Guest guest Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Why the focus of Sikhs in Kundalini Yoga, or is that just a happenstance based on my limited exposure to both Sikhs and Kundalini Yoga? Is yoga a general part of the teachings of Islam, and Sikhism, do you know? What about Sufism? These are loaded questions but i will try to answer to the best of my knowledge. First, take the word 'yoga' - simply translated it means 'union with God' ... This is the goal of all religions be it sikhism, islam , hinduism , sufism. and christianity. so, i would say rather boldly 'yoga ' is part of teachings of all religions. But where each religion differs is the method by which this union is accomplished. You ask why the focus of sikhs on kundalini yoga? To the best of my knowledge , the sikhism, as founded by shri guru gobind singh, does not focus on 'kundalini' yoga, per se. In recent times, Yogi Bhajan, a sikh from India has introduced 'kundalini yoga' to the west in his 3HO CENTRES - But this has come in for a lot of criticism from traditional sikhs belonging to the guru gobind singh brand of sikhism. Like hinduism, sikhism also advocates the path of bhakti yoga, karma yoga and to some extent Gyana yoga. But i am not sure if siklhism actually recommends hatha yoga /kundalini yoga. Having said that , let me qualify the above statement. Sikhism does advocate the regular chanting of 'sat naam' ( the true name of God) and sikhs do meditate on the Holy name . As you know, kundalini yoga also involves the use of meditating on a 'mantra' or the holy name of god/ess. . But there is more to Kundalini yoga than mere chanting of god's name. It involves the practice of Pranayama ( breath control), asanas, mudras etc... Guru nanak recommended Sahajyoga (natural) and nam- yoga which relied more on bhakti or devotional worship and seva or karma yoga. But does it mean sikhs cannot practice kundalini yoga? no, not at all! anything that strengthens the body and mind and takes us closer to God is recommended. The main purpose of yoga is to unite the individual with God -- and, one can reach the goal by practicing bhakti yoga, karma, yoga, jnana kundalini yoga or a combination of these ! they are not mutually exclusive - rather complimentary! My two paise ! members are welcome to add comments... Hari AUM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2003 Report Share Posted June 3, 2003 Dear Vilasini43: Thank you for your reply. I have been doing hatha yoga and kundalini yoga in my practice, and I love it all. I am speaking of the physical aspects of yoga when I speak of religions and whether they teach or recommend yoga. I am not aware that Christianity recommends yoga in the physical sense, though they do have meditation. They certainly haven't provided a scientific system of knowledge the way Eastern cultures have done. Namaste, Mary Ann , "vilasini43" <vilasini43> wrote: > Why the focus of Sikhs in Kundalini Yoga, or is that just a > happenstance based on my limited exposure to both Sikhs and > Kundalini Yoga? Is yoga a general part of the teachings of Islam, > and Sikhism, do you know? What about Sufism? > > These are loaded questions but i will try to answer to the best of my > knowledge. > > First, take the word 'yoga' - simply translated it means 'union with > God' ... > > This is the goal of all religions be it sikhism, islam , hinduism , > sufism. and christianity. > > so, i would say rather boldly 'yoga ' is part of teachings of all > religions. But where each religion differs is the method by which > this union is accomplished. > > You ask why the focus of sikhs on kundalini yoga? To the best of my > knowledge , the sikhism, as founded by shri guru gobind singh, does > not focus on 'kundalini' yoga, per se. In recent times, Yogi Bhajan, > a sikh from India has introduced 'kundalini yoga' to the west in his > 3HO CENTRES - But this has come in for a lot of criticism from > traditional sikhs belonging to the guru gobind singh brand of > sikhism. > > Like hinduism, sikhism also advocates the path of bhakti yoga, karma > yoga and to some extent Gyana yoga. But i am not sure if siklhism > actually recommends hatha yoga /kundalini yoga. > > Having said that , let me qualify the above statement. Sikhism does > advocate the regular chanting of 'sat naam' ( the true name of God) > and sikhs do meditate on the Holy name . As you know, kundalini yoga > also involves the use of meditating on a 'mantra' or the holy name of > god/ess. . But there is more to Kundalini yoga than mere chanting of > god's name. It involves the practice of Pranayama ( breath control), > asanas, mudras etc... > > Guru nanak recommended Sahajyoga (natural) and nam- yoga which relied > more on bhakti or devotional worship and seva or karma yoga. > > But does it mean sikhs cannot practice kundalini yoga? no, not at > all! anything that strengthens the body and mind and takes us closer > to God is recommended. > > The main purpose of yoga is to unite the individual with God -- and, > one can reach the goal by practicing bhakti yoga, karma, yoga, jnana > kundalini yoga or a combination of these ! they are not > mutually exclusive - rather complimentary! > > My two paise ! members are welcome to add comments... > > Hari AUM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2003 Report Share Posted June 4, 2003 Hari Om! Namaste, Sikkhism has nothing to do with a physical form of yoga (moder "Kundalini-Yoga", hatha,...). Please search "Yogi Bhajan"in www.rickross.com (http://www.rickross.com/groups/3ho.html) and you will read texts from real Sikhs. They are explaining that Guru Nanak was against such practices and it's one of the reason why they formed a new religion. From what I have seen, Yogi Bhajan's KY is a mix of Hinduism, New-Age, bizzar sanskrit and a little bit of Sikkhism. I am a Vaisnava, not a Sikh. Haribol! Maxime Brief In regards to: Harbhajan Singh Puri AKA Yogi Bhajan AKA Harbhajan Singh Yogi AKA Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji To be referred to as Harbhajan Singh 1. In the latter part of 1968, Harbhajan Singh entered the United States. It was his intent at that time to establish himself as teacher of Kundalini Yoga and to establish himself as a religious leader within the Sikh Religion. He did establish the Happy, Healthy and Holy Organization (to be known as 3HO) as an umbrella group to accomplish these goals. 2. To achieve the above, Harbhajan Singh did: a. Teach Kundalini Yoga, even though he knew Gurbani prohibits it. b. Teach a Sikhi that is in violation of the Rehit Maryada: 1. Teach a sadhana that is different than the sadhana of Sikhi. 2. Teach that geet may be sung in place of Gurbani. 3. Teach astrology and numerology. 4. Teach that the greeting of a Sikh is Sat Nam. 5. Teach that he shall name everyone in 3HO 6. Teach that the short form of Anand Sahib shall consist only of the first five pauris. 7. Teach many mantras other than Wahe Guru and Mul Mantra. 8. Teach that Guru Ram Das shall have a higher status than the other Sikh Gurus. c. Teach a misinterpretation of Gurbani in order to support his teachings. d. Teach that one can gain understanding of Gurbani without knowing meaning. e. Teach the meaning of everything in terms of yoga. f. Teach the misuse of images in order to promote the worship of himself. What is wrong with yoga? Is yoga contrary to Gurmat or is just Kundalini Yoga? If you look at what the Guru's have said about this subject you will find that they also support Yoga. Guru Arjan Dev Ji wrote: "The Glory of God is the Sound-current of the Naad, the Celestial Music of Bliss, and the Wisdom of the Vedas. Speaking and listening, the silent sages and humble beings join together, in the Realm of the Saints. ||1||Pause|| Spiritual wisdom, meditation, faith and charity are there; their minds savor the Taste of the Naam, the Name of the Lord. Chanting it, sins are destroyed. ||1|| This is the technology of Yoga, spiritual wisdom, devotion, intuitive knowledge of the Shabad, certain knowledge of the Essence of Reality, chanting and unbroken intensive meditation. Through and through, O Nanak, merging into the Light, you shall never again suffer pain and punishment. ||2||2||5||" Here Guruji refers to it as Raja Yoga. Guru Arjan Dev Ji states here: "With your tongue, chant the Name of the One Lord. In this world, it shall bring you peace, comfort and great joy; hereafter, it shall go with your soul, and shall be of use to you. ||1||Pause|| The disease of your ego shall be eradicated. By