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Yoga
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Yoga is the path to excellence. The word “yoga” is translated in two ways:
1) as a discipline, restriction of senses, a yoke
2) as an unification (ie unification of soul with God, or the reunification of the various levels of consciousness).
Tantra and Yoga as well are historically derived from the crossing of cultural Dravidians and Aryan people, which took place about 4 thousand years B.C.
While Tantra shows greater influence of primary culture of the Indian people (Dravidians), the Yoga is more influenced by migrant culture of Aryans.
Tantra and Yoga are two complementary paths leading to the same goal via slightly different ways.
Yoga crosses the Earthly world (by the process of discipline and focus), and comes to spiritual dimension;
Tantra is working simultaneously with the level of Earthly senses (including bodily and emotional energy) and the spiritual world - in the process of openness and concentration.
Jnāna Yoga
“Jnāna Yoga” term can be translated as "path of knowledge". It is one of the types of Yoga mentioned in early Hindu philosophies. Jnāna in Sanskrit means "knowledge".
The Advaita philosopher Adi Shankara gave primary importance to Jnāna Yoga as "knowledge of the absolute" (Brahman), while the Vishishtadvaita commentator Ramanuja regarded knowledge only as a condition of devotion. In the Bhagavad Gita (13.3) Krishna says that Jnāna consists of properly understanding Kshetra (the field of activity--that is, the body) and Kshetra-Jna (the knower of the body--that is, the soul). Later in the Gita (13.35) Krishna emphasizes that a transcendentalist must understand the difference between these two.
Classification of means in Jnāna Yoga
Jnāna Yoga teaches that there are four means to Salvation:
1 Viveka - Discrimination: The ability to differentiate between what is real/eternal (Brahman) and what is unreal/temporal (everything else in the universe.) This was an important concept in texts older even than the Bhagavad Gita, and often invoked the image of a Swan, which was said to be able to separate milk (or Soma) from water, whilst drinking.
2 Vairagya - Dispassion: After practice one should be able to "detach" her/himself from everything that is "temporary".
3 Shad-Sampat - The 6 Virtues: Tranquility (control of the mind), Dama (control of the senses), Uparati (renunciation of activities that are not duties), Titiksha (endurance), Shraddha (faith), Samadhana (perfect concentration).
4 Mumukshutva - Intense longing for liberation from temporal limitations.
Again, it is very similar to the most important virtues required for a Christian: total devotion to God, constraining the senses, knocking until it is open.
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