MIND MYSTERIES & CONTROL - 37. ESSENCE OF JNANA (KNOWLEDGE) YOGA - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control
- Author
- Sri Swami Sivananda
- Published
- Fri 20 Dec 2024
- Episode Link
- https://www.spreaker.com/episode/mind-mysteries-control-37-essence-of-jnana-knowledge-yoga-sri-swami-sivananda-the-mind-its-mysteries-and-control--63412193
THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 37. ESSENCE OF JNANA (KNOWLEDGE) YOGA - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control - HQ Full Book.
Essence of Jnana (Knowledge) Yoga
In this chapter from The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control, Sri Swami Sivananda delves into the concept of Jnana, or Knowledge Yoga, as the pathway to spiritual liberation. Jnana, or the knowledge of the ultimate reality, is described as a transformative experience that transcends the mind's limitations and leads the seeker toward self-realization and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
What is Jnana?
Jnana is not simply intellectual knowledge or theoretical understanding; it is the direct experience of the ultimate reality, the Supreme Consciousness, or Brahman. Tattva-Jnana, the knowledge of the highest truth, enables the mind to break free from its own illusions and limitations. The mind, when immersed in Jnana, transforms into the very essence of knowledge, purged of all ignorance. This knowledge brings about a direct experience of bliss, a state where desires no longer bind the individual, and the subtle form of the mind itself is transcended. True liberation, Sivananda teaches, comes when one’s mind is cleansed and becomes a vessel for higher knowledge.
The Glory of Knowledge Yoga
Sivananda compares different yogic paths, illustrating how Knowledge Yoga operates on a higher plane. While Hatha Yoga begins with the body and Prana (vital energy), and Raja Yoga begins with the mind, Jnana Yoga begins directly with the intellect and will. The Knowledge Yogi’s practice is centered on understanding the Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit. By repeatedly affirming “I am the Brahman,” the Yogi aligns the mind with the ultimate reality. This focus on the Brahman is described as the highest form of Action Yoga, Sacrifice, and Charity. No physical pilgrimage or external act of charity is required when one’s consciousness is fixed on the Brahman, the source of all.
Qualifications for the Student of Knowledge Yoga
Sivananda emphasizes that the aspirant on the path of Knowledge Yoga must develop specific qualities before embarking on the journey. The aspirant must cultivate complete detachment from the external world and its sensory distractions. This detachment is accompanied by a capacity for metaphysical abstraction, the ability to focus on the subtle truths within. The pursuit of Jnana requires a pure, concentrated mind, capable of contemplating the highest reality without distraction. Furthermore, the aspirant must possess the six-fold virtues outlined in Vedanta, which are prerequisites for success on the Knowledge-Yogic path. These virtues include:
The Mind and Brahman Supreme Cosmic Spirit
The mind, Sivananda explains, is a reflection of the Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit. The mind's ability to think is not inherent but is made possible by the divine presence of Brahman, which illuminates the mind. Those who have realized the Self state that the mind is pervaded by the Brahman, yet the mind itself is not pure consciousness. The mind is fickle, filled with constantly...
Essence of Jnana (Knowledge) Yoga
In this chapter from The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control, Sri Swami Sivananda delves into the concept of Jnana, or Knowledge Yoga, as the pathway to spiritual liberation. Jnana, or the knowledge of the ultimate reality, is described as a transformative experience that transcends the mind's limitations and leads the seeker toward self-realization and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
What is Jnana?
Jnana is not simply intellectual knowledge or theoretical understanding; it is the direct experience of the ultimate reality, the Supreme Consciousness, or Brahman. Tattva-Jnana, the knowledge of the highest truth, enables the mind to break free from its own illusions and limitations. The mind, when immersed in Jnana, transforms into the very essence of knowledge, purged of all ignorance. This knowledge brings about a direct experience of bliss, a state where desires no longer bind the individual, and the subtle form of the mind itself is transcended. True liberation, Sivananda teaches, comes when one’s mind is cleansed and becomes a vessel for higher knowledge.
The Glory of Knowledge Yoga
Sivananda compares different yogic paths, illustrating how Knowledge Yoga operates on a higher plane. While Hatha Yoga begins with the body and Prana (vital energy), and Raja Yoga begins with the mind, Jnana Yoga begins directly with the intellect and will. The Knowledge Yogi’s practice is centered on understanding the Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit. By repeatedly affirming “I am the Brahman,” the Yogi aligns the mind with the ultimate reality. This focus on the Brahman is described as the highest form of Action Yoga, Sacrifice, and Charity. No physical pilgrimage or external act of charity is required when one’s consciousness is fixed on the Brahman, the source of all.
Qualifications for the Student of Knowledge Yoga
Sivananda emphasizes that the aspirant on the path of Knowledge Yoga must develop specific qualities before embarking on the journey. The aspirant must cultivate complete detachment from the external world and its sensory distractions. This detachment is accompanied by a capacity for metaphysical abstraction, the ability to focus on the subtle truths within. The pursuit of Jnana requires a pure, concentrated mind, capable of contemplating the highest reality without distraction. Furthermore, the aspirant must possess the six-fold virtues outlined in Vedanta, which are prerequisites for success on the Knowledge-Yogic path. These virtues include:
- Calmness of Mind – The mind must be serene and free from agitation, achieved through the renunciation of desires.
- Control of the Senses – Mastery over the senses, freeing them from external influences, is crucial.
- Concentration – The mind must be focused and one-pointed, a key component of yogic practice.
The Mind and Brahman Supreme Cosmic Spirit
The mind, Sivananda explains, is a reflection of the Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit. The mind's ability to think is not inherent but is made possible by the divine presence of Brahman, which illuminates the mind. Those who have realized the Self state that the mind is pervaded by the Brahman, yet the mind itself is not pure consciousness. The mind is fickle, filled with constantly...
