Atmajnana

Atmajnana

आत्मज्ञान, ātmajñāna

Atma-jnana means "knowledge of one's Atman", "self-realization".

This term is a combination of two terms. First of them – "Atman" (आत्मन्) in Hinduism means "Higher Self", a particle of the Absolute (Brahman) in a person. It is the central theme of all the Upanishads. According to the texts, the Atman has an eternal, indivisible nature, perfect purity and bliss.

Jnana (ज्ञान) means "knowledge", in Indian philosophy is usually understood as "true knowledge".

In Vedanta tradition, atma-jnana is perfection of knowledge about the higher Self, which leads sadhaka to realize the unity of his soul, Atman, with the transpersonal aspect of absolute truth – Brahman. Adi Shankaracharya has two works that shed light on the Atman nature and help to establish oneself in atma-jnana – "Atmabodha" and "Atmajnyanopadesha-vidhi".

According to "Bhagavad_Gita", jnana-yoga is one of the three classical paths (marga) for achieving moksha. The other two are karma-yoga and bhakti-yoga. Sadhaka follows the instructions of his Guru, meditates, reflects on the eternal nature of his soul. Thus he achieves awareness of one's own self as Atman, inextricably linked with Brahman.

Nathas’ View

Most of the Natha-yoga practices are aimed at cognition of Atman and at realization of the unity of Atman, Jivatman, and Paramatman. "Gheranda Samhita" specifies (6.22) that the practice of dhyana is so valuable precisely because dhyana-yoga achieves direct knowledge of Atman. Guru Gorakshanath in the tradition’s fundamental text "Siddha-siddhanta paddhati" describes practices with vyomas, that are designed for concentrating the mind and meditation, their purpose is to comprehend the Emptiness and Atman.

"Nathas believe that akashas or vyomas are different states of comprehension of Atman, atma-jnana. There’s an infinite number of vyomas, but they all are manifestations of one single Vyoma. The texts describe 5 main ones: Akasha, Paramakasha, Mahakasha, Tattvakasha, and Suryakasha, which are revealed in the process of sadhana, their comprehension leads to atma-jnana, the realization of the unity of Atma, Jivatma and Paramatma."

Guru Yogi Matsyendranath Maharaj