Yoga: Difference between revisions
imported>Michael J. Formica No edit summary |
imported>Michael J. Formica mNo edit summary |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
There are innumerable "yogas" found and practiced within the various spiritual traditions of the world, both East and West. "Yoga" has come to be typically and specifically discussed in reference to the spiritual traditions and practices associated with [[India]], namely [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Vedanta]]. <ref>Feuerstein, G.; Wilber, K. (2001). ''The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice''. Hohm Press.</ref> | There are innumerable "yogas" found and practiced within the various spiritual traditions of the world, both East and West. "Yoga" has come to be typically and specifically discussed in reference to the spiritual traditions and practices associated with [[India]], namely [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Vedanta]]. <ref>Feuerstein, G.; Wilber, K. (2001). ''The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice''. Hohm Press.</ref> | ||
A soapstone seal [http://www.indiana.edu/~isp/cd_rom/images/harappa/shiva_33.htm soapstone seal] from the [[Indus Valley]] archeological site of [[Mohenjo-Daro]] depicting a horned | A soapstone seal [http://www.indiana.edu/~isp/cd_rom/images/harappa/shiva_33.htm soapstone seal] from the [[Indus Valley]] archeological site of [[Mohenjo-Daro]] depicting a horned or headressed figure surrounded by four animals, and seated on a throne in what may be interpreted as a yogic or meditative posture, specifically ''badha konasana'' or "bound angle". The figure is often identified with [[Shiva]], perhaps in his role as [[Pashupati]] ("Lord of Animals"), and this interpretation suggests that Yoga was known in the Indian subcontinent from 2600 to 1900 B.C. | ||
==Yoga in modern times== | ==Yoga in modern times== | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
By the twentieth century, [[Yogi|Yogis]] became objects of both reverence and scientific research in the West as they availed themselves to the Sixties counter-culture movement and demonstrated themselves able to regulate involuntary activities such as heart-rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. The first of these individuals tobe studied in the West was [[Swami Rama]], at the [[Menninger Institute]]. | By the twentieth century, [[Yogi|Yogis]] became objects of both reverence and scientific research in the West as they availed themselves to the Sixties counter-culture movement and demonstrated themselves able to regulate involuntary activities such as heart-rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. The first of these individuals tobe studied in the West was [[Swami Rama]], at the [[Menninger Institute]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
<small><sup>1</sup> ''Yoga'' (योग), derived from the [[Sanskrit]] ''yugam'', a [[cognate]] of the modern English "yoke" (''iugum'', [[Latin]]). Its Proto-Indo-European forebearer is speculated to be ''*yugom'', from the root ''*yeug''- (''yuj-'', Sanskrit) meaning "to join" or "unite".</small> | <small><sup>1</sup> ''Yoga'' (योग), derived from the [[Sanskrit]] ''yugam'', a [[cognate]] of the modern English "yoke" (''iugum'', [[Latin]]). Its Proto-Indo-European forebearer is speculated to be ''*yugom'', from the root ''*yeug''- (''yuj-'', Sanskrit) meaning "to join" or "unite".</small> | ||
Revision as of 06:05, 12 January 2008
Yoga1 is translated from the Sanskrit as "yoke". The yoke to which the word refers is the connection between the Atman, the conscious or personal experience of the divine nature, and Brahman, the superconscious or transpersonal experience of divinity, or the Godhead. [1]
There are innumerable "yogas" found and practiced within the various spiritual traditions of the world, both East and West. "Yoga" has come to be typically and specifically discussed in reference to the spiritual traditions and practices associated with India, namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Vedanta. [2]
A soapstone seal soapstone seal from the Indus Valley archeological site of Mohenjo-Daro depicting a horned or headressed figure surrounded by four animals, and seated on a throne in what may be interpreted as a yogic or meditative posture, specifically badha konasana or "bound angle". The figure is often identified with Shiva, perhaps in his role as Pashupati ("Lord of Animals"), and this interpretation suggests that Yoga was known in the Indian subcontinent from 2600 to 1900 B.C.
Yoga in modern times
In 1893, Swami Vivekananda spoke before the World Parliament of Religions, mentioning the need for a more universalistic approach to spirituality. While Vivekananda's allegiance lay primarily with Vedanta, his remarks sparked considerable interest.
By the twentieth century, Yogis became objects of both reverence and scientific research in the West as they availed themselves to the Sixties counter-culture movement and demonstrated themselves able to regulate involuntary activities such as heart-rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. The first of these individuals tobe studied in the West was Swami Rama, at the Menninger Institute.
References
Footnotes
1 Yoga (योग), derived from the Sanskrit yugam, a cognate of the modern English "yoke" (iugum, Latin). Its Proto-Indo-European forebearer is speculated to be *yugom, from the root *yeug- (yuj-, Sanskrit) meaning "to join" or "unite".