Commercialization

[Namo Narayana]

just you should know, there is something called Sudharshan kriya which can reduce your stress . I first heard about it while reading about Sri Sri Ravishankar's Art of Living news.

[Singhi Kaya]

Namaste.

And here I was believing that I was the first guy in the West to discover the Dharma through yoga . Five years ago, my doctor recommended yoga as a treatment for the stress that comes with a Type A personality. All I knew about India at the time was that Hindus worshipped cows, were racists (varna=White Brahmins and Black Shudras), and that Islam had broken their evil caste system.

Since my doctor is extremely good at what she does: I decided to try yoga. But not the type she recommended. I went out of my way to avoid any practice that any Hindu references. As a Type A, I was drawn to Power yoga. I liked it, and wanted to know where asanas (I called them "poses" then) came from. I found out that Power yoga is a watered down, Westernized form of something called "Ashtanga". That led to the Mahabharata and the Upanishads.

Five years later, here I am. Still a Type A, but a LOT less angry and stressed out. And let's just say my views of Hindus and India have
changed. The Dharma was to strong to resist.

Bharat Mata is the queen of nations. If she ever stands up, gets her own house in order, and turns to the world--then the rest of humanity is hers. Christianity and Islam are flip sides of the same coin. It's our way or death and eternal torment.The Dharma is a viable alternative to anyone who doesn't have such a Manichean world view.

And that is what makes it so dangerous. The West and Islam can't compete equally with the Dharma. To them, this is war; and yoga is Hinduism's beachhead. The practice has been co-opted by the former and banned by the latter for a reason.

Om Shanti.

Indrajaya

Extremely nice post. And very inspiring to come from someone who had negative impression of the dharma to start with. Not to mention I was overjoyed to see negative reference on Islam - that is the key to the survival of hindus through this millennium. General hindu's understanding the concept of right work based on justice (nyay) and danda of our dharma has become very poor. Understanding the Islamic threat for hindu's inside or outside India is the key whether we will become a showcase like many past civilizations of our age or the next age will be ours.

Spirituality is Hinduisms eternal gift to the world. But without nyaya, without danda narrow individual spirituality becomes a show. And spirituality is whole life, not a practice one does at certain moments of the day and acts contrary rest of the time. Many hindu's after so many years of enslavement don't recognize that we have (we always did) a battle at hand. Whether it will inlvolve bloodshed or not will depend on how well we play it, but islam-o-fascists are taking over the country slowly but surely. But we have to understand how valuable or dharma is - and it's protection. I am glad that a new initiate can understand this - perhaves because of the western outlook. But believe me, proper hindu outlook tells the same. All our god's came to earth with single task of slaying demons, not setting up kirtans at road sides. Current popular hindu outlook is a lot perverted that it used to be. But I hope times are begining to change.

[Indrajaya]

I didn't mean to trash Christianity or Islam. I have friends in both faiths. But they practice versions that are a lot milder than what we see around the world now. Of course, the the ideas of tolerance and acceptance of difference are Hindu concepts (but my friends will NEVER admit that). While I believe that the Dharma is the best way for me, I respect anyone who tries to live an ethical life; no matter what path they choose.

The reason why many non Indians will eventually turn to Hinduism is that it is the only faith that can adapt to change and still remain true to its core. I was raised as a Christian and I have studied Islam. At the heart of those two beliefs is that if you're not with us, your soul is lost. WE know what's best for YOU. Don't ask questions, just believe. Have faith.

I admit that I haven't read the Bhagavad Gita in a while, and I'm over 40, so my memory is faulty. But I do remember Krishna explaining to Arjuna why everything has to play out a certain way. What kind of religion has God justify his actions to Man?

A religion that assumes that people are capable of rational thought. Do the right thing because it's the right thing to do, not because you're told to. Your soul's "reward" is not Heaven or Paradise; but liberation from all the hate and greed and pettiness that enslaves men. I could be wrong, but that's what I believe the Dharma is about.

Om Shanti.

Indrajaya

[Singhi Kaya]

I didn't mean to trash Christianity or Islam. I have friends in both faiths. But they practice versions that are a lot milder than what we see around the world now. Of course, the the ideas of tolerance and acceptance of difference are Hindu concepts (but my friends will NEVER admit that). While I believe that the Dharma is the best way for me, I respect anyone who tries to live an ethical life; no matter what path they choose.

The reason why many non Indians will eventually turn to Hinduism is that it is the only faith that can adapt to change and still remain true to its core. I was raised as a Christian and I have studied Islam. At the heart of those two beliefs is that if you're not with us, your soul is lost. WE know what's best for YOU. Don't ask questions, just believe. Have faith.

I admit that I haven't read the Bhagavad Gita in a while, and I'm over 40, so my memory is faulty. But I do remember Krishna explaining to Arjuna why everything has to play out a certain way. What kind of religion has God justify his actions to Man?

A religion that assumes that people are capable of rational thought. Do the right thing because it's the right thing to do, not because you're told to. Your soul's "reward" is not Heaven or Paradise; but liberation from all the hate and greed and pettiness that enslaves men. I could be wrong, but that's what I believe the Dharma is about.

Om Shanti.

Indrajaya

It is good that you respect other's right to practice what feels correct for them. But what is the solution to those who do not accept that. All Islamic countries (barring a few tiny exception) don't allow other's to practice their faith freely. This an Islamic law.

