Religion and Ethics Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sriram on June 11, 2015, 06:57:26 AM
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Hi everyone,
June 21st (Summer Solstice) has been declared by the UN as The International Day of Yoga.
Yoga is the science of creating mental and physical harmony. Yoga (to unite) seeks to unite diverse aspects of our personality. Basically it is a practice to unite the lower self into the higher self.
Yoga does not mean only asanas (postures). Yoga includes moral and mental discipline and also a disciplined lifestyle. Violence, lies, greed, sexual promiscuity and other forms of indiscipline are to be avoided completely. A healthy (preferably veg) diet is also a must. Once this is followed, one could take up asanas (postures) and later breathing exercises (Pranayama). After that comes concentration and meditations (Dhyana). Once the lower self is merged with the higher self (Samadhi)...the process is complete.
Yoga probably has its beginnings in the Indus Valley days around 2500 BCE. It is normally seen along with its sister philosophy, Samkhya....which is considered the theory while Yoga is the practice. Most Jain and Buddhist teachings adopt the Samkhya as their base.
Pathanjali, an ancient sage, consolidated some schools of Yoga in his Yogasutras. This is known as the Ashtanga Yoga (eight stages yoga). Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and other schools also exist. Many other schools also existed but most ancient texts have been destroyed by later muslim invaders.
For information.
Cheers.
Sriram
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Without applying too much of the self-discipline ideas, my children's school has regular yoga days once every half term. It also runs two yoga clubs, one for juniors and one for seniors.
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Without applying too much of the self-discipline ideas, my children's school has regular yoga days once every half term. It also runs two yoga clubs, one for juniors and one for seniors.
Its nice that Yoga has really taken off in a big way...without rubbing the religion aspect the wrong way. It is however important that the lifestyle issue is also taught to the children as possibly more important than the postures.
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Without applying too much of the self-discipline ideas, my children's school has regular yoga days once every half term. It also runs two yoga clubs, one for juniors and one for seniors.
While I fear I'm not supple enough for yoga (I have a few books on the subject) I pursued tai chi for a while and that was lovely. I'd get back into it if I had the space.
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Without applying too much of the self-discipline ideas, my children's school has regular yoga days once every half term. It also runs two yoga clubs, one for juniors and one for seniors.
While I fear I'm not supple enough for yoga (I have a few books on the subject) I pursued tai chi for a while and that was lovely. I'd get back into it if I had the space.
;D ;D I expect you'll be reading them as soon as you've finished all the books ever written on philosophy: that will be sometime tomorrow afternoon!
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Without applying too much of the self-discipline ideas, my children's school has regular yoga days once every half term. It also runs two yoga clubs, one for juniors and one for seniors.
Its nice that Yoga has really taken off in a big way...without rubbing the religion aspect the wrong way. It is however important that the lifestyle issue is also taught to the children as possibly more important than the postures.
I think if it is practiced regularly one flows into the other. I know when I practice yoga (which I haven't done for a bit due to a back problem) I eat a better diet, I sleep better, and I find meditation more tempting than Minecraft.
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I think if it is practiced regularly one flows into the other. I know when I practice yoga (which I haven't done for a bit due to a back problem) I eat a better diet, I sleep better, and I find meditation more tempting than Minecraft.
If you were minded to take it up again surely there's a gentler, low-impact form that you could adopt without doing yourself further damage?
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I think if it is practiced regularly one flows into the other. I know when I practice yoga (which I haven't done for a bit due to a back problem) I eat a better diet, I sleep better, and I find meditation more tempting than Minecraft.
If you were minded to take it up again surely there's a gentler, low-impact form that you could adopt without doing yourself further damage?
Problem with being in the sticks is that classes are few and far between. But it's on my to do list once I have more time.
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Without applying too much of the self-discipline ideas, my children's school has regular yoga days once every half term. It also runs two yoga clubs, one for juniors and one for seniors.
Its nice that Yoga has really taken off in a big way...without rubbing the religion aspect the wrong way. It is however important that the lifestyle issue is also taught to the children as possibly more important than the postures.
