There are some yogis who follow the path of discrimination, or
jñāna yog
, and take the help of knowledge to withdraw their senses from the world. While
haṭha yogis
strive to restrain the senses with brute will-power,
jñāna yogis
accomplish the same goal with the repeated practice of discrimination based on knowledge. They engage in deep contemplation upon the illusory nature of the world, and the identity of the self as distinct from the body, mind, intellect, and ego. The senses are withdrawn from the world, and the mind is engaged in meditation upon the self. The goal is to become practically situated in self-knowledge, in the assumption that the self is identical with the Supreme Ultimate reality. As aids to contemplation, they chant aphorisms such as
tattvamasi
“I am That,” (Chhāndogya Upaniṣhad 6.8.7)[v21] and
ahaṁ brahmāsmi
“I am the Supreme Entity.” (Bṛihadāraṇyak Upaniṣhad 1.4.10) [v22]
The practice of
jñāna yog
is a very difficult path, which requires a very determined and trained intellect. The Śhrīmad Bhāgavatam (11.20.7) states
nirviṇṇānāṁ jñānayogaḥ
[v23] “Success in the practice of
jñāna yog
is only possible for those who are at an advanced stage of renunciation.”