Dissolution of Religion

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

We are now, on a global scale, beginning to witness the breakdown of old structures that no longer serve us, including religion, and the pace of this change will only continue to increase. It is becoming apparent that people are beginning to question and indeed challenge the existence of many institutions and structures, including that of religion.

At some point in our spiritual journey we must let religion go if freedom is what we truly seek. Some will perhaps view this statement as sacrilegious, yet we must consider carefully why religions were established and for what purpose. The answers to these questions will no doubt be varied, but perhaps a common unifying idea is that religions were established to explain the truth of life, the reason for existence, and to enable man to forge a more intimate relationship with God. Yet if religion was established to help us find God and explain life’s truths, why must we at some point leave it behind?

[B]“If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Slay Him”[/B]

The above saying is a warning not to ever become so assured of our own beliefs, but to always question and seek to go further. The feeling of certainty that our way/belief is right leads to the stagnation of our spiritual evolution. No matter what realizations, visions or insights dawn within us, we must never feel we have reached the destination but resolve to go further. Clinging to any name or form will only hold us back from further progress. Saints and mystics of all religions describe the divine experience of God union in terms of loosing a sense of individual self and merging in That which is beyond all name and form. The Absolute, they insist, can only be ?described? in terms of what it is not (hence the Sanskrit term ?neti, neti? ? not this, not that).

[B]Are We Ready to Let Go?[/B]

After the house is built, the tools are discarded. When the rockets have done their job of boosting the assembly out of earth’s atmosphere, they are jettisoned. When the child learns how to ride a bike, the training wheels are removed. Likewise, when a soul becomes Self realized, he does not feel the need to proclaim himself this or that. How can he? And what purpose then would religion serve after the ego is dissolved? Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ?A salt doll once went to measure the depths of the ocean…? When one is merged in God, where go the ?ists? and ?isms?? But are we truly ready to let go of the false ego; of rites and rituals?

One of Sri Ramakrishna’s disciples, Mahendranath Gupta, recounted how a disciple kept badgering the master for experience of God. He had seen Ramakrishna give samadhi (superconsciousness God vision) to Narendra (Swami Vivekananda) by touching him and wanted the same. On and on he pressed him in this way. Finally, Sri Ramakrishna said in so many words, ?Okay, you want samadhi? Come here.? The disciple froze. Suddenly apprehensive, he could not muster the courage to go over to him. Sri Ramakrishna then explained that giving the superconscious state to one whose nervous system (physical and astral) was not ready would be tantamount to exploding them. It would be like unleashing a tremendous electrical current onto wires that are nowhere near capable of supporting the voltage ? the wires would be fried. This is also why some who engage in techniques aimed at awakening Kundalini without proper preparation and without the guidance of a teacher or guru get into trouble. The gradual unfoldment of consciousness so that we become more and more accustomed to our identity as limitless Spirit is the way. An abrupt experience of this State is akin to pulling the rug out from underneath us, or pushing us off of the ledge.

In addition to reinforcing illusory self-identification/ego, religion is naught but another false label superimposed on the unqualified Absolute. What religion is God? A Buddhist, Christian, Jew, or Muslim? Assigning such limitations on the Limitless is ridiculous, as is the ethnocentric view held by some that their saviour/religion is the right and only way (there is a saying that each man feels his watch tells the correct time). Such ignorant and childish views are not even to be commented upon. We are gradually entering an age where once again people will seek Self-realization without feeling the need to assign a name or label to themselves or That which they seek.

When one truly becomes hungry for God, he knows that the candles, incense, verses and labels are of no use. It is true that some such items can help create a spiritual mood or atmosphere, but they will not bring us face to face with God. For that, we must close the senses like a tortoise withdrawing its limbs into its shell, and still the mind.

“Be still and know that I am God”

~ Psalms 46:10

(Source: vasthayogi.wordpress.com)

#2

Please move to religious forum.

#3

[QUOTE=omamana;67308]Please move to religious forum.[/QUOTE]

You’re absolutely right…done. Thank you.

#4

As I reconsider, I think the post actually does belong here - it is not about religion (despite what the title says), it is actually about spirituality. Re-read it and think carefully…

#5

If you view religions as a way of bhakti yoga, you see that they still have a lot to offer in terms of spirituality

#6

Aerial,

Your statement is intended as a slap in the face to those that follow a religion. You think you are so enlightened that you do not understand why religion is still relevant and necessary to those that adhere to a faith.

Religion is the training ground for spirituality. True religion requires sacrifice and devotion. Sorry, but I see very little of that in today’s secular society. True selflessness is given lip service in the yoga community, but the idol of most yogis are there bodies.

I disagree with your premise entirely, call me childish, old-fashioned, or ignorant for my views.

#7

[QUOTE=fernmanus;67326]Aerial,

Your statement is intended as a slap in the face to those that follow a religion. You think you are so enlightened that you do not understand why religion is still relevant and necessary to those that adhere to a faith.

Religion is the training ground for spirituality. True religion requires sacrifice and devotion. Sorry, but I see very little of that in today’s secular society. True selflessness is given lip service in the yoga community, but the idol of most yogis are there bodies.

I disagree with your premise entirely, call me childish, old-fashioned, or ignorant for my views.[/QUOTE]

Fernmanus,

Thank you for your response. I believe that you have misunderstood my point.

