Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga: I was just wondering?

Home : Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga:
I was just wondering?

jaythehippy
New User

Mar 15, 2004, 10:23 AM

Post #1 of 5 (1574 views)
Shortcut

I was just wondering?	Can't Post

Good Evening All Sly

I'm probably opening a kettle of worms here but i was just wondering
Do all yogi's believe in God?
I use the word God in a very expand form.
Maybe this question would be better as a poll?

Jay Smile

Dont forget to Breath

lotusbud
Regular

Mar 15, 2004, 2:45 PM

Post #2 of 5 (1557 views)
Shortcut

Re: God [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Jay
I am sorry this isnt a straight forward yes or no.
I have never really sat down and had a discussion about my beliefs with any other yoga practitioner apart from the sharing of the invocation.
I guess I feel it to be personal on the one hand and on the other completely out of my hands.
From this vast expansive universe to the nature around me in the form that I see, hear, feel, sence and experience,
the devotional prayers that are within me,
I guess manifests in a way that my nature of being is with myself and others.
Patanjali sutra 1.23 - 1.27.
Maybe God resides in us all wether we know it or not.
Aum

(This post was edited by lotusbud on Mar 15, 2004, 3:34 PM)

Bryan Alexander
Enthusiast / Moderator

Mar 16, 2004, 5:18 AM

Post #3 of 5 (1548 views)
Shortcut

Re: I was just wondering? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jay, I'm curious what you're asking. I guess I'm not sure what you mean by, "Do all yogi's believe in God?" Do you mean, "Hey all you yogis out there. Do you believe in God?"
A different interesting question would be, "If I'm a yogi, do I have to believe in God?" This gets to the issue of what it means to embrace yoga both as a practice and a philosophy.
Here's another one: Does a Buddhist who embraces the dharma, a higher law, fit within your definition of someone who believes in God? Buddhists are usually considered to be people who do not believe in God. But many Buddhists are yogis.

BUT HERE IS MY BIG QUESTION: Jay, what difference does it make to you what other people believe?

lotusbud
Regular

Mar 17, 2004, 2:15 PM

Post #4 of 5 (1528 views)
Shortcut

God in theory or belief [In reply to]	Can't Post

Maybe its something that people wish not to talk about outside of their infastructure because beliefs may differ slightly.
I guess its natural to be protective of ones belief systems on a deeper personal level because this can be the soul structure of our inner and outer being or community.
If this is threatened in any way it may be quite soul destroying for some.
Spiritual beliefs can have one or many gods or one or many deities to my understanding whether Bhuddist,Saivite,Catholic,Jewish,Muslim or any other Christian.
We all live in the same earth and breath the same air, drink the same waters and are all fed with the abundance that this earth gives us.
Yet through our beliefs we have to learn respect,love and compassion for ourselves,others,this earth and all the elements that make this possible.
AUM

(This post was edited by lotusbud on Mar 17, 2004, 2:39 PM)

EssentialYoga
New User

Apr 20, 2004, 5:25 AM

Post #5 of 5 (1449 views)
Shortcut

Re: I was just wondering? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Jay,
It is an interesting question for me because of how and where I teach. I am Lutheran and have practiced yoga for 17 years. When I teach I have to be careful how I bring the true meaning of yoga to my students. Some students consider yoga a way to stay healthy, increase flexibility or a way to keep busy. Others want to make sure that I don't bring in any Eastern philosophy when I teach.

But, no matter how you look at it, centering (strengthening your core) and deepening your spirituality (whatever your religion) is the point of yoga. So in answer to your question "yes" all true yogis believe in some higher power (name it what you will). Without it all you are doing is gymnastics.

Om shanti
Roberta

Search for (options)