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Jnana Yoga is the path of true knowledge, achieved through understanding the true self through the mind. It involves meditating on “who am I?” and realizing the eternal being as a state of pure consciousness beyond the mind. It is best suited for intellectuals and introspective individuals seeking answers, and involves using the intellect as a tool to achieve enlightenment. Techniques include Viveka, Neti neti, and Vicara, and the path is based on the Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
Jnana Yoga, also known as Gyana yoga, is defined as the path of true knowledge. It is a form of yoga where a person achieves liberation through understanding the true self of him, through the mind. ‘Jnana’ is a Sanskrit term that symbolizes knowledge or wisdom. It involves meditating on the question ‘who am I?’ or by meditating on the “I” and try to realize the eternal being, as a state of pure consciousness, which is beyond the mind. This is considered one of the most challenging paths in yoga.
Jnana yoga is best suited for those who consider themselves to be intellectuals who are looking for answers. Introspective individuals are ideal candidates for jnana yoga, which continually questions the identity of the true self through various techniques. The practice seeks to understand the nature of God as pure being or consciousness, discriminating between that pure state and the objects of consciousness that typically occupy the mind.
To use an analogy, a glass is seen to have an exterior and an interior, and both are different from each other. This is similar to how people perceive themselves as separate from the eternal self. In Jnana yoga, the aspirant aims to break or dissolve the glass and perceive the essential unity of all things.
The intellect is used as a tool and with constant probing and focusing attention on the real self, jnana yoga, achieves ‘moksha’ or a state of enlightenment. This enlightened state continues even while you are busy with worldly activities. The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered books in Hindu philosophy, contains detailed instructions on the techniques and practices that the jnana yogi needs to engage in to achieve salvation.
‘Viveka’ is the practice of intellectual discernment, where the person continually brings the mind back from distractions in a continuous effort to understand what constitutes the true self. ‘Neti neti’ is a Sanskrit term that denies. It literally translates as “not this, not this” and is used by the jnana yogi to banish any object in his consciousness, as this does not represent the true self. The principle behind this is that when everything the mind has in its awareness is banished, what remains should be the true self.
‘Vicara’ represents the quality of looking within, examining and reflecting on things. Other attributes that are important to a person on this yogic path are detachment and an intense yearning for liberation. This yogic path is based on the ‘Advaita Vedanta’ philosophy in Hinduism, which proposes that all beings in the Universe share a single soul. Some of the luminaries who taught this form include Ramana Maharishi, Adi Shankara, and the sage Vashishta.
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