The ultimate goal of Human life is to attain "Moksha" or "Liberation", which means to break the cycle of birth and death - The Happy Zen
As there are multiple routes to reach a destination, even in Spirituality, there are multiple routes (Gnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga ) to attain liberation.
A Guru or Master is a person, who shows us the easiest and simplest path to the destination (Liberation). However, it is we who needs to walk in the path shown by the master with dedication and commitment.
Spiritual masters like Buddha, Prophet Mohammed, Mahaveer, Shirdi Sai Baba, Ramakrishna, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Jesus, Sri Ramana Maharishi, Robert Adams, J Krishnamurthy, Osho, Vallalar, etc tried their best to explain the path of Self Realisation in their own way based on their experience.
Jnana yoga :
Robert Adams is a Western Spiritual master, who has advocated the path of Jnana Yoga to his disciples. Jnana Yoga emphasis on the practice of self-inquiry [ Who am I ? ].
Robert Adams is the disciple of Sri Ramana Maharishi, who got enlightened on the foothills of Thiruvannamalai, South India. Below is a beautiful quote from Robert Adams based on his principles.
"Your spiritual practice does not begin when you've gone to many teachers and you've read many books. It actually begins when you've given up everything when you've emptied yourself of all knowledge, all desires for liberation. When you have become an empty shell, then your spiritual life begins. Until that time you're only playing games with yourself"
Arunagirinathar, the Tamil Saint-Poet also emphasized the importance of "Summa Iru" while literally means "Be Still".
Bhakti Yoga :
However, on the contrary, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada (Founder of ISKCON) emphasize the practice of Bhakti Yoga to attain Moksha or Liberation.
Below is the extract from the book "Bhagavad Gita - As It Is" written by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
"Bhakti-yoga is very simple and pure and easy to perform. One can begin simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. The Lord is merciful to all, but as we have already explained, He is especially inclined toward those who always serve Him without deviation.
The Lord helps such devotees in various ways. As stated in the Vedas (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.23), yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas/ tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanuṁ svām: one who is fully surrendered and engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord can understand the Supreme Lord as He is. And as stated in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10), dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ tam: the Lord gives such a devotee sufficient intelligence so that ultimately the devotee can attain Him in His spiritual kingdom
What does Bhagavad Gita tell about Meditation*?
"The Yoga-sūtra also prescribes meditation on Viṣṇu, and not a meditation on the void. We have to be Kṛṣṇa conscious – devoted to the personality of Godhead. This is the aim of real yoga.
One who is not self-controlled and whose mind is not undisturbed cannot practice meditation. Therefore, in the Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa it is said that in Kali-yuga (the present yuga, or age), when people in general are short-lived, slow in spiritual realization and always disturbed by various anxieties, the best means of spiritual realization is chanting the holy name of the Lord. harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā “In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”
Nowadays people are very much inclined to the meditational process, which is not practical in this age, but if anyone practices meditating on Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours a day by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra round his beads, he is surely the greatest meditator and the greatest yogī, as substantiated by the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Text 28
What Spiritual Practise I follow?
I follow Bhakti Yoga. I have selected Lord Krishna as my Spiritual Master and I follow HIS teachings written in Bhagavad Gita religiously.
Sometimes, I also follow Deep Relaxation technique and Meditation based on the need. It will surely add bonus points to my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
Why I prefer Bhakti Yoga?
Whether in this Kali-yuga, is it possible to follow Meditation? Yes, it is possible for the souls who have accumulated lots of good deeds in their Karmic account.
As most of them have a negative balance in their Karmic account, they give up meditation within a couple of weeks of practice. Because their Karma won't allow them to do Meditation. However, as per Srimad Bhagavadham Kali Purush cannot come near to the devotee of Lord Vishnu. It is for this so reason, you can see the devotees of Lord Krishna will be always in ecstasy singing, dancing and chanting.
Arjuna, the great warrior cannot control the mind in Dwapara Yuga, and I bet that it is very difficult to practice Meditation in Kali Yuga where there are lots and lots of distractions. However, if you practice meditation daily, give a big pat on your back. You are truly a blessed soul.
Why Bhagavad Gita?
Bhagavad Gita means "The Song of God". It is the words that are spoken by God HIMSELF and not by HIS representatives, who are sent to this beautiful world to spread HIS message.
I have read hundreds of books about Self-Help, Consciousness, Re-incarnation, Soul, Deeds, Karma, happiness, etc and almost all the contents are inspired by Bhagavad Gita.
Simple and Easy Bhakti Yoga Practise :
A - Association of Devotees.
B - Book Reading ( Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Vedic Scriptures, etc )
C - Chanting the holy names of God.
D - Diet - Satvik Veg Food offered to Lord Krishna ( Prasadam )
Final Verdict :
In a nutshell, God has given the free will to us to follow any Spiritual practice as per our taste. You can take any Spiritual school of thought and follow it religiously to achieve"Moksha" or "Liberation".
Swami Vivekananda beautifully quotes that "Jnana, Bhakti, Yoga, and Karma - these are the four paths which lead to Spiritual freedom. One must follow the path for which one is best Suited".
Have you started your Spiritual Journey, if not it is never late to begin? Happy Spiritual Journey ahead.
I have written this article, based on my little understanding of Spirituality. I might not be right. I leave your inner voice to guide you in the right path, as it is your real Master and not me.
References: "Bhagavad Gita - As It Is" written by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
A Request from Author :
If you like this article, please share it with your family and friends. It might help their Spiritual Journey.
You are kindly requested to join my mission to Donate a Meal to start making a positive difference in someone's life. You are born with the ability to change someone life positively, please give your life a chance.
As there are multiple routes to reach a destination, even in Spirituality, there are multiple routes (Gnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga ) to attain liberation.
