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Should Free
Registered User
(5/4/02 10:54 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
 Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
Is Zen Superior to Yoga?

Let me say first that I'm a yogi and I love Yoga. However, some healthy self-criticism can go a long way.

Have you wander why many people are moving into a Zen approach to enlightenment and leaving Yoga? I will try to explain it here.

When we learnt about the Hong Sau technique, we were told : “Do NOT control the breath.” “Do NOT be concern about the results.” "Do NOT worry about the fruits of action"

These statements have two serious flaws.

First: they are negative statements, and research has demonstrated that negative statements are not well grasped by the human mind.

Second: They are “should statements” in disguise. This statements are basically saying: "You SHOULD NOT focus on the results." Later, when you talk to yourself in this way, after you have internalize those negative thoughts, you will create inner tension in the mind. That is what “should statements” do. They create tension in the mind and promote feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Then, going deep in meditation, becomes impossible. Tension in the mind is the worst possible enemy you can encounter in meditation.

As you fail to go deep in your Hong Sau practice you get discouraged and pay a visit to an SRF monk. You hope that he will give you a solution to your problem. However, the monk most probably, will save the teachings face and blame you for “being concern about the results.” If you do not believe what I’m saying, please listen to Brother Anandamoy’s cassette on “Devotion.” You will realize how judgmental he comes across in regard to this issue.

As the monk blame you for being unable to “do NOT be unconcern with the results” your feelings of inadequacy and guilt increase, of course, your tension in meditation get worse, and you become convinced that it is all your fault.

It is NOT your fault! The problem lies in the way this CRUCIAL issue is being communicated -- in the lessons, by counselors and by SRF speakers. This “should language” is bound to create SERIOUS problems in many, many people. Furthermore, this central, crucial, pivotal issue about the results is rarely addressed in SRF. And this is something really amazing, because this issue is absolutely fundamental when it comes to meditation and spiritual practices of any kind.

I have studied the Zen approach to the “results issue” for about ten years already. Gradually I have felt confident to explore it more in depth as I get rid of my guilt for “sneaking” into other teachings -- feelings that are also quite encouraged by SRF. Let me share briefly my findings.

FIRST: It is completely natural for the human mind to expect results from the actions it performs. It is therefore a tremendous challenge to go against that tendency. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!

SECOND: To overcome this natural tendency, you need a whole discipline, not just a few over simplistic, toxic “should statements.”

THIRD: And this is exactly what the Zen discipline is about! The focus of Zen is to overcome that tendency and to really become an observer, not only of your breath, but also of your thoughts, emotions, desires, life situations and so on.

FOURTH: The language that Zen uses to help the aspirant to attain such state of impartial witnessing, is sophisticated and clever. The rudimentary, harmful language used in Yoga, and most especially in SRF, would make a Zen Master laugh wholeheartedly.

I recommend that you read two books that are rooted strongly in the Zen tradition if you want to improve your meditations, most specially your practice of the Hong Sau technique.

1) “The Zen Art of Archery” (I forgot the name of the author, but it is German philosopher). It is a small, wonderful book, very well known and a real classic on the subject.

2) “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle.

Both books have the power to change your meditation experience forever.

If you happen to be an SRF monk, reading this posting and you can do something to change this embarrassing situation in regard to the SRF teachings -- please, please do it. Furthermore, the present situation is hurting many people spiritually, psychologically and physically.





Edited by: Should Free at: 5/5/02 12:00:53 am
username
Registered User
(5/6/02 10:03 am)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
the practice of "witnessing" is found in many Hindu paths.

Should Free
Registered User
(5/13/02 11:44 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
 Bad Teachers
If you are not getting results in meditation there could be basically three reasons. But before examining each one of them, let us remember...

Did you have the experience at school or college that a certain subject became a nightmare? That despite your efforts you could not grasp it? And one day you changed teacher and everything became, suddenly, crystal clear!?

There are three reasons why you can fail a subject

1) It is your fault -- you are not doing your part
2) You have a brain problem or a psychological problem that makes very difficult for you to master the subject (psychiatry recognizes nowadays, for example, what calls "mathematical disorder" -- you are mathematically brainless!) And...
3) You have a bad teacher.

Many people in SRF are really stuck in their meditation and they can't master the subject. Is it their fault? Are they meditation brainless? Perhaps not....

I had the opportunity these days to talk to a spiritual teacher that teaches a form of Tibetan meditation ( he is a chiropractor). I told him about my difficulties in meditation, and he said.