I think if it is practiced regularly one flows into the other. I know when I practice yoga (which I haven't done for a bit due to a back problem) I eat a better diet, I sleep better, and I find meditation more tempting than Minecraft.
Yes...you're right. Regular Yoga practice could bring about a healthy lifestyle. However its also important to emphasize self discipline and mind control as important components of not only spiritual growth but also good health. Mind and body are intimately connected.
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Mind control should never be taught to anybody. People should learn about the very real dangers of yoga and mind control. Just google!
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... and we have a winner, and from such a sterling advert for lack of any mind control at all.
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Mind control should never be taught to anybody. People should learn about the very real dangers of yoga and mind control. Just google!
He doesn't mean using it to control the minds of others, he means using it to discipline our own mind so we don't slip into unhelpful thought patterns or obsessions.
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I am not into yoga, but see no harm in it at all.
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Mind control should never be taught to anybody. People should learn about the very real dangers of yoga and mind control. Just google!
What?! Mind control is what makes us civilized humans in the first place. Otherwise we would be grabbing food from others and jumping on every woman we see on the street.
Learning to discipline our mind and emotions further is a natural progression to becoming more civilized. Spirituality is really about self development and becoming more and more civilized and refined.
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In today's CNN news. Does Yoga lead to happiness besides good health.....yes.
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/12/health/yoga-happiness/?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool&iref=obnetwork
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Devoted yogis will tell you that yoga is not only the path to enlightenment but also happiness. Numerous studies support this claim, pointing to yoga as a general practice for quelling stress, easing anxiety and elevating mood.
Although there's no scientific analysis of whether particular yoga poses make us happy, research shows that certain body posturing, respiration and thinking positively influence our physiology. When we feel any emotion at all — happiness, unhappiness, anger, etc. — we experience specific hormonal reactions that feed each feeling and prompt unique mental and physical manifestations, such as smiling when happy, crying when sad or crossing our arms when angry or defensive.
Science has shown that we can effectively, and quite quickly, reverse the emotion-to-body-response process by leveraging our physical and mental states to alter our emotional state. For instance, even forced smiling in stressful situations immediately lessens your stress response and elicits happy hormone production. As such, my yoga for happiness sequence is based on poses, breathing and meditation proven to boost feel-good physiology within minutes.
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Read the full article...its good.
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Useful for those who are not naturally optimistic and well-balanced.
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Leonard isn't either of those. Maybe he could start his own yoga, based on his personality:
You Only Grow Arrogant.
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Lenny strikes me as a preternaturally cheerful old stick, and well-balanced to boot.
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Lenny strikes me as a preternaturally cheerful old stick, and well-balanced to boot.
And he thinks the world of you too, Shakes.
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Good taste - another of his many fine qualities.
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Lenny strikes me as a preternaturally cheerful old stick, and well-balanced to boot.
And he thinks the world of you too, Shakes.
It's a mutual sycophantic relationship.
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Lenny strikes me as a preternaturally cheerful old stick, and well-balanced to boot.
I agree. I believe he celebrates his 90th birthday this month and is our most senior poster. I wonder if the person who enjoys dissing him has as many marbles intact as our LJ? Somehow I rather doubt it!
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His 90th this month???? :o
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Lenny strikes me as a preternaturally cheerful old stick, and well-balanced to boot.
I agree. I believe he celebrates his 90th birthday this month and is our most senior poster. I wonder if the person who enjoys dissing him has as many marbles intact as our LJ? Somehow I rather doubt it!
I think the poster you refer to gets dissed by Leonard as much as he disses. Do try and keep up. Or, should I say, try not to be so blindly opposed to anything you don't even understand.
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His 90th this month???? :o
Yes I believe so.
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Lenny strikes me as a preternaturally cheerful old stick, and well-balanced to boot.
LOL...........Shaker on being ''well-balanced'' what a laugh.
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Lenny strikes me as a preternaturally cheerful old stick, and well-balanced to boot.
