When does Kundalini Yoga stop and Sikhism begin

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam dear family,

 

I had a question from a student of mine lately and didn't quite know how to

answer him. The question was, since there seems to be such a tight partnership

between Kundalini Yoga and Sikhism (such as with the mantras), where do we draw

the line between what belongs to Kundalini Yoga and what belongs to Sikhism?

Since the two are so enmeshed, perhaps it'd be interesting to point out the

differences, as this might be easier than to draw out the resemblances? I know

that, for one, many Sikhs don't practice any type of yoga at all, nor are they

vegetarians. That's all I could come up with.

 

Thanks for your help,

 

Nadh

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam

 

There is a code of practice given to sikhs when they are baptized. you can search it on the internet [ Rehit Maryada]

There is a Yogic lifestyle given by Yogi Bhajan.

And a code of standards for the KY teacher.

depending on how far we take it, and which little group of Sikhs or Yogis we compare, there could be up to 70% or more cross over between these two lifestyles.

 

Other than that it is for each one to decide if and where they draw some line between the two.

 

PS: many Sikhs, when baptised, are strict vegetarian.

and there is a growing number of 3rd generation Panjabi origin Sikhs in the west that are joining KY teacher training.

Shabd Guru does not say to Sikhs that they should not do Yoga. Rather it is the consciousness and intention of the practice that is questioned.

 

Blessings to all

scs

www.karamkriya.eu

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Nadh,

It is all God. As a Sikh, when you merge with the Guru, as in /Apay Guru

Chela/ and /Tuhi Mohi, Mohi Tuhi/, it is union with God through Guru. As

a Yogi, the purpose is also union with the Divine. They are different

practices leading to the same goal. Yogi Bhajan did not come to America

to create Sikhs, he came to create teachers. He attributed our becoming

Sikhs to the miracle of Guru Ram Das. On Yogiji's passing the Gurus

continue to enlighten us. The ten Gurus are within everyone's ten

bodies, working through them, often unknown, to bring in the Aquarian

Age. We were given not one, but ten Gurus for this great purpose. And

the eleventh, the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, for perfect, conscious mastery

of all ten bodies. This is the Kundalini Yoga of the New Age. Use the

vast power of Kundalini Yoga to call on the ten Gurus, on your totally

empowered ten facets, and heal the world.

 

Loving Blessings,

SS Guru Prem Kaur Khalsa

www.yogagems.com

[Guest guest]

Sat nam dear one! This was an excelent question. I would love to write some of the replies.

 

I have the same question myself.

 

Blessings to all,

 

Guru Kirtan Kaur

[Guest guest]

This is a important topic and for me one that has a person to person answer…as

in who am I speaking to and why have they really asked this question and one

that is more reflective and universal to all religions/dharmas/yoga…why did we

create these divisions and categories….of religion and yoga...and why is it so

important to keep them.

 

Sat Ganesha

" participate, share, contribute "

 

 

Kundalini-Yoga , " Yves " <terrarium44 wrote:

>

> Sat Nam dear family,

>

> I had a question from a student of mine lately and didn't quite know how to

answer him. The question was, since there seems to be such a tight partnership

between Kundalini Yoga and Sikhism (such as with the mantras), where do we draw

the line between what belongs to Kundalini Yoga and what belongs to Sikhism?

Since the two are so enmeshed, perhaps it'd be interesting to point out the

differences, as this might be easier than to draw out the resemblances? I know

that, for one, many Sikhs don't practice any type of yoga at all, nor are they

vegetarians. That's all I could come up with.

>

> Thanks for your help,

>

> Nadh

>

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam!

 

In my experience the line between Yoga and Sikhism (and all the other

religions) is the door of the room where I teach.

 

:-)

 

Sujan S.

 

---- Original Message ----

" Yves " <terrarium44

<Kundalini-Yoga >

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 8:49 PM

When does Kundalini Yoga stop and Sikhism

begin

 

> Sat Nam dear family,

>

> I had a question from a student of mine lately and didn't quite know

> how to answer him. The question was, since there seems to be such a

> tight partnership between Kundalini Yoga and Sikhism (such as with

> the mantras), where do we draw the line between what belongs to

> Kundalini Yoga and what belongs to Sikhism? Since the two are so

> enmeshed, perhaps it'd be interesting to point out the differences,

> as this might be easier than to draw out the resemblances? I know

> that, for one, many Sikhs don't practice any type of yoga at all, nor

> are they vegetarians. That's all I could come up with.

