In
Sanskrit JNANA Means WISDOM or knowledge,
this is the path of wisdom and jnana meditation
is many-faceted. It is a technique for seeking
liberation in which identification with the
real Self (rather than with the body or ego)
is developed by a steady effort to discriminate
or discern between pure awareness and the
objects of awareness. Jnana Yoga is one of
the four main paths of yoga and it is a direct
road to reach the goal described in the philosophy
of advaita Vedanta: self realization.
There are seven stages of Jnana
or the seven Jnana Bhumikas.
First stage, Jnana should
be developed through a deep study of Atma
Jnana Sastras and the performance of virtuous
actions without any expectation of fruits
and association with the wise. This is Subheccha
or good desire, which forms the first Bhumika
or stage of Jnana.
The second stage is Constant
Atma Vichara (Atmic enquiry).
The third stage is Tanumanasi,
which is attained through the cultivation
of special indifference to objects. In the
third stage, the aspirant is free from all
attractions and if any one dies in the third
stage, he will remain in heaven for a long
time and will reincarnate on earth again
as a Jnani. The above three stages can be
included under the Jagrat state.
The fourth stage is Sattvapatti.
It will destroy all Vasanas to the root
and can be included under the Svapana state.
The world appears like a dream and those
who have reached the fourth stage will look
upon all things of the universe with an
equal eye.
The fifth stage is Asamsakti.
There is perfect non-attachment to the objects
of the world. There is no Upadhi or waking
or sleeping in this stage. This is the Jivanmukti
stage in which there is the experience of
Ananda Svaroopa (the Eternal Bliss of Brahman)
replete with spotless Jnana. This will come
under Sushupti.
The sixth stage is Padartha
Bhavana, knowledge of Truth.
And, The seventh stage is
Turiya, or the state of superconsciousness.
This is Moksha and also known by the name
Turiyatita. There are no Sankalpas and all
the Gunas disappear. This is above the reach
of speech and mind. Disembodied salvation
(Videhamukti) is attained in the seventh
stage.
Before practising Jnana Yoga, the aspirant
needs to have integrated the lessons of
the other yogic paths, for without selflessness
and love of all, strength of body and mind,
the search for self-realization can become
mere idle speculation.
Jnana Yoga techniques and paths
include:
Viveka - The technique
of intellectual discernment or discrimination
of the true self from distractions.
Neti-neti - The technique
of discarding, one by one, thoughts and
distractions which are not the true self.
Vicara - The tecyhnique
of internal examination and reflection.
Vairagya - The practice
of dispassion or detachment.
Shad-sampat - The path
of the six virtues.
Mumukshutva - Intense longing
for liberation.
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