Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga (Sanskrit: jñānayoga) is one of the three classical margas, or types of yoga, mentioned in Hindu texts, the other two being karma yoga and bhakti yoga. Jñāna is a Sanskrit term that means "knowledge". In Indian religions it refers specifically to the knowledge that comes by means of direct experience of reality, which brings release from bondage. Jnana yoga is the way to union by means of study of philosophical texts, contemplation, and self-knowledge.

Classical Advaita Vedanta emphasises the path of Jnana Yoga, a progression of study and training to attain liberation.

Jnana Yoga and The Secret Doctrine

According to the "Notes" recorded by Commander Robert Bowen, H. P. Blavatsky stated:

The True Student of The Secret Doctrine is a Jnana Yogi, and this Path of Yoga is the True Path for the Western student. It is to provided him with sign posts on that Path that the The Secret Doctrine has been written.

She advised that The Secret Doctrine be studied keeping in mind four basic ideas, and stated that "This mode of thinking . . . is what the Indians call Jnana Yoga." Then, she went on to explain the process of raising consciousness by means of this method:

As one progresses in Jnana Yoga, one finds conceptions arising which, though one is conscious of them, one cannot express nor yet formulate into any sort of mental picture. As time goes on these conceptions will form into mental pictures. This is a time to be on guard and refuse to be deluded with the idea that the new found and wonderful picture must represent reality. It does not. As one works on, one finds the once admired picture growing dull and unsatisfying, and finally fading out or being thrown away. This is another danger point, because for the moment one is left in a void without any conception to support one, and one may be tempted to revive the cast-off picture for want of a better to cling to. The true student will, however, work on unconcerned, and presently further formless gleams come, which again in time give rise to a larger and more beautiful picture than the last. But the learner will now know that no picture will ever represent the TRUTH. This last splendid picture will grow dull and fade like the others. And so the process goes on, until at last the mind and its pictures are transcended and the learner enters and dwells in the World of NO FORM, but of which all forms are narrowed reflections.

See also

• Yoga
• Vedānta
• Robert Bowen Notes (article)

Additional resources

• Jñāna in Theosophy World