Jnana yoga is called the path of knowledge, or the path of non-dualism. This yoga has become very sought after, particularly in the west, chiefly for people who wish to circumvent the concept of an exclusive God. It is basically for individuals with strong intellectual interests and for who philosophical ideas and the search for truth are of prime importance and are the determining factor in their way of life. There are seekers who need to believe but have a greater need to understand; they have lots of questions and need all of them answered. These seekers are the best candidates for Jnana Yoga. For the purpose of Self-discovery, Jnana Yoga probes the nature of the Self through the question "Who am I?" Thus Jnana Yoga may be called the Quest for the Self or the Inquiry into "who we are." This is the most difficult Yoga path, which requires gigantic strength of will and intellect. Taking the philosophy of Vedanta the Jnana Yogi uses his mind to query into its own nature. Just as we perceive the space inside and outside a cauldron as different, we see ourselves as separate from God. Jnana Yoga leads the Yogi to experience his unity with God directly by getting rid of the cauldron and dissolving the veils of ignorance.
Before performing Jnana Yoga, the aspirant needs to have integrated the lessons of the other yogic paths - for without selflessness and love of God, strength of body and mind, the search for self-realization can become mere idle consideration. By turning his awareness towards himself, the individual is led to break through the various layers of his personality until all layers are cut through.
He then arrives at the anonymous and unconcerned observer who lies beneath, at the core of his being, with whom he can subsequently identify. To reach this level seven steps are prescribed: discrimination, detachment, and self-discipline, longing for freedom, hearing, reflection, and meditation. The aim of this yoga is therefore to distinguish the larger self obscured by the facade of daily habits and preoccupations. This leads to realization of the larger self - the Aatmaa or soul. Jnana Yogis acknowledge the connection between breathing and thinking. They found that breathing slows automatically through the focusing on the "I-AM.". Insistent probing, fixing our concentration on the origin of our Existence, is the way to regain our real Self; we remember who we are. Practising Jnana Yoga, leads us towards clear awareness by removing our attention from that which we are not. Along with Bhakti Yoga (Devotion), Jnana is listed among the foremost approaches for becoming aware of the infinite Self (God).