My intention was not to knock religion or those who follow it. Your comment that religion serves as the “training ground for spirituality” is well-expressed and I concur wholeheartedly. In fact, this is it exactly.

Although many do turn to yoga for the physical benefits that it imparts (health, beautiful body, etc.), this is not all its true or ultimate purpose. The word yoga, Sanskrit in origin, literally translated means “to yoke,” or “to join.” It refers to the union of the individual soul with the universal Soul, or Self/God. Classical yoga has eight limbs, or ?ashtangas,? of which yama and niyama, (referring to self-control and restraint) form the bottom two introductory rungs. This is where religion has served us so effectively as it has enabled many to adhere to proper moral behavior to help mold good character and purify the mind. But our spiritual journey does not end here ? in fact, this is only the beginning. The yogic postures, or asanas, form the third rung of the yogic ladder, and despite constituting the extent of the practice for many (especially in the West), the true purpose of these postures is to condition the body to enable it of to remain still for extended periods of time. This allows us to move into the higher levels of pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and ultimately, samadhi (God-consciousness).

So my point is that religion has served a great purpose, essentially placing most awakening souls at a stage where they are ready to move into deeper spirituality as many now are desirous of direct experience with God and the rites/rituals will no longer suffice in satisfying this hunger. One need only look into the world and see that this is happening en mass right now. There will certainly be those who are not yet ready for this spiritual awakening and wish to cling to the old ways of more traditional worship and this is fine. No one is to judge - all awaken when it is their time. The purpose of yoga is not bodily preoccupation. People who fall into this category were perhaps not the earnest and sincere seekers to begin with. On the contrary, the purpose of yoga is to transcend the body and mind in order to merge with God. As one begins to awaken, the desire to self-identify or to give one’s search a name or classification drops away. Some refer to God variously as Brahman, Self, the Absolute, Jah, etc., etc,. But what does it matter? (A rose is a rose…)

I am sorry if you found my post provocative ? I did not intend it to be so. Understand that I do not view disagreeing with me (or anyone else) as making one childish, old-fashioned, or ignorant. I respect your views and opinions as well as those who adhere to any particular faith, regardless of what it is. What I do find childish/immature is the belief that one’s savior/religion is the only way to God. As a teacher, I have taught my fair share of immature and childish students (and dealt with childish parents!), yet it does not mean that I do not love them just the same.

Thanks again for responding.

#8

[QUOTE=Komil;67322]If you view religions as a way of bhakti yoga, you see that they still have a lot to offer in terms of spirituality[/QUOTE]

Komil - Good point. At some point, however, the lover merges with the Beloved. At that time, what religion is he (the lover or the Beloved)? Having reached that Altitude, then the ladder can be kicked away.

#9

Hi Aerial,

Interesting post! I think your point is discussed within religions themselves (check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apophatic_theology).

I think I understand your point of view and I agree with evolutionary aspect of spiritual life. But I would be careful - you want to transcend religion in your life, but it often happens that such effort turns into a new doctrine (more dangerous because we think that its pure truth - and not slow evolution of our understanding). Notice that:

  • in terms of the language, you are operating within a metaphysical system (talking about God, Self-realization, spirit, Absolute, freedom); in some sense you are talking from a point of view of religion (meaning the structure of the world beyond physical)

  • you want others to know/accept this system (I guess its one of the reasons why you posted here)

  • you are showing that “competition” (religions) is wrong and misleading. “Competition” in meaning of the wisdom which should direct your spiritual life; even your statement is a sort of control over spiritual life, just negative (letting go of religions).

These are characteristic features found in any religion. For me real transcendence of religion would be just sharing the experience (including intellectual experience of “understanding” and knowledge). With all errors, trials and failures, knowing and accepting that the way we understand/describe is very subjective.

Ps. I like this concept of “training ground”. It reminded me the developmental stages of baby in the womb - it seems this overview of evolution is optimal way of reaching the current evolutionary stage. Maybe the same is with religions/beliefs: we would need them to quickly evolve to our “real spiritual birth” form which we begin our main journey…

#10

Religions are like maps. They are not the real thing but still very useful.

People in various places and ages needed various maps.

Today, due to great mobility of information and people, and due to certain developments in human consicousness, most existing maps are becoming obsolete. Not entirely, but in time they will only concern the antiquarian, and not the man of the street.

But, and this is a great but, we still need maps, maybe more than ever. Or, I should say, Map, not maps. Thus, the need for a universal map, and one that is complex and readable enough for todays emancipated intellect.

Theology is needed more than ever. As C.S. Lewis says: not knowing any theology today does not mean we do not have ideas about God. It means that we have many bad, wrong ideas about God.

People living today have increased intellectual capacity. So, I must believe in an universal theology, what is built on a sound intellectual approach, and does not contradict reason or experience. Naturally, having these requirements, it would be naive to expect such theology to be simple.
Quantum physics is not simple, and even quantum physicists doubt the validity of many of its theories. Whys should than a science of the soul be simple ?

In fact, as the above quoted author stated, reality is often odd. Just as the results of quantum physics are very odd. Based on this comparison, a universal contemporary theology (an ever evolving one as human consciousness is always evolving) is likely to be very odd, and as I said, very complex.

Look for the odd things … when you meet something you find hard to believe, go that way. But never neglect the light of reason.