Do Yogis/Yoginis Take Themselves to Seriously?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I know that we all have different temperaments - some of us more or less serious than others - nothing wrong with that.

But it seems to me that some Yogi/Yoginis become excessively serious and proselytizing in their communication. Sometimes it feels to me as if they are ‘trying too hard’ to appear wise or yogic… to play the role of ‘master’ or ‘spiritual leader’. I’m more drawn to people and guides who ‘keep it real’.

I think that yoga, like life, is beautiful, outrageous, silly, intense… etc. Heck, look at Jesus… (he is one of my ‘Gurus’) - that guy didn’t act at all as he was expected - he had a message and delivered it on his terms, not by the societal mores of what a spiritual leader should act like.

Just a thought I wanted to share.

#2

The main reason I contribute this forum is to practice Jnana Yoga, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga are not predisposition of mine unlike Raja and Karma. I have very little interest in examining who is writing, rather I attempt to read without judgment and respond spontaneously as a practice.

#3
  1. Heaven On Their Minds.

Album: Jesus Christ Super Star (A Movie)
Just a no.
Heaven On Their Minds.

Judas:
My mind is clearer now - at last all too well
I can see where we all soon will be
If you strip away the myth from the man
You will see where we all soon will be
Jesus! You’ve started to believe the things they say of you
You really do believe this talk of God is true
And all the good you’ve done will soon get swept away
You’ve begun to matter more than the things you say
Listen Jesus I don’t like what I see
All I ask is that you listen to me
And remember - I’ve been your right hand man all along
You have set them all on fire
They think they’ve found the new Messiah
And they’ll hurt you when they find they’re wrong
I remember when this whole thing began
No talk of God then - we called you a man
And believe me - my admiration for you hasn’t died
But every word you say today
Gets twisted round some other way
And they’ll hurt you if they think you’ve lied
Nazareth your famous son should have stayed a great unknown
Like his father carving wood - he’d have made good
Tables, chairs and oaken chests would have suited Jesus best
He’d have caused nobody’s harm - no-one alarm
Listen Jesus do you care for your race?
Don’t you see we must keep in our place?
We are occupied - have you forgotten how put down we are?
I am frightened by the crowd
For we are getting much too loud
And they’ll crush us if we go too far
Listen Jesus to the warning I give
Please remember that I want us to live
But it’s sad to see our chances weakening with every hour
All your followers are blind
Too much heaven on their minds
It was beautiful but now it’s sour
Yes it’s all gone sour

contd…

#4

[QUOTE=ray_killeen;72375]The main reason I contribute this forum is to practice Jnana Yoga, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga are not predisposition of mine unlike Raja and Karma. I have very little interest in examining who is writing, rather I attempt to read without judgment and respond spontaneously as a practice.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your comments Ray_Killeen.

As for me, when I read writing/comments, I have to make a decision - does this message resonate with me? In doing so I notice the mode/tone of communication. My comments are not directed at any individual, nor are they intended to damage any egos… they are just meant to open a discussion about how we communicate… what resonates… what doesn’t.

And I suppose, they also serve as an invitation to all (including myself), to examine our own communication patterns, ego, etc.

And, I might ad… I do appreciate the opportunity to read your posts/comments/replies.

#5

You should take your practice seriously, not yourself seriously. When I say yourself, I mean the little you(ego). You take the big you seriously by taking your practice seriously. When I say practice I mean the full path of Kriya Yoga, not just one part of it(be it morals and ethics, postures and breathwork, meditation) but the whole integral path. We simply do not have time to waste by focusing on only one area, and neglecting others - it will create imbalances which we later will need to rectify.

Posting on a Yoga forum is a good activity to do, because it simulates satsangas, the meeting of other spiritual seekers to share/discuss/debate with one another. This kind of socialization is needed on the spiritual path and it is very beneficial. It is better to do this kind of socialization than the regular boozing out with your work or school mates or idle gossip sessions, because at least this reminds you of spirituality. When your mind becomes so familiar with the spiritual, it will start to think spiritually automatically .

#6

[QUOTE=YogiMoni;72382]Thank you for your comments Ray_Killeen.

As for me, when I read writing/comments, I have to make a decision - does this message resonate with me? In doing so I notice the mode/tone of communication. My comments are not directed at any individual, nor are they intended to damage any egos… they are just meant to open a discussion about how we communicate… what resonates… what doesn’t.

And I suppose, they also serve as an invitation to all (including myself), to examine our own communication patterns, ego, etc.[/QUOTE]

Resonate?could either mean recognizing the subtle echo of one?s true inner voice or an attraction/aversion of the mind; fuel to sustain likes/dislikes, fertile ground for beliefs/illusion to thrive. Egos seem neither good nor bad however identifying and understanding when they?re engaged sure helps if you?re going to take interest in this Forum where we have the luxury to reread/revise and polish words without revealing body language, facial expressions or inflection of voice.

#7

A seemingly accurate observation Monique.

#8

Becoming excessively serious is not an uncommon thing among mankind. It is seen everywhere but most notably in religion and politics. In any group of people gathered around a common interest, opinion or practice there will be a few uninterested tag-alongs and another group of hard-core fanatics. I think the key to not go from passionate about something to excessively serious is in judging. As long as you do not judge others for not being as involved as yourself in " insert topic ", as long as you can laugh at yourself … then you have not crossed the line :slight_smile:

#9

[QUOTE=AlbaRose;72448]Becoming excessively serious is not an uncommon … I think the key to not go from passionate about something to excessively serious is in judging. As long as you do not judge others for not being as involved as yourself in " insert topic ", as long as you can laugh at yourself … then you have not crossed the line :-)[/QUOTE]

YES!!! That is a good way to look at it and a nice rule to follow. Thanks for sharing that perspective.

#10

I have come to find that serious people are this way because they have attached themselves/their ego to specific idea of how things should be. that is to say, they assume things should be one way or another…i.e., their “colored” thoughts (negetive/not open) have taken ‘serious’ control of how they view themselves in relation to everything else.

This quote from the Tao, i think, answers the question:

When alive, the body is supple, yielding.
In death, the body becomes hard, unyielding.

Living plants are flexible,
In death, they become dry and brittle.

Therefore, stubborn people are disciples of death, but
Flexible people are disciples of life.

In the same way,
Inflexible soldiers cannot win (a victory).
And the hardest trees are readiest for an axe to chop them down
Tough guys sink to the bottom, while
Flexible people rise to the top.

#11

Thank you for sharing this DVI.

#12

[QUOTE=AlbaRose;72448]Becoming excessively serious is not an uncommon thing among mankind.[/QUOTE]

Of course I?m serious. I was born here without asking to come and the first thing handed me was a death sentence for nothing I did!

#13

[QUOTE=ray_killeen;72784]Of course I?m serious. I was born here without asking to come and the first thing handed me was a death sentence for nothing I did![/QUOTE]

You’re funny :smiley:

#14

[QUOTE=YogiMoni;72786]You’re funny :D[/QUOTE]

I smirked myself when it popped into my head, ironically it?s this notion that creates desire to seek the question ?what?s it all about?, if life was a movie it may be best portrayed as a comedy rather than a tragedy.

#15

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;72401]A seemingly accurate observation Monique.[/QUOTE]

Understated genius as always Gordon.

#16

Hello and welcome everybody (this is my first post :slight_smile: )

I myself take Yoga seriously because I feel like I have so much to learn. Yoginis who have learnt a lot are unlikely to think they actually have. The more you develop, the more you see how far from being perfect you are. So this should keep our ego down, no matter how much progress we have made.

But do I take myself seriously? Not at all. Humans are funny.