" I have heard this so many, many times. I have met teachers, who are actually teaching others how to meditate telling me the same thing -- "I have meditated for 20 years and my mind still does not calm down, they cry.” However, he added, there is a simple reason for this -- "they never taught them the basics." “People learn dificult or complicated techniques that are supposed to do the trick faster and effectively, but they do not work because they never taught you the a,b,c -- the basics.

I felt immediately exited -- man, what is that "a,b,c"?! My excitement was partly becuase many, many times I have had exactly the very same hunch -- "I have to go back to the basics." "Something very basic is missing here."

I explained him that I stopped all meditation practices already and I'm just practicing something very simple and basic. And I explained what it was.

“That's right!” he ejaculated. “That is exactly what I’m talking about. That is the basic. That is what many are missing. Just do it for a period of 15 minutes, no more, and you will see that the mind will eventually calm down.”

I will not say here what is that a,b,c, because I will follow Mrinalini's and Daya’s selfish instructions: “when you get a blessing you better hold it just for you or you will miss a part of it.” If you think this is selfishness, you can complain to Mrinalini or Daya. I always follow Mother Centers instructions.

Going back to the subject; you may realize now that I'm convinced that our problems in meditation have one basic origin -- bad teachers! Read again that lesson 3A -- what a shame! Check those instructions on the posture -- what a shame! Check the instructions on every single meditation technique -- they are loaded with shoulds and shoulds not, which create tension in the mind.

One thing this Tibetan teacher pointed out very strongly that I want to share with you is -- NO SHOULDS during meditation.

If you are interested in learning more about this back to basic technique I suggest that you go to this individual’s seminars at the Esalem Institute. His name is Gerald Cohen and he teaches Tibetan Meditation and Kabbalah.

But most important: if you are not getting results in meditation, it is most probably NOT your fault. I have carefully studied the language in which the teachings and the techniques are being communicated in the lessons, classes, tapes, and initiations. It can NOT be worst; impossible! If SRF had a definite evil intent to communicate the teachings in a deceiving way; still they could not “improve” on what they have already attained.

Edited by: Should Free at: 5/13/02 11:50:14 pm
gardendiva
Registered User
(5/14/02 7:40 am)
Reply 		techniques etc.
This is very interesting. Even when I was new to the lessons and had all the zeal of the inexperienced, I still had a hard time with the instructions for meditation. I just could not seem to "get" it. After years, marriage, children etc. etc., I have occasionally just given up. In the past couple years, however, the desire to get back to a regular practice has been pretty strong and I'm STILL have difficulty. I've always wondered if it was just me.

Finally this past January, I started an Aikido class that my kids had been involved in for about a year. What is really wonderful is that our Sensei brings a lot of philosophy into the class. Actually, the class is more about energy and learning to sense how it moves (not only regarding the physical body, but the mind and spirit too) than it is about mechanics and technique. What I've learned on the mat (or I should say, what I'm learning) is to let go of judgment, let go of the desire to reach a "goal," let go of the comparing mind and to unify the energy of mind and body.

What a difference to just "be." For years I harbored much judgment about my meditations and lack of progress (even though we are frequently told that it's not unusual to not recognize our own progress). There has always been this goal of a "higher state of consciousness." Why not just be where we are and enjoy it!! And while I feel that tools such as introspection charts can be useful for some, for others it's just another stress inducer. These kinds of things can be a particular problem if one has grown up in guilt ridden frameworks (and so many have been).

motlom
Registered User
(5/14/02 9:01 am)
Reply 		Re: techniques etc.
My experience has been along similar lines. I spent so many years focusing on getting somewhere. What I finally learned was that as long as I am striving to get somewhere, I will never actually encounter myself. For example, I might do Hong-Sau and focus on the calmness the technique brings. I'll make a goal out of calmness. Then all throughout the day I might try to hang on to that calmness, just as I was instructed to do in the Lessons. The problem with this is, if I look at myself, and am honest, what I often find is that I am not calm. If my head is all full of "shoulds", I might then condemn myself, saying "I shouldn't be feeling this way". Then I may judge myself, and ultimately come to the conclusion that there is something wrong with me. I must not be "advancing", or some other such nonsense. My tendency to judge myself is probably something that I learned from early childhood, and likely goes on just below the level of conscious awareness. My spiritual approach will likely escalate my tendency toward self-condemnation, resulting in more of this below-conscious-awareness dialogue. Therefore, the path as I'm practicing it is actually making me less conscious - the opposite of the goal I set for myself!

