Is Yoga secular or scientific
The word Yog means union. Union of Jevatma with Parmatma. This concept is based on the belief that we are part of the Parmatma (Supreme power). We have the potential to become one with the Supreme power.
Patanjali says that Yog is Chit Vriti Nirodha, which means elimination of mind modifications is Yog. Yoga is not a set of postures. Asanas are only a part of Patanjali's Yog.
Ashtang Yoga has eight concepts -Yam, Niyam, Asans, pranayam, Pratyahar, Dharna, Dhyan, and Samadhi.
Yoga is a lifestyle. It is an individual practice. It is in every action and thinking of the practitioner. It requires learning from the Scriptures, and a practicing yoga guru. Even during Vedic times, not everyone was practicing Yoga.
People who do not believe in Sanatan Dharm philosophy may not be able to practice yog as described by Patanjali as the end goal of Patanjali's Yog is Samadhi which is merger with the Parmatma. There is no duality.
How do non-sanatani people accept this concept? Their religious belief is in contradiction with this fundamental and foundational philosophy.
Are the concepts of Five layers of existence, Panch pranas, Nadis, Pratyahar scientific and secular? Many diseases arise in the mind, are these scientific and secular? Is this statement that everyone can do yoga correct?
Another Sanatan Dharma principle is the Karma theory. Everyone has to get the fruit of their Karma. Until their karmic balance is zero, no one can attain Moksha or merge with the Supreme power or with one unbounded consciousness.
Sanatan Dharma says that all beings are on their journey. Everyone is at a different mark in his journey. So, not everyone is ready to practice Yoga or Dharana, Dhayana, etc. in this era. How right will it be to say that dharana and dhyan are for everyone, and all have the right to practice these? Traditionally yoga was known only to Rishis. It was not for everyone. Rishis used to teach this to their students under closed supervision, guidance, and over many years.
What are Yoga researchers trying to prove? The basis of Yoga is a belief system. The final stage of Yoga is the merger with Parmatma. After the merger, nothing is left behind to explain, say, or describe anything. So how come any research is going to prove that Yoga is a real thing and that merger does happen?
Yoga is gaining popularity internationally. Some people are now coming up with the concept of side effects of yoga, mainly adverse effects of meditation.
The way many practice yoga these days is not traditional astang yoga. So many different versions have come up e.g. Christian yoga, dog yoga, beer yoga, hot yoga, etc. It has become a fashion and is fully commercialized with a main focus on postures. So many exercises and dynamic practices have become a routine part of yoga.
People are practicing yoga without properly understanding the concept and without seeking a real yoga guru. Even reputed Yoga universities are not teaching traditional ashtang Yoga. Many Yoga therapy centers and Yoga therapists have come up recently. It is so paradoxical to see yoga teachers suffering from the ailments for which they are providing therapy and claiming cures as well as making sweeping generalizations about its benefits.
I do not think that any scripture describes mantra chanting, Om chanting, fast-paced exercises, loosening practices, sukshma vyayam, use of prop ups, sectional breathing, relaxations, etc. as part of yoga. IRT (Instant relaxation technique), QRT (Quick relaxation technique), and DRT (Deep relaxation technique) are not described in the scriptures. Astang limb of yoga describes the eight components of Yoga but does not say that pranayam or breathing practices have to be combined with asanas. It does not say that inhale has to be in this particular body position and exhale in some other body posture. It is unimaginable to prescribe Pratyahara practice to Grishasthis or common people. If they practice withdrawing from the five senses, they can be in deep trouble. Imagine someone not listening to horns or ambulance/police sirens on highways, someone not smelling gas leaks at home, or hearing breakdowns in their home, etc.
Current yoga practices are not traditional yoga. These are a mixture of various techniques- psychological, physical therapy, exercise, behavioral, sukshma vyayam, loosening practices, dynamic practices, yi jin jing, OM meditation, Cyclic meditation, guided imagery, etc. Current yoga practices in the Western world (also to a large extent in the Eastern world) are a mix or conglomeration of various cultures, traditions, practices, beliefs, etc.
Musical therapy goes on with musical inhale and exhale sounds.
Every time Yoga instructors say, do it according to your capability. That capability is already there, so what new are they offering?
Famous saying- do not practice without consulting your physician. Physicians do not get yoga training; many physicians know nothing about yoga. How are they going to clear patients to do yoga practices when they have no idea about it? It was not included in their training. There is a difference between physical therapy and Yoga.