>

> Thanks for your help,

>

> Nadh

[Guest guest]

Thank you for this question......

 

I would like to risk a proposition in defining understanding of Kundalini Yoga (KY). Most people on this forum use this term meaning "as taught by Yogi Bhajan". However KY is much much bigger then Yogi Bhajan or any other teacher. There are schools of KY based on Hinduism as well as Sikhism. There are may teachers - like Yogi Bhajan - who wrote/talk about Kundalini energy extensively.

 

If interested - you may want to check www.gopikrishna.net and http://www.blue-star.org/home.htm as an examples.

 

I am pointing to others because in each case you will find influence of culture and religion of teacher's origin. it is very clear in Sadhana practices. You may chant Siri Grand Sahib, others - Guru Gita, yet other Bhagavad Gita. You may use mantras based on Gurmukh, Hindi, Sanskrit, English or any other language. You may use wonderful Kriyas which Yogi Bhajan left behind, or any other kind of yoga - as one of teachers said "There are many paths but one destination"

 

As long as we understand that these are only tools, for our own growth towards connection with our inner Divinity, tools to awaken Shakti and it's journey up to the crown, as they tell us. The jist of the teachings - when you really look at it closely is very much the same from ALL great spiritual teachers. They differ only by the 'cloak colour' of culture and tradition of each teacher. So you may encourage your student to simply take what he likes and discard what he doesn't like (or is not ready yet to understand) - and most of all not get caught up which 'cloak colour' is 'better'. Encourage him/her to find out for himself/herself which 'cloak' suits the best at the time. And perhaps s/he will change the 'cloak' may a time in the lifetime as s/he evolves in a quest for deeper spirituality.

 

Sat Nam

Lee

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,

 

I rather enjoyed Sujan Singh's line between Yoga and Sikhism

being drawn at the door of the room where he teaches.

 

In regard to changing " cloaks " many times throughout life, I feel

obligated to bring up Yogi Bhajan's oft-repeated teaching that

commitment is required for happiness - and your word (including any

" vows " ) needs to be treated as God; " Let your head fall before you

drop your commitment. " Naturally, it requires that commitments be made

with profound care and consciousness.

 

In the case of either Kundalini Yoga or Sikh Dharma, the same 7 steps

to happiness apply – and the teacher or minister in the legacy of Raaj

Yoga is called upon to offer the technology of the steps to provide

the student with an opportunity for happiness. The technologies may

vary on the level of detail, but the steps are the same (detailed

below in the 2nd quote). You will not find a lecture where Yogi

Bhajan suggests anything akin to “window shopping” through life for

the path that suits one's personality or temporal emotions. To the

contrary, he warns against an uncommitted and ego-based mentality.

 

By " coincidence, " I came across these two quotes this morning – one

from the KRI women’s quotes in regard to Kundalini Yoga, the other

from the Level 2 LifeCycles and LifeStyles manual, which illustrates

the importance of maintaining the experience and character of a Sikh

impersonally once you have chosen that Dharma. (I will not include

his story about a student who wonders why he is not respected as a

Sikh - whom the Siri Singh Sahib reminds of the one day a week he lets

go of his Sikh form and disciplines):

 

Quote about Kundalini Yoga:

The totality of all yogas is one Yoga - Kundalini Yoga, the Yoga of

Awareness, the Yoga of Consciousness. It is specific. This Yoga is for

those who want to do a specific and special course in consciousness

and awareness. It demands a commitment. - © The Teachings of Yogi

Bhajan, August 23, 1978

 

Quote about Sikh Dharma (from Level 2 LifeCycles & LifeStyles

lecture): How to be Human: Ethics and Action

 

“If commitment is not there, character is not there. Commitment gives

us character; character gives us dignity; and if people cannot

understand your commitment, they cannot understand your character and

they cannot understand your dignity. Then the question of divinity

does not arise. Your Self, your consciousness, your soul, your

intelligence, your intuition, all those great things in you that give

you divinity, the divinity that comes from dignity, is one where you

can deal with everybody gracefully, consciously and happily. Then you

become an impersonal giver – like God. It’s a hard way. When you

have dignity and grace that will give you the power to sacrifice, and

the happiness which comes out of the sacrifice, that is the only

happiness you have got…

 

" Sikh Dharma is a religion of the Age of Aquarius. Its time is now.

