By Jagdamba Mall
Sekrenyi is no more being celebrated in the manner as it used to be during the days of the forefathers (because) some religious people have been talking against Sekrenyi celebration. Sekrenyi celebrations have become more or less a cultural programme as rituals performed by the forefathers are not being conducted. This is one way in reviving the forgotten traditional values (Nagaland Post 23.2.2011).
————–Kekhriengulie Linyu , APO President
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21). To my dear Naga Christians, may I sincerely appeal to you for Jesus sake, don’t allow the false teachers of our day to woo and cuddle you into a practice that God despises. Guard your hearts. Stand strong in Jesus Christ and for the truth of His words. (Acts20;27-31;Jude 3). (Nagaland Post 22.2.2011)
———-Rev Dr. L. Tsanso
Christians, don’t believe in yoga for healthy physical and spiritual living. Once yoga establishes a foothold in a Christian life and Church, it opens the door for other forms of the New Age Movements to enter (Nagaland Post 22.2.2011).
———-Rev. Dr. L. Tsanso
In the west, the physical aspect of yoga is widely practiced. The postures (asan) forming the basic of this type of yoga allow the body to relax as well as increasing its flexibility and overall fitness. Each pose (asan) has a particular purpose and they are often referred to by their Sanskrit names. I started doing yoga based exercises at the age of 25 now running 28 years. I have never been to hospital for any sickness (The Morung Express 20.2.2011).
——–Smti Imtilla Sangtam, Yoga teacher
Yog is science based on reasoning evolved through the ages by the great sanyasi scientists who laboured hard during several thousand years before and great sanyasi scientist and a yogi (practitioner of yog) Maharishi Patanjali compiled and composed it in book form for the benefit of entire humanity irrespective caste, creed and religion Maharishi Patanjali has described that Yog is a philosophy of life. Yoga is a self-discipline. Yog is a life- style. Yoga is a concept of life, free from diseases and rich with transcendental trance. Yog is an excellent spiritual lore of self therapy and self-realization. Through this spiritual science of Yog, a pygmy can become a colossus or one can transform or develop oneself comprehensively.
Yog is not symptomatic medical treatment like allopathy, rather, it makes us feel healthy from inside by eradicating the root cause of diseases. To view yog merely as a form of exercise or merely as a ritualistic system of a particular community is a narrow and unwise. The Medical Science views yog as an absolute science throwing aside selfishness, prejudice, ignorance and egoism. The Yog Scientist said that eight chakras (eight energy centres of the body) are awakened by yog and by the constant practice of eight pranayams(breathing techniques). The sins and evil impression accumulated over several births get destroyed. The eight chakras (energy centres) correspond respectively to the reproductory, excretory, digestive, skeletal circulatory, respiratory, nervous and endocrine systems. The function of eight chakras is similar to the function of the reproductory to the endocrine systems. The eight pranayams (breathing techniques) keep these eight chakras or eight systems activated, awakened and balanced. The imbalance of even a single system may cause various disorders or diseases. Any imbalance in the internal systems is what causes a disease, while a balanced internal system means a healthy body. In spite of the difference of languages, the sense behind spiritualism and science is one and the same. Now is the time to let go of prejudice and ignorance and embrace the absolute truth.
With direct and indirect experiments of yog on crores of people in over 200 countries including USA, England, France, Australia as well the Muslim nations, the medical scientists of the world have found that the determined practice of the eight pranayams properly over a definite period of time , all our eight chakras or eight systems are fully awakened and balanced. As a result, yog helps us achieve a healthy life. At the same time we can gradually dispense of the intake of external salts and hormones in the forms of medicine as our body already produces these agents in a balanced quantity internally.
Instead of being a pigeon-hole treatment like allopathy, yog is a complete concept of health and hygiene. Barring emergency medical or surgical treatment it is the best form of therapy covering the different areas of medicine. In case of some complicated ailments when yog is combined with ayurveda the treatment becomes extremely effective.
