Kundalini Yoga Teaching and Sikh Dharma

[Guest guest]

I looking at KY Teacher Training level I.

I have been doing KY in classes for about two years and practise

regularly at home.

 

So far KY has fitted comfortably with my spriritual outlook with no

overt clash with either my traditional Christian upbringing or my

more fluid current spiritual beliefs.

 

Some people have told me that to become a KY teacher I pretty well

MUST become vegetarian and not drink any alcohol at all. I am not

sure whether as a KY teacher I will be asked to ONLY promote Sikh

philosphy/belief or whether it is permissable to refer to other faith

beliefs in the context of a KY lesson.

 

As a student thus far, the relationship between KY and Sikhism has

remained fuzzy at best, but when I read YB I see clear indications

that there is no need to embrace Sikhism to be taught KY. Does taking

the step to become a teacher aslo involve a deeper comitment towards

Sikh dharma or are 'other dharmas' equally valid. I'd viewed KY as a

technology rather than 'faith/religion' I have heard it referred to

as a technology.

 

I probably haven't worded this question very clearly but I trust that

the right people out there will understand the area confusion I

currently inhabit. If you could share a little light - it would be

something of a blessing.

 

Sat Nam

Bob

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Bob,

 

This is a great question and one relevant for many

people who practice Kundalini Yoga. I've been a

Kundalini Yoga teacher for 13 years, but am

spiritually aligned with Thelema:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema

 

Several, though not all, Thelemic values and ideals

differ from those promoted within Sikh Dharma. As I do

my Yoga practice, I align with Thelemic deity forms,

and intentions and grow stronger in that spiritual

trajectory.

 

My teachers in teachers training always made it clear

that Sikh Dharma and Kundalini Yoga are separate.

Though the mantras are drawn from the Siri Guru Granth

Sahib, the Sound Current is universal and no religion

or spirituality owns it.

 

As you do your yoga practice more deeply, however,

alignment with a spiritual framework of some sort

seems to become more necessary.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Sat Nam,

 

Mark (Karamjot Singh)

 

--- red_dynamic <drbob (AT) brightred (DOT) demon.co.uk> wrote:

 

> I looking at KY Teacher Training level I.

> I have been doing KY in classes for about two years

> and practise

> regularly at home.

>

> So far KY has fitted comfortably with my spriritual

> outlook with no

> overt clash with either my traditional Christian

> upbringing or my

> more fluid current spiritual beliefs.

>

> Some people have told me that to become a KY teacher

> I pretty well

> MUST become vegetarian and not drink any alcohol at

> all. I am not

> sure whether as a KY teacher I will be asked to ONLY

> promote Sikh

> philosphy/belief or whether it is permissable to

> refer to other faith

> beliefs in the context of a KY lesson.

>

> As a student thus far, the relationship between KY

> and Sikhism has

> remained fuzzy at best, but when I read YB I see

> clear indications

> that there is no need to embrace Sikhism to be

> taught KY. Does taking

> the step to become a teacher aslo involve a deeper

> comitment towards

> Sikh dharma or are 'other dharmas' equally valid.

> I'd viewed KY as a

> technology rather than 'faith/religion' I have heard

> it referred to

> as a technology.

>

> I probably haven't worded this question very clearly

> but I trust that

> the right people out there will understand the area

> confusion I

> currently inhabit. If you could share a little light

> - it would be

> something of a blessing.

>

> Sat Nam

> Bob

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam, Bob and All,

 

Some people have told me that to become a KY teacher I pretty well MUST become vegetarian and not drink any alcohol at all.

 

 

 

* How about looking at it from the point of view that you may get to the point where vegetarianism or mostly vegetarianism and no alcohol support your spiritual aspirations more effectively. You may get to a point where you will do whatever it takes to maintain a clear, lucid mind.

 

 

 

I am not sure whether as a KY teacher I will be asked to ONLY promote Sikhism

 

 

 

* We don't promote any belief systems. We teach consciousness.

 

 

Yogi Bhajan said, "We have no religion. We have reality."