There is no mild version of Islam, like christianity because revolutions within muslim society happen in much less number/hardly happned. And it is a much more sound sytem than chirstianity in it's grip over society. In fact I never mentioned christianity - I don;t think anyone has problems with them. Except for occational tactict conversios in poor countries, most (even the orthodox are very nice people). Many muslims are nice too - but their mass behaviour is not nice/it's ugly even in India. And as long the doctrine remains powerful as it has been for last 1400 years, being nice to them will only end up in we loosing more and more - they ain't going to stop untill the world is Islam. That's what Islam aims in it's jehad.

[Indrajaya]

Thank you, Namo Narayana. I'll check that out. However, I doubt that I'll ever find anything that works as well for me as Ashtanga yoga. It's not just the practice. Something inside me just clicked the first time I recited the Ashtanga Mantra in Sanskrit. The chant, and performing the anjali mudra to images of Shiva, Ganesha, or the sage Patanjali remind me of the Sanatan Dharma's greatness.

I believe that I mentioned that I'm not a Hindu; but my respect for Bharat Mata grows as my practice develops. My eventual goal is to study in Mysore with The Master, Guruji Sri K Pattabhi Jois.

[Namo Narayana]

Thank you, Namo Narayana. I'll check that out. However, I doubt that I'll ever find anything that works as well for me as Ashtanga yoga. It's not just the practice. Something inside me just clicked the first time I recited the Ashtanga Mantra in Sanskrit. The chant, and performing the anjali mudra to images of Shiva, Ganesha, or the sage Patanjali remind me of the Sanatan Dharma's greatness.

I believe that I mentioned that I'm not a Hindu; but my respect for Bharat Mata grows as my practice develops. My eventual goal is to study in Mysore with The Master, Guruji Sri K Pattabhi Jois.

Indrajaya, I will be glad if you get trained under Guru Pattabhi Jois himself. He and BKS Iyengar are the top gurus in India or the World so to say, who are best in the business. They were students of Guru Krishnamachar.

I use a dvd on Ashtanga yoga by Nicky doane of hawaii. She learnt under Pattabhi jois.

I agree with your word on the mantra. I think you should follow your heart.

thanks for nice posts.

[Indrajaya]

Small world! I've used Nicky Doane's DVDs myself. I can also highly recommend Melanie Fawer's 2 DVD set. It's pricey, but good. Also, David Swenson's Short Forms and First Series discs are okay. Not as good as Miss Doane or Miss Fawer's, though. I know this is sexist; but until I can study under Guruji himself, I prefer to be taught by a female teacher that he trained. I have no idea why that is.

[Namo Narayana]

Small world! I've used Nicky Doane's DVDs myself. I can also highly recommend Melanie Fawer's 2 DVD set. It's pricey, but good. Also, David Swenson's Short Forms and First Series discs are okay. Not as good as Miss Doane or Miss Fawer's, though. I know this is sexist; but until I can study under Guruji himself, I prefer to be taught by a female teacher that he trained. I have no idea why that is.

i knew only nicky. i have the first dvd only. i am afraid to buy dvds without knowing how they would be. I have never heard about melanie. have u tried vinayasa flow by seane corne, she is darn good. but i read in amazon that her second dvd set is no commentry just poses. hard to follow unless u have ur dvd player under ur nose.

[Indrajaya]

i knew only nicky. i have the first dvd only. i am afraid to buy dvds without knowing how they would be. I have never heard about melanie. have u tried vinayasa flow by seane corne, she is darn good. but i read in amazon that her second dvd set is no commentry just poses. hard to follow unless u have ur dvd player under ur nose.

If you like Nicky's first DVD, I believe you'll like the second. In that one she introduces Surya Namsakar B and selections from the Primary Series. Keep in mind that Nicky takes some liberties with the practice, though. It's supposed to be five Surya Namaskar A held for five breaths, then 5 Surya B for five, then so on. Nicky stays in Adho Mukha Svanasana WAY longer than five breaths. Still, I recommend her other DVD.

As for Seane, a friend loaned me both of her DVDs when I went through my vinyasa yoga phase a couple of years ago. She's good, but (to get back to this thread's original subject) a little too commercial for me.

I can forgive her for not reciting the Invocation to Patanjali since she's not an Ashtangi. I still expect more acknowledgement of yoga's Hindu roots. If memory serves, she doesn't use the Sanskrit names for the asanas. She does a heartfelt Anjali Mudra, though.

[Namo Narayana]

If you like Nicky's first DVD, I believe you'll like the second. In that one she introduces Surya Namsakar B and selections from the Primary Series. Keep in mind that Nicky takes some liberties with the practice, though. It's supposed to be five Surya Namaskar A held for five breaths, then 5 Surya B for five, then so on. Nicky stays in Adho Mukha Svanasana WAY longer than five breaths. Still, I recommend her other DVD.

As for Seane, a friend loaned me both of her DVDs when I went through my vinyasa yoga phase a couple of years ago. She's good, but (to get back to this thread's original subject) a little too commercial for me.

I can forgive her for not reciting the Invocation to Patanjali since she's not an Ashtangi. I still expect more acknowledgement of yoga's Hindu roots. If memory serves, she doesn't use the Sanskrit names for the asanas. She does a heartfelt Anjali Mudra, though.

folks in amazon did a lot of criticism about second dvd. nicky one thing i observed is she does lot of reps. where as my friedn who does yoga which he learnt from India , he does not do any reps of a particular asana.

the one i have is nickys where she has suryanamaskar A and B. i know seane does not say the mantras but about all other yogis and yoginis do chant at the beginning and end. even my boss who is not a high profile teacher she does utter few mantras.

have u tried rodney yee and others ?