Guru's Grace, practice Raja Yoga, the Yoga of meditation and success. ||1|| Those who taste the sublime essence of the Lord have their thirst quenched. ||2|| Those who have found the Lord, the Treasure of peace, shall not go anywhere else again. ||3|| Those, unto whom the Guru has given the Lord's Name, Har, Har. O Nanak, their fears are removed. ||4||8||146||" Raj Yoga and Shabad are what the Gurus are talking about. Some refer to this as 'This presence is vibrating, hence the unstruck melody.' The vibrating presence is the Naad. They all fit into the same formula: Raj Yoga and Shabad = Naad. However it is Naad Yoga and not Kundalini Yoga. If Guru Nanak wanted us to do Kundalini Yoga, it would have been "Guru Sri Chand" instead of Guru Angad as his successor. But we all know what Guru Nanak thought about that type of yoga and rejected his son. But that has not stopped "Sikh Dharma" from revering Sri Chand to the extent of having a "Golden Idol" of him located in the Gurdwara compound at Espanola. "Some stopped by a small spotlit niche in the courtyard wall to touch the skinny, gilded statue of Baba Siri Chand, a 17th-century yoga master. "A lot of people turn to him for miracles," explained Hari Charn Kaur Khalsa, a Sikh woman of the kerchief-in-the-morning variety. "A lot of times when people have challenges in their hearts, they'll turn to Baba Siri Chand to help them through." Here are some other quotes from Gurbani: Guru Arjan wrote: "Some practice inner cleansing techniques, and control the breath through Kundalini Yoga ||1|| I am meek; I worship and adore the Lord, Har, Har. ||1|| I place my faith in You alone, O Beloved Lord. I do not know any other way. ||1||Pause|| Guru Nanak wrote: "Inner cleansing techniques, channeling the energy to raise the Kundalini to the Tenth Gate, inhaling, exhaling and holding the breath by the force of the mind - by empty hypocritical practices, Dharmic love for the Lord is not produced. Only through the Word of the Guru's Shabad is the sublime, supreme essence obtained. ||14||" In the two quotes above, the term Kundalini is used. This is from the tranlation by Sant Singh, one of Harbhajan Singh's chelas. The term Kundalini is not used in the Gurmukhi. This is another example of how the translation of the Guru Granth Sahib has been twisted in an attempt support the views of Harbhajan Singh. Bhai Gurdas wrote in one of his Vaars: "People are obsessed with the pranayam exercises of the inhalation, suspension of breath, the exhalation, the niolr feat and straightening of kundalini the serpent power. Many employ themselves in sitting in the siddhasanas and thus we have seen them seeking myriad miracles. The belief in the philosopher's stone, the jewel in the serpent's head and the miracle of life immortalizing elixir are nothing but the darkness of ignorance." These pretty well sum up what the true approach of Sikhi is towards Kundalini Yoga. And that is, rejection. A chela of Harbhajan Singh states: "I have taught thousands of people to breathe Sat Nam who never heard of Sikh Dharma, the Gurus or 3HO or even Yogi Bhajan and wouldn't come within a kilometre of the naam if they did because it is either "religious" or a "cult"." This has always been an argument in support or tolerance of what Harbhajan Singh teaches. A Punjabi Sikh asks: "Does that mean it's ok to say that yoga is being used or "manipulated" to spread Sikh religion? My answer is, no." Yes, it appears that people are brought to the Guru and the Naam who ordinarily would not. But the question is: Does the end justify the means? The answer is NO. In Kundalini Yoga classes as taught by 3HO, students are told that what they are doing is only yoga and has nothing to do with any religion. This is pure deception. If it has nothing to do with religion then why do they chant Mantras from the Guru Granth Sahib? If doing Kundalini Yoga has nothing to do with religion, why does Yogi Bhajan say; "It is unfortunate that this science has not been understood from Siri Guru Granth because the Indian Sikhs do not know the science of yoga. They don't. And now it is very open that they hate it. So, if you do not know the science of yoga, and you do not know what it is all about, two thirds of the Siri Guru Granth you