Jnana yoga meditation

Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Wisdom

Published on March 17, 2020

Yoga began as a mental practice to discover techniques and methods of using the mind to decrease suffering and to discover and create more contentment, joy, and peace. As yoga continued to be refined, developed and studied, it became more diverse in the types and philosophies of the practice. Yoga developed three and then four main paths of practice: Karma Yoga (selfless service), Bhakti Yoga ( devotion), Raja Yoga (meditation), and Jnana Yoga (self-inquiry). Jnana (wisdom or knowledge) is considered the most difficult of the four main paths of Yoga, requiring great strength of will and intellect.

What is Jnana Yoga?

Jnana is Sanskrit for “knowledge or wisdom” and Jnana Yoga is the path of attaining knowledge of the true nature of reality through the practice of meditation, self-inquiry, and contemplation. Jnana Yoga can be defined as the “awareness of absolute consciousness,” and is a comprehensive practice of self-study (Svadhyaya).

In Jnana yoga, the mind is used to inquire into its own nature and to transcend the mind’s identification with its thoughts and ego. The fundamental goal of Jnana yoga is to become liberated from the illusionary world of maya (self-limiting thoughts and perceptions) and to achieve the union of the inner Self (Atman) with the oneness of all life (Brahman). This is achieved by steadfastly practicing the mental techniques of self-questioning, reflection and conscious illumination that are defined in the Four Pillars of Knowledge. Jnana Yoga utilizes a one-pointed meditation on a single question of self-inquiry to remove the veils of illusion created by your concepts, world views, and perceptions. This practice allows you to realize the temporary and illusionary nature of maya and to see the oneness of all things.

“Jnana Yoga, or the science of the Self, is not a subject that can be understood and realized through mere intellectual study, reasoning, discussion or arguments. It is the most difficult of all sciences.” – Swami Sivananda

Prerequisites of Jnana Yoga

The Four Pillars of Knowledge (sadhana chatushtaya) are the prescribed steps toward achieving liberation in Jnana Yoga. These practices build upon each other and thus should be practiced in sequential order. Even if one does not have the goal of achieving liberation, practicing these techniques will cultivate spiritual insight and understanding as well as reduce one’s suffering and dissatisfaction of life.

  1. Viveka (discernment, discrimination) is a deliberate, continuous intellectual effort to distinguish between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the temporary, and the Self and not-Self.
  2. Vairagya (dispassion, detachment) is cultivating non-attachment or indifference toward the temporal objects of worldly possessions and the ego-mind. “It is only when the mind is absolutely free from the attachment of all sorts that true knowledge begins to dawn.” – Swami Sivananda.
  3. Shatsampat (six virtues) are six mental practices to stabilize the mind and emotions, and to further develop the ability to see beyond the illusions of maya.
    • Shama (tranquility, calmness) is the ability to keep the mind peaceful, through moderating its reaction to external stimuli.
    • Dama (restraint, control) is the strengthening of the mind to be able to resist the control of the senses, and the training of the senses to be used only as instruments of the mind.
    • Uparati (withdrawal, renunciation) is the abandonment of all activities that are not one’s Dharma (Duty). A simple lifestyle is followed that contains no worldly distractions from the spiritual path.
    • Titiksha (endurance, forbearance) is the tolerance of external non-conducive situations that are commonly considered to produce suffering, especially in extreme opposite states (success and failure, hot and cold, pleasure and pain).
    • Shraddha (faith, trust) is a sense of certainty and belief in one’s guru (teacher), the scriptures and the yogic path.
    • Samadhana (focus, concentration) is the complete one-pointedness of the mind.
  4. Mumukshutva (longing, yearning) is an intense and passionate desire for achieving the liberation from suffering. In order to achieve liberation, one must be completely committed to the path, with such longing that all other desires fade away.

How to practice Jnana Yoga

self-inquiry meditationIt can be difficult to grasp or comprehend the intellectual approach of jnana yoga, and since one can easily overemphasize intellectual attainment it is important to cultivate humility and compassion on this path. It is easy to become entangled in the constructs and thoughts of the mind and lose sight of the goal of jnana: to realize the divine oneness inherent in all beings.

It is recommended that one practice Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga as prerequisites. These yogic practices will prepare and purify the body, mind, and heart for the rigors of Jnana Yoga.