There is something wrong, but not with me. There is something wrong with my approach. I'm denying reality. I'm doing something that actually prevents me from going within and seeing what is actually happening.

Finally, I had to ask myself some serious questions: How can I hope to find a solution to a problem that I don't even see? If I am judging a conflict in myself, am I seeing that conflict? Once I judge it, do I stop seeing it for what it is? Do I only see my judgment of it, my condemnation of it? If I don't encounter myself, as I am, can I be said to know myself? If my spiritual approach is actually preventing me from knowing myself, is it a viable one? If I constantly have a goal in mind, an ideal of what I should be, can I ever actually encounter myself as I am? Am I not, under the guise of "going within", actually avoiding looking within myself?

The Japanese have a wonderful way of putting it: "The day you cease to travel you will have arrived". My approach
to meditation today is, "Let's listen and feel what happens." Finally, I feel I've made a beginning.

AumBoy
Registered User
(5/14/02 9:11 am)
Reply
ezSupporter
 Re: techniques etc.
Great post, GardenDiva!

I, too, practice martial arts but not Aikido. (As an aside, during an informal satsang given by Bro. Devananda years ago, someone asked about martial arts and he suggested Aikido.)

Sifu sometimes would have me stand in front of him and have me get in a "ready stance." Without my moving, he would stand in front of me and tell me what I was going to do, which way I was going to move - before I even moved. I asked him how he knew this- he would tell me that I am using a technique (planning) and that I am not in the moment (in the present, in the now).

You wrote: for years I harbored much judgment about my meditations and lack of progress.... Don't we all feel this. I look at it like the guy Bro Mokshananda describes on the tape who went swimming alone. His prayer was, "If there's something You want me to do is this life, You better help me." I use this prayer sometimes. I see my "progress" from my meditation in being able to be, as you suggest, less judgemental, even more understanding and compassionate. It has not manifested, for me, in terms of bells and whistles in meditation, but as deeper understanding of those around me.

nisarga
Registered User
(5/14/02 10:09 am)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
username/ could you please elaborate and describe which "Hindu" paths teach the practice of witnessing.

LotusLeaf
Registered User
(5/14/02 10:18 am)
Reply 		Re: techniques etc.
When I first started to meditate years ago, I had never heard of SRF and I had wonderful, centered meditations. After I started using the SRF techniques, I noticed my meditations weren't nearly as calm--I had gotten caught up in what I then termed "the rules." I kept at it, though, thinking if I just tried a little harder....then I started to get a congested feeling in my heart area whenever I tried to meditate. I realized I was trying too hard, so I completely dropped all SRF techniques and went back to my prior meditation methods (which really was more like a lack of "methods") and got back on track. Then I started to slowly re-incorporate the SRF techniques, but in my own way, so to speak.

Some time later, I was at an Encinitas retreat and a question about the techniques and what was the proper order to do them, etc. was summitted during a satsanga. The wonderful monastic leading the retreat (who has since passed on), told us that once the basics are learned, then it's up to each person to find their own rhythm and techniques that work for them. That spontenaity was more important than following some prescribed path. That God was never found through techniques but devotion, and that the path is different for every devotee. I had a private conversation with the monastic and s/he approved of the routine I was usuing--which actually wasn't a set routine at all, but changed as I felt the need for it--sometimes mellow, sometimes active, changing things around to keep them interesting.

For me, one of the most important aspects was learning how to sit comfortably for your own body. Your pelvic sit bones make up a triangle under you, and I have found if I sit balanced on this, with hips rotated slightly forward and a slight bit more toward the front pelvic bone (top bone when looking down), I can easily meditate for a long time without any back pain or tension. I do not put my hands at the junction of my thighs since that has always created tension in my wrists (maybe my arms are too long?). I rotate my shoulders up and back, then let them hang loose. My hands rest where they may (I often put a rolled up washcloth between my legs to support my hands, with palms up, one hand on top of the other. I adjust the height of my chair so that my thights are straight (you can do this by "building" up the floor with a rug, or wear shoes with big wedge heels).

For me, the most important mental quality is "relax and flow." Whatever comes is ok. If thoughts come, say hello, then watch them leave, like clouds on the wind. As soon as I think "I shouldn't be thinking!" then the mind starts up with all manner of stuff. Just let it go and breath.

Anyway, this works for me. I suggest that those who are having trouble in meditation just let go of all those "shoulds" and ask God and/or Guru's help to find your own way. That doesn't mean give up on the SRF techniques necessarily; just find a way to make them work for you.

