Description
Book SynopsisChoose the Yoga path that best suits you, and you choose the way to know God. The philosophy of Yoga tells us that the root cause of our sorrows and suffering is loss of contact with our true Self. Our recovery is only possible by reestablishing contact with our innermost Self, the Reality of all realities, and by recognizing that knowledge of Self is our salvation. In this comprehensive guide, Swami Adiswarananda introduces the four spiritual paths of Yoga—Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Raja-Yoga and Jnana-Yoga—and what you can expect as an aspirant on each path. Covering the message and practice of each of the Yogas as well as philosophy and psychology, preparatory practices, common obstacles and ways to overcome them, this accessible book will prove invaluable to anyone wishing to follow a Yoga practice in order to realize the goal of Self-knowledge.
Trade ReviewThe Four Yogas: A Guide To The Spiritual Paths Of Action, Devotion, Meditation And Knowledge by Swami Adiswarananda (Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York)is an extensive interpretive collection of the ideals and concepts underlying the spiritual philosophies of Yoga and the true callings of the acceptance of its pathway. Comprehensively exploring the theoretics and ideologies of progressive introspection, and through Yoga, the finding of one's inner-most self. The Four Yogas recognizes both the philosophical and the artistic approach to yoga and provides readers with a plethora of informative commentaries drawn from Karma Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Raja-Yoga and Jhanana-Yoga. The Four Yogas is very strongly recommended to all readers with an interest in the Hindu religion and wishing to explore a more Yoga-oriented aspect of their spiritual development and practice. * The Midwest Book Review *
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part One: The Way of Karma-Yoga: The Path of Action 1 The Message of Karma-Yoga 11 2 The Philosophy and Psychology of Karma-Yoga 21 3 Karma-Yoga and True Renunciation 31 4 The Practice of Karma-Yoga 41 5 Karma-Yoga for Self-Knowledge 57 6 Obstacles in Karma-Yoga 71 Part Two: The Way of Bhakti-Yoga: The Path of Devotion 7 The Message of Bhakti-Yoga 81 8 The Philosophy and Psychology of Bhakti-Yoga 87 9 Preparatory Practices in Bhakti-Yoga 97 10 Characteristics of the Teacher and the Aspirant 105 11 Spiritual Disciplines in Bhakti-Yoga 115 12 Obstacles in Bhakti-Yoga 135 Part Three: The Way of Raja-Yoga: The Path of Meditation 13 The Message of Raja-Yoga 147 14 The Philosophy and Psychology of Raja-Yoga 155 15 Preparatory Practices in Raja-Yoga 167 16 The Eight-Limbed Practice 171 17 Obstacles in Raja-Yoga 191 Part Four: The Way of Jnana-Yoga: The Path of Knowledge 18 The Message of Jnana-Yoga 203 19 The Philosophy and Psychology of Jnana-Yoga 207 20 The Goal of Jnana-Yoga: Self-Knowledge 213 21 The Practice of Jnana-Yoga 221 22 Meditation for Self-Knowledge 237 23 Two Aspects of Liberation 245 24 Obstacles in Jnana-Yoga 255 Part Five: Conclusion 25 Harmony of the Yogas 263 Notes 269 Glossary 279 Credits 289 Index 291 About the Author 297