Physicians usually do not endorse or support any specific religious or spiritual beliefs, so they cannot tell patients if a particular kind of meditation practice is right for them.
Mindfulness, meditation, and enlightenment are not the same as Dharana, Dhyan, and Samadhi.
Dharna, Dhayan, and Samadhi are not done based on the predefined time or by setting up an alarm.
Samadhi is a journey to an unknown realm. Even to begin walking on it needs purity of body and mind. No being can attain Samadhi. When a union between Jeevatma and Parmatma happens, no being is there. Different stages/types of Samadhi have been described.
Meditation, these days means relaxation and increased productivity after the practice. Traditionally, it was required to follow certain practices to purify the mind and make the body fit to sit in meditation.
Some people talk about the dark effects of meditation like knowing their past lives/deeds, suicidal thoughts, recollection of old memories, thoughts of harming themselves, depression, demotivation, noncaring attitude towards family, detachment from reality, etc.
People have started talking about the side effects of meditation without considering that there are stages of Samadhi and there is a gradual advancement in Samadhi under very close supervision of a Guru and also, that Dharana and Dhyan are not an isolated thing to practice rather these are just limbs of astang limb of yoga.
Is not the practice of Yam and Niyam necessary before practicing Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi? The negative thoughts will not come to mind if the person is grounded in discipline, values, duties, responsibilities, detachment from karma, etc. Renunciation comes before Samadhi. Meditation is a very very simplified version of Dharana in the Western world. Western world realized the importance of Yog but they do not agree with dharmic principles of it and therefore cherry-picked some parts and distorted those for easy and convenient practice while expecting the same benefits. Meditation is being practiced by many these days with the belief that it has only positive effects and can cure many ailments. In contrast, good health and mental well-being were a prerequisite before Dharana, Dhyan, and Samadhi and were achieved with Yam, Niyam, Asana, Kriyas, Sattvik diet, Pranayam, and Pratyahar practices. Dharna and Dhyan's practices give positive insights. Meditation can give negative insights and the belief that nothing matters and that the practitioner is free to do anything as the acts do not matter in an impermanent world.
How Yoga is going to work if practicing people are still engaged in seeking lies, hoarding things, trying to deceive others, not working on contentment, doing so many things for sense pleasures, and not agreeing to the basic fundamental beliefs of Sanatan Dharma? What is the end goal for them if they do not believe in atma and jeevatma, believe that this nature is an illusion, the body is nothing but just a carrying vessel for atma, atma is always peaceful and happy, all suffering is illusionary, etc?
People with no training, online training, or with a few days of training are teaching meditation these days.
What in modern times is free of side effects? Are allopathy, adventures, walking, and driving, free of side effects? Which human is free of suffering?
Skipping some of the limbs of astang yoga and practicing only one or two limbs, and also in an improper way, should not be called yoga.
Yoga is a lifestyle for self, not to show off, earn money, set records, compete, etc.
Yoga and Samadhi are not work, activity, or event. It is the point of disidentifying with body and mind. It can take more than one life.
So, to answer the question- Can anyone practice Yoga? The answer is yes as long as the practitioner understands and accepts the basic Dharmic philosophy of it.
It should not be taught by anyone to any random person for materialistic goals.
The Western world is adopting Eastern culture without fully understanding and following the steps and vice versa is also happening.
Bharti Raizada
December 31st, 2023
Can all practice all limbs of Yog independently? Are their any cautions to take while doing Yog? Can there be adverse effects from Yog? Is yog Sanatan or Secular?
To get the answers, first, we should understand what type of Yog we want to do, its steps, and endgoal.
Ashtang Yog's end goal is merger with Parmatma or one unbound, bigger, unified consciousness. It is called Moksha and is definitely a Hindu/Sanatan concept.
Recently, many are using only Asans, Pranayam, and Dharana/Dhyan for therapeutic use in body ailments. Many studies have been done on the benefits of Yog asans, Pranayam, and meditation. However, this was not the goal traditionally.
In ancient yogic literature, emphasis is on practicing Yog under the guidance of a Yog Guru. The Yogic scriptures also advice to practice Yog in its entirety and not only a portion of it.
Yoga used to be a kind of secret knowledge in vedic times and studied/practiced only by a select few and that also under the guidance of a Guru. Patrata or adhikarita was a prerequisite for the knowledge of Yoga. Good students use knowledge in a good way and benefit society. Bad people use knowledge for the destruction of society.
It was not being practiced only after reading the books. Harmful effects of Yoga (asans, pranayam, kriyas, etc.) have been described in Ancient texts.