A Guru or Master is a person, who shows us the easiest and simplest path to the destination (Liberation). However, it is we who needs to walk in the path shown by the master with dedication and commitment.
Spiritual masters like Buddha, Prophet Mohammed, Mahaveer, Shirdi Sai Baba, Ramakrishna, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Jesus, Sri Ramana Maharishi, Robert Adams, J Krishnamurthy, Osho, Vallalar, etc tried their best to explain the path of Self Realisation in their own way based on their experience.
Jnana yoga :
Robert Adams is a Western Spiritual master, who has advocated the path of Jnana Yoga to his disciples. Jnana Yoga emphasis on the practice of self-inquiry [ Who am I ? ].
Robert Adams is the disciple of Sri Ramana Maharishi, who got enlightened on the foothills of Thiruvannamalai, South India. Below is a beautiful quote from Robert Adams based on his principles.
"Your spiritual practice does not begin when you've gone to many teachers and you've read many books. It actually begins when you've given up everything when you've emptied yourself of all knowledge, all desires for liberation. When you have become an empty shell, then your spiritual life begins. Until that time you're only playing games with yourself"
Arunagirinathar, the Tamil Saint-Poet also emphasized the importance of "Summa Iru" while literally means "Be Still".
Bhakti Yoga :
However, on the contrary, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada (Founder of ISKCON) emphasize the practice of Bhakti Yoga to attain Moksha or Liberation.
Below is the extract from the book "Bhagavad Gita - As It Is" written by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
"Bhakti-yoga is very simple and pure and easy to perform. One can begin simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. The Lord is merciful to all, but as we have already explained, He is especially inclined toward those who always serve Him without deviation.
The Lord helps such devotees in various ways. As stated in the Vedas (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.23), yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas/ tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanuṁ svām: one who is fully surrendered and engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord can understand the Supreme Lord as He is. And as stated in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10), dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ tam: the Lord gives such a devotee sufficient intelligence so that ultimately the devotee can attain Him in His spiritual kingdom
What does Bhagavad Gita tell about Meditation*?
"The Yoga-sūtra also prescribes meditation on Viṣṇu, and not a meditation on the void. We have to be Kṛṣṇa conscious – devoted to the personality of Godhead. This is the aim of real yoga.
One who is not self-controlled and whose mind is not undisturbed cannot practice meditation. Therefore, in the Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa it is said that in Kali-yuga (the present yuga, or age), when people in general are short-lived, slow in spiritual realization and always disturbed by various anxieties, the best means of spiritual realization is chanting the holy name of the Lord. harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā “In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”
Nowadays people are very much inclined to the meditational process, which is not practical in this age, but if anyone practices meditating on Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours a day by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra round his beads, he is surely the greatest meditator and the greatest yogī, as substantiated by the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Text 28
śubhāśubha-phalair evaṁ mokṣyase
karma-bandhanaiḥ sannyāsa-yoga-yuktātmā vimukto mām upaiṣyasi
Translation
In this way, you will be freed from bondage to work and its auspicious
and inauspicious results. With your mind fixed on Me in this principle of
renunciation, you will be liberated and come to Me"What Spiritual Practise I follow?
I follow Bhakti Yoga. I have selected Lord Krishna as my Spiritual Master and I follow HIS teachings written in Bhagavad Gita religiously.
Sometimes, I also follow Deep Relaxation technique and Meditation based on the need. It will surely add bonus points to my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
Why I prefer Bhakti Yoga?
Whether in this Kali-yuga, is it possible to follow Meditation? Yes, it is possible for the souls who have accumulated lots of good deeds in their Karmic account.
As most of them have a negative balance in their Karmic account, they give up meditation within a couple of weeks of practice. Because their Karma won't allow them to do Meditation. However, as per Srimad Bhagavadham Kali Purush cannot come near to the devotee of Lord Vishnu. It is for this so reason, you can see the devotees of Lord Krishna will be always in ecstasy singing, dancing and chanting.
Arjuna, the great warrior cannot control the mind in Dwapara Yuga, and I bet that it is very difficult to practice Meditation in Kali Yuga where there are lots and lots of distractions. However, if you practice meditation daily, give a big pat on your back. You are truly a blessed soul.
Why Bhagavad Gita?
Bhagavad Gita means "The Song of God". It is the words that are spoken by God HIMSELF and not by HIS representatives, who are sent to this beautiful world to spread HIS message.
I have read hundreds of books about Self-Help, Consciousness, Re-incarnation, Soul, Deeds, Karma, happiness, etc and almost all the contents are inspired by Bhagavad Gita.
Simple and Easy Bhakti Yoga Practise :
A - Association of Devotees.
B - Book Reading ( Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Vedic Scriptures, etc )
C - Chanting the holy names of God.
D - Diet - Satvik Veg Food offered to Lord Krishna ( Prasadam )
In a nutshell, God has given the free will to us to follow any Spiritual practice as per our taste. You can take any Spiritual school of thought and follow it religiously to achieve"Moksha" or "Liberation".
Swami Vivekananda beautifully quotes that "Jnana, Bhakti, Yoga, and Karma - these are the four paths which lead to Spiritual freedom. One must follow the path for which one is best Suited".
Have you started your Spiritual Journey, if not it is never late to begin? Happy Spiritual Journey ahead.
I have written this article, based on my little understanding of Spirituality. I might not be right. I leave your inner voice to guide you in the right path, as it is your real Master and not me.
References: "Bhagavad Gita - As It Is" written by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
A Request from Author :
If you like this article, please share it with your family and friends. It might help their Spiritual Journey.
You are kindly requested to join my mission to Donate a Meal to start making a positive difference in someone's life. You are born with the ability to change someone life positively, please give your life a chance.
