Different Paths in Yoga

What level is your awareness?

- Dr. Hansaji J. Yogendra

Every human being is different. Based on each individual's level of consciousness/awareness (Chitta), what one should study is determined in yoga. Level of awareness means the capacity of the mind to concentrate.

Intelligence is one thing. But the level of awareness is determined by answering the following questions: Does the mind get easily disturbed? Does the mind get disturbed but you can control it? Or can you can altogether prevent the mind from getting disturbed? All this refers to the question of capacity, and based on various levels of capacity, yoga suggests different paths. Broadly there are three grades: The best of students: They have complete control over the mind. However disturbing a situation may be, they do not get disturbed. The path shown for them has two steps, Abhyasa (practice) and Vairagya (detachment). If the mind is steady, then you don't have to do anything else except proceed with these two steps constant practice and along with that detachment towards the material world. Those who are completely on a spiritual path fall under this category/level.