the tree: it yields to a stronger power when buffeted in the storm but holds tight to its roots and remains immovable. In the same way, Gyan Yoga teaches us to remain steadfast in our quest for the ultimate goal of life –that which is real.

A significant concept of Gyan Yoga is non-duality (Sanskrit = advaita). Gyan Yoga teaches that we should awaken and become fully conscious of the oneness of all creation. A similar concept in Buddhist terminology is ‘inter-connectedness’. Non-dualism is the recognition that our real Self is that spark of God which animates our soul, and this spark of God exists within and animates all humans, all creatures, all nature. The entire universe is pervaded by that One: God. Critically, non-duality means to give up the mental construct of duality, the idea that we are separate from God and separate from his creation. This means giving up the concept of us and them, him and her, theirs and mine; instead fostering the mental construct of one-ness and inter-connectedness. If we truly realise that we are one with all that exists, we would do no harm to others. This is sound justification for non-violence (Sanskrit = ahimsa ) for to harm another means to harm one's self.

Another significant concept of Gyan Yoga is to renounce and detach. This doesn’t mean to shun the world, stop caring about others and go live alone. To reside in this world it is necessary that we assign different values to the material and immaterial such as things and relationships but the aim is to deal with matter without binding ourselves to it and becoming dependent, or worse, identifying with possessions, status, or defining ourselves according our relationship with others. Our aim is to live life consciously with full appreciation of all that life brings but without attachment, without identification to anything or anyone external to our inner being: our true Self. It is only our inner Self, God that is real.

What is reality?  That which never changes.

The next concept of Gyan Yoga is a great help in remaining detached. It is the awareness that the essence of all nature is change. Every thing and every being must return from whence it came. At some point in this mortal world we will be separated from all that we hold near and dear. The very essence of our mortal existence is change. Nature is constantly changing. The seasons change, the elements change, the body changes – all pass through the process of birth, growth or transformation, decay or decline and ultimately death. Fundamentally that which changes cannot be real, therefore Gyan Yoga teaches that change (i.e. this world) is unreal and that only God, which is changeless, is the only reality. What is real? What is change-less? Our inner Self. The Self (Sanskrit = atma) witnesses change but does not identify with change.

“Return to your Self” says Gyan Yoga.

So with the awareness of change, Gyan Yoga encourages us to develop the consciousness of a ‘witness’ – to become a neutral observer as we journey through life. Don’t get caught in life’s process. Rather live consciously without becoming fettered by our actions and sentiments. Gyan Yoga teaches that our inner Self witnesses the changeable nature of life, yet does not identify with the and experiences and changes of our human existence. In this sense the highest form of yoga practise is to be a neutral observer – unchangeable, immovable, unattached. Gyan Yoga teaches that to be human means we are spiritual beings.

“To be in the world but not of the world.”

This is the definition of a Saint, a Self-Realised, Enlightened Master or Spiritual Teacher. They live in the world, but are not of the world. They are always fully conscious of the nature of reality, the nature of this world and the purpose of human life. Their presence here is to serve, to bring others to that awakened state of liberation (Sanskrit = moksha), the ultimate goal of Gyan Yoga and all yoga practise.

November 3, 2009