I’ve always been curious about different spiritual points of view. Even though there are many, they seek similar things, like liberation from suffering, salvation or enlightenment, and choosing the right path through life. The self in spirituality — that is, the nature, importance and reality of the individual self— is one topic almost every spiritual … [Read more…]
If you’ve studied yoga philosophy and heard the term brahmacharya, you may think of celibacy, self-denial, or asceticism when you see the word. But believe it or not, the aim of brahmacharya is to enjoy life! Brahmacharya means “to walk with God” (in Hindu terminology, to seek Brahman). In my belief, God doesn’t want us … [Read more…]
Recently, I was discussing life after death with a friend. I’d mentioned something about the concept of reincarnation in Buddhism. My friend pointed out that Jesus described heaven as a house with many mansions (or rooms). Later that day, I found a new way of understanding the Jesus the yogi when I thought more about … [Read more…]
Most of us in the West have heard of the Ten Commandments. If you’re a yogi, you probably also know about the five yamas and the five niyamas. If you don’t, they are the principles the yogic sage Patanjali gave yogis as a guide for right living; think of them as the ten commandments for … [Read more…]
Is yoga a religion? You may already have an answer to this question, but your answer probably depends on how you define religion. Whether you think of yoga as a religion or not, it’s hard to deny that yoga practiced with deep devotion has a lot in common with religion. If you practice classical yoga, … [Read more…]
My first yoga class was in a library, not a gym or a yoga studio. It was a community school class held at the high school I’d graduated from five years earlier. I remember that class well, even though it was decades ago. Even though I fell in love with yoga quickly, I only practiced … [Read more…]
For Christians, Lent is traditionally a time to fast and repent. It’s a time to make a conscious effort to put aside obstacles to our relationship with God. If you’re Christian, or if you know Christians, you may associate Lent with giving up chocolate or alcohol, for example. For yogis who are also Christian, there … [Read more…]
At a yoga class one day, my teacher read a simple quote that is a spin on the Serenity Prayer. It goes like this: God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, The courage to change the one I can, And the wisdom to know it’s me. The quote, like the prayer itself, … [Read more…]
Since I started practicing yoga decades ago, I’ve had lots of discussions with folks brought up in the Christian faith who are curious but skeptical about the practice. For me there’s no reason to separate Christianity and yoga, but I understand some of the hesitation I’ve encountered. For whatever reason, some people believe yoga is … [Read more…]
This morning during a guided meditation practice, I heard words I needed to hear. The words, which my yoga teacher read, were Swami Satchidinanda’s. Since I don’t have the text, I’ll paraphrase. The basic idea is God is always there. Things often seem mysterious, and the meaning of life eludes us. We question why we’re … [Read more…]