As a beginner, a person who walks the path of realisation might always think about this - How do I know that I am Progressing? What provides you as a measuring tape for this?
Lets consider them one at a time.
Dhyan yoga or Path of Contemplation - In Bhagwat Geeta 6th chapter, Krishna introduces meditation and gives steps to do it. Finally he also mentions - Its when our mind is like a steady flame, without any flicker of random thoughts, thinking totally about that One Reality - is when the meditator has reached his goal.
Considering this thought, its only when a beginner can atleast for a short while, contemplate with complete attention on his/her chosen object of meditation, in my opinion, would be indicating a progress in that path.
Karma yoga or Path of Working without any fruitive desires only for the sake of doing ones duty - This is one that Krishna introduces to the man of action Arjuna, as he must fulfill the obligatory duties in the world outside. The measure would be a combination of the unselfish work done and the attitude of doing that work with devotion in the Present (not thinking about the future fruitive results) or निष्काम कर्म . Maximum of the folks today can relate to this and I believe this yoga will take the maximum time in ones life (as a man needs to earn his living working in the world outside)
Gyan Yoga or Path of studying scriptures and reflecting on them - This is a combination of both above yogas. One has to read and study the scriptures in the mode of pure Karma yoga and then contemplate on the understanding and maturity one gains by those scriptures. I really can put this as one of the toughest yoga paths, specially because one should be completely ego-less when walking this path. (I am open to corrections here as I myself have a lot many doubts on this)
Bhakti Yoga or Path of devotional service
The other toughest path would be Bhakti yoga. I got 2 major reasons for this.
Before we dwell into this lets consider the two aspects Faith and Devotion. All of us have faith and devotion in and for our God. When we say faith in God, its a belief that He will always be there for us. Like saying, my wife will always be there for me. Devotion is FOR the chosen God. I need to be devoted. Like saying I am devoted to my family.
According to Bhakti yoga, singing glories of the Lord, cooking Prasadam and chanting and being engaged in devotional services is all thats needed. That might seem really simple and easy. Physical activity wise thats very true. But if really practicing it, it would include all the above yogas to be practiced implicitly. All the activities like singing, cooking, or engaging in service directly calls for Karma yoga or desireless karma to be done with the only motive of devoting to the Lord. Activity like chanting is incomplete without contemplating on the japa words. Also a devout will always want to know more about his Lord and the Lila, therefore would go on to study the scriptures too.
Coming back to my earlier point - Faith in the Lord and your own devotion can be seen clearly when the devotee is undergoing tough times.
So why is Bhakti yoga the toughest -
1. Bhakti is not anything to be achieved by physical activity. The Devotion and Faith are the factors that determine the measure of bhakti.
2. The measure of your love to the Lord, is something that the lord alone can judge for.
No comments:
Post a Comment