LOL...........Shaker on being ''well-balanced'' what a laugh.
His balance is better than yours, but that wouldn't be difficult! ;D
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Blimey!
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I think the less I say here, the better!
Anybody who wants to contribute to my retirement fund, feel free! :)
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I think the less I say here, the better!
Anybody who wants to contribute to my retirement fund, feel free! :)
Can't afford it. :-[ But happy birthday, when it comes.
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I think the less I say here, the better!
Anybody who wants to contribute to my retirement fund, feel free! :)
Can't afford it. :-[ But happy birthday, when it comes.
Thank you, and all the best for yours! :)
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Happy whenever-it-is Leonardo! I assume that for a big round number you're pushing the boat out?
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Happy whenever-it-is Leonardo! I assume that for a big round number you're pushing the boat out?
Thanks, Steve! I am doing my best to make it just another birthday, so it'll be just out to dinner with a few friends ... but no doubt they will insist on a little champagne as well.
I can't drink too much, because I shall have to drive ... Hugh never learnt because as an Irishman he considered it would interfere with his drinking. :)
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Happy whenever-it-is Leonardo! I assume that for a big round number you're pushing the boat out?
Thanks, Steve! I am doing my best to make it just another birthday, so it'll be just out to dinner with a few friends ... but no doubt they will insist on a little champagne as well.
I can't drink too much, because I shall have to drive ... Hugh never learnt because as an Irishman he considered it would interfere with his drinking. :)
Please give us the exact date, we don't want to miss wishing you Happy Birthday.
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The 29th. Roses. It's a public holiday in Rome ... not in my honour, but I'm in "good" company! ;D
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The 29th. Roses. It's a public holiday in Rome ... not in my honour, but I'm in "good" company! ;D
Thanks Leonard. :)
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Hi everyone,
I think I have written about the Surya Namaskar before. On the eve of the International Yoga Day here it is again for those who may want to practice it. The Surya Namaskar is one of the most important and effective practices in the Yoga system.
You can do it once or twice or any number of times you can. Those who can't do the full exercise could try to do at least those parts that they can. Do it slowly holding each position for a few seconds.
https://in.news.yahoo.com/video/yoga-12-steps-surya-namaskar-061000163.html
Cheers.
Sriram
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Happy whenever-it-is Leonardo! I assume that for a big round number you're pushing the boat out?
Go on, get a tattoo.
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Today is International Yoga Day.
Hope some of you practice some asanas on this day. Or the Surya namaskar.
At least try these five asanas.
http://www.ndtv.com/sites/fitnesschallenge/photosdetails/international-yoga-day-5-yoga-poses-for-common-health-problems-19982?Page=1&ID=19982&#photo
Cheers.
Sriram
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Whilst a few of the moves can be useful as stretches, I steer clear of the practice in general because of the underlying pinciples of Yoga.
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Which are what?
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Whilst a few of the moves can be useful as stretches, I steer clear of the practice in general because of the underlying pinciples of Yoga.
Some Christians and Muslims have objections to the practice of Yoga because they think of it as a Hindu practice. Even in India some Muslim and Christian organisations keep raising objections routinely.
Of course, there is no compulsion on anyone to practice Yoga. Its a matter of personal choice. Even among Hindus there is no compulsion on Yoga. There are other paths open to them such as devotional, ritualistic, philosophical study and so on.
All paths lead to the same goal....we believe.
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Nothing wrong with doing a few stretches; in fact, it's essential really. Can't manage today, though, as I'm tired out from being up early to watch the over-eighties mid-summer high jump competition.
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There's a programme on BBC1 today at 2:20pm, 'Bend It Like Britain.'
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There's a programme on BBC1 today at 2:20pm, 'Bend It Like Britain.'
Might have a look. I was going down to the pub to watch Morris dancing for mid-summer. Unfortunately, Morris can't make it.
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Whilst a few of the moves can be useful as stretches, I steer clear of the practice in general because of the underlying pinciples of Yoga.
They can be a bit prickly!