Edited by: LotusLeaf at: 5/14/02 10:24:55 am
nisarga
Registered User
(5/14/02 10:21 am)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
I have been following 2 paths for almost a year now with outstanding results!!!! The Power of Now and " I Am That " by Nisargadatta. Both teach a non-dogmatic path without getting you into the trap of identification with a path. They both endeavor to remove all concepulization and ego identification in order to realize reality. Reality being non-dualistic. After more than 35 years on the spiritual Path and carrying a truck load of spiritual baggage it was refreshing to find a Way that frees one from the load. As they say " free your mind "!!

gardendiva
Registered User
(5/14/02 10:26 am)
Reply 		Re: techniques etc.
LotusLeaf...good points.

When I started Aikido, I realized how comfortable the seiza (basically, knees bent, buttocks on ankles/heels) position was for me. When I want to sit for longer periods of time, I sit with a cushion under my buttocks with my feet stradling either side. This is much more comfortable for me than sitting in a straight backed chair with hands on my thighs.

Yes, I agree, it's best to find your own way. Considering that a prime ingredient to meditation is relaxation, it makes a lot of sense to let go of all the "shoulds," which are major sources of tension.

Should Free
Registered User
(5/14/02 10:48 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
 I want my money back!
I started the path practicing Hatha Yoga and relaxation, in the horizontal position. I was going deep into peace. I got the SRF lessons and started practicing the SRF techiniques according to "Master's instructions" (later I learnt this is not so , since the lessons were written by some blind teachers). My meditations became quite stressful trying to comply with all those shoulds, but I kept working at the techniques because I had faith that Master had to be right.

It took me twenty years to go back to basics and stop believing in all those "shoulds." Now, of course, my meditations are much better. However, I feel so angry with SRF. And they have the courage to talk about "those blind teachers." They just do not realize how blind THEY are. I want my money back! and all those years wasted! What a fraud! What a fraud!

chela2020
Registered User
(5/25/02 5:20 am)
Reply 		/
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Edited by: chela2020 at: 6/30/02 2:25:05 pm
gardendiva
Registered User
(6/4/02 8:09 am)
Reply 		Shambhala Sun
I picked up an issue of Shambhala Sun magazine and found a short little article entitled, "Some Suggestions on Meditation Practice" by Charlotte Joko Beck. A few of the suggestions are similar to SRF instruction, body should be erect (but no other guideline than that), sit every day, go longer once a week...10 to 15 minutes...than you want to sit.

What I found really interesting, however, was in some of the suggestions that decidedly differed from SRF. For example, "Know that sitting is simply maintaining awareness of body and mind. Be aware of any desire to turn sitting into an escape from life by entering peaceful, trancelike states; such states can be seductive by they are of no use." And another, "Be aware that "achieving something" in sitting (such as special clarity, insight, calmness of mind) is not the point. These may occur but the point is your awareness of whatever is happening, including confusion, discouragement or anxiety." Another, "All practice can be summed up as (1) observation of the mental process, and (2) the experiencing of present bodily sensations. No more and no less." Lastly, "And finally, remember that real practice is not about the techniques or koans or anything else as ends in themselves, but about the transformation of your life and ours. There are no quick fixes. Our practice is about our life, and we practice forever."

I found some of these suggestions so profound in their simplicity. The idea that being aware of your body was "okay"...for how many years have I struggled to get "beyond my bodily sensations." And the idea that it's not necessary, or even productive to have a "goal" in meditation...even calmness, let alone reaching cosmic consciousness...takes a lot of pressure off (can you imagine, "pressure" in relations to meditation!!!).

I'm not saying there isn't value in the way SRF teaches meditation. I'm just finally understanding that their form of instruction hasn't been productive for me personally. And it's taken me 20 years to figure that out!!! Well, better late than never I suppose.

Edited by: gardendiva at: 6/4/02 8:12:15 am
srflongago
Registered User
(6/4/02 12:22 pm)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
Do not confuse the lessons you learned, from a generation of SRF teachers remote in time and experience from Yogananda, with the authentic traditional lessons as Yogananda actually taught them. I learned them directly from him in those distant times. They were in the authentic tradition of Kriya Yoga, which itself was in the authentic tradition of Yoga from time immemorial. The spirit and style of authentic Zen as you described your experience coincides except in inessential detail with Yogananda's attitudes and teaching method.

