Is Yoga Hinduism?

Spirituality Religion
#981

[QUOTE=kareng;50752]Your a bit late Billy…your quest…but I don’t know why your worried about Hinduism disappearing for whatever reason…,how can it?

A persons spiritual lineage follows them around, it’s inside them, even if they are born a long way from the place. When you meditate, you come to know your source so if its Hinduism, you will recognise parts of it…if not all of it…in this way Hinduism cannot disappear or be tampered with…[/QUOTE]

I don’t know if you are meditating correctly because you sure are getting information from nowhere. I urge you to find the post where I stated Hinduism would “disappear.” All I ever said was that Hinduism was being [B]culturally and religiously subverted[/B] because of ignorant Westerners like you.

And don’t try to avoid the topic; SD and I have won this meaningless debate. Hinduism predates Yoga. Yoga comes from Hinduism. We are right and you are all wrong. You will never understand this since you are all far too seeped into Eurocentric history and Westernized biases. I wish you a good day.

#982

I have to agree with Neitzsche, the case that has been presented for Yoga being identical to Hinduism has been overwhelming throughout this thread. A lot of evidence has been given in the form of historical, textual, archeaological and logical to seal the case that Yoga is Hinduism. That evidence has been

  1. The first descriptions of Yoga philosophy and practice are found in the Vedas and the Vedic period. The first appearance of the word Yoga as a science of self-realization is formulated in the Upanishads.
  2. All Hindu scriptures describe and philosophy and practice of Yoga. The equivalent of the bible of Hinduism, the Bhagvad Gita, is a treatise on Yoga
  3. Hindu gurus teach Yoga and Yoga itself become popular in the West though Hindu gurus coming to the West and teaching Yoga
  4. The first archeaological evidence of Yoga dates back to the Indus valley, which has shown to be already a post-vedic society. All elements that comprise Hinduism can be found at these sites(fire altars, swastikas, asanas etc)
  5. Correspondence tests between Hindu doctrines(atman, brahman, karma, samsara, dharma and samkhya) show Yoga philosophy to be identical to it.
  6. Authorities from other religions agree that Yoga is Hinduism

Therefore the case for Yoga being Hinduism is overwhelming and we can conclude this debate now by saying that the proponents of this case have won hands down.

But we have also come to some agreement that although Yoga is Hinduism, the practices of Yoga can be adopted and adapted by non-Hindus, provided they credit its Hindu origins.

I will add further accepting most of or all of Yoga philosophy is the same as accepting Hinduism. If you believe in most of these: the law of karma, reincarnation, spiritual evolution, various planes of reality and bodies(physical, astral, mental, causal) and consciousness being god/higher self and being in harmony with nature, you are most definitely a Hindu and if you have not come to terms with that, then you are in the closet.

#983

Yoga is a science as it is search of self, in science we search physical principles regarding universe and in yoga, seer search the self.
It is wrong to say yoga comes from hinduism. Hinduism originated much later as compaired to yoga. Yoga does not originated from any religion.

#984

[QUOTE=Recardo;50854]Yoga is a science as it is search of self, in science we search physical principles regarding universe and in yoga, seer search the self.
It is wrong to say yoga comes from hinduism. Hinduism originated much later as compaired to yoga. Yoga does not originated from any religion.[/QUOTE]

It is clear you don’t know what Hinduism is. See my thread “Hinduism/Vedic religion and Sanatana dharma” to gain more understanding.

#985

basically yoga came from Vedas and later patanjali has collected that in the form of yoga sutras. now pleqse dont say vedas represents hinduism.:stuck_out_tongue:

#986

Recardo, the Vedas represent Hinduism, as much as the bible represents Christianity and Quran represents Islam.
The Vedas are the revealed scriptures of Hinduism.

You obviously have no idea what Hinduism is. Again check out the thread and read it, there is a lot of information and resources to learn.

I must say some of the things people say on this forum are plain stupid.

#987

[QUOTE=Recardo;50854]Yoga is a science as it is search of self, in science we search physical principles regarding universe and in yoga, seer search the self.
It is wrong to say yoga comes from hinduism. Hinduism originated much later as compaired to yoga. Yoga does not originated from any religion.[/QUOTE]

Sigh* And people yell at us when we say Westerners are all too immersed in their Eurocentric and Westernized biases.

basically yoga came from Vedas and later patanjali has collected that in the form of yoga sutras. now pleqse dont say vedas represents hinduism.