cannot understand. Period! You can read it, you can remember it, and you can sing it. But I can bet you, you cannot understand it. Because how can you understand something which explains something you do not like?" This statement is very ironic in light of another quote from Harbhajan Singh in regards to Kundalini Yoga: "Kundalini Yoga has never been taught as we do. I broke the rule. I had read the scriptures and it is prohibited." The key word here is PROHIBITED. Most Sikhs know that it is prohibited; even Harbhajan Singh knows it is prohibited. Why has the SGPC and the Akal Takhat allowed this to take place? http://www.prismnet.com/~khalsa/yoga.htm , "vilasini43" <vilasini43> wrote: > Why the focus of Sikhs in Kundalini Yoga, or is that just a > happenstance based on my limited exposure to both Sikhs and > Kundalini Yoga? Is yoga a general part of the teachings of Islam, > and Sikhism, do you know? What about Sufism? > > These are loaded questions but i will try to answer to the best of my > knowledge. > > First, take the word 'yoga' - simply translated it means 'union with > God' ... > > This is the goal of all religions be it sikhism, islam , hinduism , > sufism. and christianity. > > so, i would say rather boldly 'yoga ' is part of teachings of all > religions. But where each religion differs is the method by which > this union is accomplished. > > You ask why the focus of sikhs on kundalini yoga? To the best of my > knowledge , the sikhism, as founded by shri guru gobind singh, does > not focus on 'kundalini' yoga, per se. In recent times, Yogi Bhajan, > a sikh from India has introduced 'kundalini yoga' to the west in his > 3HO CENTRES - But this has come in for a lot of criticism from > traditional sikhs belonging to the guru gobind singh brand of > sikhism. > > Like hinduism, sikhism also advocates the path of bhakti yoga, karma > yoga and to some extent Gyana yoga. But i am not sure if siklhism > actually recommends hatha yoga /kundalini yoga. > > Having said that , let me qualify the above statement. Sikhism does > advocate the regular chanting of 'sat naam' ( the true name of God) > and sikhs do meditate on the Holy name . As you know, kundalini yoga > also involves the use of meditating on a 'mantra' or the holy name of > god/ess. . But there is more to Kundalini yoga than mere chanting of > god's name. It involves the practice of Pranayama ( breath control), > asanas, mudras etc... > > Guru nanak recommended Sahajyoga (natural) and nam- yoga which relied > more on bhakti or devotional worship and seva or karma yoga. > > But does it mean sikhs cannot practice kundalini yoga? no, not at > all! anything that strengthens the body and mind and takes us closer > to God is recommended. > > The main purpose of yoga is to unite the individual with God -- and, > one can reach the goal by practicing bhakti yoga, karma, yoga, jnana > kundalini yoga or a combination of these ! they are not > mutually exclusive - rather complimentary! > > My two paise ! members are welcome to add comments... > > Hari AUM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2003 Report Share Posted June 4, 2003 Dear Maxime: Thank you for posting this further information. What a can of worms I touched on with my little question. Namaste, Mary Ann , "Maxime Lapointe" <tulasi3@w...> wrote: > Hari Om! > Namaste, > > Sikkhism has nothing to do with a physical form of yoga > (moder "Kundalini-Yoga", hatha,...). Please search "Yogi Bhajan"in > www.rickross.com (http://www.rickross.com/groups/3ho.html) and you > will read texts from real Sikhs. They are explaining that Guru Nanak > was against such practices and it's one of the reason why they formed > a new religion. From what I have seen, Yogi Bhajan's KY is a mix of > Hinduism, New-Age, bizzar sanskrit and a little bit of Sikkhism. > I am a Vaisnava, not a Sikh. > Haribol! > > Maxime > Brief > > In regards to: Harbhajan Singh Puri > > AKA Yogi Bhajan > > AKA Harbhajan Singh Yogi > > AKA Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji > > To be referred to as Harbhajan Singh > > 1. In the latter part of 1968, Harbhajan Singh entered the United > States. It was his intent at that time to establish himself as > teacher of Kundalini Yoga and to establish himself as a