Once you have attained some advancement in the other yogas, begin practicing the four pillars of knowledge. You do not need to feel you have mastered one pillar before moving on to the next, but do resist the temptation to progress forward before you are ready. This is considered an advanced practice and thus would be contraindicated for anyone with a history of mental disease or emotional instability. Working with a qualified teacher or guru is highly recommended to accurately assess your progress, offer individual instruction, and provide guidance for your progression.

Three core practices of Jnana Yoga

After one has studied and successfully practiced the four pillars, then you are considered ready to begin the Three core practices of Jnana Yoga. These Upanishadic teachings include sravana or “hearing,” manana or “reflection,” and nididhyasana or “meditation”.  These lead to Atma-Sakshatkara or direct realization.

  • Sravana is the hearing or experiencing the sacred knowledge in the ancient Vedic texts of the Upanishad. Usually, a teacher or guru will guide the yogi through discussions on the philosophy of non-dualism. In this stage, the student should read and study the Upanishads and achieve a deep understanding of the concepts of Atman and Brahman and the philosophy of non-dualism.
  • Manana is the thinking and reflecting on these teachings of non-duality.  The student is expected to spend many hours thinking and contemplating on the various ideas of svadhyaya and sravana.
  • Nididhyasana is the constant and profound meditation on the inner Self. This involves the meditation and reflection on the real meaning of the Maha-Vakyas, the primary mantras or “Great Sayings” of the Upanishads. Through the continuous focus on these seeds of wisdom, a yogi can obtain the union of thought and action, knowing and being.

The Upanishads’ great teachings

The Sanskrit word “Maha” can be translated as great or mighty, and the word Vakya translates as a sentence or saying. The Maha-Vakyas are the most revered and powerful sayings in the ancient Indian scriptures of the Upanishads. The regular contemplation and meditation of the Maha-Vakyas purifies our minds, promotes introspection and insight, and leads to transcendental states of awareness.

There are four main Maha-Vakyas but their contemplation leads one to the same realization. They present different points of view on how to see the indivisible oneness of all things. These four aphorisms also provide the answers to the classic questions of Jnana Yoga. ”who am I?, What is my purpose? What is The nature of this reality?” These can all be answered by meditating on the Maha-Vakyas.

The Four Maha-Vakyas

  • Prajnanam Brahma–Brahman (Ultimate Reality) is supreme consciousness.
  • Aham Brahmasmi–I am Brahman (the Supreme Self )
  • Tat Tvam Asi–Thou art that.
  • Ayam Atma Brahma–Atman (True Self) is Brahman (Ultimate Reality).

Jnana Bhumikas: The Seven Stages of Wisdom

Swami Sivananda describes seven stages that yogi will progress through while engaged in the practice of Jnana Yoga. Use this as a roadmap to gauge your progression and steer yourself skillfully towards your destination. You will need to overcome the challenges in each stage to move forward towards becoming one with the higher self.

  1. Subheccha (good desire). This beginning stage requires one to study the Sanskrit texts and be passionate about discovering the truth. One should strive towards non-attraction or indifference towards all sensual objects.
  2. Vicharana (Philosophical inquiry). The second stage involves questioning, contemplation and reflection on the principles of non-dualism.
  3. Tanumanasi (Subtlety of mind). This third stage assumes you have understood
    all the necessary knowledge. Tanu means thread, and in this step, The mind “becomes thin like a thread“ as you let go of all external stimuli to focus all of your attention inwards.
  4. Sattvapatti (Attainment of Light). In the fourth stage, the world appears like a dream And your karma begins to dissolve. A yogi will view all things in the universe equally in this stage.
  5. Asamsakti (Inner Detachment). In this stage, you become detached and selfless and will experience deep states of bliss. One will feel no difference between waking and dream states.
  6. Padartha Bhavana (Spiritual Vision). In the sixth stage, you begin to see the truth and understand the nature of Brahman (Ultimate Reality).
  7. Turiya (Supreme Freedom). During the final stage, you are united in superconsciousness and attain Moksha.

Books to study and practice further

Jnana yoga is a complex and difficult set of practices that can be explored and practiced in great depth. If you are ready to study and dive deeper into this main branch of yoga, consider reading one or more dedicated books on the subject. Below are our recommendations for you to check out to learn more:

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37 responses to “Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Wisdom”

  1. dominic simo Avatar
    dominic simo

    I whant to know mach more fire this path jnana yoga thank you!

