Guest guest Posted March 14, 2001 Report Share Posted March 14, 2001 I try to research everything before I commit and I am concerned with the association of spiritualism that has been linked to the practice of yoga. Does one have to embrace spiritualism and the idea of a god to benefit from practicing yoga? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2001 Report Share Posted March 14, 2001 no. going through the motions will bring the same benefits. the ashtanga of raja yoga (including hatha yoga and meditation) is a science that will bring your body to optimum health and your mind to peaceful clarity. you can identify the deeper consciousness that emerges as the infinite, god, divine light, whatever. or you can enjoy your experience of it as blissful and relaxing, and accept that lovely state simply as your own true nature. it's always there whether you realize it or not -- belief, faith, worship are just names and forms and have nothing to do with it.<br><br>let all the sanskrit chanting go by -- even take part in it as a pleasant joyful noise. chanting OM vibrates the pineal gland bringing a feeling of great well being, and generally decreases stress. vedanta philosophy and quantum theory are pretty close. hindu deities are useful as shorthand, symbolic of different aspects of perfection, but no need to go there to get full benefit from your yoga practice. enjoy.<br><br>some yoga links of interest:<br><a href=http://members.nbci.com/omboy/8-links.htm target=new>http://members.nbci.com/omboy/8-links.htm</a><br><br>jai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2001 Report Share Posted March 14, 2001 Hi,<br><br>There was just an artical in the yoga jounal about that. I think that is going to be an indivdual convection. The moves and meditation can certinly be focoused on what ever you want them to be focused on. <br><br>Lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2001 Report Share Posted March 14, 2001 Many do embrace spiritualism. It is not a must to have the idea of god to benefit if one has the faith in oneself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2001 Report Share Posted March 14, 2001 I can appreciate the lattitude extended to athiests and I am looking forward to exploring all the yoga has to offer. Many thanks to those who responded! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2001 Report Share Posted March 14, 2001 Sir,<br>Be sure that you remain open to all experience in Yoga practice---i.e. be willing to change. More important than a flexible body, is a flexible mind.<br>Yogis are only willing to stand by philosophy that has passed the test of experience rather than just satisfying the intellect.<br>The Buddha himself encouraged his students to not believe his word until they found it verified by personal experience.<br>Good luck and stay open.<br><br>PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2001 Report Share Posted March 16, 2001 Thank you! I am trying to change several of my less satisfying habits and traits. I have always considered myself to be a work in progress and intend to continue to evolve. Hopefully, yoga will prove to be useful in this regard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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