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17-JAIN YOGA
E. Summary
All four types of Yogas cover the entire spectrum of human personalities. Ashtanga Yoga concentrates on the subtle body, while the other three Yogas; Bhakti-yoga, Jnän-yoga, and Karma yoga, use some part of the mental being, will power, heart or intellect as a starting point. The goal is to arrive at the liberating Truth, Beatitude and Infinity, which is the nature of the spiritual life. Love, Knowledge and Action are the three divine powers in human nature.
A person does not need to be searching for God to practice yoga. One only needs to have a desire to free oneself from the bonds that restrict oneself from being truly free. Once these bonds are broken, one realizes the true human potential, the true reality, and the God/Self within. A person can attain total freedom or realize God within using any of the four paths. However, at the final liberating state all paths merge, meaning the ultimate spiritual quality and characteristics of all liberated persons (souls) are the same.
A person who becomes absorbed in meditation renounces all faults. Hence meditation alone is real repentance for all transgressions.
JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
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