Yogas - Why Jnana is not that bad after all

[Guest guest]

Hi Chris,

 

Thanks for your reply. I must say that I knew you would not be too

thrilled about jnana yoga--and that's why I brought it up (mean me,

hehehe). As a matter of fact, I respectfully disagree with you on a

couple of points.

 

First of all, I find that in today's world, anti-intellectualism is

rampant. Thinking is hard work. Thinking doesn't make you money.

Thinking is boring. Thinking is for whimps (whatever: there are

millions of justifications for renouncing good old critical thinking).

We tend to love easily consumable and easily disposable knowledge that

comes in cans and requires no additional processing. The results are

under everybody's eyes. If we all just tried to think out of the box,

the world would look a lot different (a lot better).

 

Second: let's not confuse " science " with critical thinking. Science

and technology certainly account for a large component of academic

knowledge. And yet, most scholars in the humanities and social

sciences agree that there is much more to knowledge than just 19th

century-style positivism and the naive quest for " scientific

objectivity. " Since the postmodern revolution of the 1980s,

sociologists, anthropologists, and historians have started proposing

an alternative take on science and technology. After all, science and

technology are disciplines that, just like any other knowledge

produced by humans, emerge through historical, sociological,

political, and ideological dynamics (ever wondered, for example, who

decides the type of questions that are worth being asked, the

methodologies that are deemed legitimate, etc.?). Science is no longer

the exclusive yardstick of intellectual understanding--rather, it is

itself an aspect of human behavior and culture in need to be explored

and understood. To make a long story short: It's perfectly OK to be an

intellectual and be critical of scientism.

 

I hope this didn't sound too academic, but that of intellectual

understanding is an issue that keeps being brought up in my K

experience, and about which I feel very strongly. As a species, we

humans would be nowhere without the kind of brain (and intellect) we

have been able to develop. If the K is about evolution, it necessarily

requires all the resources we can harness--our bodies, our emotions,

and our intelligence--just like any other stage of human evolution

necessarily drew on our entire being, even as it transformed us into

something new.

 

On a more personal note: In my pursuit of the K, I would probably be

nowhere if I hadn't spent years reading everything on the topic I

could get my hands on. First of all, I wouldn't have gotten my K up if

I hadn't learned all the good yoga practices that they don't teach you

in yoga schools. Even if I had been able to do so, I wouldn't have had

the tools to diagnose my first K surge when it happened. Once the

visions started, I wouldn't have been able to recognize the deities

and symbols I was being showed. I would not have been able to tell

good guidance (like Chris's) from bad guidance (like a lot of the

rambling New Age stuff out there). Without a basic knowledge of Hindu

philosophy, I wouldn't have understood half of what was going on in my

life as the K unfolded (etc.)

 

To conclude: I don't think Jnana Yoga should be dismissed so quickly.

I am not arguing that study and intellectual understanding should be

everybody's path. Of course not. However, I know that it is a deep

part of my experience, and it has been tremendously helpful for me.

 

Peace, and let's agree to disagree.

 

Sel (Thanks for reading this long post!)

 

 

 

 

 

, chrism

<> wrote:

>

> Hello Selena,

> Thank you for your imput and comments and of

course you are correct if this is taken in the ancient Hindu context.

>

> Yes I did consider Jnana yoga but in our over intellectualized

society I didn't feel it would serve us in this case. More of a trap

of trying to " figure " it out. A + B = C if you like and this is not a

linear experience in many respects and yet is in some. Another reason

is I have seen how some of the Jnana is taught here in the US and was

not impressed. The Kundalini in many respects will give the knowledge

that is essential and goes beyond curiosity or addiction to scientific

methodologies. You will just know. - blessings as always Selena - chrism

>

[Guest guest]

Selena,

 

It is so great to have you posting here. I had never heard if jnana

yoga before.

 

Without different points of view where would we be? You have gotten a

lot from your mind and jnana yoga. Others might also.

 

We all dance this path in our own way.