Vedas don’t represent Hinduism? Since when did you become an authority on Hinduism within Catholic Portugal?

#988

What do most Hindus say about yoga?

#989

[QUOTE=thomas;50966]What do most Hindus say about yoga?[/QUOTE]

What do you mean? Are you asking what opinion they have of it? They believe its a useful practice and are proud that it is part of their tradition. Thats all.

Oh and welcome back Thomas. :smiley:

#990

[QUOTE=thomas;50966]What do most Hindus say about yoga?[/QUOTE]

I am a Hindu. So here goes Thomas.

Yoga developed as a tantric practice in Hinduism. It developed over several hundreds years as a path to acheive self realisation. If you look at the eight components (ashta anga) you will realise that there are two which are purificatory practices, the next is physical postures to strengthen the body and also give the mind the power to disconnect with the body while it is under strain, the fourth pranayam is control on the breath to train the mind, the fifth is pratyhar- training the mind to withdraw from the senses, the last three are concentration, meditation and samadhi which can be said to be stages where the mind focusses exclusively on one subject and progresses to extinction of the mind.

The underlying philosophy is that of non dualistic Hinduism. and path to travel to achieve the highest point in that philosophy is the process which Patanjali has classified as Yoga.

How can there be any doubt that yoga evolved within Hinduism - it is an intrinsic part of Hinduism. That having been said, it is such an efficient path that it takes you to the same goal, whether you believe in Hinduism or not.

#991

[QUOTE=Nietzsche;50820]I don’t know if you are meditating correctly because you sure are getting information from nowhere. I urge you to find the post where I stated Hinduism would “disappear.” All I ever said was that Hinduism was being [B]culturally and religiously subverted[/B] because of ignorant Westerners like you.

And don’t try to avoid the topic; SD and I have won this meaningless debate. Hinduism predates Yoga. Yoga comes from Hinduism. We are right and you are all wrong. You will never understand this since you are all far too seeped into Eurocentric history and Westernized biases. I wish you a good day.[/QUOTE]

Oops I’m on the wrong thread…

#992

[QUOTE=reaswaran;50977]I am a Hindu. So here goes Thomas.

Yoga developed as a tantric practice in Hinduism. It developed over several hundreds years as a path to acheive self realisation. If you look at the eight components (ashta anga) you will realise that there are two which are purificatory practices, the next is physical postures to strengthen the body and also give the mind the power to disconnect with the body while it is under strain, the fourth pranayam is control on the breath to train the mind, the fifth is pratyhar- training the mind to withdraw from the senses, the last three are concentration, meditation and samadhi which can be said to be stages where the mind focusses exclusively on one subject and progresses to extinction of the mind.

The underlying philosophy is that of non dualistic Hinduism. and path to travel to achieve the highest point in that philosophy is the process which Patanjali has classified as Yoga.

How can there be any doubt that yoga evolved within Hinduism - it is an intrinsic part of Hinduism. That having been said, it is such an efficient path that it takes you to the same goal, whether you believe in Hinduism or not.[/QUOTE]

Once again, you have just said what SD and I have been trying to convey for…989 posts. But these fools won’t listen. Ironically, it is only Thomas, perhaps the most open-minded person on the forum, who listens to us and is willing to educate himself about a religion so diametrically opposed to his.

#993

[QUOTE=reaswaran;50977]I am a Hindu. So here goes Thomas.

Yoga developed as a tantric practice in Hinduism. It developed over several hundreds years as a path to acheive self realisation. If you look at the eight components (ashta anga) you will realise that there are two which are purificatory practices, the next is physical postures to strengthen the body and also give the mind the power to disconnect with the body while it is under strain, the fourth pranayam is control on the breath to train the mind, the fifth is pratyhar- training the mind to withdraw from the senses, the last three are concentration, meditation and samadhi which can be said to be stages where the mind focusses exclusively on one subject and progresses to extinction of the mind.

The underlying philosophy is that of non dualistic Hinduism. and path to travel to achieve the highest point in that philosophy is the process which Patanjali has classified as Yoga.