Do not forget that the whole Zen technique and philosophy is simply a Japanese refinement of Buddha's own, technique and philosophy, and that he himself was a traditional Indian master, well steeped in the Vedic Yoga tradition. In his time Yoga had already been developed for at least a thousand years. The coincidence of styles and philosophy and attitude is completely natural. Naturally, each school developed differences over the course of many centuries, but the core is still there for all to see if they only open their minds and hearts!

gardendiva
Registered User
(6/4/02 12:59 pm)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
srflongago...

I understand your point that the lessons that I learned are different from what you learned personally from Yogananda. The subtleties that a guru can understand about a devotee and therefore adjust training accordingly, are of inestimable value.

The fact of the matter is, Yogananda is no longer in his body to guide me personally. I am not in any state, either, to be guided divinely by him. What else am I to do, but find a system, that is presented in such a way so as to be useful to me for my own development?

I am a very humble beginner (even after 20 years) and find myself in a position where starting at the simplest place is the best. For years I "tried" to do Kriya...it meant nothing to me. I had no concept of what the movement of energy meant and certainly never, ever felt anything. I was in a frame of mind where I told myself I shouldn't question it, but should just "do it" because that's what the lessons said. I didn't ask any monastics, because I felt I would just get a pep talk of an answer.

I got into the loop of faulting myself for every lapse of "attention" to my breath or to the om sound (which I never, ever heard) or to where the energy was in my spine. I was supposed to rise above my body consciousness and sensations, which was nearly impossible for me and consequently another thing to feel bad about. Basically, meditation was not fun, I struggled ever day to do it the way I had learned in the lessons, and the only way I got myself to sit was by sheer will. This, to me, is not the way to learn about love, compassion and joy.

So, after many years I am opening up. I figure, what have I got to lose by searching for a system that may actually help me grow spiritually. Yes, I have feelings that maybe I'm not doing the right thing and oh, what will happen. But at this point I also feel like, hey, if I have to be around who-knows-how-many-more-lifetimes, so what? I can learn, I can grow, I can contribute to the world, I can love.

Perhaps I've gotten off track here somewhat, so I apologize. srflongago, I respect what you are saying and obviously Yogananda was your true guru and his specific teachings your path. However, I'm not even sure that Yogananda was ever my guru. I do look at him as my guide, though, and ask that whatever course my life is supposed to take that he bless me on the way and help me be in tune with the Universe. After praying that way for some time, this is the place that I have come to (or should I say, this is the place that I am now, for surely I will be someplace else as times goes on). I am no longer afraid to take the chance that maybe, just maybe, a system other than SRF will be more helpful to me on my spiritual journey. I am no longer afraid that I will have X amount of lifetimes to go through before I am able to practice the higher path of Kriya yoga (for someone who is clueless about Kriya, what can that possibly mean anyway?). I am no longer afraid to face myself and learn who I am, both good and bad. I am no longer afraid to see my fears, feel my emotions and let them guide me.

chuckle chela
Registered User
(6/4/02 4:59 pm)
Reply 		Re: Is the heart Superior to ?
Gardendiva, what a wonderful message you've written! I think you're doing just fine. I was really struck by your statement: "Basically, meditation was not fun, I struggled ever day to do it the way I had learned in the lessons, and the only way I got myself to sit was by sheer will. This, to me, is not the way to learn about love, compassion and joy.
So, after many years I am opening up. I figure, what have I got to lose by searching for a system that may actually help me grow spiritually."

Clearly, the SRF path as your perceived it wasn't working for you, and you seem to be onto something that is working better for you. I think what SRFlongago was trying to say was that what you are now doing is very similar to what he/she learned from Yogananda. Regardless, I think the great thing is that you are following your heart, and, like you, I feel wholeheartedly that learning about love, compassion, and joy is what I want the spiritual path to represent. Seems to me everyone on the spiritual path needs to find the way that works best for him or herself. Personally, I don't think you need to worry about not doing the "right thing" (i.e., "leaving" the SRF teachings or whatever); your sincerity is evident, and I'm betting that God watches the heart.

One question, if you don't mind. Is there anything in your experiences in SRF that could have prevented you from many years of apparent frustration, that could have helped you in finding the path (either within or outside of SRF) that would work for you? For example, if you had been able to talk openmindedly and candidly with someone without getting a "pep talk" or lecture about what's "right," would this have been useful?

srflongago
Registered User
(6/4/02 6:59 pm)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
Gardendiva:
Yogananda was just my first Yoga teacher, and a very good one. I do not endorse the concept of GURU as it has developed in the West. I had another extraordinarily advanced teacher later for many years.

