Do I need a religion? Is Yoga a religion?

Let us first understand what is religion? Religion you can name any one, is a set beliefs, principles and concepts created so that by following them, a society with people in it can live their life better. All religions have this basic underlying principle inside them. Religions are not meant to make you free. Religions can not afford to be individual as they are crafted for the masses. Religions will have rules and regulations to follow and there will be many questions unanswered or improperly answered as the driving force of religions isn't a quest of truth, but a constitution under which people can lead a better life. 

All religions, therefore, have the basic moral and ethical codes of conduct which are beautiful and precisely same compared to each other. The general framework of all the religions such as non-violence, honesty, cleanliness, absence of greed, controlling the anger etc. are narrated in all the religions and they do not differ. No religion tells you to be angry as it is good for you. But there will be other differences in the customs, rituals and traditions. As religions are crafted based on the society they lived at that time (or now), these constitutions are crafted for the people at that time of that society. Hence, there can be some rules which you won't necessarily accept even if it comes from your so-called religion. 

In classical Sanskrit texts, in the ancient Indian tradition, these are called "SMRITIS". Smritis are written, crafted by different Yogis, scholarly authors time to time. YAJNAVALKYA SMRITI, PARASHARA SMRITI, MANU SMRITI are just to note a few here. There will be many concepts or rituals you will see in these texts which you might completely disagree as they are not amended for the present society. 

This whole perspective is applicable for all the religions present now. There is no hell-heaven concept in the reality. This infinite cosmos couldn't be that simple. But the religions when put forth the idea of heaven-hell, they do not intend to present the truth but it was a concept to keep the masses on track. One needs a moral fear to to be a human being, to furnish the human characteristics. The purpose of the concept is different. 

Then, what is the truth? As you evolve, you will understand that you do not need a fear of God, a fear of Hell, an attraction of heaven, but your actions will be motivated by your conscience. You will not be a good human being due to the fear of God, but your kindness, honesty and love are due to the inner conscience. Your inner journey of being better human takes the first giant step and THIS IS YOGA. Yoga is not a religion, but beyond any religion. You are good, honest and light because you can't afford to be otherwise. It has become your personality to be kind. There is no fear, no police in the sky observing your actions to decide your future life after death. But you will select, prioritize the present by living it fully and decide your future. Now, you understand from the heart that the God is nowhere in the galaxies, on the heaven, but inside. Your God, the Light is inside and you do not need to take any journey, any prayers, any rituals, follow any one but to listen to your heart. You do not need any teaching as your heart knows it all. You just need to listen to it properly. 

Yet, we need the concept of religions as there will be no change significant in the mass-conscience. As a society, a set of people, we need to have these moral rules and codes of conduct to create a social structure. All these religions are true at a layer, but start to appear weak and superficial as you explore the light inside. 

As it is becoming a lengthy article, I sum up with points.

1. Religions ask you to follow, But Yoga or its Masters do not.

2. The idea of Following anything/anyone is against the practice of Yoga.

3. Religions will have rules, Yoga does not. 

4. Practice any technique, continue to practice if it works, leave it if it doesn't. 

5. Religions claim to take you towards the God, Yoga does not.

6. Yoga does not ask you to take any journey as the God is inside, in fact, you are THAT. 

7. There will be teacher, preacher, texts, rituals in religions, not in Yoga. 

8. Your experience is the only thing matters in Yoga practice. 

9. Follow religions if you don't know how to listen to conscience. 

10. Follow your heart, be present, live every second fully as your present moment is eternal and momentary. This is Yoga. 

Follow Your Heart

P.S. Your comments inspire me the most. Do not hesitate to put forth your thoughts and let me know if I have to expand, illustrate anything in these articles. -Namaste-

My search for Spiritual Guru in India

The human mind is in quest of finding the real purpose of being here on the planet earth. It has always been our endeavor, be it in any civilization to know the root, the source of happiness, the reason behind all the miseries and to make the lives better every day. In this journey, India being one of the oldest civilizations has been pioneer in finding answers which seem to be more closer to the reality. With its different perspectives, popularly known as "schools of Philosophies" India has been trying to explore the reality behind the fabric of the world in deeper ways. 

All the explorations, the religious or spiritual texts when they are trying to put forth the fabric of the universe, the understanding does not seem to be easier. Hence, the journey of finding "the Guru" begins. A guru, the master who might have known, experienced better than the us would explain, show and guide us in the path. The position of a "Guru" in the path of spirituality plays a larger role than anything else. 

Hence, the path of spirituality or otherwise can be termed as "path of inner journey" needs a Guru. 

Follow your heart to find your Light - Samyak Yoga

But, here comes the thin line and the danger of losing the whole essence of the practice. 

I don't mind to be hated... Difficulty of Being Good

You read it right. I don't mind to be hated and I do not want to be remembered as one of the good people by everybody. The reason is to be good to everybody, all the time is impossible....

As you all know, we all the three male teachers here at Samyak Yoga were fortunate enough to study in an ancient system of education "Gurukula System of Education" prevailed during the time of Buddha, Patanjali etc. The replica of the same education system is created in the outskirts of Bangalore, South India. During our studies there, my master used to tell me "it is your main problem that you want to be good to everybody, every time and that leads to chaos". I took much time to understand the essence of his teaching. What I understood later as time passed was very interesting and made my life comfortable and less-complicated. 

What should my students carry after attending my Yoga Class?

Yes... ! You read it write. What should my students be carrying after attending your yoga class? Should it be "feeling happy", "Feeling Flexible" "Feeling not flexible, like my teacher", "I respect my body", "Wow, Yoga is too good" or anything else...

What would you like your students to feel at the end of the class? The outcome of your teaching. You have invested your time, money, energy to build this career for those a few hours wherein you are passionate to teach and spread Yoga. And you love the process of teaching where in you get opportunities to share the wisdom of yoga life. It feels great. But Have you ever thought how should they feel? 

All about Patanjali

The second article in the series of Exploration of Patanjali discusses about the meaning of the name " Patanjali" on the basis of Sanskrit grammar and also tries to shed light on the scholarly references about the contribution of Patanjali to the humanity.

Meaning of “Patanjali”

The compound name Patañjali has been explained by Sanskrit commentators in two ways. 

The first explanation of the word is añjalau patan iti patañjali (Patañjali is one falling into folded hands).

The untold stories about Patanjali

Most of Patanjali’s personal history is engulfed with mystery and myth; (much like any of the world’s spiritual super heroes) the tale of Patanjali’s birth has taken on legendary dimensions.