Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita < ...

Including:

Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita in General Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita as a Yoga Scripture
Bhagavad Gita - On The Goal Of Yoga Bhagavad Gita - On Bhakti Yoga Bhagavad Gita - On Karma Yoga Bhagavad Gita - On Nishkam Karma Yoga Bhagavad Gita - On Jnana Yoga Bhagavad Gita - On Raja Yoga
Bhagavad Gita - Overview

Read more here: » Bhagavad Gita: Encyclopedia - Bhagavad Gita

See also:

Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita in General, Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita as a Yoga Scripture, Bhagavad Gita - On The Goal Of Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Bhakti Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Karma Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Nishkam Karma Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Jnana Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Raja Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - Overview

Read more here: » Bhagavad Gita: Encyclopedia II - Bhagavad Gita - Overview

Bhagavad-gita

The essential teachings on progressive spiritual life and pure devotion to the Supreme Lord spoken by the Supreme Lord Himself, Krishna, to His friend Arjuna at Kurukshetra in the last moments before the great battle. Vyasadeva included the Bhagavad-gita in the Bhishma-parva of the Mahabharata.

(See also: Bhagavad-gita, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita < ...

Including:

Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita in General Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita as a Yoga Scripture
Bhagavad Gita - On Bhakti Yoga Bhagavad Gita - On Karma Yoga Bhagavad Gita - On Nishkam Karma Yoga Bhagavad Gita - On Jnana Yoga Bhagavad Gita - On Raja Yoga
Bhagavad Gita - Overview

Read more here: » Bhagavad Gita: Encyclopedia - Bhagavad Gita

Dhyana-yoga of Bhagavad-Gita

In this chapter the Lord explains that the process of the eightfold yoga system (astanga-yoga) is a means to control the mind and the senses. This practice culminates in samadhi, full consciousness of the Supreme. However, this is very difficult for people in general to perform, especially in the Age of Kali. Although astanga-yoga is recommended in this chapter, the Lord emphasises that the process of bhakti-yoga, is better.

Read more here: » Dhyana Yoga: Dhyana-yoga of Bhagavad-Gita

The Bhagavad Gita has been universally hailed by the learned as truly reflecting the essence of all the Vedas. Its depth, richness and rationality of philosophy have universal appeal.

It teaches man that the true goal of life is union with God or the Supreme Impersonal-Personal Brahman, and the principal means to attain it are the four paths of karma or work, jnana or knowledge, yoga or psychic control and bhakti or loving devotion.

(See also: Bhakti Yoga, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Bhakti Yoga: Krishna's Choice - Bhakti Yoga  

Bhakti Yoga: Four Ways of Showing Devotion to God

The Bhagavad Gita recommends Bhakti Yoga towards attaining moksha . Krishna tells Arjuna that a person who thinks of Him at least at the time of his death is liberated of all his sins. Krishna explains the four types of devotional service rendered to Him: One who thinks of Him at the time of distress is the aartha. One who is worried by the struggle for prosperity, power, self and property is the Artha-arthi .

A third who yearns for the realisation of the atman is the jijnaasu . The fourth is the jnani . He is immersed in the Brahmathathwam and looks for the Lord in all possible places; he yearns for nothing.

Read more here: » Bhakti Yoga: Four Ways of Showing Devotion to God

Bhakti yoga is the Hindu term for the spiritual practice of fostering of loving devotion to God, called bhakti. Traditionally there are 9 forms of bhakti yoga. Hindu movements in which bhakti yoga is the main practice are called bhakti movements. Bhakti yoga is generally considered the easiest of the four general paths to liberation, or moksha (the others being Karma, Raja and Jnana Yoga). Bhakti yoga - The Philosophy and Development of Bhakti. Bhakti is the Hindu term that signifies a blissful, selfless an ...

Including:

Bhakti yoga - The Philosophy and Development of Bhakti
Bhakti yoga - The Bhagavad Gita

Read more here: » Bhakti yoga: Encyclopedia - Bhakti yoga

Yoga is a family of ancient spiritual practices that originated in India, where it remains a vibrant living tradition and is seen as a means to enlightenment. Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga are considered the four main yogas, but there are many other types. In the West, yoga has become associated with the asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga, which are popular as fitness exercises. Yoga as a means to enlightenment is central to Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and has influenced other religious and spiritual pr ...

