- LIVE ONLINE PROGRAM
August 20 – November 5, 2024
Jnana Yoga:The Path of Knowledge
Jnaneshwari Chaitanya
12 WEEKLY SESSIONS, Tuesdays, 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET
“There is no philosophy so bold and sublime as the philosophy of the Vedanta. It is Vedanta alone that can eradicate totally human sufferings and can bring everlasting peace and happiness. Even a little understanding and a little practice of Vedanta can raise a man to magnanimous heights of God consciousness and remove all sorts of fears, worries, and anxieties of this mundane life.”
Swami Sivananda
Prepare to expand your horizons, deepen your understanding, and embark on a journey of knowledge and self-discovery! “Jnana Yoga- The Path of Knowledge” is not just a course; it’s an inward journey that sharpens your intellect, expands your consciousness, and leads you to a profound understanding of reality. Whether you’re a seasoned seeker or new to the path, this course offers a rich experience that fosters personal growth and spiritual evolution.
Jnana Yoga, often referred to as the “Yoga of Knowledge” or “Yoga of Wisdom,” is one of the classical paths of yoga outlined in ancient Indian philosophy. Rooted in the teachings of the Upanishads and Vedanta, Jnana Yoga guides practitioners on a journey of self-discovery and profound understanding of reality.
At its core, Jnana Yoga is not a practice of physical postures or breath control, but rather a practice of intellectual exploration and self-inquiry. It encourages individuals to discern between the transient and the eternal, the illusory and the real, by cultivating deep introspection and knowledge. The ultimate aim of Jnana Yoga is to realize one’s true nature, the essence that transcends the limitations of the physical body and the conditioned mind. It is a path accessible to anyone who seeks to understand the nature of reality and their own existence. It is a profound journey that requires patience, humility, and a willingness to challenge one’s preconceptions and conditioned beliefs.
In a world filled with distractions and external pursuits, Jnana Yoga offers a pathway to inner clarity, profound wisdom, and a deep sense of peace. By engaging in this unique course, you will embark on a transformative journey toward self-realization and unity with the ultimate reality.
This course will cover all the fundamental teachings of Jnana Yoga.
You Will Learn About
- Self-Inquiry: this practice involves questioning the nature of reality, the Self, and existence. Through rigorous self-inquiry, practitioners aim to uncover the layers of identity and illusion that shroud the true Self.
- Discrimination (Viveka): Jnana Yoga emphasizes the discernment between the temporary and the permanent, the real and the unreal. By cultivating discrimination, practitioners gain clarity about the impermanent nature of the material world and the unchanging reality beyond it.
- Renunciation: While Jnana Yoga doesn't necessarily require physical renunciation, it encourages a mental detachment from the material world. This detachment helps practitioners overcome attachment and desires that hinder their spiritual progress.
- The three bodies: Jnana Yoga acknowledges the existence of three bodies, which are vehicles for different levels of experience and consciousness.
- The three states: Jnana Yoga also categorizes human consciousness into three states, which represent different levels of awareness.
- The five sheaths: These sheaths, like veils, obscure the individual's awareness of their inherent nature. The five sheaths are the physical body (annamaya kosha), the vital energy body (pranamaya kosha), the mental-emotional body (manomaya kosha), the intellect body (vijnanamaya kosha), and the blissful body (anandamaya kosha). Through self-inquiry and contemplation, the essence of the Self that transcends them becomes realized.
- Vedantic meditations: Jnana Yoga incorporates contemplative practices aimed at quieting the mind and allowing deeper insights to arise. These meditations give rise to receptive awareness, enabling individuals to access higher levels of understanding.
- The Seven Bhumikas: these seven stages provide a structured framework for aspirants of Jnana Yoga to gauge their progress and develop a roadmap for their spiritual journey.
- Nyayas: these are logical and philosophical methods employed to understand and explain the nature of reality and the self. These methods involve rigorous analysis, debate, and reasoning to arrive at profound insights. They dismantle misconceptions, dissolve ignorance, and lead seekers toward a clearer understanding of the Ultimate Reality.
- Self-Realization or Liberation: The ultimate goal of Jnana Yoga is Self-realization, the direct experience of one's true nature beyond the limitations of the ego. This realization is liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
What People Are Saying About Jnaneshwari Chaitanya…
Requirements and Recommendations:
- No experience necessary. This program is open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners.
- Viewing Device: Desktop or laptop computer will provide the best experience, although you can also connect via a tablet or smartphone.
- Internet connection: High-speed broadband wired or wireless is best.
- Video: Download Zoom to your computer, or install the Zoom app to your device. For interactive group sessions, a webcam or integrated camera will allow others to feel more connected with you.
- Audio: Headphone speakers are recommended. If you wish to participate vocally, a headset with a microphone will be ideal.
Additional Information:
Offered as 12 weekly sessions on Tuesdays, August 20, 27, September 3, 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & November 5, 2024 from 2:00-3:30pm ET
This program is offered live through Zoom webinar with the availability for students to interact through Q&A with the presenter.
For enrolled students, a video recording will be available after each class in the event you miss a class or would like to review the content.
It is possible to register and take the course at any time. You can catch up on any classes you miss with the recordings.
Jnaneshwari Chaitanya
Jnaneshwari Chaitanya is a senior teacher of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. She joined the Sivananda organization in 2001 and was initiated into Brahmacharya in 2016.
An experienced and devoted practitioner of Yoga, meditation and philosophical studies, she regularly teaches Yoga and Vedanta in the ashram programs and the Bhagavad Gita in Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Courses. Jnaneshwari Chaitanya is known for her clear and pure way of communicating yogic knowledge and its application in daily life.