 

One thing I have found to be true for me. And that is that everyone

has their own reality. We may be the same at the core and maybe we

are on the same journey but we are sure looking out different windows

on the bus.

 

Stay with us.

 

BlessU

Sam

 

, " selena230 "

<selena230 wrote:

>

> Hi Chris,

>

> Thanks for your reply. I must say that I knew you would not be too

> thrilled about jnana yoga--and that's why I brought it up (mean me,

> hehehe). As a matter of fact, I respectfully disagree with you on a

> couple of points.

 

> in yoga schools. Even if I had been able to do so, I wouldn't have had

> the tools to diagnose my first K surge when it happened. Once the

> visions started, I wouldn't have been able to recognize the deities

> and symbols I was being showed. I would not have been able to tell

> good guidance (like Chris's) from bad guidance (like a lot of the

> rambling New Age stuff out there). Without a basic knowledge of Hindu

> philosophy, I wouldn't have understood half of what was going on in my

> life as the K unfolded (etc.)

>

> To conclude: I don't think Jnana Yoga should be dismissed so quickly.

> I am not arguing that study and intellectual understanding should be

> everybody's path. Of course not. However, I know that it is a deep

> part of my experience, and it has been tremendously helpful for me.

>

> Peace, and let's agree to disagree.

>

> Sel (Thanks for reading this long post!)

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well (heh), I certainly wont try to dissuade you from your intellectual pursuit of the K. You know what is best for you so "You go girl!" I was mostly describing what yoga's I pulled from in bringing some of this information together. So my dear Selena Jnana away! Let us know how it works for you -

[Guest guest]

Dear Selena

It is easy to understand the forgetfulness

of the purpose of Jnana yoga, because jnana yoga quite often belongs to both

sides of the coin of the bhatki.

Before the awakening it takes the study of

inspirations to induce understanding however after awakening books become of

little value as the seat of intuition sits in.

The jani becomes a bhakti, and then bhakti

is the jnani. As such jnani yoga is a division of bhakti yoga and visa versa. What

once become from below then comes down from above where as the heart is the expression

and the throat is the outlet of creativity. Bhakti we may conclude with such

understanding and in such a context as the expression of wisdom.

 

All that said (if it tents to make sense) I

agree with you.

 

 

Wishing you all well

John Mathieson

'Where there is joy,

bliss, delight and pleasure of inexpressible

variety, where all wishes are fulfilled, there

make me immortal.' Rig Veda 9th mandala,

113th sukta, 1st mantra

 

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of selena230

Friday, 11 August 2006 12:22

PM

To:

 

 

Yogas - Why Jnana is not that bad after all

 

 

 

 

Hi Chris,

 

Thanks for your reply. I must say that I knew you would not be too

thrilled about jnana yoga--and that's why I brought it up (mean me,

hehehe). As a matter of fact, I respectfully disagree with you on a

couple of points.

 

First of all, I find that in today's world, anti-intellectualism is

rampant. Thinking is hard work. Thinking doesn't make you money.

Thinking is boring. Thinking is for whimps (whatever: there are

millions of justifications for renouncing good old critical thinking).

We tend to love easily consumable and easily disposable knowledge that

comes in cans and requires no additional processing. The results are

under everybody's eyes. If we all just tried to think out of the box,

the world would look a lot different (a lot better).

 

Second: let's not confuse " science " with critical thinking. Science

and technology certainly account for a large component of academic

knowledge. And yet, most scholars in the humanities and social

sciences agree that there is much more to knowledge than just 19th

century-style positivism and the naive quest for " scientific

objectivity. " Since the postmodern revolution of the 1980s,

sociologists, anthropologists, and historians have started proposing

an alternative take on science and technology. After all, science and

technology are disciplines that, just like any other knowledge

produced by humans, emerge through historical, sociological,

political, and ideological dynamics (ever wondered, for example, who

decides the type of questions that are worth being asked, the

methodologies that are deemed legitimate, etc.?). Science is no longer

the exclusive yardstick of intellectual understanding--rather, it is

itself an aspect of human behavior and culture in need to be explored

and understood. To make a long story short: It's perfectly OK to be an

intellectual and be critical of scientism.

