Traditional Medicine in Asia

we need for the job comes our way, and
everyone we need to help us comes along
at exactly the right time. It all happens so
regularly that we realize these could not
possibly be coincidences. Then a higher
realization starts to dawn within us. When
we are non-attached, it is possible to
exhaust our karmas, which is another aim
of karma yoga.
Conversion of negative into positive –
Some people habitually see the positive side
of a thing (optimists), others the negative
side (pessimists). Karma yoga is a process
of converting our negative attitudes into
positive ones.
Duty or dharma – In Yoga Darshan by
Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati, 3 this
point and karma yoga in general is
described thus:
“The last attribute of karma Yoga is
consideration of every action as a duty. Do
your duty, because action is superior to
inaction. Action when performed with the
idea of duty produces a very deep
experience of bhakti (devotion), surrender,
belief, trust and faith in a higher nature, a
higher reality guiding us. This duty is to be
understood in relation to one’s individual
dharma, social dharma, global dharma
and universal dharma.
“When one develops the awareness of
dharma, as an inherent commitment of
duty or obligation to other beings, then one
develops a giving or helping nature. Many
times people talk about, and believe in
giving, a helping hand to others. Our
actions, which outwardly may seem like
helping, do not necessarily convey the same
feeling to others. Often, even the desire to
help others carries with it some kind of
ulterior motive, whether for gain or profit.
We should not be restricted to the idea of
some kind of personal gain.
“Initially the practice of karma yoga is
difficult, because to combine so many
Fundamentals of Yoga
attitudes such as efficiency, renunciation,
equanimity, egolessness and duty in one
action is difficult. The thrust of karma yoga
is to have these concepts combined in one
thought, one action, in one moment. Once
these different ideas are combined, then
we can proudly say we are practising
karma yoga.”
However, until then we can do the best
we can to have that attitude. In the
workplace, at home with the family, when
we are with other people, and indeed even
when we are alone, relating to ourselves,
we can remember to apply the above
principles. Then over time, it will become
second nature in all our actions, bringing
a peace of mind that most people never
attain. Karma yoga clears the mind of
phobias, insecurities and complexes, and
makes it steadier for further practices and
for life. The ultimate state is total serenity
in the midst of intense action.
Jnana Yoga
Literally jnana means ‘wisdom’ or
‘knowledge’. So jnana yoga means the
yoga of real knowledge. This knowledge
is not intellectual, acquired from books and
different sources of communication. It is
an advanced yogic sadhana (spiritual
practice), a process of self-inquiry with a
concentrated mind. Jnana yoga is linked
with the Vedanta of Indian philosophy,
which is a path of inquiry into Brahman,
the Absolute.
In order to understand the Brahman
or the Absolute, the process of jnana yoga
begins with self-analysis. The form of selfanalysis
is not high, abstract or abstruse;
it is very definite. In fact, the practices of
pratyahara and dharana may be classified
as part of jnana yoga also, because
through these practices we analyse
ourselves. What is happening at the level
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