  2. Mi mALOSSO Avatar
    Mi mALOSSO

    Why cant dont you advise it for people with mental illnesses or emotional instability?? Doesnt make sense since this is supposed to help people, and people with “mental illnesses”, let’s say, the psychotic condition are actually going through a psychospiritual emergency, meaning they are naturally connected to other realms of reality… so why keep them away from something that comes naturally to them, for example, a lot of psychotic themes are about the oneness of the universe, and a lot of religious themes for that matter…..

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      Encouraging them to experience other realms of reality would be destabilizing and most likely make their condition worse. What they need is to solidify their reality and/or emotions, and to diminish their experience with fluctuating states of reality/emotions.

      1. Ava Avatar
        Ava

        Awesome article

      2. Adam Mueller Avatar
        Adam Mueller

        Don’t “yogis” teach that our “everyday” reality is not real, or illusory in some substantial way? Why would you want someone to become “solidified” in this “unreal” reality?

        1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
          Timothy Burgin

          I think you are referring to the concept of maya. While this word translates as “illusion” it is used to describe a concealing or veiling phycological effect that hides certain aspects and truths of reality/nature. These are hidden from us as seeing them is a very mind-blowing and frightening experience.

    2. ART Avatar
      ART

      @Mi mALOSSO It is probably not recommended to people with emotional instability because, the more one tends to go down this path, the more they start questioning the reason for their traumas that they might have suffered. This in turn can negatively effect one and if the intensity is high, one might succumb to suicide. If you can observe a certain level of detachment and be able to put mind at ease by letting go of the past and forgiving others. i.e. bring the emotional stability and maturity, then only you will succeed through this path. Be sure that the order is followed or you are under a guru to keep a check on your emotions. Be sure to counsel if negative emotions start taking over. Looking for fairyland is fruitless without living realities of life.

    3. Catherine Avatar
      Catherine

      I agree with you and I am so glad you raised this question regarding mental illness. I think it is quite achievable for one who has a mental illness to follow this practice as long as they are stable and on medication.
      Why because I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and spiritually speaking can have “one foot in and one foot” out of this reality to an alternate reality. This is not uncommon for people who are diagnosed.
      The key for me is to take medication that allow me to practice this type of yoga in a very centered grounded space.
      I actually did not appreciate the blanket statement that people with mental illness should not choose this path. Are we all not ONE? Excluding only reinforces separation. I enjoyed the article until I read his statement, and frankly quite shocked!

      1. Amy Doran Avatar
        Amy Doran

        It is very stigmatizing to state that people with mental illness should not take this path.

      2. Brett Padget Avatar
        Brett Padget

        Please don’t be shocked Catherine, from my experiences, I believe all so-called ‘mental illnesses’, whether related to physiological disturbances or not, stem from a crisis of ego. When changes in the brain occur, our ego no longer recognises it’self’.
        The ego of our illusory split mind that we all share, as slightly different versions of, depending on environmental conditioning, is that deluded, (‘born’ of lovelessness, as an alternative to our true thought system of Love – oneness, therefore an illusion, Love being all that is real), that it thinks it can kill its host, escape from the body, in which most believe is the mind, and continue on without the problems that it, as our self, has manufactured. Suicide from this perspective, is pointless, for the mind remains unhealed. Dealing with the ego’s guilt and fear can be terrifying for many, even though its effects are illusory too, as truth can never come from illusion. Perhaps another form of yoga is an easier path to begin with for someone who has only begun to earnestly seek Truth, and is taking medication, which do interfere with one’s thoughts. The journey of no distance that we all share, to Awakening, is a gradual one, and it is best to be gentle on oneself. 💜

    4. Amy Avatar
      Amy

      I am thinking the same. I do this for my own wellbeing. If you have emotional or mental issues, which most people do, than working on yourself in this way helps.

  3. jasmine hun Avatar
    jasmine hun

    Hi, I’m writing this essay on Jnana Yoga and I am using your text as one of my references. Can you please tell me in which year you wrote this? Thank you, your text is full of great information.

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      Thanks! Good luck on your essay. This was published on: Jul 20, 2005

    2. Egon Avatar
      Egon

      I would not usually comment on a general article, but as you are writing an essay on the subject, some clarification would be useful as, with all due respect, it is not entirely accurate. The Four Pillars and Six Virtues are not a sequential syllabus that lead to Moksha, or Liberation of consciousness. A roof cannot be supported on one corner. The Pillars raise themselves – they are not built – as the essence of Jnana is discarding not acquiring. “Let come what comes, let go what goes, hold fast to that which remains” as the great Jnani Ramana Maharishi said.