religious > leader within the Sikh Religion. He did establish the Happy, Healthy > and Holy Organization (to be known as 3HO) as an umbrella group to > accomplish these goals. > > 2. To achieve the above, Harbhajan Singh did: > > a. Teach Kundalini Yoga, even though he knew Gurbani prohibits it. > > b. Teach a Sikhi that is in violation of the Rehit Maryada: > > 1. Teach a sadhana that is different than the sadhana of Sikhi. > > 2. Teach that geet may be sung in place of Gurbani. > > 3. Teach astrology and numerology. > > 4. Teach that the greeting of a Sikh is Sat Nam. > > 5. Teach that he shall name everyone in 3HO > > 6. Teach that the short form of Anand Sahib shall consist only of the > first five pauris. > > 7. Teach many mantras other than Wahe Guru and Mul Mantra. > > 8. Teach that Guru Ram Das shall have a higher status than the other > Sikh Gurus. > > c. Teach a misinterpretation of Gurbani in order to support his > teachings. > > d. Teach that one can gain understanding of Gurbani without knowing > meaning. > > e. Teach the meaning of everything in terms of yoga. > > f. Teach the misuse of images in order to promote the worship of > himself. > What is wrong with yoga? > > Is yoga contrary to Gurmat or is just Kundalini Yoga? > > If you look at what the Guru's have said about this subject you will > find that they also support Yoga. > > Guru Arjan Dev Ji wrote: > > "The Glory of God is the Sound-current of the Naad, the Celestial > Music of Bliss, and the Wisdom of the Vedas. Speaking and listening, > the silent sages and humble beings join together, in the Realm of the > Saints. ||1||Pause|| Spiritual wisdom, meditation, faith and charity > are there; their minds savor the Taste of the Naam, the Name of the > Lord. Chanting it, sins are destroyed. ||1|| This is the technology > of Yoga, spiritual wisdom, devotion, intuitive knowledge of the > Shabad, certain knowledge of the Essence of Reality, chanting and > unbroken intensive meditation. Through and through, O Nanak, merging > into the Light, you shall never again suffer pain and punishment. > ||2||2||5||" > > Here Guruji refers to it as Raja Yoga. > > Guru Arjan Dev Ji states here: > > "With your tongue, chant the Name of the One Lord. In this world, it > shall bring you peace, comfort and great joy; hereafter, it shall go > with your soul, and shall be of use to you. ||1||Pause|| The disease > of your ego shall be eradicated. By Guru's Grace, practice Raja Yoga, > the Yoga of meditation and success. ||1|| Those who taste the sublime > essence of the Lord have their thirst quenched. ||2|| Those who have > found the Lord, the Treasure of peace, shall not go anywhere else > again. ||3|| Those, unto whom the Guru has given the Lord's Name, > Har, Har. O Nanak, their fears are removed. ||4||8||146||" > > Raj Yoga and Shabad are what the Gurus are talking about. Some refer > to this as 'This presence is vibrating, hence the unstruck melody.' > The vibrating presence is the Naad. They all fit into the same > formula: Raj Yoga and Shabad = Naad. > > However it is Naad Yoga and not Kundalini Yoga. If Guru Nanak wanted > us to do Kundalini Yoga, it would have been "Guru Sri Chand" instead > of Guru Angad as his successor. But we all know what Guru Nanak > thought about that type of yoga and rejected his son. But that has > not stopped "Sikh Dharma" from revering Sri Chand to the extent of > having a "Golden Idol" of him located in the Gurdwara compound at > Espanola. > > > > "Some stopped by a small spotlit niche in the courtyard wall to touch > the skinny, gilded statue of Baba Siri Chand, a 17th-century yoga > master. > > "A lot of people turn to him for miracles," explained Hari Charn Kaur > Khalsa, a Sikh woman of the kerchief-in-the-morning variety. "A lot > of times when people have challenges in their hearts, they'll turn to > Baba Siri Chand to help them through." > > Here are some other quotes from Gurbani: > > Guru Arjan wrote: > > "Some practice inner cleansing techniques, and control the breath > through Kundalini Yoga ||1|| I am meek; I worship and adore the Lord, > Har, Har. ||1|| I place my faith in You alone, O Beloved Lord. I do > not know any other way. ||1||Pause|| > > Guru Nanak wrote: > > "Inner cleansing techniques, channeling