In the West, yoga is mostly known as an exercise routine, but this represents only the shallowest of waters for a system of philosophy and spiritual practice that extends back thousands of years. In Hinduism, the practices that move you closer to spiritual liberation are called the four yogas. The word yoga comes from the same root as the English word "yoke," meaning to bind but also to undergo hard work. In Hinduism the four main yogas are designed as spiritual tracts to follow in life, depending on one's personality and karma.
Raja Yoga
Perhaps when you hear the word "yogi" you think of an elderly man sitting naked on a deerskin. This is a depiction of Raja Yoga, the path of meditation, in which the yogi engages in psycho-spiritual practices in order to move closer to the divine. Four main practices make up the body of the Raja path, including the asanas, or postures, and pranayam breathwork practices that can be found in most American yoga programs. These practices cleanse and purify the body and the mind through concentrative mediation.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is the path of knowledge. For those who are analytical in nature and philosophical by temperament, Raja yoga provides a path of learning, thinking and dis-identification with the ego self. In other words, Raja yoga is the path of using the intellect to move beyond the intellect, and in so doing come into closer contact with Brahman, or God.
Karma Yoga
Karma yoga can be thought of as the path of ethical action. This way of living involves a life practice of causing no harm, in order to liberate oneself from the cycle of rebirth, also known as reincarnation. Karma yoga is about living a life of service, of not working to attain success or riches but rather to help others on their own path towards enlightenment.
Bhakti Yoga
In India, Bhakti yoga, the path of love, is the most popular type of yoga. Of all the Hindu spiritual paths, it is in this path that God most closely resembles Christianity, according to religion scholar Huston Smith. A devotee focuses on one god or goddess, and prays in order to get closer to the divine through majesty of the human heart. This path is most recognized in the United States as the devoted followers of Vishnu who chant the Hare Krishna mantra.
References
- "The World's Religions"; Huston Smith; 1991
- University of Wyoming: Hinduism--Living the Religious Life
- "The Meditative Mind"; Daniel Goleman; 1988
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