Download or read book The Four Paths of Yoga written by Swami Vivekananda and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2014-10 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From ancient times, people of the Indian subcontinent have practiced spiritual disciplines designed to clear the mind and support a state of serene, detached awareness. The practices for developing this desired state of balance, purity, wisdom, and peacefulness of mind are known collectively as yoga. Yoga means "yoke" or "union" - referring to union with the true Self, the goal described in the Upanishads. The sages distinguished four basic types of people and developed yogic practices that are particularly suitable for each type, in order that each man can attain the desired union with the Self. For rational people, there is Jnana Yoga, the path of rational inquiry. For meditative people, there is Raja Yoga, the path of mental concentration. For naturally active people, there is Karma Yoga, the path of right action. For emotional people, there is Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion. One Volume: 648 pages.