It’s not going to come off the cusp. It has started. No person will

remain a Sikh who does not have a Sikh experience. A student

experiences in order to become a master. This religion, this reality,

is not personal. So long as you are personal, you are not religious

because that reality is personal. The reality that you are practicing

is an Infinite reality and that reality must be impersonal.” May 15,

1997

 

----------

 

When does Kundalini Yoga stop and Sikhism beginPosted by: " Yoga Jap "

noi

acsujansinghFri Nov 13, 2009 1:26 am (PST)

 

 

Sat Nam!

 

In my experience the line between Yoga and Sikhism (and all the other

religions) is the door of the room where I teach.

 

:-)

 

Sujan S.

 

----------

 

When does Kundalini Yoga stop and Sikhism beginPosted by: " Lee "

litka24

litka24Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:42 am (PST)

 

 

Thank you for this question......

 

I would like to risk a proposition in defining understanding of

Kundalini Yoga (KY). Most people on this forum use this term meaning " as

taught by Yogi Bhajan " . However KY is much much bigger then Yogi Bhajan

or any other teacher. There are schools of KY based on Hinduism as well

as Sikhism. There are may teachers - like Yogi Bhajan - who wrote/talk

about Kundalini energy extensively.

 

If interested - you may want to check www. <http://www.gopikrishna.net>

gopikrishna.net and http://www.blue-star.org/home.htm as an examples.

 

I am pointing to others because in each case you will find influence of

culture and religion of teacher's origin. it is very clear in Sadhana

practices. You may chant Siri Grand Sahib, others - Guru Gita, yet other

Bhagavad Gita. You may use mantras based on Gurmukh, Hindi, Sanskrit,

English or any other language. You may use wonderful Kriyas which Yogi

Bhajan left behind, or any other kind of yoga - as one of teachers said

" There are many paths but one destination "

 

As long as we understand that these are only tools, for our own growth

towards connection with our inner Divinity, tools to awaken Shakti and

it's journey up to the crown, as they tell us. The jist of the teachings

- when you really look at it closely is very much the same from ALL

great spiritual teachers. They differ only by the 'cloak colour' of

culture and tradition of each teacher. So you may encourage your student

to simply take what he likes and discard what he doesn't like (or is not

ready yet to understand) - and most of all not get caught up which

'cloak colour' is 'better'. Encourage him/her to find out for

himself/herself which 'cloak' suits the best at the time. And perhaps

s/he will change the 'cloak' may a time in the lifetime as s/he evolves

in a quest for deeper spirituality.

 

Sat Nam

Lee

[Guest guest]

Nadh dear,

In terms of the mantras it is important to remember that no sound belongs to

any particular group or religion but rather that group or religion or

spiritual practice adopts that sound to help it's practicioner access the

state of consciousness that the mantra is vibrating at. When a yogi sat in

mediation and realized a deep elevated state of consciouness and then opened

his or her mouth, the sound that was emitted was a mantra. The mantra did

not come with a ticket that the practicioner had to belong to any particular

group or religion. I hope this helps..... Lovingly, Gurudass Kaur

www.childplayyoga.com

[Guest guest]

We had a beautiful young Indian woman named Puloma who came to our yoga retreat

this summer; she has never done Kundalini yoga and was at first put off by the

Sikh mantras (because they were familiar to her and had an association to

religion) therein but after practicing for a few days saw the overall benefits

of kundalini yoga vs the other types or what she THOUGHT yoga was!

 

This is an interesting discussion..

 

as Yogi B said There is not right or wrong only our thinking makes it so!

 

Sat Nam

Amrita

www.sewallhouse.com

Island Falls. ME and NYC

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam everyone,

 

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to answer this question.

Kundalini Yoga has brought much to my life, and still continues to this day.

The student, however, came to me with this question likely because, in some

sense, I had the same question at the very core of my being. So this is a very

healing experience for me, from which I'm learning quite a bit. Thank you for

being part of this learning.

 

I have a few reflections about the people who have posted replies on this

subject, and hope that it's not too much to gather clippings from various posts:

 

Sat Ganesha wrote:

 

" why did we create these divisions and categories….of religion and yoga...and

why is it so important to keep them. "

 

I won't even pretend to know the answer, but think that it stems from an

overdated belief that one particular religion holds the keys of Truth, and all

others fall short. Only when we really see all religions as having shards of

the Ultimate Truth do we really see the universality of the Truth. In other

words, we gather the shards to form once again the prism that is the

Guru/Universal One/All That Is.

