The 4 Pillars of Yoga - Selfless, Wise, Centred & Surrendered to Creator

These 4 Pillars are what I do my best to stay aware of and aligned to, through my daily Sadhana practice:

Karma Yoga - Selfless service towards others, actions without expecting the rewards.

Jnana Yoga - Recognising the true, eternal wisdom of life - through enquiry into Self, through scriptures, through satsang (wise company)

Raja Yoga - Meditating on the Self, Techniques to Cultivate the Awareness of the working of one's own Being in all aspects leading to Self Realisation

Bhakti Yoga - Devotion & Surrender to the Universal Spirit / Higher Self / Creator

These are not separate paths, as many Yoga Schools and Scholars explain it to be. Focusing on only one aspect can result in fruits, but not true blessings, not the nectar of bliss - which is something that most seekers are seeking, whether they know it or not.

Let's begin with Karma Yoga. There is a magic to life once we learn to put others before ourselves and create our lives accordingly. If one is able to create a profession where they are extending their work and service with this being the foundation, along with material/financial growth - they also do feel a fulfilment in their heart and soul.

I know this more clearly now after working with clients who had plenty of money and absolutely no peace; whilst on the other spectrum of connecting with those who have peace and are more than content with their personal/professional growth. Success achieved but not shared with others isn't as fulfilling as when shared.

We feel a magic that is beyond words when we do good for others without expecting anything in return. This selfless nature leads to fruits beyond the logical/calculative mind that exists in most of our programming. That joy which emerges from helping others out leads us to recognise an effortless joy that naturally exists within the Self in us all.

Next, Jnana Yoga - where we discover the true wisdom of Self, how everything is inter-connected and All is One. The Macro is expressed in the Micro - that we are Star Dust, born of the Universal Magical stuff - how prana, shakti, chi and so many more energies are accessible to our consciousness, when we allow ourselves to be open and receive it.

These energies are accessible by a selfless heart. The Universe and the Earth work on abundance; life naturally flows in abundance - look at the rains, the water falls, the soil that produces endless grain & fruit - it is all abundant in nature.

It is only the corrupt mind of few men on this earth who have governed the collective consciousness to believe in the lack - through business, politics, technology, media and religion.

If all human beings on this earth put their differences aside and live their lives working together, respecting the true oneness of self within themselves and each other, living in awareness as empathetic and compassionate beings; we are living in a world of abundance where there is more than enough for all; But in this current world view of ' dog eat dog' and 'rat race' mentality, nobody truly wins.

Somewhere as individuals, we are realising all this - and are seeking solutions for the same. All the solutions lie within - it is upto us to seek and accept it, with humility and courage.

The path of wisdom allows us to unlock these truths within. In a world covered in darkness and ignorance, this wisdom seems scarce. But look within, lo and behold, this truth exists in abundance. It only take courage to act on that truth, be the change you wish to see in the world and surrender to the fruits of the right action.

How do we recognise this Truth, this Wisdom of Self?

Here comes in Raja Yoga. Technically speaking, It is a classical system of physical, mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual discipline and meditation based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Its main goal is to gain complete awareness over the mind, stop restless/fluctuating thoughts to reach spiritual freedom & self-realisation.

In Self Realisation come all the solutions. But we do not live in that world. We live in a world where the restless/fluctuating thoughts are given most attention to - where markets, companies and apps are built on these algorithms; to steal the attention away from an unconscious society of people and make money by programming their consciousness in sneaky, corrupt ways. They do this through technology, food, pharmacy, media and in many more ways.

Self Realisation is not as easy because of the endless distraction. But where there is a will, there is a way. It is only by cultivating One's own will can One clear the mind from these distractions, overcoming the "consumer" mind-set and embodying the Creator within.

The Creator is in the Self.

When One truly realises the Self, One sees through the eyes of the Creator - and as a result, manifests themselves to be an extension of Creator - being a Co-Creator in their experience of life. This, I believe, is the solution to most of our problems as a collective consciousness. If more people tap into this space and recognise the bliss that exists there naturally, they would plug out from this consumerist, matrix reality and recognise that true Magic within.

Karma Yoga helps to tap into that Magic - through Selfless Service.

Jnana Yoga helps to see through the "Consumerist" mind-set and tap into the true nature of Self - i.e. Creator.

Raja Yoga is the discipline required to grow more aware of that Creator space within and transform oneself to live in accordance to the inner guidance they receive through Sadhana. Here, the Magic of Selfless Service is truly enjoyed. We receive what we give out; and as we selflessly give out of love, we receive a lot of love in return , thus, "Love All, Serve All" as the wise ones always proclaimed.

And this Love leads to Bhakti Yoga - the path of Devotion. When we touch that magic of devotion, the love in our hearts magnify beyond imagination - and this love becomes unconditional the more we merge into it. In fact, it becomes our very own nature - to live in that love and surrender to all the feelings that come with it. That feeling of devotion is stronger than the good and evil that is happening around. When One truly taps into that selfless space of the Heart, One is tapping into a power so pure and sweet; and that vibration in itself is healing, transforming & liberating - to oneself, others around and nature at large.

To Embody this Pure Love and overcome all the delusions and suffering in life is where the path leads to when following these 4 Pillars of Yoga. Forgiveness, Compassion, Service, Gratitude, Acceptance, Surrender all flow effortlessly once this divine inner space is unlocked. The soul is able to see the reality clearer as the purity of love guides it and not the programming/conditioning of the mind.

Here lies true freedom; in surrendering to that true love of Creator, of Self, of the Universe.

And only in that freedom do we truly realise ourselves.

Hari OM.