 

 

 

Think REALITY not RELIGION and you will be able to find the answers and integration that you are searching for.

 

 

 

>From my perspective, the goal of religion is to put us in touch with a deeper inner connection with our soul and to help us cultivate an expanded experience of non-material reality in both our mind and body. There are techniques to do so. Some religions/paths share them. Some guard them for the elite. Many have been lost. Also we simply don't know how to apply them or don't take the time to do so.

 

 

 

One of the basic techniques of Sikhism is the sound current, which is freely shared. The use of sound current is one way to transcend mundane reality and merge with Infinite reality. The goal is not to become a Sikh. The goal is to become infinite. The goal is not to become a category. The goal is to set ourselves free.

 

 

 

Other paths also have technology to move us to infinite consciousness. It's all good. We just have to use it -- talk/ philosophize less and practice more.

 

 

 

Instead of belief system think path that outlines the stages of our spiritual development and guides the evolution of our human journey. Our destination is an experience that transcends all dogmas and belief systems. When we have that experience, the need for categorization and discussion becomes irrelevant. The experience is so precious that we want to do whatever you can to maintain, expand and enjoy IT.

 

 

 

 

 

Sat Nam,

 

 

 

Guru Rattana

[Guest guest]

I found that with the practice of KY, many cleanses, tantric yoga

courses and sadhana, all desires that don't support my practice fall

away. Not to say that they don't present themselves at times, but

for the most part they become eradicated.

 

I do know many non-sikh ky teachers (me and my husband are among

them) and it is definitly not a conversion group of people. There

are certain rules to adhere to as a teacher, such as wearing white

and a headcovering while teaching, but you don't have to take amrit,

wear a turban, or sword, etc if you do not wish.

 

I do know several ky teachers who do eat some meat and drink some

alcohol on occasion who uphold the dharma to the best of their

ability at this time. AND, they are fantastic teachers, not

partyiers by any sence of the word, and are authentic. Some

religions drink wine as a part of their connection with god (jewish

has some holidays as such), so it can not be a "bad" thing all

together. Still, I believe, from experience and the teachings, that

alcohol dims my connection with god, and eating meat, even touching

dead flesh, holds a certain vibration that saddens my heart. I hold

no judgements over what anyone else does, however, and I think the

majority of teachers feel the same.

 

That being said, taking the step of teacher training is fun and a

wonderful journey from which you will learn infinite wisdom. Many

blessings on that path!

Sat Nam

Har kaur

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends

 

I am very familiar with the Sikh religion and lineage starting with Guru

Nanak. I frequently went to gurudwaras in Punjab, India as a child and

had many wonderful Sikh teachers as well one of whom was a art teacher

that I had in grade school and I remember him so well for his purity and

integrity and his spiritual practice. He remained unmarried his whole

life. When we met our Sikh friends we did both Namaste and Sasrikal (is

that the right spelling?).

 

I have been following the discussions in this group for a long time,

although have not participated much. So many of your strike me as such

beautiful and wonderful people and I wanted to acknowledge that because

such appreciation should not be unsaid.

 

Namaste and love to all

Harsha

 

Guru Rattana wrote:

> Sat Nam, Bob and All,

>

> Some people have told me that to become a KY teacher I pretty well MUST become vegetarian and not drink any alcohol at all.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Harsha:

 

Did you say "Namaste" to Sikhs or "Sat Nam!"?

 

And the words you are looking for are : "Sat Siri Akal!" That's what

Indian Sikhs say to each other when they meet.

 

Many blessings!

Awtar

[Guest guest]

why wear a head covering? in my experience, i tend to be more aware and spiritual when i am not wearing anything on my head, hands, or feet (or actually anything in between, but that's not very practical for a teacher) is there something about the head covering that enhances the experience?

 

Krysta

 

Sami Rank LAc <herbsnacupnxr > wrote: I found that with the practice of KY, many cleanses, tantric yoga

courses and sadhana, all desires that don't support my practice fall

away. Not to say that they don't present themselves at times, but

for the most part they become eradicated.