      With reference to Mumukshutva, in the final reckoning even that must be discarded. It is the last desire and therefore also an attachment – to the concept of liberation. All concepts must be discarded for Truth to be unveiled.

      As a side note, the injunction against jnana yoga for those with a history of psychological unrest reveals a lack of understanding. The ‘realities’ revealed by the pursuit of jnana are not mind shattering and frightening – they are challenging only in that they reveal the essential unreality of the concept of a personal self – the ego – but also liberating in that they free you from attachment to the workings of the restless mind – a benefit to anyone. The truth is that the ‘human condition’ is essentially a form of spiritual psychosis in which a false reality is taken as real and treated accordingly. Only the completely self-realised have awoken from this illusion.

      For further study, I recommend the works of Ramana Maharishi and Nisargadatta Maharaj.

      Shanti

      1. Catherine Avatar
        Catherine

        Thank you Egon! Very well put and makes a great deal more sense. I plan on checking out your recommendation.
        Peace

  4. Grace Avatar
    Grace

    Thank you both Timothy and Egon for your explanations.

  5. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    I feel as if this is my dharmic path, and I am searching for more guidance as to how to embark even more fully into this discipline. Is this something you offer or might you know of someone who teaches Janna yoga closer to me?! I live in St. Petersburg Florida. Thank you so much. ❤️???

  6. Angela F. Avatar
    Angela F.

    I also disagree with the contraindication of so called mental “disease” and emotional instability. I see this as the perfect path if one is truly seeking freedom for that type of suffering. Once I began mindfulness practice at the suggestion of a psychologist, I was able to see the thoughts and body sensations related to severe emotional states that were my so called “bipolar disorder”. By grace that led to self-inquiry and the discovery of the delusion of ego that was the root cause of suffering and is now leading more formally to the Jnana Yoga path. The other paths only fuel my delusions and fantasies and were more escapist, because I still believed in the broken self that had a mental illness. I no longer take medication. I am an RN and no longer believe mental illness is anything more than believing oneself to be inadequate and mistaking experience for reality, it’s just the extreme ends of the human condition, it’s just being sensitive and taking everything personally. When ones suffering is so great and one becomes truly desperate, even suicidal, the direct path is welcome because you see the one that you could no longer bear to live is an illusion, the ego. Just glimpsing that truth brings incredible freedom. Learning to integrate this path in daily life requires vigilance, but those who have truly suffered from the mind taking control are likely more willing to do the work it takes to continually reflect and inquire and far less likely to blindly trust the mind ever again. It would seem the mistrust of the mind common in “mental illness” actually helps on this path if one is truly tired of suffering. Otherwise great article! Thank you. Namaste

    1. Alan Byron Avatar
      Alan Byron

      well said. You are quite right

  7. "Mitch" Sotelo Avatar
    “Mitch” Sotelo

    There is a bit of truth to all that has been said here. First of all the traumas and deprivations that resulted in learned helplessness around needs and feelings led to our only being able to deal with our original needs and feelings symbolically and safely distanced from the original helplessness (damaged faith in love). There are forms of yoga that connect more to the non verbal times of our lives, what some would call the non ego of the infant mind. This also triggers helplessness too early and intense for us to unlearn and integrate. Thus certain practices are not good for a starting point for those deeply emotionally troubled as they are likely suffering from a lot of early damage (not their fault). An experienced yogi would know that. However, if you do start with practices that are more verbal and gradual some might progress. That said, some may need psychiatric medications along the way, be honest many may end up doing so whose vulnerability was not detected, and also some who are fully “normal” as some said here are still suffering from a tinge of “insanity” and may also need help along the way. It is a mistake to practice or teach yoga without integration into the greater health care system, at least at some level. There are a few exceptions to this in that non verbal techniques, which would include exercise such as taught in Hatha Yoga, can be helpful from time to time with very damaged souls depending on how much is done, how its done, and how intensely it is done and for how long a period of time. Ego strength (faith in love) has to be developed before doing the path to connecting to an enlightened ego less state. Regarding the ego less state however, it has been said in the Vedas “One that knows does not speak, one that speaks does not know.” Anyway, all here had an insight into the truth, and integration of such together is indeed part of the path of yoga. All of this IMHO.