 

I hope this didn't sound too academic, but that of intellectual

understanding is an issue that keeps being brought up in my K

experience, and about which I feel very strongly. As a species, we

humans would be nowhere without the kind of brain (and intellect) we

have been able to develop. If the K is about evolution, it necessarily

requires all the resources we can harness--our bodies, our emotions,

and our intelligence--just like any other stage of human evolution

necessarily drew on our entire being, even as it transformed us into

something new.

 

On a more personal note: In my pursuit of the K, I would probably be

nowhere if I hadn't spent years reading everything on the topic I

could get my hands on. First of all, I wouldn't have gotten my K up if

I hadn't learned all the good yoga practices that they don't teach you

in yoga schools. Even if I had been able to do so, I wouldn't have had

the tools to diagnose my first K surge when it happened. Once the

visions started, I wouldn't have been able to recognize the deities

and symbols I was being showed. I would not have been able to tell

good guidance (like Chris's) from bad guidance (like a lot of the

rambling New Age stuff out there). Without a basic knowledge of Hindu

philosophy, I wouldn't have understood half of what was going on in my

life as the K unfolded (etc.)

 

To conclude: I don't think Jnana Yoga should be dismissed so quickly.

I am not arguing that study and intellectual understanding should be

everybody's path. Of course not. However, I know that it is a deep

part of my experience, and it has been tremendously helpful for me.

 

Peace, and let's agree to disagree.

 

Sel (Thanks for reading this long post!)

 

,

chrism

<> wrote:

>

> Hello Selena,

> Thank you for your imput and comments and of

course you are correct if this is taken in the ancient Hindu context.

>

> Yes I did consider Jnana yoga but in our over intellectualized

society I didn't feel it would serve us in this case. More of a trap

of trying to " figure " it out. A + B = C if you like and this is not a

linear experience in many respects and yet is in some. Another reason

is I have seen how some of the Jnana is taught here in the US and was

not impressed. The Kundalini in many respects will give the knowledge

that is essential and goes beyond curiosity or addiction to scientific

methodologies. You will just know. - blessings as always Selena - chrism

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Selena,

I was reading your post and realised that this jnana

yoga is what I was doing before my first true

spiritual experience.

I was thinking and thinking and trying to

interlectually understand why people so easily

followed the bible (which I didnt believe in) and I

was trying to disprove God and Jesus to myself out of

frustration at getting bible bashed by my friend.

When, suddenly, I thought so deeply I had a

revelation, a vision.

I found God.

Through trying to think how to disprove Gods

existance.

So, thankyou brain....

love Elektra x x x

 

 

 

 

 

_________

All new Mail " The new Interface is stunning in its simplicity and ease of

use. " - PC Magazine

http://uk.docs./nowyoucan.html

[Guest guest]

Hello Selena,

 

Just wanted to say that I like your points on intellectualism and

science. It is funny how science has itself become a type of religion

with many people accepting science on the basis of faith. I also have

been trying to learn more about the kundalini, however I am curious

how much the experience would be influenced by the symbolism of

Hinduism. Are the visions and symbols you saw necessarily what

everyone would see? If you're comfortable could you tell us how your

studies helped you with the kundalini?

 

Thanks for the post,

Gabriel

 

PS: Thinking IS hard work, especially if you are unsure where to

begin! I've had that problem many a time.

 

, " selena230 "

<selena230 wrote:

>

> Hi Chris,

>

> Thanks for your reply. I must say that I knew you would not be too

> thrilled about jnana yoga--and that's why I brought it up (mean me,

> hehehe). As a matter of fact, I respectfully disagree with you on a

> couple of points.

>

> First of all, I find that in today's world, anti-intellectualism is

> rampant. Thinking is hard work. Thinking doesn't make you money.

etc. etc. ...................................................