The Gospel According to Yoga

No matter how many times I tell her, my Catholic mother doesn't seem to get that yoga is not a religion. True Yoga (not the homogenized American hot power yogalates) is an innately spiritual practice, a meditation or prayer in movement, so I can understand her confusion. However, religion involves ritualistic, organized worship of idols or deities. Like Christianity, Judaism, Shamanism, Islam, forever and ever amen. Yoga has no requisite god.

Yoga originated (scholars estimate about 6000 years ago) in ancient India. It grew up along with Buddhism and Hinduism but it is neither of those. Mormons, Jews, Scientologists and athiests alike can freely practice yoga without risking damnation. Many yoga teachers chant "OM" and other Sanskrit mantras in class. When I first started, chanting made me highly squirmy. I didn't know what it meant or why I was supposed to join in. Now, after much study and practice, I love it. (By the way, the syllable OM is the primordial sound of the universe before Earth's creation. In other words, OM is AMEN is SHALOM is HARE KRISHNA is CHRIST is GOD is the Universe is Divine Spirit.)

Individuals can be religious and/or spiritual. Religion sans spirituality is for show and completely useless. Spirituality sans religion is for people who may study multiple religions or doctrines but don't subscribe to any single path. Om shanti. Peace be with you.

Yoga Freedom. Health. Abundance. Freedom. (c) 2004. All rights reserved worldwide.