Yoga and Sex vs Celibacy

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#54

I would rather say Yoga is a technology developed by Hinduism.
And like any other technology, it can be applied to several purposes.

You may see that yogic terminology is sanskrit and rooted in Hinduism, but that does not mean it “is” Hinduism, as in the same way computers “are not” american culture, or capitalist economy “is not” british culture, and so on…
Computers are build on a certain set of scientific principles, not on American culture. Likewise, yoga is build on certain metaphysical principles of Hinduism. Of course, any religion is free to adopt them, but that would change the nature of those other religions completely.

A christian, a muslim, a shamanist… all of them could make use of Yoga for evolving to the state of true meditation, and then go on to liberation through prayers or meditations of their systems.
It is not an integral part of their system. Someone could also play a computer game and then do their Christian, muslim prayers to save their souls. That doesn’t change anything in the nature of computer games. Of course, anyone can engage in the practice of yoga, but that doesn’t change the fact that yoga is grounded in Hindu thought.

#55

[QUOTE=Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā;62692]Computers are build on a certain set of scientific principles, not on American culture. Likewise, yoga is build on certain metaphysical principles of Hinduism. Of course, any religion is free to adopt them, but that would change the nature of those other religions completely.

It is not an integral part of their system. Someone could also play a computer game and then do their Christian, muslim prayers to save their souls. That doesn’t change anything in the nature of computer games. Of course, anyone can engage in the practice of yoga, but that doesn’t change the fact that yoga is grounded in Hindu thought.[/QUOTE]

Perhaps you forget that religions have an exoteric and an esoteric face.
Exoteric for believers, esoteric for seekers.

What you say might be true for the former, who cling to dogmas and shut many doors, but no for the later, who remain open and use anything may help them to evolve.

In fact, aren’t there tantric muslim fakirs there in India?

#56

[QUOTE=Sahasrara;62679]“unhampered by doubt”- this where the problem starts and the western world customizes yoga for their need and do not mostly and undoubtedly believe in “The only goal of yoga”. Here the yoga is mostly coated with “Charvaka” flavor and so celibacy is a myth for this part of world and so people get physical pains even if they think of practicing celibacy.[/QUOTE]

Hey, after one month of abstinence it really hurts down there…

#57

[QUOTE=ray_killeen;62691]The only yogic flavors I?m aware of are Jnana, Bhakti, Karma & Raja Yoga.[/QUOTE]

Again, I am also aware of only these and I believe only in these. However, the Yoga normally understood and taught in many institutes here in western culture/US are taken out context and named as “Hot Yoga”, “Vikram Yoga”, “Yoga Networking” on a cruise, “Yoga for socializing”, “Community Yoga”, etc… for mere physical exercise, wellness and socializing. Nothing wrong or right about it. Because, yoga as a technology/technique applied for different purpose.

This is what I understand as Yoga flavorized with “Charvaka” philosophy.

#58

[QUOTE=ray_killeen;62687]How can my comment be out of context? Sahasrara was misleading readers that Hinduism is part of yoga, when in fact yoga is part of Hinduism.[/QUOTE]

I don’t think I mentioned Hinduism is a part of yoga. Can you read once more and see :slight_smile:

#59

[QUOTE=panoramix;62693]Perhaps you forget that religions have an exoteric and an esoteric face.
Exoteric for believers, esoteric for seekers.

What you say might be true for the former, who cling to dogmas and shut many doors, but no for the later, who remain open and use anything may help them to evolve.[/quote]
No, that distinction is not going to change matters. Both the metaphysics and the practice of yoga are grounded in Hinduism.

What you say might be true for the former, who cling to dogmas and shut many doors, but no for the later, who remain open and use anything may help them to evolve.
They may call themselves muslim, but they are not accepted by Islam. Like I said before, they have changed the nature of their religion so drastically by adopting Hindu metaphysics and practices that it cannot be recognised as Islam anymore.

#60

God is neither hindu nor muslim. God is beyond religion.
So, in the end, what matters all that?

We will have to drop our tenets, our conceptions, our beliefs, even our individual self if we want to achieve liberation.

Do you agree?

#61

[QUOTE=Sahasrara;62698]Again, I am also aware of only these and I believe only in these. However, the Yoga normally understood and taught in many institutes here in western culture/US are taken out context and named as “Hot Yoga”, “Vikram Yoga”, “Yoga Networking” on a cruise, “Yoga for socializing”, “Community Yoga”, etc… for mere physical exercise, wellness and socializing. Nothing wrong or right about it. Because, yoga as a technology/technique applied for different purpose.

This is what I understand as Yoga flavorized with “Charvaka” philosophy.[/QUOTE]Don’t be surprised, I heard from a friend that he talked to some fool who called himself a Buddhist objectivist. As long as it makes people feel good about themselves, they don’t care about the compatibility of the things they are trying to combine.

