Stages:
Jnana Yoga
Temperament - Knowledge & Wisdom
Stages:
1. Discrimination (Viveka) - discerning the difference between Reality (Universal / Eternal ) and Illusion (Temporal).
2. Dispassion (Vairagya) - ability to release attachments to that which is illusory or temporal.
3. Virtues (Shad-sampat) - control of the mind, control of the senses, endurance, faith, concentration, less action.
4. Desire (Mumukshutva) - longing for liberation from illusory limitations.
Karma Yoga
Temperament - Action
Stages:
Selfless Service - Perform selfless acts
Detachment - Remove any thoughts of gain, reward or satisfaction for your efforts/work. Remain free of attachment to results of your work/acts.
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