Guest guest Posted March 7, 2001 Report Share Posted March 7, 2001 Hi Nina I can only answer this point from experience. I don't embrace Sikhism or any other organized religion. However, I have found Sikhism to be wonderfully open - Sikhs will readily accept others and respect them whether they wish to follow all, some or none of their teachings. Contrast this refreshing approach to life to that of dogmatic Christians. I see no problems or issues arising between the origins of KY and its practice, which I regard as a spiritual but secular activity. Sat Nam! Gordon <murrkis > 3. I am curious to hear from people who practice KY, are aware of the > connection between KY mantras/prayers/etc. to sikhism, but do not follow > the Sikh path. How do you reconcile your practice with a practice that is > heavily influenced by an organized religion? You're welcome to email me > directly if you prefer not to post publicly. > > Thanks in advance. > > Nina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2001 Report Share Posted March 8, 2001 Dear Siri Ram, You wrote: >I really think you need to take some classes by a certified teacher. ( It >doesn't sound like you are right now). I am not a sikh, but I am a teacher of >KY. I was taught that Sikhism is a lifestyle not a religion. ( that is what >our sikh teachers told us in our training). I feel KY helps me to deal with >anything life throws at me. It has made a tremendous difference in my life, >and the life of my students. Yes, good point. I do need to take classes by a certified teacher. I am very fortunate to be able to take classes from two very different instructors. Interesting that your sikh teachers described sikhism as a lifestyle. I can see that element. Many organized religions may claim "lifestyle" as a descriptor. In the south of the USA, "living life for (or in) Christ" is a commonly heard phrase. The interesting part: how slippery the boundaries around lifestyle and religion are. Rich... Thanks for your response to my question. (Also, thank you to all of the others who responded to my questions. I greatly appreciate your perspectives.) Sat Nam, All. Nina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2001 Report Share Posted March 8, 2001 Hi, Nina, I lived and studied in various 3HO ashrams between April, 1971, and October, 1973, -- a period of time when a major shift in consciousness and identity took place among Yogi Bhajan's students from Hippy to Sikh. I decided at the outset that, as much as I admired and even loved the Sikh Gurus, I would not become initiated as a Sikh. During all my time in the ashrams, I never felt any pressure, disapprobation or discrimination because I did not choose to become a Sikh or take on a spiritual name. I experienced only love and full acceptance. Many people in the ashrams had pictures of Jesus and other holy persons on their personal altars. I remember Yogi Bhajan saying, "Your God plus my God equals our God." This ecumenical approach has inspired me deeply, especially since my return to the Presbyterian Church about 12 years ago. I resumed my KY Sadhanna about 5 years ago, including the chanting and kriyas. I can't say enough about the benefits! I find nothing in KY yoga that conflicts with my Christian beliefs, in fact, my knowledge and love of KY and Sikhism only enhances and confirms the teachings of Jesus for me. As Gordon observes, Christian fundamentalists and dogmatists would probably insist that Sikhism and KY are incompatible, but I don't think you'll hear that from a Sikh! Yoga, of course, is independent of all religions. Its roots certainly predate Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity and maybe even Hinduism. Its cosmology probably most closely resembles Hinduism, but it is by no means a branch or sect of that religion. A good book that explores the core teachings and philosophy of yoga while incorporating illustrations from several major religions as well as western psychology is How To Know God, by Christopher Isherwood and Swami Prabhavananda. I believe you can order it from Vedanta Press. I hope this helps. Sat Nam, Steve Porter gordon wrote: > Hi Nina > > I can only answer this point from experience. I don't embrace Sikhism or any > other organized religion. However, I have found Sikhism to be wonderfully > open - Sikhs will readily accept others and respect them whether they wish > to follow all, some or none of their teachings. Contrast this refreshing > approach to life to that of dogmatic Christians. > > I see no problems or issues arising between the origins of KY and its > practice, which I regard as a spiritual but secular activity. > > Sat Nam! > Gordon > > <murrkis > > > 3. I am curious to hear from people who practice KY, are aware of the > > connection between KY mantras/prayers/etc. to sikhism, but do not follow > > the Sikh path. How do you reconcile your practice with a practice that is > > heavily influenced by an organized religion? You're welcome to email me > > directly if you prefer not to post publicly. > > > > Thanks in advance. > > > > Nina. > > "OUR DESTINY IS TO BE HAPPY" > - Yogi Bhajan > > You can UNSUBSCRIBE from this list at the eGroups Member Center (My Groups), or send mail to > Kundaliniyoga- > NO UNSUBSCRIBE REQUESTS TO THE LIST PLEASE! > WEB SITE: kundalini yoga > > KUNDALINI YOGA ON-LINE TRAINING. Details from > kundalini yogaclasses.html > > Sponsored by YOGA TECHNOLOGY - Practical books on Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Chakras, Womens' Empowerment. Meditation & Mantra CDs. > > > Your use of is subject to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2001 Report Share Posted March 9, 2001 Dear Steve, Thank you for your experience and explanation of the relationship between Sikhim and KY. The bottom line is we want to be at peace and connect to the infinite in whatever way works for us personally. I say, do what works for you and enjoy your life. Most of what we talk and argue about in this lifetime is a waste of time. Experience of love is what we all are really looking for. And there are many paths. KY embelishes the journey and adds rings of fire to the circus. Sat Nam, Gururattan Kaur > I lived and studied in various 3HO ashrams between April, 1971, and October, 1973, -- a period of time when a major shift in > consciousness and identity took place among Yogi Bhajan's students from Hippy to Sikh. I decided at the outset that, as much as I > admired and even loved the Sikh Gurus, I would not become initiated as a Sikh. During all my time in the ashrams, I never felt any > pressure, disapprobation or discrimination because I did not choose to become a Sikh or take on a spiritual name. I experienced only > love and full acceptance. Many people in the ashrams had pictures of Jesus and other holy persons on their personal altars. I remember > Yogi Bhajan saying, "Your God plus my God equals our God." This ecumenical approach has inspired me deeply, especially since my > return to the Presbyterian Church about 12 years ago. I resumed my KY Sadhanna about 5 years ago, including the chanting and kriyas. > I can't say enough about the benefits! I find nothing in KY yoga that conflicts with my Christian beliefs, in fact, my knowledge and > love of KY and Sikhism only enhances and confirms the teachings of Jesus for me. As Gordon observes, Christian fundamentalists and > dogmatists would probably insist that Sikhism and KY are incompatible, but I don't think you'll hear that from a Sikh! > > Yoga, of course, is independent of all religions. Its roots certainly predate Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity and maybe even > Hinduism. Its cosmology probably most closely resembles Hinduism, but it is by no means a branch or sect of that religion. A good > book that explores the core teachings and philosophy of yoga while incorporating illustrations from several major religions as well as > western psychology is How To Know God, by Christopher Isherwood and Swami Prabhavananda. I believe you can order it from Vedanta > Press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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