There are many paths to enlightenment. Kriya, and indeed Yoga as a whole, are few of the many paths. Different souls are constitutionally receptive to different paths. Most people who earnestly try to find a path never master themselves enough to stay on a true path to enlightenment.

You are fortunate to have found a path which resonates with you. YOU are the master of your fate. Subjugation to the earthly will of another is not a path to enlightenment.

Gurus who pretend to be masters of YOUR fate have themselves strayed from all true paths and instead have acquired the tremendous negative Karma of the "Will to Power".
Gurus in the East were conceived of as models for you to emulate, but not as masters of your fate.

I would wish you good luck on your journey , but you do not need luck, only the steadfastness of spirit and the clear mind that I sense you are developing.

Edited by: srflongago at: 6/4/02 7:03:57 pm
gardendiva
Registered User
(6/4/02 9:47 pm)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
srflongago...

Thanks so much for your balanced perspective and encouraging words. One of my greatest challenges is understanding and trusting myself...so this is where I start!!

gardendiva
Registered User
(6/4/02 9:57 pm)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
"One question, if you don't mind. Is there anything in your experiences in SRF that could have prevented you from many years of apparent frustration, that could have helped you in finding the path (either within or outside of SRF) that would work for you? For example, if you had been able to talk openmindedly and candidly with someone without getting a "pep talk" or lecture about what's "right," would this have been useful? "

Honestly, Chuckle Chela, I don't even feel that SRF could have done anything different for ME. It was where I was at for many years and am now coming into another space. People can mindlessly do just about anything for years and years, without questioning, because they haven't learned how to question. I was personally so conditioned (after growing up in a devout Roman Catholic household) to just do what appears to be the right thing, that I simply carried that mindset along to SRF. However, if perhaps one of those couple of times I actually did question my place on the SRF path to a monastic, they actually DID have an open minded discussion with me regarding my own sensibilities and psychological make up, who knows what could have happened? I can't go back, I can only go forward.

srflongago
Registered User
(6/5/02 6:00 am)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
This issue has a twofold answer. Here is the first aspect:

Think through the teacher- student relationship itself, independent of whether one is teaching Yoga, Zen, English, Mathematics, Painting, Welding, or Cooking. The very best teachers in one-on-one teaching observe, sense, and first determine exactly where the student is.

The best teachers mold their teaching to the spirit and intellect and current level of understanding of the student.
This is different for each student.

Both Yogananda, and his own master, and his master's master, and the best teachers working with Yogananda, and all others I respect as Yoga teachers did precisely this. They sized up the student and selected a Way appropriate to that student.
This does not mean that they deviated in any way from the intent of the discipline, merely that they understood it deeply rather than as dharma, that is, ritualistic rote learning. Those teachers and pretend masters who have never felt or understood its depths teach in a mechanical and ritualistic way. Of course this is the defect of most Yoga teachers in the West and many in the East, but there are never very many masters of teaching any discipline anyway. They always stand out.

Edited by: srflongago at: 6/5/02 6:05:59 am
srflongago
Registered User
(6/5/02 6:19 am)
Reply 		Re: Is ZEN Superior to Yoga?
The second aspect alluded to is the problem of teaching simultaneously all members of a class. The experienced teacher in any discipline has to judge the level of the class as a whole, and adjust the lessons to a reasonable common level, not too high, not too low.

The physics course you can teach at Cal Tech to Freshman is not the physics course you can teach at a community college. But later the community college student may transfer and learn more and be able to do anything a CalTech student can do.

Similarly the Yoga master who intends to start a wide variety of people on paths to enlightenment has to alter the lesson plans intended for very dedicated prospective adepts so as to reach most of those in the class, without discouraging the weak and giving no value to the strong.

Yogananda and all the master teachers of Yoga I know about who want to help an audience wider than an already fully committed elite audience have to adjust the initial lessons to suit this audience. This does not mean that later the students, when more advanced along their path, will not absorb more demanding teachings.

So yes, Yogananda simplified some things for beginners, but this has no real significance except to those who regard Yoga as ritual, to be performed in one way only on a fixed schedule, rather than as a spritual and intellectual path to enlightenment. Unfortunately, Yoga attracts many who, because of prior conditioning, cannot distinguish ritual from spiritual advancement.

Edited by: srflongago at: 6/5/02 6:25:29 am
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