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Whilst a few of the moves can be useful as stretches, I steer clear of the practice in general because of the underlying pinciples of Yoga.
Some Christians and Muslims have objections to the practice of Yoga because they think of it as a Hindu practice. Even in India some Muslim and Christian organisations keep raising objections routinely.
Of course, there is no compulsion on anyone to practice Yoga. Its a matter of personal choice. Even among Hindus there is no compulsion on Yoga. There are other paths open to them such as devotional, ritualistic, philosophical study and so on.
All paths lead to the same goal....we believe.
The vicar of a church not far from here banned yoga because its goal of 'enlightenment' was 'against Christian principles' and could allow in 'evil'.
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Of course, there is no compulsion on anyone to practice Yoga. Its a matter of personal choice. Even among Hindus there is no compulsion on Yoga. There are other paths open to them such as devotional, ritualistic, philosophical study and so on.
All paths lead to the same goal....we believe.
Sriram, perhaps you need to delve further into the history and nature of Yoga. It is generally practiced by older Hindus (you are not very likely to find yongsters practising it in India) who are looking to prepare themselves for death. It is a means of slowing one's life systems down prior to death. Or, at least, that is what I have ben taught by Hindus over 10 years of living in India and Nepal.
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The vicar of a church not far from here banned yoga because its goal of 'enlightenment' was 'against Christian principles' and could allow in 'evil'.
Prat.
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Of course, there is no compulsion on anyone to practice Yoga. Its a matter of personal choice. Even among Hindus there is no compulsion on Yoga. There are other paths open to them such as devotional, ritualistic, philosophical study and so on.
All paths lead to the same goal....we believe.
Sriram, perhaps you need to delve further into the history and nature of Yoga. It is generally practiced by older Hindus (you are not very likely to find yongsters practising it in India) who are looking to prepare themselves for death. It is a means of slowing one's life systems down prior to death. Or, at least, that is what I have ben taught by Hindus over 10 years of living in India and Nepal.
I don't know from where you get your information, Hope. I have been practicing Yoga for more than 30 years living in India and have studied it fairly well.
Yoga was one of the first 'Sramana' practices in India. Enlightenment through mental and physical effort. It was the way of the ascetics and hermits originally. As it became more organised some teachers began to teach it in their ashrams.
But, in ancient times finding teachers was difficult and students had to travel far and wide to find one. Also the conditions for receiving the teaching were very stringent. The student had to show the required inclination. (no mass classes those days). The student had to live in the gurus ashram for 2-3 years and learn the practice one to one. This is why Yoga was not very wide spread in ancient days and only some adepts practiced it.
Some Buddhists considered Yoga and some of the kriyas as self mortification. From this was born the 'middle path'. Most Buddhists therefore shunned Yoga. It was considered an extreme practice.
But once it got formalized, Yoga was taught by many teachers and many young people have been learning it for decades. Today most youngsters in India practice Yoga.
The point about Yoga is that it is not considered as merely a physical exercise. The practice has very significant effect on the mind and emotions. This could make it unsuitable for emotionally unstable persons.....unless practiced under the supervision of an expert.
Most Christians prefer the devotional path (bhakti marga) and the path of service (Karma marga). They don't prefer the Yogic path or the philosophical path. Which is fine. Whatever works for them!
Actually, in the Gita the word 'Yoga' is used as a general path rather than as a specific system of practice. Hence the Gita mentions Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga.....as different paths to salvation or freedom (mukti). So...nowadays the word 'Yoga' is used both in its general sense and in its specific sense (which is most often).
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I thought it was funny how Shaker has no problem with the spiritual side/intent of yoga, like it's mind control and then I remembered he's also a Marxist. As far as Poor Shaker having no space, well I guess even non meat eaters can eat their way to a disgusting unhealthy size. Your lack of space is keeping you from Hindu yoga or that Taoist thingy, that's a good and a bad thingy old man. How about walking to a church service every Sunday? Now that's a real exercise program that will benefit you all around. Oh ya I forgot, you hide from the sun, too hot.