How can there be any doubt that yoga evolved within Hinduism - it is an intrinsic part of Hinduism. That having been said, it is such an efficient path that it takes you to the same goal, whether you believe in Hinduism or not.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your explanation. I don’t know enough about it to dispute what you say, and I have no problem with the yoga-Hindu connection. If it’s Hindu, then it’s Hindu, and that’s fine with me, though I do believe it is possible to take certain principles from yoga, and practice them in a non-Hindu manner, such as doing the asanas, and possibly some of the breathing and concentration exercises.

But why is Patanjali an authority?

And what do you mean by “extinction of the mind”? As much as I appreciate certain aspects of yoga, that doesn’t seem like a place I want to go, and don’t see that a desirable end.

#994

But why is Patanjali an authority?

Because Patanjali gave the first systematic and scientific account of Yoga. Prior to Patanjali yoga was scattered about in Hindu literature. Patanjali compiled everything and codified it to form a coherent system.

And what do you mean by “extinction of the mind”?

When your mind is full of thoughts racing through it what happens? You lack focus, you feel agitated, you can’t function properly. In extreme cases this also leads to mental illness and insomnia. When our mind is clear and crisp, what happens? You have focus, you feel composed and alert, you can function properly. So what “extinguishing the mind” means in this context is the removal of all activity of thoughts, to leave a completely clear and pure mind with no content at all. To get 100% focus, 100% alertness and 100% function.

#995

That makes sense. I thought he meant something different.

#996

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;51054]. So what “extinguishing the mind” means in this context is the removal of all activity of thoughts, to leave a completely clear and pure mind with no content at all. To get 100% focus, 100% alertness and 100% function.[/QUOTE]

The state of no thoughts is what is referred to in Zen as “No Mind”. As Surya states this is the highest potential of the mind- complete awareness and 100 % focus. All Japanese martial arts also proceed in this direction. Hindu philosophy believes that at this state of awareness, the individual mind merges into the Universal mind. (Call that God, Brahman, Tao whatever )

#997

I believe that to be able to pull out of thoughts and not be lost in the world of thinking and imagination is something to be striven for, and that it could possibly give the feeling of being one with the “universal mind,” but I don’t believe that it is a merging but a connection. We are distinct minds/souls from our Creator, and are not the Creator.

#998

[QUOTE=thomas;51125]I believe that to be able to pull out of thoughts and not be lost in the world of thinking and imagination is something to be striven for, and that it could possibly give the feeling of being one with the “universal mind,” but I don’t believe that it is a merging but a connection. We are distinct minds/souls from our Creator, and are not the Creator.[/QUOTE]

Thomas, you have a right to your views. And no one is trying to convert you to the Hindu view point.

However, again these are my view points and I wont dispute anyone’s right to their views.

(a) If there is a creator, and he presumably decides all happennings in this world, then why would he be perverse enough to want his creations to suffer all the time- war, hunger, rape, murder etc… Surely an exercise of will would be sufficient to remove all evil from the thought processes of mankind ?
(b) How does one explain the creator bringing into being a baby and then takin its life in a few weeks (infant mortalities)
© and if the creator decides birth , death and all wordly events, he can surely make all of mankind benevolent and honest and save himself the trouble of creating hell.
(d) and again if he decides all happennings, what is the purpose of creation ?

#999

[QUOTE=Nietzsche;51018]Once again, you have just said what SD and I have been trying to convey for…989 posts. But these fools won’t listen. Ironically, it is only Thomas, perhaps the most open-minded person on the forum, who listens to us and is willing to educate himself about a religion so diametrically opposed to his.[/QUOTE]

:stuck_out_tongue: Religion is an emotional issue with mankind. But they fact that they have all embraced yoga is in itself proof of the yogic pudding. Ah yes, to be able to admit that Hindu concepts are closer to existential reality will take a lot of detachment , but the path of Yoga that they have adopted will ensure that. Time is all that is needed.:wink:

#1000

AGREEED ,

Practice yoga and find out for yourself…otherwise it’s all largely hot air.

I don’t beleive you have to embrace hinduism but the science behind it will make sense.

I’m a good hindu but i don’t believe in religiion.

[quote=thomas;51053]and that’s fine with me, though I do believe it is possible to take certain principles from yoga, and practice them in a non-Hindu manner, such as doing the asanas, and possibly some of the breathing and concentration exercises.[/quote]“Possibly”…MmmmMmmmmm

No sipping from half a glass Thomas.:wink:

Go to a yoga class and give it a go.