What are the three ways in which we can practice our esoteric disciplines (austerities)?

Answer from the V.M. Samael Aun Weor and the magazine.

“SATTVIC JNANA is done according to the Commandments: Concentrating on the worship, solely for the sake of worship, by people who do not desire the result” (these are people who love the worship, who adore it, but who do not want selfish results).

“O you, the best of the Bharatas! RAYASIC JNANA (that is, passionate JNANA) is done through temptation and desiring the fruits, the merit” (people who practice the Rites, but with some self-interest, not selflessly).

As for TAMASIC JNANA, “it is done against the Commandments: Without faith, without mantras, without distributing food to the poor, and without offering one's mite to the priests.” So the Tamasic Rites are curious: “They don’t give offerings to the priests, they don’t pronounce the sacred mantras, they violate the Commandments, they have no faith” (they are practically BLACK Rites, aren’t they?).

Samael Aun Weor.

Answer from the magazine "The The wisdom of the Being.".

This threefold Sattvic Austerity must be practiced with faith by those who do not desire merit, and where these three austerities exist, which are necessary if we wish to cultivate a Sattvic nature within ourselves.

“Sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be neglected; they should be practiced. For these three, when practiced, purify even the greatest souls,” the Bhagavad Gita tells us.

Sri Bhagavan said:

“Purity, fearlessness, transcendental knowledge, sacrifice, charity, self-control, study, simplicity, austerity, non-anger, non-violence, truthfulness, renunciation, peace, non-enmity, mercy, non-covetousness, steadfastness, modesty, humility, forbearance, strength, cleanliness, vigor, lack of envy and hope of honor—these are divine symptoms with which some, O Bharata, are born.”

Rajasic Austerity: “It is fleeting, short-lived, since it is driven by passion; it is what people practice for show, to gain respect, honors, and reverence,” so that others will say, “What a devout person, how magnificent!”

Speaking of Tamasic Austerity, it is that which is practiced out of ignorance, causing suffering to our bodies or with the desire to harm others.

The Magazine "The Wisdom of the Being" 108: "The Three Austerities."