the energy to raise the > Kundalini to the Tenth Gate, inhaling, exhaling and holding the > breath by the force of the mind - by empty hypocritical practices, > Dharmic love for the Lord is not produced. Only through the Word of > the Guru's Shabad is the sublime, supreme essence obtained. ||14||" > > In the two quotes above, the term Kundalini is used. This is from the > tranlation by Sant Singh, one of Harbhajan Singh's chelas. The term > Kundalini is not used in the Gurmukhi. This is another example of how > the translation of the Guru Granth Sahib has been twisted in an > attempt support the views of Harbhajan Singh. > > Bhai Gurdas wrote in one of his Vaars: > > "People are obsessed with the pranayam exercises of the inhalation, > suspension of breath, the exhalation, the niolr feat and > straightening of kundalini the serpent power. Many employ themselves > in sitting in the siddhasanas and thus we have seen them seeking > myriad miracles. The belief in the philosopher's stone, the jewel in > the serpent's head and the miracle of life immortalizing elixir are > nothing but the darkness of ignorance." > > These pretty well sum up what the true approach of Sikhi is towards > Kundalini Yoga. And that is, rejection. A chela of Harbhajan Singh > states: "I have taught thousands of people to breathe Sat Nam who > never heard of Sikh Dharma, the Gurus or 3HO or even Yogi Bhajan and > wouldn't come within a kilometre of the naam if they did because it > is either "religious" or a "cult"." > > This has always been an argument in support or tolerance of what > Harbhajan Singh teaches. > > A Punjabi Sikh asks: "Does that mean it's ok to say that yoga is > being used or "manipulated" to spread Sikh religion? My answer is, > no." > > Yes, it appears that people are brought to the Guru and the Naam who > ordinarily would not. But the question is: Does the end justify the > means? > > The answer is NO. > > In Kundalini Yoga classes as taught by 3HO, students are told that > what they are doing is only yoga and has nothing to do with any > religion. This is pure deception. If it has nothing to do with > religion then why do they chant Mantras from the Guru Granth Sahib? > > If doing Kundalini Yoga has nothing to do with religion, why does > Yogi Bhajan say; "It is unfortunate that this science has not been > understood from Siri Guru Granth because the Indian Sikhs do not know > the science of yoga. They don't. And now it is very open that they > hate it. So, if you do not know the science of yoga, and you do not > know what it is all about, two thirds of the Siri Guru Granth you > cannot understand. Period! You can read it, you can remember it, and > you can sing it. But I can bet you, you cannot understand it. Because > how can you understand something which explains something you do not > like?" > > This statement is very ironic in light of another quote from > Harbhajan Singh in regards to Kundalini Yoga: "Kundalini Yoga has > never been taught as we do. I broke the rule. I had read the > scriptures and it is prohibited." The key word here is PROHIBITED. > Most Sikhs know that it is prohibited; even Harbhajan Singh knows it > is prohibited. Why has the SGPC and the Akal Takhat allowed this to > take place? > http://www.prismnet.com/~khalsa/yoga.htm > > > , "vilasini43" <vilasini43> > wrote: > > Why the focus of Sikhs in Kundalini Yoga, or is that just a > > happenstance based on my limited exposure to both Sikhs and > > Kundalini Yoga? Is yoga a general part of the teachings of Islam, > > and Sikhism, do you know? What about Sufism? > > > > These are loaded questions but i will try to answer to the best of > my > > knowledge. > > > > First, take the word 'yoga' - simply translated it means 'union > with > > God' ... > > > > This is the goal of all religions be it sikhism, islam , > hinduism , > > sufism. and christianity. > > > > so, i would say rather boldly 'yoga ' is part of teachings of all > > religions. But where each religion differs is the method by which > > this union is accomplished. > > > > You ask why the focus of sikhs on kundalini yoga? To the best of my > > knowledge , the sikhism, as founded by shri guru gobind singh, does > > not focus on 'kundalini' yoga, per se. In recent times, Yogi > Bhajan, > > a sikh from India has introduced 'kundalini yoga' to the west in > his > > 3HO CENTRES - But this has come in for a lot of criticism from > > traditional sikhs belonging to the guru gobind singh brand of > > sikhism. > > > > Like hinduism, sikhism also advocates the path of bhakti yoga, > karma > > yoga and to some extent Gyana yoga. But i am not sure if siklhism > > actually recommends hatha yoga /kundalini yoga. > > > > Having said that , let me qualify the above statement. Sikhism does > > advocate the regular chanting of 'sat naam' ( the true name of God) > > and sikhs do meditate on the Holy name . As you know, kundalini > yoga > > also involves the use of meditating on a 'mantra' or the holy name > of > > god/ess. . But there is more to Kundalini yoga than mere chanting > of > > god's name. It involves the practice of Pranayama ( breath > control), > > asanas, mudras etc... > > > > Guru nanak recommended Sahajyoga (natural) and nam- yoga which > relied > > more on bhakti or devotional worship and seva or karma yoga. > > > > But does it mean sikhs cannot practice kundalini yoga? no, not at > > all! anything that strengthens the body and mind and takes us > closer > > to God is recommended. > > > > The main purpose of yoga is to unite the individual with God -- > and, > > one can reach the goal by practicing bhakti yoga, karma, yoga, > jnana > > kundalini yoga or a combination of these ! they are not > > mutually exclusive - rather complimentary! > > > > My two paise ! members are welcome to add comments... > > > > Hari AUM! 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Guest guest Posted June 4, 2003 Report Share Posted June 4, 2003 Hari Aum, ruchirananda! In my post, i have mentioned that Yogi bhajan's 3HO teaches 'kundalini' yoga (in the west) which is not recognized or acknowledged by orthodox sikhs belonging to Gurd Gobind singh panth (marg) . It is for this reason, yogi bhajan's sikhism is called 'synthetic' sikhism. Orthodox sikhs believe in Gurubani and simran, two basic tenets of sikhism - rememebering and chanting god's name through the grace of the guru. Hatha yoga is a tool or an instrument. Hatha Yoga is meant to prepare the body and mind so that it can be steadfast in Simran for longer durations and with deeper concentration. It is never meant to replace the prayer and contemplation of scriptures. Hatha Yoga helps in the discipline of mind and body. Only a disciplined mind and a disciplined body is capable steadfastly observing Simran for longer durations. Otherwise, mental and bodily distractions lessen the intensity of Simran. this is one view. The ideal way is to combine hatha yoga , gurubani and simran, according to some scholls of thought. . Christianity does not advocate hatha yoga but many christians nowadays attend yoga classes to discipline' the mind and body. on another note, the bible also refers to 'seven' stages which is likened to the seven chakras in the body! Do you know that Shri Ramana maharishi (a staunch hindu) did not believe in kundalini yoga? rather, he advocated what he called the 'awakening' of the 'amrita' nadi in the right side of the heart? (not the physical heart, though.?) Kundalini yoga cannot be practiced without the guidance and supervision of a guru as such a practice may lead to untoward consequences... there have been instances where students have burst their cranial nerves indulging in premature awakening of 'kundalini' I am neither a vaishnava or a sikh , just a spiritual pilgrim struggling on the path! smiles! hari bol! , "Maxime Lapointe" <tulasi3@w...> wrote: > Hari Om! > Namaste, > > Sikkhism has nothing to do with a physical form of yoga > (moder "Kundalini-Yoga", hatha,...). Please search "Yogi Bhajan"in > www.rickross.com (http://www.rickross.com/groups/3ho.html) and you > will read texts from real Sikhs. They are explaining that Guru Nanak > was against such practices and it's one of the reason why they formed > a new religion. From what I have seen, Yogi Bhajan's KY is a mix of > Hinduism, New-Age, bizzar sanskrit and a little bit of Sikkhism. > I am a Vaisnava, not a Sikh. > Haribol! > > Maxime > Brief > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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