Totapuri and Sri Ramakrishna -- question

[Guest guest]

OM Adi Shakthi

 

Thanks for the quotes from the Adi Granth Sahib on Yoga and

Yogis.

 

Guru Nanak writes

 

"None can describe the condition of one who has

made God's Will his own:

Whoever tries to do so, must realize his folly.

No supply of paper, pen or scribe can ever describe

the state of the Conscious Co-worker with the

Divine Plan,

O Great is the Power of the Naam;

But few there be that know it."

 

Also, if I could comment on " (these are some of the jet age yogis

who extract money from their disciples and sell yoga in

capsules- $2500 for a ten week course etc)". There are, of

course, many who have turned Yoga into a business and even a

franchise operation and grown wealthy as a result. There some

who offer to train someone to become a certified Yoga teacher in

a weekend (for a suitable fee, of course). There are those who

trademark generic descriptions in order to make money by

creating a 'brand' with which prospective Yoga students can

identify. 'Kundalini Yoga' and 'Transcendental Meditation' come

to mind here.

 

Sometimes these business practices arise as part of an initial

business plan of a fake guru. Sometimes they arise as the

originator of the Yoga approach loses his connection with

Brahman and succumbs to the temptations of power, money

and sex.

 

Having said that, I must also point out that the Guru Kula system

is not too practical any more in most instances because the

barter economy on which it is based has been superceded by a

cash economy. The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Group, founded by

Swami Vishnu-devananda, does still operate on the Guru Kula

system as far as staff in concerned where no one is paid and all

are volunteers. But just because one charges a fee or pays a

salary doesn't necessarily mean the he/she has become

corrupted. One has to offer a service in a way that suits the

times. Sometimes prospective students don't initially value

something unless they have to pay for it. In addition, there are

many ways for the Guru-kula system to be abused as well.

 

The main idea is not how the service is offered but to offer the

service with the suitable Bhava.

 

OM Saha Navavatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu, Saha Veryam

Karavavahai Tejasvinavadhetamastu, Maa Vidishavahai.

OM Shantih, Shantih, Shantih.

 

OM. May That protect us both teacher and student. May That

cause us both to enjoy the Bliss of Liberation. May we both exert

to find out the true meaning of the Scriptures. May our learning

be brilliant. May we never quarrel with each other.

OM. Peace. Peace. Peace.

 

Omprem

 

, "adi_shakthi16"

<adi_shakthi16> wrote:

> shriman ompremji,

>

> thanks for describing the four paths of yoga from the teachings

of

> your gurudeva swami vishnu-devananda...

>

> ifound this description very powerfull and potent.

>

> my favorite is on karma yoga- god as goodness!

>

> here is one i like to share with you on yoga from holy guru

granth-

> holy scripture of the sikhs...

>

> on yoga...

>

> 1. . Thy earrings: Contentment, Humility thy bowl, thy

> wallet, 'Intent on God' -- the Ashes thou smear, 'And thought of

> Death,' the Coat thou wear. Chastity thy Way and Faith, thy Staff.

> And, if thou seekest the Ayee's path, The One in each and all

thou

> hast to see, And conquer the self in thee. The world then would

thine

> be.

>

>

>

> 2.. Yoga is neither in the patched coat, nor in the Yogi's staff,

nor

> in smearing oneself with ashes, Nor in wearing the ear-rings,

nor

> close cropping the head, nor in blowing the horn; Only if one

remains

> Detached in the midst of attachments, one attains to the (True)

state

> of Yoga. One becomes not a Yogi by mere talk. If one looks

upon on

> the creation alike, he is acclaimed as a true Yogi. Yoga is not

in

> abiding at the tombs or the cramatoriums, nor in entering into

a

> pseudo-trance.

>

> Yoga consists not in roaming the world, nor in bathing at the

pilgrim-

> stations. Only if one remains Detached in the midst of

attachments,

> one attains to the (True) state of Yoga.

> If one meets with the Perfect Guru, one's Doubt is dispelled,

and

> cease the outgoings of one's mind;

> And then oozes (Nectar) out of the (mind's) Spring, and one is

> Attuned to the Music of Bliss, and one Sees one's Lord in one's

very

> home. Yea, if one remains Detached in the midst of

attachments, one

> attains to the (True) state of Yoga.

>

> Says Nanak: "Die thou to thy self while yet alive; practise thou

such

> a Yoga: That without being blown, the Horn rings (within thee)

and

> thou Attainest to the state of Fearlessness.

> For, if one remains Detached in the midst of attachment, then

alone

> one attains to the (True) state of Yoga.

>

> 3.. Some there are, the ascetics, wrapt in their trance, Who are

> renowned as Yogis, Pundits and men of Wisdom. But whether

they abide

> in homes or the crematoria or the forests, Maya clings to their

> skirts. (these are some of the jet age yogis who extract money

from

> their disciples and sell yoga in capsules- $2500 for a ten week

> course etc)

>

> courtesy--- Gateway to Sikhism.

>

>

> love