Along with the health aspect, the spiritual aspect of yog is immensely vast. The main aim of yog is the attainment of Samadhi (transcendental trance) the attainment of self-realization or the realization of the supreme/absolute truth. Yet in this journey of attaining Samadhi through yog, the hurdles (diseases) in the way are automatically removed which means that the elimination of disease through yog is only a bye-product of yog. Anyone who practices yog should never forget that the main aim of yog is the attainment of Samadhi. This is the reality of the experiment of yog. Yog establishes the co-ordination of science and spirituality, materialism and spiritualism. Yog awakens a sense of duty towards the self and society. Yog helps an individual isolate himself from the surrounding confusions and helps him become a humanitarian. The agitated mind is a breeding ground for fear, greed, discontent, ignorance, hatred, anger, lack of restraint and all kinds of negative thoughts. When the mind of a person becomes calm through yog (asan, pranayams & meditation) the fear, illusions, violence, crime and corruption rampant in society shall disappear and the indulgences of desires will be controlled. Yog is the only solution to emancipate from epicurean extremes. If we want to put an end to this formidable age of globalization of violence, crime, lasciviousness and hedonistic consumerism, it is achievable only by propagating yog on a world-wide scale.
Smti. Kiran Bedi (retd. I.P.S) introduced yog in Tihar jail for prisoners to evolve the mindsets of criminals undergoing jail terms and it worked miraculously. Many prisoners came out of Tihar jail as reformed people. Similarly, in most of the major jails of the nation, yog has been introduced. Yog class is an unavoidable part of the daily routine in various de-addiction centres.
The youth of Nagaland are marred with several ailments including HIV/ AIDS, narcotic addiction, alcoholism, indiscipline and a crisis of morality etc. The Naga elders are facing the problems of obesity, diabetes, blood pressure, cardiac complications and various types of anxiety. Yog not only cures all these problems but it also prevents the occurrence of these diseases. Yogic life is a happy life. I have been practicing yog since my college days. Today, I am 58+. But no BP, no sugar problem, no heart problems, no complain in my eyesight, hearing, no headache, no digestive disorder, in fact, nothing of that sort at all. I remain active throughout the day.
Baba Ramdev did not invent yog. It was already there. He is just reviving it and he has done this revival of yog in around 200 countries of the planet. Even doctors from AIIMS, New Delhi have started prescribing yog to patients along with medicines. Majority of doctors practice yog.
Nagaland is fortunate to receive an internationally famous yogic sanyasi- Baba Ramdev on 26th February 2011. He is from a rare breed. He is a re-incarnation of righteousness. He is the embodiment of yog and ayurveda. He is not only a sanyasi but also a pure scientist of health and hygiene. He is a sage and a seer. He is working to eradicate diseases from the world through yog, in return he takes nothing.
I think Christianity should not come in the way of learning yog science. What Baba Ramdev teaches makes a Christian a perfect Christian, a Muslim a perfect Muslim and a Hindu a perfect Hindu.
What Baba said in Kohima
Spring –body Baba Ramdev displayed over twenty exercises for gymnasts and body-builders few of which were really very difficult which only regular practitioner could do. He displayed Suryanamaskars, over 50 asnas and a set of eight pranayams in correct sequence. In between, he narrated the significance of Yog, pranayam and meditation. He said in the beginning that when he was coming here, many of his well wishers advised him to be very alert and careful for his security because Nagas were, as advised, ferocious and very violent in nature but I am surprised to notice that Nagas whomsoever I have met were not so as I was told. “Naga log bahut sunder hain, kewal bahar se hi nahi bheetar se bhi. Inka man bahut saaf hain” (Nagas are very beautiful not only from outside but also from inside. They are very honest people). He said that Haipou Jadonang was a Naga who challenged British Empire. He fought for the freedom of the country along with whole nation because of which Britishers hanged him. He lauded the sacrifices made by Rani Maa Gaidinliu for Bharatmata. Baba showered his blessing and praised the scarified made by three Naga jawans of Indian Army who were martyred during Kargil war. He said that there is no difference between Nagas and other Bhartiyas in other part of the country. Baba Ramdev has branches of Patanjali Yog Trust, Haridwar in over 200 countries of the world where people are practising yog in their daily life. He said that he had two life missions – i) To make Bharatvarsh and the world free from diseases and most healthy through the teaching of yog and ii) To make Bharatvarsh richest and strongest and corruption free in the world through Bharat Swabhiman Yatra. In an indirect reference to secessionist uprising in Northeast reason, Baba said that the country’s international boundaries were completely secured and well- guarded by 21 lakh Bharatiya forces. Indian economy would be ten times more than USA if all the 400 lakhs crores of black money deposited by corrupt politicians, corporate houses and high officers in foreign banks. With a special reference to religion he said that there is a full freedom of practice of any religion. No body hinders in the practice of any individual’s way of worship. Thus, every body is free to become richest through righteous means and everybody is free to practice his religion. “What more freedom an individual or a community needs?” Baba asked. He said that many doubt that Baba Ramdev was coming here to convert into Hindu Dharma. “But tell me, have I ever asked any one of you during my three hours display of yog and corresponding explanation here today or at Dimapur yesterday?” Baba asked. He said that he was not the preacher of Hindu Dharm but exclusively yog which is purely a science and way of life. During three hours of his discourse whenever a reference came to Supreme God, he took the name of Prophet Mohammed, Jesus Christ, Ram and Krishna altogether to allay the doubt. He said that his main mission of life was to make the world free from diseases through yog but he had started a crusade simultaneously against corruption because a section of politicians across the party line have turned looters whose integrity was doubtful and could not be trusted. He said that he was a sanyasi and did not own any money or property. Patanjali Yog Trust was s registered body which maintained complete transparency and its account was audited each year. However, Govt. was competent to check the account and our activity.