  8. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Have a look online at Mooji TV. There is so much free media here from this master. If it resonates with you, you can receive the video teachings from home including live satsangs. I have found it so beneficial. Good wishes on your jnana yoga path!

  9. Ian Davies Avatar
    Ian Davies

    Yes I agree with you.
    The path is difficult but is built upon calming the mind with right lifestyle and psycho-physical practice.

    There is no reason , indeed it is contraindicated in terms of mature practice to go off exploring mere other worlds. Reality and truth are based on sober ideas of the inherent suffering and nature of our experience.

    In and of itself there is no reason not to use the path you ae guided to use with the necessary disciplines .

    Once you find a teacher you trust or of this is not possible a wise approach and whatever support you can muster then there is no reason to choose one discipline over another except what you notice to be your experience.

  10. Monica Helsper Avatar
    Monica Helsper

    Thank You Timothy Burgin for writing this. Its opening up more than I could have thought of and it all makes sense to me(for once).. Thank You…Namaste!:)
    Hi Angela F,
    THANK YOU! I enjoyed your reply. I felt like Im not alone when I read your response and their are others like myself seeking a natural way of healing or redirecting the mind with out debilatating medications. Im so new at yoga and learning so much. I have a lot to learn and blessed to have stumbled upon this article and the replies. Thank You to All…. Namaste!

  11. Sudarsana Rao Avatar
    Sudarsana Rao

    I fail to understand why Jnana yoga is most difficult path. I am 59 years old male with good health practising Jnana yoga for the past six months. Do I have chances of attaining liberation considering my age?

    1. Alex Avatar
      Alex

      Yes, yes. You fail to understand. Once you actually discover Jnana then everything but your understanding fails. Hope that makes sense.

  12. Geetanshu Avatar
    Geetanshu

    I want to follow this path of yoga but I don’t have access to a teacher, should I follow it on my own.

  13. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Mental disease is actually what kicked off my spiritual quest 15 years ago. My Spirit is what observed the brokenness of my delusional mind and kept me safe until I got treated. Just food for thought.

  14. veronica Avatar
    veronica

    Each of our searches for Enlightenment is interesting. According to a study by the Rand Corporation for Kaiser Permanente over 20 years ago revealed that we all have had Trauma (ACES study on diabetics). ACES is now across the United States in schools and now most physicians know that we all have Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEStudy). I teach those with mental health problems, Anxiety, Panic, Depression, Bipolar, Substance Abuse to meditate and become more mindful. I also study Yoga everyday. I think on the scale of mental health our guru is right for severe mental health as when someone is psychotic they cannot separate their audio, visual, sensation hallucinations from reality. We All Have Some Disorder Today. Like the Ebb and Flow of our blood it comes and goes. As we live more in the present and gently draw our mind into the present the subconscious control of our past becomes less, It is a lifetime practice. I grew up in Trauma and now I teach those people who are reliving their past how to re-wire their brains. Patience, Tolerance and Practice, Practice, Practice are the Keys. Sometimes we have to re-parent ourselves, being kind, understanding and loving. Give yourself a massage, take a run, listen to the birds, feel the wind on your face. I have just begun at age 64 and am happier now than I have ever been in my life. So, pursue your Peace regardless of your past. Teach others, pray for others, and Love Love Love on every form of life. Run to Acceptance. I say it out loud whenever a stressor comes my way. Embrace it. Acceptance will deliver peace to you especially if you catastrophize. Be Gentle and Kind to yourself. Love Yourself first then you can really Love others. I tell people I love them and really mean it. Practice Mindfulness, Bless Your Food, Eat from the Rainbow, Make All You Do A Sacred Ritual to enhance your spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. Talk Less as Silence is the voice of The Spirit. Release all the Tension in your jaws, face, lips, hips by paying attention on purpose. The brain does change (google Harvard Zen and Now). Try being nonjudgmental of self and others, non-striving, patient, observe your thoughts as solid and fleeting, draw yourself gently back into the present, the subconscious is strong so in order to re-wire the brain you must practice. Mindful eating and nourshing the soul when you prepare your food. Chew your food and notice the tastes, think of the nutrients and nourishment for the body, mind and spirit. Walk in Nature. Take Deep Baby Belly breaths all the time and all day when your thoughts fleet to the past. Gently come back into the present. Eventually you will come back into the present with little or no effort as the neurons in the brain form nets of new nerves. The area of fear will shrink. You will become more creative. And yes at any age the Brain can change if you chose to do the work. Loves, Veronica

