The four paths of yoga

• Yoga


  A Hindu discipline and part of a Hindu's spiritual journey. It allows for loving service to God and unites Hindus in their pursuit of moksha.
• Yoga


  • One form consists of stretching, movement and meditation
  • More broadly, includes a variety of spiritual and physical practices intended to encourage mental and bodily wellbeing
  • Within Hinduism, not just concerned with the action of yoga itself but also with the outcome of the practice in terms of religious devotion
• Yoga is a practice that Hindus have to work at over many years to be able to do it successfully
• Types of yoga


  • Jnana yoga
  • Bhakti yoga
• Jnana yoga


  • The most difficult of the four main paths of Yoga, requiring great strength of will and intellect
  • 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 is to become liberated from the illusionary world of maya (thoughts and perceptions) and to achieve union of the inner Self (Atman) with the oneness of all life (Brahman)
• Jnana yoga


  • Viveka (discernment, discrimination)
  • Vairagya (dispassion, detachment)
  • Shatsampat (six virtues)
  • Mumukshutva (longing, yearning)
• Bhakti Yoga


  • The path of devotion, emotion, love, compassion, and service to God and others
  • All actions are done in the context of remembering the Divine
  • Often considered the easiest way for ordinary people to attain a spiritually liberated state
• All people will experience emotions such as love, compassion, and devotion at points along the journey, regardless of which of the four paths of Yoga is predominant
• Bhakti yoga is an essential part of the Hindu path