Realizing the true self through yoga! Even for atheists? (ritual, Earth)

[Hema]

Originally Posted by Kungfuzed

But what about all the good you could do with that money? Wouldn't it be better to accept a reward if it gives you greater power to help others? You could build a school, or give money to the poor, or hire some bodyguards for Mrs. Vindra, or retire from your job and help others full time. Also, by denying a reward, aren't you also denying someone else the opportunity to do good to you? Sorry to hear about the kidnapping, by the way. In karma yoga, is the sin in expecting the reward, or accepting it?

In Karma Yoga one is not supposed to expect a reward or accept it. In that way, it is done as a self-less act. I understand what you mean about the money being able to help others. However, God or as you would say, the universe has a way of giving you back what you deserve. This reminds me of a story I once contributed to RF's newsletter. It was taken from:
http://www.spiritual-endeavors.org/stories/an-act.htm

This is the story:

An Act Of Kindness
Contributed By Lee Ryan Miller

He was driving home one evening, on a two-lane country road. Work, in this small mid-western community, was almost as slow as his beat-up Pontiac. But he never quit looking. Ever since the Levis factory closed, he'd been unemployed, and with winter raging on, the chill had finally hit home. It was a lonely road. Not very many people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving. Most of his friends had already left. They had families to feed and dreams to fulfill. But he stayed on. After all, this was where he buried his mother and father. He was born here and knew the country.
He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side, and with his headlights not working, that came in handy. It was starting to get dark and light snow flurries were coming down. He'd better get a move on. You know, he almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.
Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe, he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill that only fear can put in you. He said, "I'm here to help you m'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm. By the way, my name is Joe."
Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough Joe crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down her window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Joe just smiled as he closed her trunk.
She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been alright with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Joe never thought twice about the money. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Joe added "...and think of me".
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight. A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone of an out of work actor, it didn't ring much.
Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Joe.
After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get her change from a hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on a napkin. There were tears in her eyes, when she read what the lady wrote. It said, "You don't owe me a thing, I've been there too. Someone once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here's what you do. Don't let the chain of love end with you."
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could she have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's gonna be alright, I love you Joe."

Originally Posted by Kungfuzed

This is all very interesting. As for hatha yoga, what is a chakra?

Everyone has an energy called the Kundalini which, when it is not active, lies dormant at the base of the spine. We all have spiritual centers centers along the spine (chakras), the lowest at the base of the spine and the highest at the top of the head. When we become more spiritual or live a good life, more and more chakras become active as the Kundalini travels upwards. When the higher chakras become open, it allows for greater spiritual advancement. The way we live our lives helps a lot. For eg. if we are very loving or are in love, the heart chakra is very active. Sometimes when the energy reaches the chakra between the eyes, a slight "pulling" sensation can be felt. Sometimes during meditation, the body can slightly rock back and forth due to the Kundalini travelling upwards. Hinduism is very symbolic. We use the cobra snake to represent the Kundalini because just like a cobra, it lies coiled when dormant and travels upward when awake. That's why one of the Hindu Deities - Shiva, had cobras around him.

[eudaimonia]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

Look, I would personally favour a path that emphasises discovery, rather than devotion per se.

Me too, which is one reason why I'm on the path I'm on.


eudaimonia,

Mark

[MaddLlama]

I used to take classes of a type of yoga not listed, Kripalu, when I lived closer to NYC. It is as far as I know a relatively new form of yoga, but it worked well for me because it is dynamic - it's moving meditation while flowing from one asana to the other. The class I took also incorporated Chakras, but I'm not sure if that is all Kripalu classes.
Around where I live now though, there doesn't seem to be much but Hatha and Kundalini yoga classes.

[Hema]

Originally Posted by eudaimonia

I, and most people in the West, are only familiar with Hatha Yoga and meditation, and aren't even aware that there are other yogas.

I have practiced Hatha Yoga a little, and found it helpful for increasing energy and alertness. I never had any goals regarding "pure Awareness", and simply took the benefits I value.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Hee hee I knew that most Westerners are only familiar with Hatha Yoga. It's good to know that you practiced yoga. Even if you are not looking for spiritual benefits, the health benefits are amazing. Perhaps the spiritual benefits might come on their own, even if you're not looking for them. However, there are special postures that are especially designed for the chakras. My yoga teacher says that we should not try to open the chakras through these postures without the help of an experienced yoga master. There's even a Muslim lady in our class (which is held in a Hindu Temple) and she only comes for the health benefits, which is great because if we are unhealthy how can we totally focus on God if we are in pain? (regardless of what religion we belong to) If we try to sit still, we cannot fully concentrate because we will be thinking about the pain. The body is sacred; we should do our best to keep it in good shape and Hatha Yoga is really good for that purpose.

[Hema]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

Nice thread Hema. I've previously asked the same question of Karma Yoga. Look, I would personally favour a path that emphasises discovery, rather than devotion per se. I believe atheists could well have their conceptions of spirituality turned inside out (pardon the pun) in seeking to master asanas basic to Hatha Yoga.

Thank you Ozzie, it was really Booko's idea that I start a thread on this topic. Hmm, discovery rather devotion sounds like Jnana yoga. At http://www.yogapoint.com/info/typesofyoga.htm these are listed as the components of Jnana Yoga:

1. Not believing but realising
2. Self-awareness leading to self-analysis
3. Experiencing knowledge
4. Realising the personal nature
5. Developing intuitive wisdom
6. Experiencing inner unity

[eudaimonia]

Originally Posted by Hema

However, there are special postures that are especially designed for the chakras. My yoga teacher says that we should not try to open the chakras through these postures without the help of an experienced yoga master.

My brother-in-law is a yoga instructor of a type of yoga dealing with opening the chakras. (Kundalini yoga? I forget if that's the name of it.) He's working on opening his own chakras, from what I hear.

Maybe I'll wait until he's opened them all before I let him teach me to open mine.

The body is sacred; we should do our best to keep it in good shape and Hatha Yoga is really good for that purpose.

Yeah, I agree.


eudaimonia,

Mark

[Hema]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

I used to take classes of a type of yoga not listed, Kripalu, when I lived closer to NYC. It is as far as I know a relatively new form of yoga, but it worked well for me because it is dynamic - it's moving meditation while flowing from one asana to the other. The class I took also incorporated Chakras, but I'm not sure if that is all Kripalu classes.
Around where I live now though, there doesn't seem to be much but Hatha and Kundalini yoga classes.

Amazing! Thanks for the info. I looked it up on the net and it seems to be a combination of different yogic practices. This is the definition I came across at: http://www.triumbra.com/yoga/definition.htm

Kripalu Yoga

is a modern school of Yoga that reflects a synthesis of traditional approaches. It is based on the teachings of Swami Kripalvanandji. For a history of Kripalu click here. Kripalu Yoga incorporates into one system the physical and purification practices of Hatha Yoga; the mental disciplines of Raja Yoga; the prana awakening principles of Kundalini Yoga; the devotion of Bhakti Yoga; and the emphasis on service of Karma Yoga.

More than a spiritual practice on the Yoga mat, Kripalu Yoga is a holistic lifestyle in which the principles of Yoga are applied off the mat in daily life. The key to the practice of Kripalu Yoga lies in understanding prana (universal life-force) as a link between body, mind, and spirit. The regular practice of Kripalu Yoga will result in the awakening of prana, which allows the deeper aspects of Yoga and meditation to manifest spontaneously and effortlessly. Throughout Kripalu’s three-stage approach, you are guided to move at your own pace, honoring your body’s needs in each moment. Kripalu Yoga develops the body, mind and spirit in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. You leave the class feeling uplifted and centered.