Universal Laws of Yoga - Part 3
by Paul
Jerard
zone3
Why do some religious fundamentalists fear Yoga?
For many non-practitioners of Yoga, it is Intolerance for something
they do not understand. This seems harmless at first, but cries of
witchcraft are never a good omen. However, every method of healing has its
critics.
Yoga has also been accused of being a “launching point” to export
Hinduism. This is very interesting, considering the large numbers of Yoga
practitioners who are not Hindus. Some Yogis and Yoginis do convert to
Hinduism, but the “calling” had to come from within themselves. Within
North America, most Yoga teachers are not Hindus at all and I have yet to
witness religious conversion in progress.
For fundamentalist Hindus that believe Yoga and Hinduism cannot be
separate, sorry to break the news, but it has already happened. Yoga was
interpreted in many ways by a variety of cultures and partial facets of
Yoga have grown independently. Some Hatha Yoga styles do not even practice
meditation.
Yoga students outside India, pick and choose what they want to learn
from Yoga. At this time, physical mastery seems to be most popular. This
is why Yoga teachers outside India focus primarily on physical health.
Many western students think only of Hatha Yoga, when they hear the word
“Yoga.”
This is why Yoga cannot really be controlled, regulated, or patented.
How do you control people’s thoughts, actions, physical practice, prayers,
meditation, or songs? The whole concept of controlling Yoga is
ludicrous.
Fundamentalists of different religions work together, quite by
accident, to divide the world’s religions into mobs of intolerance. Their
real fear is loss of control. So they speak in “absolutes.” For example:
“You will burn in hell, if you do not, do as I say” and “All of the
non-believers are going to Hell.”
The real problem with Yoga, for the fundamentalist of any religion, is
that it can be practiced by anyone from any religion. Yoga is not
exclusive: The laws are universal and interchangeable with every religion.
This allows a Yoga practitioner to work independently on his or her
spiritual health and work toward enlightenment.
What is wrong with working toward the common good? The idea of working
toward enlightenment and self-perfection are considered blasphemy to some.
However, can you imagine a world where men and women did not try to
improve themselves?
The objectives of Yoga are complete heath, self-improvement, self
realization, and tranquility. With these benefits acquired any Yoga
practitioner can help others and work for the common good.
© Copyright 2006 by Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at:
Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified
Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts,
with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was
recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga,
martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater
Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for
You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga
teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
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