 

Sujan Singh wrote: " In my experience the line between Yoga and Sikhism (and all

the other

religions) is the door of the room where I teach. "

 

I don't fully understand this. This is a great concept in theory, but in

practice, I don't see this happening. How can this be when all the mantras in a

Kundalini yoga class are Gurmukhi, and stem from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib?

Perhaps Lee explained this by saying:

 

" I am pointing to others because in each case you will find influence of culture

and religion of teacher's origin. it is very clear in Sadhana practices. You may

chant Siri Grand Sahib, others - Guru Gita, yet other Bhagavad Gita. You may use

mantras based on Gurmukh, Hindi, Sanskrit, English or any other language. You

may use wonderful Kriyas which Yogi Bhajan left behind, or any other kind of

yoga - as one of teachers said " There are many paths but one destination " .

 

Right. So we, in Kundalini Yoga, will chant in Gurmukhi, but other schools of

Kundalini Yoga will chant in a different language. But, I remember taking a

course in Naad Yoga last year and was told that Gurmukhi was particularly

effective because it would force to the tongue to strike specific meridian

points on the upper palate in a very specific sequence so that it would send

messages to the hypothalamus and other glands. This makes me cringe slightly

though because it'd be really easy to get into a separation argument, i.e.

" Gurmukhi is better than Hindi " , which is a " us vs. them " mentality which I want

to avoid in this world. Is there any way around this?

 

Harbhajan Kaur Khalsa then points out in her post:

 

" Quote about Kundalini Yoga:

The totality of all yogas is one Yoga - Kundalini Yoga, the Yoga of

Awareness, the Yoga of Consciousness. It is specific. This Yoga is for

those who want to do a specific and special course in consciousness

and awareness. It demands a commitment. - © The Teachings of Yogi

Bhajan, August 23, 1978 "

 

Let me ask you this--in which way does Kundalini Yoga differ from other yogas in

this respect? In other words, which yoga DOESN'T demand a commitment? All

yogas bring forth an awareness as well. Why is Kundalini Yoga special in this

way?

 

Again, thank you to everyone who posted replies to this question, even though I

didn't quote everyone.

 

With much gratitude,

 

Nadh Singh

[Guest guest]

Hello all,I thought I'd put in my opinion. I actually find some of the things YB suggests kinda creepy and cultish - mainly the use of white and wearing of turbans. I have always strongly and firmly believe that one needs to think for themself and to do what feels right for them. That is basically why I don't support religion (I don't think it supports free thinking, but rather dogma), although I support religious freedom i.e. the right to choose or not choose to have a religion.

Part of what I see in KY books is the use of all white clothes and the use of turbans. I have seen a couple of books where they are not in white and those books I perceive as 'normal'. Is this religion or is this KY?

Frankly I am not looking to adopt a religion. I am just trying to figure out how I can be happy and spiritually fulfilled. I have no use for religion doctrine.Anyways, I guess I am wondering if this wearing of white business is related to KY. I am assuming the turban aspect is part of the religion.

I think as well, seeing people doing this in a turban, may send out the wrong message about KY and that one has to adopt this wearing of the turban. I think it needs to be made clear because it might confuse those who are leery of religion.

Paula

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam!

 

Wearing white and/or the use of a turban has nothing to do with sikhism:

it's a definite technology.

Online also you can find many sources where you will have the answer you're

searching for (i.e.

http://db.kriteachings.org/clients/ikyta/articles.nsf/9dee2aa6164e1d9b8725667100\

4e06c7/$searchForm?SearchView).

 

Blessings

 

Sujan S.

 

---- Original Message ----

" Paula Lucidi " <plucidi

<Kundalini-Yoga >

Monday, November 30, 2009 12:50 AM

Re: Re: When does Kundalini Yoga stop and

Sikhism begin

 

> Hello all,

>

> I thought I'd put in my opinion. I actually find some of the things YB

> suggests kinda creepy and cultish - mainly the use of white and

> wearing of turbans. I have always strongly and firmly believe that

> one needs to think for themself and to do what feels right for them.

> That is basically why I don't support religion (I don't think it

> supports free thinking, but rather dogma), although I support

> religious freedom i.e. the right to choose or not choose to have a

> religion.

