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Abhyasa Ashram and Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

Over 5,000  students are enrolled in this course

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Over 5,000  students are enrolled in this course

Pondering, reflecting, contemplating on the nature of our personality, soul, and spirit is one of the most important aspects of traditional Yoga. Please don't overlook this essential part of your Yoga practices. This course will lead you through the levels of contemplation, from the basics to the most advanced contemplations as practiced by the ancient sages.

Yoga is a whole life process. The Contemplation of Jnana Yoga is one of the most advanced practices of Yoga. The reflective process of contemplation utilizes the word-forming habit of the mind in a directed way, so as to transcend not only body and breath, but most importantly, to go beyond the mind to the realization in direct experience the True Self, the Atman, or Center of Consciousness. 

A Suggestion: Our descriptions of traditional Yoga tend to be thorough, broad, and deep. This can lead you to think this is complicated, and that it's going to take a great deal of study like in a college class. But the suggestion is to take it easy; watch the presentations leisurely, like you might watch a movie while sitting on a comfortable chair or couch. Just absorb it, take it in. Don't worry about memorizing. It will gently sink in, and you can practice the principles in daily life. Go back later and look again at the presentations, whether all of them or a few. Terminology, principles, and practices will gently become familiar.

This course first outlines the preparatory practices, leading one to start the process of contemplation. The course then guides you in the preliminary practices of contemplation through the processes of positive inquiry of Internal Dialogue. Finally, you will be taught the traditional contemplations, the "great" contemplations known as Mahavakyas, which have traditionally be practiced primarily by those monks living lives of renunciation in remote places like the cave monasteries of the high Himalayas.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Practice the profound depths of jnana yoga, the yoga of contemplation
  • Jnana means "knowing" at the deepest level, not just intellectual thinking.
  • Practice jnana or knowing all day long, 24/7, for the greatest insights of inner joy.
  • The pinnacle of knowing is experience in the ever-present center of consciousness.
  • Jnana yoga is a systematic journey inward, like climbing a ladder to the top of an infinite tree.

Syllabus

Introduction to Jnana Yoga
Welcome to the Jnana Yoga course
Jnana Yoga: An aspect of the One Yoga
Stages to the Goal of Contemplation
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Antahkarana and the Mobile Phone

Dhyana (meditation) and Vichara (contemplation) are different, but complementary practices. With dhyana one suspends the inner use of language, the formation of words. With contemplation one utilizes language to ponder or reflect on principles. Gradually, however, meditation and contemplation work together and merge into one unified awareness of consciousness itself, standing alone. This was introduced here as being the drashtuh, the seer, and finally this realization leads to kaivalya, or absolute liberation, as previously discussed.

Four Stages of Advanced Contemplation
Sravana
Manana
Niddhidhyasana
Sakshatkara
Internal Dialogue as a Personality
Apps talking to Apps
Mind, please be my friend
Who am I?
What do I want?
What should I do about this Problem?
Is my first thought good or bad?
Should I do it or Not?
Is this Useful or Not Useful?
Whisper inner secrets to me
Contemplation in Life
Antahkarana and the Four Functions of Mind
Four Levels of Consciousness
Internal Dialogue and Kleshas
Blending Contemplation with Yoga and Tantra
Constant Awareness
Neti Neti
Dialogue and Prayer
Dialogue with God as a Being
Dialogue with God through Self
Prayer as Prescription
Contemplation on Meditation and Japa Mantras
Om
Om Namah Shivaya
Om Tat Sat
Sohum
Gayatri
Mahamrityunjaya
Mahavakyas: Seven Great Contemplations
Mahavakyas
1) Brahma satyam jagan mithya: Brahman is real; the world is unreal
2) Ekam evadvityam Brahma: Brahman is one without a second
3) Prajnanam Brahman: Brahman is the supreme knowledge
4) Tat tvam asi: That is what you are
5) Ayam atma brahma: Atman and brahman are the same
6) Aham Brahmasmi: I am that Universal Absolute Reality
7) Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma: All of this is Brahman
BONUS
BONUS: Resources

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines the nature of one's being, a fundamental aspect of traditional Yoga
Taught by a recognized yoga instructor in Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati
Provides insights into achieving inner joy and consciousness
Offers a systematic journey inward through contemplation practices
Prerequisite knowledge in yoga may be helpful

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Contemplation with these activities:
Introspection and Reflection
Contemplation is one of the most important aspects of Yoga, so before the course begins, it is important to refresh your skills and understanding of introspection and reflection. This will help ensure a stronger foundation as you begin this course.
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  • Set aside 10 minutes each day for silent reflection.
  • Focus on your breath and observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
  • Write down your observations in a journal.
Guided Meditation Practice
Deepen your understanding and practice of meditation through the use of guided meditations. This will help you develop a stronger foundation in meditation, which is essential for contemplation and the practices outlined in this course.
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  • Find a quiet place where you can sit or lie down comfortably.
  • Follow the instructions of a guided meditation teacher.
  • Focus on your breath and observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
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