Recently I attended an author’s talk. As a teacher, I was fascinated to learn about different personality types in people, how each personality functions and what strengths and limitations are attributed to each personality type.
While I was mentally ascribing students in my class to these personalities and thinking about how best to understand each child for the best teaching approach, later on I realized that subconsciously, I was also paralleling it to the three types of yogis described in the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita.
I always get tickled when I find the ancient and modern thinking merge beyond the passage of time!
Bhagavad Gita is one of many Hindu scriptural books. It is beloved by Hindus for its ability to be chanted in rhythmic couplets and for its profound and concise delivery of Hindu philosophy.
In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna describes a threefold path to achieve moksha. Moksha is the realization that “Thou are That.” The human soul is part of the ultimate supreme being or energy which we call God. This supreme being/energy is so divine and complete that the part of it, the human soul, is also equally divine and complete.
Since we see an abundance of shortcomings in ourselves and people around us, we struggle with this concept. It is one thing to understand the “Thou are That” concept on paper with intelligence but an entirely different and difficult task is self-actualization or true awareness of “who am I.”
Hindus call that ultimate awareness, moksha.
Bhagavad Gita guides people to choose a path toward moksha. Maybe the ancient Hindu teachers or gurus were in sync with the modern-day teachers that giving students choices creates the joy of learning and yields to genuine effort. Both are required elements on the difficult spiritual journey.
According to Bhagavad Gita, there are three paths to achieve self-realization: gnana, which means knowledge; karma, meaning work/deeds; and bhakti, meaning devotion.
In order to be on any of the paths, a person must first develop the equilibrium or balance of mind. The person who has developed a balanced mind is called a yogi. Therefore, the people on these spiritual paths are called the gnana yogi, karma yogi, and bhakti yogi, or bhakta.
The next natural question is what path do I take? Gnana, karma, or bhakti? Knowledge, work/deeds, or devotion?
This is where Bhagavad Gita impresses me with its description of personality types.
Personality is a combination of inherent qualities or inclinations we are born with and the outside influences, opportunities and experiences that shape us. For the worldly achievements we need both. The spiritual journey will be easier if you rely on your inherent qualities, prakriti.
The three kinds of people described in Gita are the seekers, gnana yogi; the doers, karma yogi; and the devotees, bhakti yogi.
Next, Gita astutely describes each person’s approach to the path and the pitfalls for each type. There are chapters devoted to each but it is interesting to know even the synopsis of it.
Gnana marga is the path of knowledge is most suitable for the gnana yogi, the seekers. They want to find out about the nature of things; they question, read, meditate and through contemplation reach for the goal.
So, what is the pitfall for a gnana yogi, the seeker? Ego! The seeker’s ego, “I know,” comes in the way of self-actualization. Remember, God, your true self, has no ego.
Karma marga, the path of doing work, is most suitable for the karma yogi, the doers of the world. Their path is through working, being helpful, serving humanity. The pitfall for the karma yogi could be attachment. Their attachment to the cause, for the outcome of their labor, or for recognition get in their way. Remember, God, your true self, is simply a giver, a benefactor, no strings attached!
Bhakti marga, the path of devotion, is most suitable for the devotees. They are humble, connect through love, and find peace through surrendering to the higher power, God. Through joy for God’s creation and purity of heart, they achieve their goal. The pitfall? Inertia or inaction leading to ignorance. Remember, God, your true self, is joyful energy.
Bhagavad Gita urges you to know which one you are at the core and to embrace it. One is not better than the other. It is your path, don’t create an extra hurdle by going against your prakriti.
“Be Abhay, fearless, I am with you on all the paths.” The Bible’s “Fear not, I am with you” message is identical to it. The ancient analysis of the human mind, its strength and its follies remain relevant in modern times. That is truly a marvel.
Ragini Dave has been a prekindergarten teacher at Newtown Friends School for 22 years. She was born and raised in India. Her family’s practice of Hinduism gave her firsthand experience of Hinduism’s gentle, engulfing power to accommodate each person’s journey toward God. From a Faith Perspective is a weekly column contributed by members of the local faith community.
2020-03-22 16:09:19Z
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/lifestyle/20200322/faith-following-spiritual-paths-in-modern-life
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