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Hinduism Hindu Vedic Vedas
Bhakti Hatha Jana Karma Yoga Paths
In Hinduism there were many different forms of Yoga which were paths of practice that led the aspirant to the ultimate goal of union with divinity and the unity of all of Creation.
Just as many different colours make up the rainbow, there were a rainbow of Yoga Paths that varied from heart and head centered focuses to the use of breath (pranayama), mantras, sutras, meditation, yoga postures (asanas), and various other techniques. The Bhakti, Hatha, Jana. and Karma Yoga Paths are discussed below.
Bhakti Yoga was a yoga path of transcendent love, Divine Grace, and one pointed devotion to an ideal conception of divinity with the Hinduism devotee choosing to venerate deity as beloved, master, friend, parent/child. The Hindu Bhakti tradition disregarded caste systems and focused on genuine inner feelings and personal viewpoints.
This was done to foster emotional well being, fulfillment, and the perceptual awareness of divinity pervading all aspects of Creation. Doing heartfelt service, Karma Yoga, was also integral to the Bhakti Yoga path.
The goal of the Hatha Yoga practitioner
was to achieve health and vitality through rigorous training. This training involved many practices including breathing exercises (pranayama)
and physical postures (asanas).
Hindu Puja Prayer Ceremony on the Eve of Festival of Diwali
Icons of Devas laden with garlands are an integral part of Bhakti Yoga Pujas
Image Courtesy of Deepak Gupta
When the postures and breathing exercises were mastered and the will was trained to consciously control the vital energies of the physical and etheric bodies, the kundalini force was awakened at the base of the spine. The kundalini force was then used to open, purify, and vitalize the seven energy centers in the appropriate order.
Jana Yoga was a difficult but profound path where the thinking philosopher sought union, peace, and liberation through information and discernment. Knowledge and wisdom were achieved by patiently releasing delusional thoughts and feelings until the meditator was attuned with the reality of Spirit.
As the mind and heart blossomed with the illuminating realization that divinity was the inherent nature of the individual soul essence - first transformation and then eventual enlightenment occurred.
Karma Yoga was linked to the fourth center, the Anahata or heart center. This yogic path centered on the universal karmic law of cause and effect. Transformation occurred when one learned to act out of love without attachment to immediately apparent results.
By developing more responsible habits and
attitudes, "new actions", the practitioner changed his feeling and thought
patterns through right action and service. This resulted in "new
reactions", realization, and union with divinity.
Read Hinduism Vedas Articles
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Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu Classics,
Bhakti Hatha Jana Karma Yoga Paths,
Glossary Terminology,
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Hinduism Spiritual Beliefs,
Hindu Vedic Scriptures and Upanishads,
Hindus and the Holy Cow,
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Kriya Laya Mantra Raja Tantra Yoga Paths,
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Hinduism Hindu Vedic Vedas Copyright © 2002-2008 Maureen Grace Burns, Blessings Cornucopia. All Rights Reserved.
Permission GNU FDL given to use Image Hindu prayer ceremony on the Eve of Diwali,
Icons of Devas laden with garlands are an integral part of Bhakti Yoga Pujas, Courtesy of Deepak Gupta, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Diwalipuja.jpg]. Accessed May 30, 2007.
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