When he was informed that his visit to Kohima village was cancelled by the village organisers Baba did not show any reaction but people gathered around Baba were shocked and murmured – “It may presumably be because of pressure from Church or underground people.” Baba then said “Namestey” to Kohima and left for Hojai at 12.00 noon.
In Baba Ramdev’s context, many find similarity in the stand taken by Church against scientists like Darwin, Galileo, Archimedes, Einstein, Nobel Laureate Philosopher Bertrand Russel and many more Whatever might be the reason. Nagas got themselves deprived of an opportunity to learn the Yog therapy that, too, taught by internationally famous and highly revered Yog Guru Baba Ramdev. This parochial mindset hinders the development of Nagas in Nagaland and other neighbouring states. It also hinders the cultural exchange and social assimilation. The parochialism leads Nagas to total isolation which is not good for a healthy and developing society.
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With due respect, the references given below are enough to refute the statement of Baba Ramdev in Kohima who said, “Yoga is a science, nothing else but a pure science”. Hence “YOGA” is not pure science but Hindu teaching core doctrine of spiritual foundation.
Yoga Renamed is Still Hindu, Professor Subhas Tiwari stated:
The simple, immutable fact is that yoga originated from the Vedic or Hindu culture. Its techniques were not adopted by Hinduism, but originated from it….Efforts to separate yoga from its spiritual center reveal ignorance of the goal of yoga….If this attempt to co-opt yoga into their own tradition continues, in several decades of incessantly spinning the untruth as truth through re-labelings such as “Christian yoga,” who will know that yoga is–or was–part of Hindu culture?
Seeing that many Christians and non-Christians have been involved with yoga with no prior research into what yoga is or where it originates from, may we note the following definitions from a number of resources.
YOGA DEFINED by Miriam-Websters Dictionary -Yoga: Sanskrit, literally, yoking, from yunakti he yokes; akin to Latin jungere to join — more at YOKE . 1 capitalized: a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation. 2: a system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control and well-being. yo•gic /-gik/ adjective, often capitalized.
YOGA DEFINED by Wikipedia: The word “yoga” derives from the Sanskrit root yuj (“to yoke”); which is cognate to modern English “yoke”, “jugal” and “jugum” in Latin. All derive from the Proto-Indo-European root *yeug – meaning “to join” or “unite”. It is generally translated as “union of the individual atma, loosely translated to mean soul, with Paramatma, the universal soul.”
YOGA DEFINED by Swami Nirmalananda Giri: In answering the question ‘What is Yoga?’, Swami Nirmalananda Giri states: “Yoga” is a Sanskrit word that comes from the root-word yuj that means “to join.” Yoga, then, is both union and the means to union. What do we join through yoga? Two eternal beings: God, the Infinite Being, and the individual spirit that is finite being. In essence they are one, and according to yogic philosophy all spirits originally dwelt in consciousness (sic) of that oneness.
