How important is it to study and teach from one yoga lineage and why?
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts if you have any to share.
Thanks!
Yonita
Yonita,
it is a matter of how important it is to YOU. That is the only thing that matters for your living.
However, since you’ve asked here, I’ll presume you are seeking some additional information and perspective from which to make that very decision. And bear in mind it would of course depend on WHAT lineage is being discussed. A lineage of shadow would not be as welcome (for me) as a light-filled practice with no lineage at all.
For me personally the line or history behind or supporting my chosen path is incredibly important. There are two reasons for this.
The first is an energetic reason. The energy or wisdom flows forward in time from somewhere. It has origin and that energy is constantly being transmitted to those who have sincere, committed interest in it.
The second reason (again, for me) is pragmatic. In my particular case the lineage has allowed for refinement over time. Call it a form of vetting, testing or experimentation. Of course there is also the matter of how the teachings have been handed down teacher to student and the effect of teachings that have not been diluted.
Just because something is old that does not make it “good”. However in this case tracing the path of the teachings back does have it’s value in the present.
Create an institution and prisoners will be inaugurated however if something resonates from the wealth of ever expanding human consciousness confirm it yourself remembering that inner most light shining quietly and timelessly in the heart is the genuine Guru.
?Each seeker accepts, or invents, a method which suits him, applies it to himself with some earnestness and effort, obtains results according to his temperament and expectations, casts them into the mound of words, builds them into a system, establishes a tradition and begins to admit others into his ‘school of Yoga’. It is all built on memory and imagination. No such school is valueless, nor indispensable; in each one can progress up to the point, when all desire for progress must be abandoned to make further progress possible. Then all schools are given up, all effort ceases; in solitude and darkness the vast step is made which ends ignorance and fear forever.
The true teacher, however, will not imprison his disciple in a prescribed set of ideas, feelings and actions; on the contrary, he will show him patiently the need to be free from all ideas and set patterns of behavior, to be vigilant and earnest and go with life wherever it takes him, not to enjoy or suffer, but to understand and learn.
Under the right teacher the disciple learns to learn, not to remember and obey. Satsang, the company of the noble, does not mold, it liberates. Beware of all that makes you dependent. Most of the so-called ‘surrenders to the Guru’ end in disappointment, if not in tragedy. Fortunately, an earnest seeker will disentangle himself in time, the wiser for the experience.? ~ Nisargadatta
Beautiful quote, feel like it is very relevant to much more than just yoga!