 

I do know many non-sikh ky teachers (me and my husband are among

them) and it is definitly not a conversion group of people. There

are certain rules to adhere to as a teacher, such as wearing white

and a headcovering while teaching, but you don't have to take amrit,

wear a turban, or sword, etc if you do not wish.

 

I do know several ky teachers who do eat some meat and drink some

alcohol on occasion who uphold the dharma to the best of their

ability at this time. AND, they are fantastic teachers, not

partyiers by any sence of the word, and are authentic. Some

religions drink wine as a part of their connection with god (jewish

has some holidays as such), so it can not be a "bad" thing all

together. Still, I believe, from experience and the teachings, that

alcohol dims my connection with god, and eating meat, even touching

dead flesh, holds a certain vibration that saddens my heart. I hold

no judgements over what anyone else does, however, and I think the

majority of teachers feel the same.

 

That being said, taking the step of teacher training is fun and a

wonderful journey from which you will learn infinite wisdom. Many

blessings on that path!

Sat Nam

Har kaur

 

 

 

 

Why be difficult, when, with a little more effort, you can be bloody impossible?

 

 

 

 

[bhattathiri]

The American justice Dept. have recently approved the power of yoga and meditation vide a recent judgement in the American court."Man Who Slapped Wife Sentenced to Yoga, It's Anger Management, Says Judge." First there was house arrest. Now there's yoga. A judge ordered a man convicted of slapping his wife to take a yoga class as part of his one-year probation. "It's part of anger management," County Criminal Court at Law Judge Larry Standley said of the ancient Hindu philosophy of exercise and well-being. "For people who are into it, it really calms them down. " Standley, a former prosecutor, said the case of James Lee Cross was unique. Cross, a 53-year-old car salesman from Tomball, explained that his wife was struggling with a substance abuse problem and that he struck her on New Year's Eve during an argument about her drinking. "He was trying to get a hold of her because she has a problem," Standley said after the court hearing. "I thought this would help him realize that he only has control over himself." The sentence came as a surprise to Cross, who was told to enroll in a class and report back to Standley on his progress. "I'm not very familiar with it," Cross said of yoga. "From what I understand, it may help in a couple ways, not only as far as mentally settling, but maybe a little weight loss." Darla Magee, an instructor at Yoga Body Houston in River Oaks, said she would recommend that Cross take a basic yoga class emphasizing breathing and including a variety of postures -- forward bends, back bends and twists. "Yoga can help us to get rid of many emotional issues we might have," she said. "It's a spiritual cleanse." Prosecutor Lincoln Goodwin agreed to a sentence of probation without jail time because Cross had no significant criminal history http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2365341.

[bhattathiri]

The American justice Dept. have recently approved the power of yoga and meditation vide a recent judgement in the American court."Man Who Slapped Wife Sentenced to Yoga, It's Anger Management, Says Judge." First there was house arrest. Now there's yoga. A judge ordered a man convicted of slapping his wife to take a yoga class as part of his one-year probation. "It's part of anger management," County Criminal Court at Law Judge Larry Standley said of the ancient Hindu philosophy of exercise and well-being. "For people who are into it, it really calms them down. " Standley, a former prosecutor, said the case of James Lee Cross was unique. Cross, a 53-year-old car salesman from Tomball, explained that his wife was struggling with a substance abuse problem and that he struck her on New Year's Eve during an argument about her drinking. "He was trying to get a hold of her because she has a problem," Standley said after the court hearing. "I thought this would help him realize that he only has control over himself." The sentence came as a surprise to Cross, who was told to enroll in a class and report back to Standley on his progress. "I'm not very familiar with it," Cross said of yoga. "From what I understand, it may help in a couple ways, not only as far as mentally settling, but maybe a little weight loss." Darla Magee, an instructor at Yoga Body Houston in River Oaks, said she would recommend that Cross take a basic yoga class emphasizing breathing and including a variety of postures -- forward bends, back bends and twists. "Yoga can help us to get rid of many emotional issues we might have," she said. "It's a spiritual cleanse." Prosecutor Lincoln Goodwin agreed to a sentence of probation without jail time because Cross had no significant criminal history http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2365341.