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I thought it was funny how Shaker has no problem with the spiritual side/intent of yoga, like it's mind control
It's supposed to be - partly - about the discipline of one's own mind not the control of those of others, you wretched cretin.
How about walking to a church service every Sunday?
No thanks, I'm allergic to nuts.
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"Yoga is not a trifling jest if we consider that any misunderstanding in the practice of yoga can mean death and insanity." Hans Ulrich Rieker
I thank God that the big Yoga day event in Vancouver was cancelled due to public outcry and sponsors backing out.
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"Yoga is not a trifling jest if we consider that any misunderstanding in the practice of yoga can mean death and insanity." Hans Ulrich Rieker
I thank God that the big Yoga day event in Vancouver was cancelled due to public outcry and sponsors backing out.
That is a bit of a over reaction. Yoga does not lead to death and insanity or anything of that kind.
It is however true that mass Yoga practice can have negative reactions in some people. This is true of all forms of exercise and even meditations. 'One size fits all' is obviously not correct.
Sometimes even prayers and Church/temple ritualss can have negative effects on some highly emotional people. It can lead to hysteria and other mental problems.
So nothing works in exactly the same way for everyone. That is one of the reasons Hindus allow people to choose their own path of spiritual progress and even the freedom to choose their own preferred deity (Ishtadevata).
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How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body the New York Times
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The vicar of a church not far from here banned yoga because its goal of 'enlightenment' was 'against Christian principles' and could allow in 'evil'.
Prat.
I don't know, how do we know he doesn't have a point.
If the people who want Yoga because it is another item from the ''spiritual supermarket'' or because Christ isn't ''floating their boat'' but they think a technique can then of course it would be against Christian principles.
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We know because only a complete prat would think that a form of exercise - that's almost always, with next to no exceptions, how yoga is presented in the West today, especially in the Thursday-night-in-the- community-centre/church-hall sense - "lets in evil."
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We know because only a complete prat would think that a form of exercise - that's almost always, with next to no exceptions, how yoga is presented in the West today, especially in the Thursday-night-in-the- community-centre/church-hall sense - "lets in evil."
Oh I think it's more than just about exercise Shaker.
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Such as what? And where - in Uttar Pradesh or in Uttoxeter?
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Yoga and it's Kundalini Syndrome.
http://www.mentalhealthforum.net/forum/thread28047.html
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The vicar of a church not far from here banned yoga because its goal of 'enlightenment' was 'against Christian principles' and could allow in 'evil'.
Prat.
I don't know, how do we know he doesn't have a point.
If the people who want Yoga because it is another item from the ''spiritual supermarket'' or because Christ isn't ''floating their boat'' but they think a technique can then of course it would be against Christian principles.
It was for the (mostly) older ladies in a little village to stretch out their aches and pains.
You do know that many Christians in India practice yoga, right?
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"Yoga is not a trifling jest if we consider that any misunderstanding in the practice of yoga can mean death and insanity." Hans Ulrich Rieker
I thank God that the big Yoga day event in Vancouver was cancelled due to public outcry and sponsors backing out.
That is a bit of a over reaction. Yoga does not lead to death and insanity or anything of that kind.
It is however true that mass Yoga practice can have negative reactions in some people. This is true of all forms of exercise and even meditations. 'One size fits all' is obviously not correct.
Sometimes even prayers and Church/temple ritualss can have negative effects on some highly emotional people. It can lead to hysteria and other mental problems.
So nothing works in exactly the same way for everyone. That is one of the reasons Hindus allow people to choose their own path of spiritual progress and even the freedom to choose their own preferred deity (Ishtadevata).
Absolutely. Anything can cause mass hysteria - attending classical music performances or the cinema, exercise, certain kinds of church practices, ecstatic dance....
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The vicar of a church not far from here banned yoga because its goal of 'enlightenment' was 'against Christian principles' and could allow in 'evil'.
Prat.
I don't think that's a very nice thing to say about Shaker ;)
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Many Christians and Muslims in India and elsewhere practice Yoga regularly. Many Americans have taken to it with enthusiasm. Europeans and especially the British are as expected, somewhat reticent....but the younger generations are eager to learn new things.