Following are some examples:
Hatha Yog Pradipika
Chapter 1
हठ-विद्या परं गोप्या योगिना सिद्धिमिछ्छता |
भवेद्वीर्यवती गुप्ता निर्वीर्या तु परकाशिता || ११ ||
haTha-vidyA paraM gopyA yoginA siddhimiChChatA |
bhavedvIryavatI guptA nirvIryA tu parakAshitA ||11||
A Yogî desirous of success should keep the knowledge of Haṭha Yoga secret; for it becomes potent by concealing, and impotent by exposing.
Chapter 2
पराणायामं ततः कुर्यान्नित्यं सात्त्विकया धिया |
यथा सुष्हुम्णा-नाडीस्था मलाः शुद्धिं परयान्ति छ || ६ ||
parANAyAmaM tataH kuryAnnityaM sAttvikayA dhiyA |
yathA suShhumNA-nADIsthA malAH shuddhiM parayAnti Cha || 6 ||
Therefore, Prâṇâyâma should be performed daily with sâtwika buddhi (intellect free from raja and tama or activity and sloth), in order to drive out the impurities of the suṣumnâ.
यथा सिंहो गजो वयाघ्रो भवेद्वश्यः शनैः शनैः |
तथैव सेवितो वायुरन्यथा हन्ति साधकम || १५ ||
yathA siMho gajo vayAghro bhavedvashyaH shanaiH shanaiH |
tathaiva sevito vAyuranyathA hanti sAdhakama || 15 ||
Just as lions, elephants and tigers are controlled by and by, so the breath is controlled by slow degrees, otherwise (i.e., by being hasty or using too much force) it kills the practiser himself.
पराणायामेन युक्तेन सर्व-रोग-कष्हयो भवेत |
अयुक्ताभ्यास-योगेन सर्व-रोग-समुद्गमः || १६ ||
parANAyAmena yuktena sarva-roga-kaShhayo bhaveta |
ayuktAbhyAsa-yogena sarva-roga-samudgamaH || 16 ||
When Prâṇayama, etc., are performed properly, they eradicate all diseases; but an improper practice generates diseases.
हिक्का शवासश्छ कासश्छ शिरः-कर्णाक्ष्हि-वेदनाः |
भवन्ति विविधाः रोगाः पवनस्य परकोपतः || १७ ||
hikkA shavAsashCha kAsashCha shiraH-karNAkShhi-vedanAH |
bhavanti vividhAH rogAH pavanasya parakopataH || 17 ||
Hiccough, asthma, cough, pain in the head, the ears, and the eyes; these and other various kinds of diseases are generated by the disturbance of the breath.
मेद-शलेष्ह्माधिकः पूर्वं षहट-कर्माणि समाछरेत |
अन्यस्तु नाछरेत्तानि दोष्हाणां समभावतः || २१ ||
meda-shaleShhmAdhikaH pUrvaM ShahaTa-karmANi samAChareta |
anyastu nACharettAni doShhANAM samabhAvataH || 21 ||
If there be excess of fat or phlegm in the body, the six kinds of kriyâs (duties) should be performed first. But others, not suffering from the excess of these, should not perform them.
धौतिर्बस्तिस्तथा नेतिस्त्राटकं नौलिकं तथा |
कपाल-भातिश्छैतानि षहट-कर्माणि परछक्ष्हते || २२ ||
dhautirbastistathA netistrATakaM naulikaM tathA |
kapAla-bhAtishChaitAni ShahaTa-karmANi paraChakShhate || 22 ||
The six kinds of duties are: Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trâtaka, Nauti and Kapâla Bhâti. These are called the six actions.
कर्म षहट्कमिदं गोप्यं घट-शोधन-कारकम |
विछित्र-गुण-सन्धाय पूज्यते योगि-पुणगवैः || २३ ||
karma ShahaTkamidaM gopyaM ghaTa-shodhana-kArakama |
viChitra-guNa-sandhAya pUjyate yogi-puNagavaiH || 23 ||
These six kinds of actions which cleanse the body should be kept secret. They produce extraordinary attributes and are performed with earnestness by the best of Yogîs.
मोछनं नेत्र-रोगाणां तन्दाद्रीणां कपाटकम |
यत्नतस्त्राटकं गोप्यं यथा हाटक-पेटकम || ३२ ||
moChanaM netra-rogANAM tandAdrINAM kapATakama |
yatnatastrATakaM gopyaM yathA hATaka-peTakama || 32 ||
Trâtaka destroys the eye diseases and removes sloth, etc. It should be kept secret very carefully, like a box of jewellery.