#62

[QUOTE=Sahasrara;62698]Again, I am also aware of only these and I believe only in these. However, the Yoga normally understood and taught in many institutes here in western culture/US are taken out context and named as “Hot Yoga”, “Vikram Yoga”, “Yoga Networking” on a cruise, “Yoga for socializing”, “Community Yoga”, etc… for mere physical exercise, wellness and socializing. [B]Nothing wrong or right about it.[/B] Because, yoga as a technology/technique applied for different purpose.

This is what I understand as Yoga flavorized with “Charvaka” philosophy.[/QUOTE]

There are [B]many things wrong with it and few things right about it[/B]; misleading and wasting ones time since body and mind investments are limited to this world where as spiritual investment is unlimited and infinite. FYI, we are off topic so I may not continue this exchange. I don?t associate myself with Cārvāka.

#63

[QUOTE=Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā;62701]No, that distinction is not going to change matters. Both the metaphysics and the practice of yoga are grounded in Hinduism.

They may call themselves muslim, but they are not accepted by Islam. Like I said before, they have changed the nature of their religion so drastically by adopting Hindu metaphysics and practices that it cannot be recognised as Islam anymore.[/QUOTE]

Is buddhist Yoga hindu?

#64

Buddhism has emerged out of Hinduism and in many ways it shares the same metaphysics of the vedas, sankhya and also tantra in later Buddhism.

#65

[QUOTE=Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā;62706]Buddhism has emerged out of Hinduism and in many ways it shares the same metaphysics of the vedas, sankhya and also tantra in later Buddhism.[/QUOTE]

But if you had to choose and answer what would you give?
Is buddhist Yoga hindu or buddhist? :smiley:

#66

Since Buddhists have adopted the majority of their metaphysics and practices from Hinduism, I would say that yes many of the Buddhist practices, including what is called “Buddhist yoga” are Hindu or modifications of Hinduism. Just as Jainism and Sikkhism (a branch of vaishnavism) they fall under the banner of Bharata Dharma.

#67

The Scales, the ONE goal of yoga is [U]liberation from samsara[/U].

Hands of Eye and other guys, I’ve opened a new thread to discuss women in yoga and the clothes they wear, or don’t wear here;

http://www.yogaforums.com/forums/f16/women-and-yoga-8373.html#post62713

#68

[QUOTE=GORI YOGINI;62714]The Scales, the ONE goal of yoga is [U]liberation from samsara[/U].

Hands of Eye and other guys, I’ve opened a new thread to discuss women in yoga and the clothes they wear, or don’t wear here;

http://www.yogaforums.com/forums/f16/women-and-yoga-8373.html#post62713[/QUOTE]

wut does liberation mean?

#69

[QUOTE=panoramix;62702][B]God is neither hindu nor muslim. God is beyond religion.
So, in the end, what matters all that?

Do you agree?[/B][/QUOTE]

Which god are your talking about?

#70

Scales:

wut does liberation mean?

Freedom from samsara. Ending the cycle of samsara. That is mukti, moksha or liberation.

Where are your shirtless pics?

:wink:

#71

[QUOTE=GORI YOGINI;62736]Scales:

Freedom from samsara. Ending the cycle of samsara. That is mukti, moksha or liberation.

Where are your shirtless pics?

;)[/QUOTE]

Yes but what does that mean?

No pics of me. I have reasons

#72

[QUOTE=Sahasrara;62686]Anent,

Can you comment on this? This will augument your previous reply too to reason out why do people flavorize yoga in this part of the world. Since, i am a staunch hindu, I have no problem in taking this science, but you need to get into the mind of a so called yogi from western part of the world also.[/QUOTE]

Dear Friend:

With God Realisation being the goal of all religions, they differ only in their modes of worship and the codes of conduct.

Hinduism is one religion which itself has a vast variety of modes of worship, the original modes being closely linked with the inner aspect of God.

The many modes of worship in Hinduism could be seen to fall under the category of [I]Tantra[/I].

Yoga too originates from Tantra, with one of my known references going into the [I][B]Kularnava Tantra[/B][/I], which expounds that all Creation which is a process of Involution of Prana, is supported on and driven by a Residual Power, the direction of which when reversed (i.e. evoluted), comes to be known as [I][B]Kundalini.[/B][/I]

This is the Universal Divine Power, within all Creation, which deserves to be worshiped. There are many ways that will make the Residual Power change Her direction and thus become the awakened [I][B]Kundalini.[/B][/I] Kularnava Tantra states She can also be aroused by the grace of Guru.

Once aroused and allowed to function independently of the ego and mind, various internal unions of all the dualities start precipitating through autonomous (divinely directed) yoga kriyas.

Thus the aspirant is set up on the path of [B]realising the [I]atman[/I][/B], the goal that is unique to Hinduism.

regards, anand

#73

Regarding the “flavorizing” of yoga - the first to do that was Indians themselves.

“Laughing Yoga”???