Gyaan Yoga

Jnana is Sanskrit for “knowledge or wisdom” and Jnana Yoga is the
path of attaining knowledge of the true nature of reality through the

practice of meditation, self-inquiry, and contemplation. Jnana Yoga
can be defined as the “awareness of absolute consciousness,” and is a
comprehensive practice of self-study (Svadhyaya).
In Jnana yoga, the mind is used to inquire into its own nature and to
transcend the mind’s identification with its thoughts and ego. The
fundamental goal of Jnana yoga is to become liberated from the
illusionary world of maya (self-limiting thoughts and perceptions) and
to achieve the union of the inner Self (Atman) with the oneness of all
life (Brahman). This is achieved by steadfastly practicing the mental
techniques of self-questioning, reflection and conscious illumination
that are defined in the Four Pillars of Knowledge. Jnana Yoga utilizes a
one-pointed meditation on a single question of self-inquiry to remove
the veils of illusion created by your concepts, world views, and
perceptions. This practice allows you to realize the temporary and
illusionary nature of maya and to see the oneness of all things.
Prerequisites of Jnana Yoga

The Four Pillars of Knowledge (sadhana chatushtaya) are the
prescribed steps toward achieving liberation in Jnana Yoga. These
practices build upon each other and thus should be practiced in
sequential order. Even if one does not have the goal of achieving
liberation, practicing these techniques will cultivate spiritual insight
and understanding as well as reduce one’s suffering and
dissatisfaction of life.
1. Viveka (discernment, discrimination) is a deliberate, continuous

intellectual effort to distinguish between the real and the unreal,
the permanent and the temporary, and the Self and not-Self.
2. Vairagya (dispassion, detachment) is cultivating non-attachment
or indifference toward the temporal objects of worldly
possessions and the ego-mind. “It is only when the mind is
absolutely free from the attachment of all sorts that true
knowledge begins to dawn.” – Swami Sivananda.
3. Shatsampat (six virtues) are six mental practices to stabilize the
mind and emotions, and to further develop the ability to see
beyond the illusions of maya.
• Shama (tranquility, calmness) is the ability to keep the mind

peaceful, through moderating its reaction to external stimuli.
• Dama (restraint, control) is the strengthening of the mind to
be able to resist the control of the senses, and the training of the
senses to be used only as instruments of the mind.
Uparati (withdrawal, renunciation) is the abandonment of all
activities that are not one’s Dharma (Duty). A simple lifestyle is
followed that contains no worldly distractions from the spiritual
path.
• Titiksha (endurance, forbearance) is the tolerance of external

non-conducive situations that are commonly considered to
produce suffering, especially in extreme opposite states (success
and failure, hot and cold, pleasure and pain).
• Shraddha (faith, trust) is a sense of certainty and belief in one’s
guru (teacher), the scriptures and the yogic path.
Samadhana (focus, concentration) is the complete one-
pointedness of the mind.
4. Mumukshutva (longing, yearning) is an intense and passionate

desire for achieving the liberation from suffering. In order to
achieve liberation, one must be completely committed to the
path, with such longing that all other desires fade away.
Three core practices of Jnana Yoga
After one has studied and successfully practiced the four pillars, then
you are considered ready to begin the Three core practices of Jnana
Yoga. These Upanishadic teachings include sravana or “hearing,”
manana or “reflection,” and nididhyasana or “meditation”. These lead
to Atma-Sakshatkara or direct realization.
1. Sravana is the hearing or experiencing the sacred

knowledge inthe ancient Vedic texts of the Upanishad.
Usually, a teacher or guru will guide the yogi through
discussions on the philosophy of non-dualism. In this stage,
the student should read and studythe Upanishads and
achieve a deep understanding of the concepts of Atman and
Brahman and the philosophy of non- dualism.
2. Manana is the thinking and reflecting on these teachings of
non-duality. The student is expected to spend many hours
thinking and contemplating on the various ideas of svadhyaya
and sravana.
3. Nididhyasana is the constant and profound meditation on

the inner Self. This involves the meditation and reflection on
the realmeaning of the Maha-Vakyas, the primary mantras or
“Great Sayings” of the Upanishads. Through the continuous
focus on these seeds of wisdom, a yogi can obtain the union
of thought and action, knowing and being.
The Four Maha-Vakyas
4. Prajnanam Brahma–Brahman (Ultimate Reality) is

supremeconsciousness.
5. Aham Brahmasmi–I am Brahman (the Supreme Self )
6. Tat Tvam Asi–Thou art that.
7. Ayam Atma Brahma–Atman (True Self) is Brahman
(UltimateReality).

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Jnana is Sanskrit for “knowledge or wisdom” and Jnana Yoga is the

path of attaining knowledge of the true nature of reality through the

Prerequisites of Jnana Yoga

1. Viveka (discernment, discrimination) is a deliberate, continuous

• Shama (tranquility, calmness) is the ability to keep the mind

• Titiksha (endurance, forbearance) is the tolerance of external

4. Mumukshutva (longing, yearning) is an intense and passionate

Three core practices of Jnana Yoga

1. Sravana is the hearing or experiencing the sacred

3. Nididhyasana is the constant and profound meditation on

4. Prajnanam Brahma–Brahman (Ultimate Reality) is

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