Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. CT
January 15 – February 5 (4 classes)
TS members: $70 • Nonmembers: $80
“We cannot live in a world that is not our own, in a world that is interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a home.” —Hildegard of Bingen
The One Reality manifests through the many, ensuring countless possibilities of expression and experience. Consequently, the paths of return to Oneness are as diverse as life itself.
Discovering our inner temperament and the need to approach the spiritual life according to it is key to our growth. To feel completely at home in our belief and practice makes the spiritual life genuine and consequently real. If a spiritual path does not align with who we are, it doesn’t impact the inner worlds.
In the Bhagavad Gita, a cornerstone of Hindu philosophy, three primary Margas or paths are presented: Jnana Yoga (the path of Wisdom), Bhakti Yoga (the path of Devotion), and Karma Yoga (the path of Selfless Action). While these paths only differ in their methods and not on their end and are complementary approaches to self-realization, each person naturally gravitates towards one of these paths more than the others. Recognizing this fact and aligning our life and practices with it can significantly impact our spiritual growth.
In this four-week class, we will explore the distinct characteristics of these three paths, discover through meditation and other practices which approach is currently most beneficial for you, and learn how to consciously integrate them all.
Week 1: Foundations
- Undefining God
- The shape of longing
- Overview of the Seven Rays or human temperaments
- Dharma and the three major Margas
- Self-assessment exercise
- Practice: Foundations of a contemplative practice
Week 2: The Path of Wisdom (Jnana Yoga)
- Characteristics of Jnana Yoga
- The processes of purification
- Acquiring higher knowledge
- The radiant mind (Manas-taijasi)
- Practice: Meditation on the nature of the Self
Week 3: The Path of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga)
- Characteristics of Bhakti Yoga
- The role of a personal deity or ideal
- Cultivating selfless love and surrender
- Forms of devotional practices
- Practice: Constant remembrance in the Heart
Week 4: The Path of Action (Karma Yoga)
- Characteristics of Karma Yoga
- Selfless action as an offering
- Practicing non-attachment to results
- Integrating Jnana, Bhakti, and Karma Yoga
- Practice: Creating a personalized spiritual practice plan
Registrants will receive on-demand access to recording(s) that can be viewed for two weeks following the conclusion of the program. Late registrants will receive recording links to all missed sessions.
Juliana Cesano is a third-generation Theosophist who has been actively involved with the Theosophical Society’s work for over 25 years. She currently serves as the Member Education Director and the National Secretary of the Theosophical Society in America. She is an international speaker, and her main focus over the past 15 years has been the transformational power of contemplative practices.
Program Format
This is a live, interactive online program that will also be recorded. Registrants will receive on-demand access to recording(s) that can be viewed for two weeks following the conclusion of the program.
Join online via a Zoom link that will be emailed upon your registration. Please download Zoom for free at zoom.us/download and test your connection at zoom.us/test. For further information, check out www.theosophical.org/FAQ or email: webinars@theosophical.org.