Including:

Yoga - Yoga practice and intention Yoga - The word yoga Yoga - Diversity of yoga Yoga - Yoga and religion Yoga - Common themes Yoga - Origins Yoga - Hindu yoga
Yoga - Bhagavad Gita Yoga - Patanjali Yoga - God in Yoga philosophy Yoga - Hatha yoga Yoga - Natya yoga
Yoga - Buddhist yoga Yoga - Yoga and tantra Yoga - Notable Yogis

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia - Yoga

Bhakti is the Hindu term that signifies a blissful, selfless and overwhelming love of God as the beloved Father, Mother, Child, or whatever relationship or aspect of God that finds appeal in the devotee's heart. The philosophy of Bhakti seeks to tap into the universal divinity through personal form, which explains the proliferation of so many gods and Goddesses in India, often reflecting the personal inclinations of small regions or groups of people. This also explains Hinduism's pluralism and ability to absorb other faith-based religions. However, the bhakti movements are monotheistic movements that has be ...

See also:

Bhakti yoga, Bhakti yoga - The Philosophy and Development of Bhakti, Bhakti yoga - The Bhagavad Gita

Read more here: » Bhakti yoga: Encyclopedia II - Bhakti yoga - The Philosophy and Development of Bhakti

The protracted discussions of the ultimate, infinite Self, or Atman, and realization of Brahman, are the true legacy of the Upanishads, and the first principal Yoga text is the Bhagavad Gita ("The Lord's Song"), also known as Gitopanishad. The Bhagavad Gita elaborates in detail on Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga. ...

See also:

History of Yoga, History of Yoga - Pre-Vedic ca. 6000 - 3000 BCE [?], History of Yoga - Vedic ca. 2000-1500 BCE, History of Yoga - Upanishadic ca. 800-100 BCE, History of Yoga - Bhagavad Gita, History of Yoga - Classical - Patanjali's 'Yoga Sutras' ca. 200 CE, History of Yoga - Yoga-bhasya 450 - 850 CE, History of Yoga - Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1350 - 1400 CE, History of Yoga - Today, History of Yoga - Modern growth of yoga in the West

Read more here: » History of Yoga: Encyclopedia II - History of Yoga - Bhagavad Gita

The Bhakti Movement was essentially founded in South India and later spread to the North during the late medieval period. The notion of 'Bhakti' (loosely translated as devotional love to God) is of hoary antiquity. A nascent consciousness of what 'Bhakti' constitutes is already to be found in the earliest Vedas, especially in relation to deities such as Varuna. A clearer expression of Bhakti began to be formed during the so-called Epic Period and the Puranic periods of Hindu history. Texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana clearly explore Bhakti Yoga or th ...

See also:

Bhakti movement, Bhakti movement - Origins, Bhakti movement - Rama bhakti, Bhakti movement - Vaishnava bhakti, Bhakti movement - Influences, Bhakti movement - Bibliography

Read more here: » Bhakti movement: Encyclopedia II - Bhakti movement - Origins

History is replete with Yogis that have inspired people for many generations. Yogini Meera from the Bhakti tradition, Shankaracharya from the Jnana Yoga tradition, Patanjali, who formalized the system of Raja Yoga, are just a few examples. Among modern Yogis, Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a Bhakti Yogi, stands tall. A devotee of Mother Kali and a teacher of Advaita Vedanta, he preached that "all religions lead to the same goal." His student, Swami Vivekananda, a follower of Adva ...

See also:

Yoga, Yoga - Yoga practice and intention, Yoga - The word yoga, Yoga - Diversity of yoga, Yoga - Yoga and religion, Yoga - Common themes, Yoga - Origins, Yoga - Hindu yoga, Yoga - Bhagavad Gita, Yoga - Patanjali, Yoga - God in Yoga philosophy, Yoga - Hatha yoga, Yoga - Natya yoga, Yoga - Buddhist yoga, Yoga - Yoga and tantra, Yoga - Notable Yogis

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Yoga - Notable Yogis

Over the long history of yoga, different schools have emerged, and there are numerous examples of subdivisions and synthesis. It is common to speak of each form of yoga as a "path" to enlightenment. Thus, yoga may include love and devotion (as in Bhakti Yoga), selfless work (as in Karma Yoga), knowledge and discernment (as in Jnana Yoga), or an eight-limbed system of disciplines emphasizing meditation (as in Raja Yoga). These practices occupy a continuum from the religious to the scientific. They need not be mutually exclusive. (A person who ...

See also:

Yoga, Yoga - Yoga practice and intention, Yoga - The word yoga, Yoga - Diversity of yoga, Yoga - Yoga and religion, Yoga - Common themes, Yoga - Origins, Yoga - Hindu yoga, Yoga - Bhagavad Gita, Yoga - Patanjali, Yoga - God in Yoga philosophy, Yoga - Hatha yoga, Yoga - Natya yoga, Yoga - Buddhist yoga, Yoga - Yoga and tantra, Yoga - Notable Yogis

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Yoga - Diversity of yoga

Sri Aurobindo describes the nature and practice of integral yoga in his opus The Synthesis of Yoga. As the title of that work indicates, his integral yoga is a yoga of synthesis, intended to harmonize the paths of karma-, jnana-, and bhakti-yoga as described in the Bhagavad Gita. It can also be considered a synthesis between Vedanta and Tantra, and even between Eastern and Western approaches to spirituality. Aurobindo Ghose Jean Gebser Haridas Chaudhuri Ervin László Michael MurphySee also:

Integral yoga, Integral yoga - The yoga of synthesis, Integral yoga - The aim of integral yoga, Integral yoga - Other Integral Yogas, Integral yoga - Quotes

Read more here: » Integral yoga: Encyclopedia II - The yoga of synthesis

Sri Aurobindo describes the nature and practice of integral yoga in his opus The Synthesis of Yoga. As the title of that work indicates, his integral yoga is a yoga of synthesis, intended to harmonize the paths of karma-, jnana-, and bhakti-yoga as described in the Bhagavad Gita. It can also be considered a synthesis between Vedanta and Tantra, and even between Eastern and Western approaches to spirituality. Aurobindo Ghose Jean Gebser Haridas Chaudhuri Ervin László Michael MurphySee also:

Integral yoga, Integral yoga - The yoga of synthesis, Integral yoga - The aim of integral yoga, Integral yoga - Other Integral Yogas, Integral yoga - Quotes

Read more here: » Integral yoga: Encyclopedia II - Integral yoga - The yoga of synthesis

The "Integral" of the school's name has nothing to do with mathematical integrals, but translates a technical term from the writings of Sri Aurobindo, namely "Integral Yoga" (purnayoga). By this Aurobindo intends to harmonize the paths of karma-, jnana-, and bhakti-yoga as described in the Bhagavad-Gita--roughly speaking, body, mind, and spirit. In the CIIS context the term also suggests various other possible divisions to be integrated as well (e.g. East and West, masculin ...

See also:

California Institute of Integral Studies, California Institute of Integral Studies - The name, California Institute of Integral Studies - Symbol, California Institute of Integral Studies - History

Read more here: » California Institute of Integral Studies: Encyclopedia II - California Institute of Integral Studies - The name

The metaphysical teaching is balanced by a practical method, called Integral Yoga. Integral Yoga is so-called because it involves the synthesis of the three yogas - bhakti, karma, and jnana - of the Bhagavad Gita. It is also called "Integral" because it embodies and integrates all aspects of life. Of these three, bhakti is central, and in keeping with the Hindu tradition of the Divine Mother, Sri Aurobindo teaches devotion to the Mother (see his short devotional book The Mother), personified in his co-worker Mirra Ric ...

See also:

Sri Aurobindo, Sri Aurobindo - Early experiences, Sri Aurobindo - Final conversion, Sri Aurobindo - Philosophical and spiritual writings, Sri Aurobindo - The Mother, Sri Aurobindo - Contribution to Hindu philosophy, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's evolutionary philosophy, Sri Aurobindo - Involution, Sri Aurobindo - Evolution, Sri Aurobindo - Other points, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's integral yoga, Sri Aurobindo - Divine Life on Earth, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's influence, Sri Aurobindo - Quotation, Sri Aurobindo - Partial bibliography, Sri Aurobindo - Related links

Read more here: » Sri Aurobindo: Encyclopedia II - Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's integral yoga

The metaphysical teaching is balanced by a practical method, called Integral Yoga. Integral Yoga is so-called because it involves the synthesis of the three yogas - bhakti, karma, and jnana - of the Bhagavad Gita. It is also called "Integral" because it embodies and integrates all aspects of life. Of these three, bhakti is central, and in keeping with the Hindu tradition of the Divine Mother, Sri Aurobindo teaches devotion to the Mother (see his short devotional book The Mother), personified in his co-worker Mirra Ric ...

See also:

Sri Aurobindo, Sri Aurobindo - Early experiences, Sri Aurobindo - Final conversion, Sri Aurobindo - Philosophical and spiritual writings, Sri Aurobindo - The Mother, Sri Aurobindo - Contribution to Hindu philosophy, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's evolutionary philosophy, Sri Aurobindo - Involution, Sri Aurobindo - Evolution, Sri Aurobindo - Other points, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's integral yoga, Sri Aurobindo - Divine Life on Earth, Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's influence, Sri Aurobindo - Controvery over Supramental Lineage, Sri Aurobindo - Quotation, Sri Aurobindo - Partial bibliography, Sri Aurobindo - Related links

Read more here: » Sri Aurobindo: Encyclopedia II - Sri Aurobindo - Aurobindo's integral yoga

Bhagavad Gita [Song of the Lord]: a major scriptural poem contained in the Mahabharata epic. In the eighteen chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna gives the Divine Truth to his student Arjuna in the setting of the battlefield of the dynastic war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. The Gita is therefore intended as a practical guide to persons attempting to live a spiritual life in the world, rather than for renunciates.

(See also: Bhagavad Gita, Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)