YOGA DEFINED by Experience Festival : So that there is no confusion about what yoga is, we have included here more definitions on yoga. At http://www.experiencefestival.com/, a monstrous archive of New Age, occult and mysticism oriented literature; yoga is defined this way: Yoga: The ancient Yogis recognised long ago that in order to accomplish the highest stage of yoga, which is the realisation of the self, or God consciousness, a healthy physical body is essential. [This is part of the occult philosophy of yogic breathing] For when we are sick, our attention is seldom free enough to contemplate the larger reality, or to muster the energy for practice…The masters of yoga also teach us that personal growth is possible only when we fully accept our embodiment and when we truly understand that the body is not merely skin and bones but a finely balanced system of energies…The roots of Yoga can be traced back roughly 5,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization, where seals depicting people performing asanas (yoga postures) were used in trade along the river…The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “Yuj” meaning to yoke, join or unite. It is the union of all aspects of an individual: body, mind and soul. Hence, Yoga reunites all opposites – mind and body, stillness and movement, masculine and feminine, sun and moon – in order to bring reconciliation between them…Yoga is one of the six branches in Indian philosophy and is referred to throughout the Vedas, the ancient scriptures of India. There is a legend that says that the knowledge of Yoga was first offered by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati and from there passed on to the world…According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ultimate aim of Yoga is to reach “Kaivalya” (freedom). This is the experience of one’s innermost being or “soul” (the Purusa). When this level of awareness is achieved, one becomes free of the chains of cause and effect (Karma) which bound us to continual reincarnation. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a 2200 year old classical piece of Yoga Philosophy. The writers of this definition of yoga then go on to state the eight disciplines of yoga: Hear, Patanjali describe 8 disciplines of yoga which must be practiced and refined in order to perceive the true self- the ultimate goal of Yoga: 1) Yama – Universal ethics: Non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing. 2) Niyama – Principles of self conduct: purity, contentment, study of self, surrender. 3) Asana – practice of the postures. 4) Pranayama – Breath control. 5) Pratyahara – withdrawal and control of the senses. 6) Dharana – concentration. 7) Dhyana – meditation. 8) Samadhi – higher consciousness.”
YOGA DEFINED by Yoga Journal Website: What is Yoga Journal’s Definition of Yoga? Cyndi Lee at the Yoga Journal website answers the question ‘What is Yoga?’: The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as “union” or a method of discipline. A male who practices yoga is called a yogi, a female practitioner, a yogini….The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of 195 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is practiced today. It also outlines eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).
YOGA DEFINED by the Index of Cults and New Religions. Yoga: Exercises (physical, mental or spiritual) based on Eastern metaphysical assumptions designed to aid in enlightenment or self-realization. Goals sometimes include altered states of consciousness or uniting the practitioner with the impersonal pantheistic God. Types of Yoga include: Karma Yoga (spiritual union through correct conduct), Bhakti Yoga (spiritual union through devotion to a Guru), Juana Yoga (spiritual union through hidden knowledge), Raja Yoga (spiritual union through mental control), Hatha Yoga (spiritual union through body control/meditation), Kundalini Yoga (spiritual union through focusing inner energy) and Tantra Yoga (spiritual union through sexual practices). Yoga philosophy is based on the concept of reincarnation and is drawn from the Upanishads and other Hindu scriptures.
YOGA DEFINED by Divine Life Society’s Sri Swami Sivananda: The following is the Publisher’s Note found on Sri Swami Sivananda booklet, Yoga for the West: Publishers’ Note: The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root “Yuj” which means “to join.” Yoga is the Science that teaches us the method of uniting the individual soul with the Supreme Soul, of merging the individual soul will in the Cosmic Will. Yoga is a perfect, practical system of self-culture. It is the discipline of the mind, senses and the physical body. It helps the student to attain perfect concentration of the mind, ethical perfection, moral excellence and spiritual calmness. Real Yoga is the attainment of the highest divine knowledge through conscious communion with God. Yoga transmutes the unregenerate nature of the student and raises him to the highest state of Divine Glory and Splendour. It bestows on him increased energy, vitality, vigour, longevity and a high standard of health. It brings a message of hope to the forlorn, joy to the depressed, strength to the weak, and knowledge to the ignorant. It kills all sorts of pain, misery and tribulation. By the practice of Yoga one can turn out efficient work within a short space of time and attain full success in every walk of life.
With due respect, the above references are enough to refute the statement of Baba Ramdev in Kohima who said, “Yoga is a science, nothing else but a pure science”. Hence “YOGA” is not just Pure science but Hindu teaching core doctrine of spiritual foundation.
Now that you know, it is you and you alone who should decide whether to follow or reject.