Chapter3
गोपनीयं परयत्नेन यथा रत्न-करण्डकम |
कस्यछिन्नैव वक्तव्यं कुल-सत्री-सुरतं यथा || ९ ||
gopanIyaM parayatnena yathA ratna-karaNDakama |
kasyaChinnaiva vaktavyaM kula-satrI-surataM yathA || 9 ||
These Mudrâs should be kept secret by every means, as one keeps one's box of jewellery, and should, on no account be told to any one, just as husband and wife keep their dealings secret.
Patanjali Yog Sutra
Sadhan Paad chapter 2
- यम नियमासन प्राणायाम प्रत्याहार धारणा ध्यान समाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि ॥२९॥
yama niyamAsana prANAyAma pratyAhAra dhAraNA dhyAna samAdhayo.aShTAva~NgAni ||29||
Although there is a journey from Yam/Niyam to Samadhi, it still is an iterative process and one limb strengthens the other and they all move cohesively together toward the final state of Kaivalya.
Chapter 3
Verse 18
sanskara-sakshatkaranat purva-jatijnanam
sanskara-sakshatkaranat purva-jatijnanam
A yogi may know his own or some past lives of others. He can intuit into the memory the impressions and pull up from there the compressed information, which can be instantly translated by his purified buddhi organ
Bhagwad Gita
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् ।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥ ६-५॥
uddharedAtmanAtmAnaM nAtmAnamavasAdayet |
Atmaiva hyAtmano bandhurAtmaiva ripurAtmanaH || 6-5||
One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.
Yoga has spread all over the world and people are embracing it more and more. However, recently yoga practitioners have started talking about the side effects and adverse affects of yoga like personality disorders after meditation practices, injuries after some Yoga postures, exacerbation of symptoms after certain practices, false sense of wellbeing and ignoring medical treatment while taking Yoga sessions, unwanted effects from kriyas, etc.
There are not many researches done on side or adverse effects of Yoga as it is considered safe by many.
Many people are going to psychiatrists and psychologists because of meditation side effects.
When people sit in meditation, many times past traumas resurface, people feel worthless, they may stop taking care of family members and feel detached from everything, may even contemplate suicide as they come face to face with their mistakes in life. They feel lost and lose interest in living.
Concept of impermanence may bring depression.
This usually happens because they do not practice all limbs of Astana yoga, only isolated meditation.
Many yoga teachers dismiss the participants concerns about adverse effects and tell them to keep going and practice more, instead of advising them to take guidance from expert physicians.
Also, often times there is a inherent tendency in Yoga teachers and centers to not report the adverse effects as it leads to decreased bussiness.
Anyone taking meditation session should be able to deal with the adverse effects of it and should have the ability to guide the participant.
Many organizations are coming up in different countries, working for people suffering from meditation side effects, yoga adverse effects. These organizations are also providing resources to deal with the issues.
Some cross sectional and prospective studies have been done in this field but I think there is a need for more studies using objective tests and clearly defining the terms like- Yoga teacher, instructor, standardizing the types of practices as well as duration, etc.
Coming back to the original questions:
Can all practice all limbs of Yog independently? - Ideally they should learn from a Yog Guru and follow the instructions and guidance.The practitioner should understand the basic Dharmic philosophy of it and then decide for himself. It should not be taught by anyone to any random person for materialistic goals.
Are their any cautions to take while doing Yog? - Definitely yes, Yog Guru or teacher should guide you on this journey. It is a long journey and needs patience and slow, careful progression on yog path.
Can there be adverse effects from Yog?- If done in proper way under the expert guidance of a Guru, there should not be any adverse effect. Adverse effects are usually due to failure to follow the protocols, rushing to attain some particular posture, following only a specific limb of ashtang you while ignoring others, not understanding the context and culture it originated from, etc.
Is yog Sanatan or Secular?- Look at the process and endgoal and please decide for yourself.
January 6, 2024
Yam and Niyam give us internal strength and calmness, Asans gives us endurance and steadiness, Pranayam gives control and expansion of energy towards the ultimate reality, Pratyahara takes us to our inner ananda self, Dharana gives focussed concentration, Dhyana brings defocussing, and Samadhi is the final merger with Parmatma.
Yam, Niyam, Asan, Pranayam, and Pratyahar are preparatory stages for Dharana, Dhyan, and Samadhi.
Bharti Raizada