Jnana consists of one thing only: Self-knowledge–not in the sense of philosophy about the Self, but as direct experience of the Self as the Self. And that is experience of Unity.
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Jnana is not a set of ideas or even of insights, but a condition of the buddhi itself, the state of enlightenment even in its beginning stages. So a jnani is not a philosopher but a yogi whose inner eye is opened and steadily developing.
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We must not mistake intellectuality and philosophizing for jnana, as is commonly done. Perfect jnana is Self-realization: liberation here and now.
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Intelligence (buddhi) and knowledge (jnana) are divine powers inherent in us. They are the highest levels of our being which in their totally purified (vishuddha) state actually “touch” Brahman and act as a conduit through which the divine life descends and transforms us. Eventually they themselves merge into Brahman and are revealed as Brahman.
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Jnana is the fruition of a purified mind and life.
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Jnana is not something the buddhi pursues or perceives, but it is a condition of the buddhi. It is a process of direct communication between the Highest and the buddhi without intermediary. It is very easy for intellectually keen people to assume that the perceptions of their buddhi are jnana when they are merely formulations of the buddhi rather than spiritual intuitions. Insight can be either natural or supernatural, and the lesser is often mistaken for the greater.
Next in Living the Yoga Life: The Jnani