  15. Amit Avatar
    Amit

    In my understanding, a cornerstone of this branch of Yoga is the seminal discourse by the venerated Sage Vashishta to Rama. Interestingly, at the beginning of the discourse, Rama’s mental condition is described vividly – modern psychologists would perhaps describe that condition as that of “unstable mind”, but the noble sage sees that as sign of dispassion arising spontaneously in his pupil Rama – a sign that he is ready to receive the “highest wisdom”. Would highly recommend “The Supreme Yoga” by Swami Venkatesananda, a concise translation of Sage Vashishta’s discourse. “What is found here, is found elsewhere too..what is not found there, cannot be found anywhere else…” loosely quoting from memory an assertion in the Text. Hari OM.

  16. Laurence McKinney Avatar
    Laurence McKinney

    I just ran into this site.

    I’ve explained that I’ve been a jnana yogi for the longest time. My book “Neurotheology: Virtual Religion in the 21.st Century” published in 1994. To get super technical, I follow the prasangika mahdyamika that’s the foundation of the Dalai Lama’s practice., but although I’m also a “fully qualified yogi practicing the completion stage of the Kalachackra tantra” with the advanced initiations from the three schools administered by HH the Dalai Lama, the Sakya Trizen, and the late Kalu Rinpoche – my book is actually proofs of the basic Jnana precept.

    It’s so simple. There is no sense organ directly coupled to the world around you. Every one of them goes through innumerable stages and connections before they even reach the brain , where they are further , modified by your personal memories to create what you think is the world around you,

    There is simply no way that we can prove the world we experience exists anywhere but our own minds in our own heads. Since our DNA is so similar we all perceive the same “outside world” at any time . It seems we’re in the same world with different viewpoints but that’s an illusion. We cannot be IN that world. We exist only in the mind that we create in the brain itself, the entire world is our viewpoint – which is beyond understanding because the brain cannot ever fully understand itself. What’s really out there? Who knows. We can’t … and simple neuroscience backs that up.

    Oh well ,… you’re stuck with your reality, I’m stuck with mine .. but yes – we can improve, Check out any of the karma yogas for that,. Hatha, anahata, kundlini. raja … but when you get down to it .. if you can handle it ..

    it doesn’t exist. We’re making it up as we go along.

  17. CARYN Avatar
    CARYN

    Excellent articles

  18. Pauline Avatar
    Pauline

    Fantastic article very helpful and inspiring helped me understanding the importance of yoga and what I need to do to achieve my goal

  19. Nancy Lubows Avatar
    Nancy Lubows

    Jnana yoga is a meditation style that aims at self-realization. Jnana yoga provides inner peace, self-realization and unity. This yoga style helps you understand the role of your consciousness in the physical world. Great article. Thanks for the sharing. Namaste!

  20. Kari Shailendra Avatar
    Kari Shailendra

    This is an extremely insightful piece on jnana yoga. In fact, it is one of the most profound pieces of writing I have ever read on spirituality and yoga.

  21. Joshua Nathan Avatar
    Joshua Nathan

    My name has Jnana in it and my numerology is 33 so and I intuitively was on this path. People also tried to label me with a mental disorder and think I’m Autistic but I always knew my truth along the way. It took a while to get there.

  22. Camila Rodriguez Avatar
    Camila Rodriguez

    The stages mentioned in Jnana Bhumikas provide a clear roadmap for progression in Jnana Yoga. It’s interesting to see how each stage builds upon the previous one to lead towards union with the higher self. The recommendations for books on Jnana Yoga are helpful. It’s always great to have additional resources to deepen our understanding and practice.

  23. Kendall Altum Avatar
    Kendall Altum

    The description of the six virtues (Shatsampat) in Jnana Yoga is thought-provoking, particularly how they help stabilize the mind and develop the ability to see beyond illusions. Shraddha (faith) and Samadhana (focus) resonate with me personally.

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Timothy Burgin Avatar
About the author
Timothy Burgin is a Kripalu & Pranakriya trained yoga instructor living and teaching in Asheville, NC. Timothy has studied and taught many styles of yoga and has completed a 500-hour Advanced Pranakriya Yoga training. Timothy has been serving as the Executive Director of YogaBasics.com since 2000. He has authored two yoga books and has written over 500 articles on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Timothy is also the creator of Japa Mala Beads and has been designing and importing mala beads since 2004.
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