The Four Paths of Yoga - 1673 Words

Running head: THE FOUR PATHS OF YOGA Abstract Life is full of choices and opportunities for spiritual development. The four paths of yoga Provide wisdom, serenity, direction, and strength. Each path has its own unique goal yet They all work together for a greater purpose. The four paths of yoga have practices that Can be related to other religious traditions such as devotion, prayer, giving, and physical Actions such as fasting that require discipline and commitment to a Higher Power. The Four Paths of Yoga Life is full of choices, journeys, change, growth, and pain. Action is required to move along any path in life. The four paths of Yoga provide one with different ways to gain wisdom, practice devotion, take†¦show more content†¦Devotion is a practice that instills the idea that everything is linked to the Divine. It helps you build self-discipline which directs actions and facilitates well being. Religions of the world have their own ways of practicing devotion such as meditation, chanting, rosary, and dance. Since devotion is the root of Bhakti Yoga and breeds emotional well being it is clear that all forms of devotion in world religions can bring harmony and peace. â€Å"Spiritual devotion brings concentration, one pointedness; and spiritual devotion, one pointedness brings success and happiness to you. Especially, if you do it for a good cause, for a noble ideal, because at that time you concentrate everything on that thing and then you forget everything else so your min d is very clear. That is also a kind of putting down everything. Thats also a way of practice. Thats why it will bring you happiness and relaxation, and then a contented feeling† (unknown, 2006). The wisdom and discernment of Jnana Yoga can be related to what we learn in prayers such as the Serenity Prayer which is as follows: God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. God / Goddess / Great Spirit, please help me to access: the serenity to accept the things I cannot change (life, other people), the courage and willingness to change the things I can (me, my own attitudes and behaviors), and the wisdom andShow MoreRelatedA Closer Look : Hinduism1430 Words   |  6 Pagesthis goal through paths. We may know yoga to be a spiritual and physical way to relieve stress through movements and poses but yoga to Hindus is an eloquent practice. There are three main yoga’s, with an addition of a fourth according to different traditions. These yoga’s are the path. Many people hold on to the thought that all paths are equivalent and that the choice is decided on individual interest. Others put forward that the paths are stepping stones along one spiritual path, each building progressivelyRead MoreYoga Sutras And Early Buddhist Meditation1118 Words   |  5 Pages Both the Yoga sutras and early Buddhist meditation studies the eightfold or eight limbs practices and principles. The eightfold of the early Buddhist meditation practices includes the right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. The eight limbs of Yoga sutra meditation similarly practices five restraints, five observances, postures, breath control, control of the senses, concentration, contemplation, and meditativeRead MoreHinduism And Buddhism And Hinduism1641 Words   |  7 Pagesregion and push a religion based on ones own authority of their life (Smith 68). Buddhism challenges the idea of the life cycles. In Hinduism the purpose for the life cycle is to be able to be one with Brahman. Where as in Buddhism one must find the path to end the suffering. The life cycle in Hinduism is seen as never ending cycle because there is no way out of it. You are reborn and are placed in the cycle and your pre form your dharma because it is the way it is suppose to be. Buddhism in the otherRead MoreDifferences and Similarities of Ancient Religions of India1042 Words   |  5 Pagespossibility of freeing themselves from this cycle. Buddhism calls this Nirvana, while Jainism calls it moksha and Hindu’s call it samsara. Buddhism believes in the path of liberation; which is good conduct and good deeds, as mentioned in Eightfold path, Four Noble Truths, Five Perceptions and other moral conducts. Jainism has a similar path of liberation; to follow right perception, right knowledge, and right conduct, and one has to overcome the worldly desires and feelings to attain liberation or toRead MoreComparing Buddhism And The Bhagavad1453 Words   |  6 Pagesadhering to what others want him to do. It is important for Arjuna to follow his own path in order to reach moksha. Krishna is stressing that Arjuna must follow the path that has been carved out specifically for him. He is not meant to travel on anyone else’s path but his own. If Arjuna deviates from his dharma then he will inevitably suffer. Krishna is essentially telling Arjuna that he has a duty to follow the path given to him. Arjuna must follow his svadharma even if the situation lay before himRead MoreYoga Essay584 Words   |  3 PagesYoga The four paths of yoga are used in different ethnic backgrounds. In my understanding of yoga which in today’s society many believe the same. I believed that yoga was a form of exercise which you contort your body in different angles. I was sadly mistaken by what I believed was right was not right at all. As a matter of fact Yoga is actually a form of religion. In Yoga religion they have different paths. One path is the Jnana or better known as â€Å"Way of Knowledge†. In this pathRead MoreThe Life Of The Buddha936 Words   |  4 Pagesmade in his life. He knew if he let go of desire he wouldn t suffer anymore, and from there he learned all the important steps that needed to be take such as following: four noble truths, eightfold path, and have the energy for yoga by putting your full attention into it. For him, following the four noble truths, eightfold path, yoga, and letting go of desire, he became the awakened one. In order to for him to progress in life he h ad to live alone, so he had to leave his family behind so that he couldRead MoreDifferences Between Islam And Hinduism1280 Words   |  6 Pages(Viswanathan). There are four methods to reaching salvation in the Hindu religion (Viswanathan). They are Janana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga (Viswanathan). The Janana Yoga is the path of knowledge that follows the six Darshanas (Viswanathan). The Karma Yoga follows the unmotivated actions and words (Viswanathan). The Bhakti Yoga follows a total surrender of your will to God (Viswanathan). The Raja Yoga follows an eradication of thoughts (Viswanathan). Each possible path to salvation in HinduismRead MoreBuddism versus Hinduism Essay1028 Words   |  5 Pagesthese rituals include, yoga. There are four main yogic paths; raja, jnana, karma, and bhakti. Raja yoga, attempts to attain the highest consciousness using physical postures and breathing exercises. The goal is to make the mind absolutely calm and clear. Jnana yoga â₠¬Å"the way of wisdom†, addresses the rational mind by asking one self â€Å"Who am I† and developing spiritual virtues. The ultimate wisdom is spiritual insight rather than intellectual knowledge (Fisher 2002). Karma yoga is service rendered withoutRead More3. Research and explain these gods or goddesses: Durga, Kali, Sarasvati, Ganeshe. The goddess900 Words   |  4 Pageseverything in sight. Lord Shiva placed himself in her path, stopping her from destroying the world. This act surprised her, causing her to stick out her tongue, which is how she is often portrayed (Das, The Dark Mother, n.d.). Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, art, and speech (Fisher, 2003). She is associated with water, and the flow of knowledge. She is depicted with four arms, dressed in white, and playing and instrument. Her four hands represent four aspects of human personality in learning: mind