YOGA is both the way and the goal. It derives from the root word "yuk", to join or unite. It is the way of divine union. Yoga is both a spiritual philosophy and practical spirituality. It is open to everyone who aspires to grow in joy, wisdom, love, and freedom, to everyone who wants to be of service and to work for the upliftment and betterment of humanity.
One who practices yoga is known as a yogi. Every endeavor, thought, word, and action is dedicated and used as a means to realize union with God, Brahman. The divine Reality is regarded as dwelling in all things and beings, but it is equally true that the One is the substance of all forms. This eternal substance or reality is Consciousness?Existence-Bliss Absolute, Satchidanadam.
There are four basic paths or approaches within the domain of yoga, corresponding to the four human temperaments or mental dispositions by which the individual can unfold his innate divinity and realize union with god, Brahman, Life. The first of these four approaches or ways is known as Jnana Yoga, the path of pure consciousness. Its cornerstone is the recognition that there is only Brahman, the one Reality without a second. One who follow this path and embraces its disciplines is known as a Jnani. He acknowledges the existence of only one reality, God, Brahman, as the infinite, invisible, source and cause of all manifestations. Everything is perceived as an extension of the nonphysical into physical manifestation. The pattern of the oak, for example, already exists in the acorn. Hence, within the acorn, hidden from human perception, exists the full potential of the perfect oak tree. Even so, in man exists the divine pattern of full perfection or divinity. He needs but to unfold it to regain the consciousness of his inherent and perfect nature. Man is essentially divine and one with Brahman.
Karma Yoga is the path of action, of selfless service way open to all who are eager to realize God through action. Such action includes all actions, both mental and physical. The Karma yogi constantly strives to remember that it is "the Father in me who doeth the works," 11 and, that "of mine own self I can do nothing." All credit is given to the Father, the creative imagination and consciousness that exists in all beings and things.
By the practice of Karma yoga, the yogi grows in selflessness and perfects his love and remembrance of God as the only doer or performer of all actions. In this state of consciousness it is impossible to cause harm to another living being, and one become free from anxiety about the result or reward of actions. Karma yoga teaches that the nature and quality of the action--that is, the motive of action--will determine the result. In other words, "as a man soweth, so shall he also reap."
Raja yoga is the royal path, the path of mental mastery and Meditation. This path provides numerous disciplines and guidelines to develop spiritual discernment, dispassion, inner strength, steadfastness, and spiritual power. Meditation is central to this path and is the constant endeavor to unify the mind with pure consciousness, to remain serene and undisturbed amidst pleasure and pain, and to transcend our likes and dislikes by keeping the mind established on the divine reality or truth at all times. Such actions purify the mind, freeing it from all judgments and mental agitations until it shines brightly with the light of wisdom and peace.
Bhakti yoga is the path of love and devotion. Its cornerstone is the recognition of God as Love, that God is infinite, unconditional love and that by worshiping God with unconditional love and devotion one is transformed into the image of God; one becomes an embodiment of divine love. Such love is the summum bonum of life and is embodied in these fully illumined souls known as avatars or saviors of mankind. Through every act of unselfish love we break the fetters that bind us to egotism, selfishness, judgment, exclusiveness, arrogance, and ignorance. Union with God through unconditional love is open to every being. When the devotee chooses to love unconditionally, every action is transformed and transfused by divine love. A Bhakti judges none, rises above all likes and dislikes, all attachments to anything in this world and replaces such attachments with loving the Beloved, seeing the Beloved in everything and everyone. He is too pure of eyes to behold unrighteousness in any. His is the path of peace and ever new joy.
The ideal of yoga is for everyone to achieve the harmonious unfoldment of his fourfold nature: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The four aspects of yoga provide the means to become a fully integrated human being who lives in the consciousness of God-the consciousness of unity in the midst of diversity, serene and undisturbed amidst pleasure and pain, unaffected by praise and blame, sharing the sunshine of life with all, ever praising and rejoicing in the manifestation of God's boundless grace and sharing it freely and gratefully with all who are seeking light in the midst of darkness, healing in the midst of suffering, and the brotherhood of man and wholeness of being.