Some orthodox Christians and Muslims fear it as an alien cultural practice. They are so used to promoting their own culture and practices everywhere that they are now disconcerted and reluctant to pick up something from others. It may take a few generations for that to change.
In any case.... 'there is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come'. So...I think many people around the world are now ready to learn and accept ideas from India that were in earlier times considered quaint and even bizarre.
All part of the globalization process...I suppose.
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Many Christians and Muslims in India and elsewhere practice Yoga regularly. Many Americans have taken to it with enthusiasm. Europeans and especially the British are as expected, somewhat reticent....but the younger generations are eager to learn new things.
Some orthodox Christians and Muslims fear it as an alien cultural practice. They are so used to promoting their own culture and practices everywhere that they are now disconcerted and reluctant to pick up something from others. It may take a few generations for that to change.
In any case.... 'there is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come'. So...I think many people around the world are now ready to learn and accept ideas from India that were in earlier times considered quaint and even bizarre.
All part of the globalization process...I suppose.
No, yoga's mainstream here, Sriram. Even in my little town I can buy yoga mats and clothing and both in town and the villages there are classes for all ages and capabilities. Trust me, if it's made it to my rural backwater then it's made it everywhere.
The naysayers are very much in the minority.
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Many Christians and Muslims in India and elsewhere practice Yoga regularly. Many Americans have taken to it with enthusiasm. Europeans and especially the British are as expected, somewhat reticent....but the younger generations are eager to learn new things.
Some orthodox Christians and Muslims fear it as an alien cultural practice. They are so used to promoting their own culture and practices everywhere that they are now disconcerted and reluctant to pick up something from others. It may take a few generations for that to change.
In any case.... 'there is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come'. So...I think many people around the world are now ready to learn and accept ideas from India that were in earlier times considered quaint and even bizarre.
All part of the globalization process...I suppose.
No, yoga's mainstream here, Sriram. Even in my little town I can buy yoga mats and clothing and both in town and the villages there are classes for all ages and capabilities. Trust me, if it's made it to my rural backwater then it's made it everywhere.
The naysayers are very much in the minority.
I am happy about that, Rhiannon. Though some people prefer to promote Yoga as merely a physical exercise....its positive effect on the mind and emotions will be felt soon enough. Once the mind is disciplined, not only is a better lifestyle a natural progression from there..... but spiritual insights and awareness of the inner consciousness would also become unavoidable.
I see this as the beginning of a global secular spirituality that would underlie regular religious practices without conflicting with science and its discoveries. Multiple religious beliefs and practices would co-exist with a basic understanding of universal spirituality. It will of course take a few more generations, but I think it'll happen.
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I think a lot of people regard yoga as a form of relaxation and meditation as much as exercise. I think in you are correct about people embracing these spiritual practices without having any religious belief, it might even be happening sooner than you believe although whether it will be embraced by all, who knows.
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I think a lot of people regard yoga as a form of relaxation and meditation as much as exercise. I think in you are correct about people embracing these spiritual practices without having any religious belief, it might even be happening sooner than you believe although whether it will be embraced by all, who knows.
Nothing is ever embraced by 'all'. Even among those who take up secular spirituality....all will not be the same. There will be different mix of spirituality, religion and science in different societies. The mix in India could be different from that in Britain...and very different in America or Japan.
100 years from today you might find lots of common beliefs and common ways of understanding life across the world as compared to today......while at the same time lifestyles and cultures could have evolved very differently in different communities.
One example is Hinduism where we all have a fairly common understanding of life and its process (karma, reincarnation, spiritual development over many births and so on), but the cultural and religious differences are many across different regions in India and across smaller communities within a region. These differences help us to stay grounded and realize that our individual practices are not necessarily the only way to do things.....but we continue to do it our way all the same.
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Oh yes, very much so. Paganism varies hugely between individuals too. One effect of that is that we are personally responsible for our own paths and beliefs rather than having someone set them out for us.