>

> Part of what I see in KY books is the use of all white clothes and

> the use of turbans. I have seen a couple of books where they are not

> in white and those books I perceive as 'normal'. Is this religion or

> is this KY?

>

> Frankly I am not looking to adopt a religion. I am just trying to

> figure out how I can be happy and spiritually fulfilled. I have no

> use for religion doctrine.

>

> Anyways, I guess I am wondering if this wearing of white business is

> related to KY. I am assuming the turban aspect is part of the

> religion.

>

> I think as well, seeing people doing this in a turban, may send out

> the wrong message about KY and that one has to adopt this wearing of

> the turban. I think it needs to be made clear because it might

> confuse those who are leery of religion.

>

> Paula

[Guest guest]

Wearing white

 

Around us are many dimensions

In these dimensions are many elemental and

spirit creatures.

One reason for wearing white is the spirits do not like attaching to

white AREAS!

They prefer to attach to people wearing dark colours especially Black.

In Tradition Tibetans and Indians always wear white at funerals.

This is because there are many astral entities floating about in funeral parlours, hospitals

and they attach themselves to the family members who become wearing black clothes

and become too emotional.

This allows tears in the aura and they jump in side and attach to these people

Its now a dangerous trend to wear Black all the time

It means one is enveloping themselves in a barrier which does not

allow any goodness to come in.

Angels normally stay away from people who wear black

The Crown Chakra becomes further blocked wearing black hats or turbans.

 

Amarjit Singh

 

I would recommend these books to read by Swami Samual Sagan

 

Clairvision School Samuel Sagan will be visiting Sweden in 2010. Click here for details ... The Clairvision website is used by several legally unaffiliated entities ...

www.clairvision.org

 

 

 

 

 

Entities, Parasites of the Body of Energy

 

 

 

by Samuel Sagan

 

Based on numerous case studies, this book presents a thorough, rational approach to understand and explore various parasites of consciousness and negative energies, while putting into perspective old cliches about possession and exorcism. It will assist many practitioners in better helping their clients. It also includes a comprehensive discussion of the shattering of the astral body after death, a topic with major repercussions on the continuation of consciousness from one life to the next and the building of the body of immortality. ISBN 0 646 17882 2

 

Excerpts Purchase the book Note: In the USA, the book 'Entities' is published by Destiny Books under the title 'Entity Possession'. Kundalini-Yoga , Paula Lucidi <plucidi wrote:>> Hello all,> > I thought I'd put in my opinion. I actually find some of the things YB> suggests kinda creepy and cultish - mainly the use of white and wearing of> turbans. I have always strongly and firmly believe that one needs to think> for themself and to do what feels right for them. That is basically why I> don't support religion (I don't think it supports free thinking, but rather> dogma), although I support religious freedom i.e. the right to choose or not> choose to have a religion.> > Part of what I see in KY books is the use of all white clothes and the use> of turbans. I have seen a couple of books where they are not in white and> those books I perceive as 'normal'. Is this religion or is this KY?> > Frankly I am not looking to adopt a religion. I am just trying to figure out> how I can be happy and spiritually fulfilled. I have no use for religion> doctrine.> > Anyways, I guess I am wondering if this wearing of white business is related> to KY. I am assuming the turban aspect is part of the religion.> > I think as well, seeing people doing this in a turban, may send out the> wrong message about KY and that one has to adopt this wearing of the turban.> I think it needs to be made clear because it might confuse those who are> leery of religion.> > Paula>

[Guest guest]

All this stuff is true only if you " believe " it...and I suppose some people have

the need too. But kundalini separates from all " isms " and the " beliefs " from

those isms when one engages their own awareness and intention into the equation.

Kundalini when used with conscious choice allows one to " create " the outer

circumstances...nothing attaches to you from the outside if you set your aura so

it can't...it doesn't have to do with what you wear..or eat...or anything that

would make you a victim. Your reality will be created by your beliefs...and

kundalini will just amplify that......

 

Yogji used to say that riding a motorcycle tears up your aura.....I told him my

aura does what I tell it to do. He said " you are great " .....Don't just listen

to someone else's beliefs and take them to be true because someone is supposed

to be an authority. Kundalini makes you your own authority. Whats true for one

person does not make it true for all persons. One has to exercise their

awareness a little more than that........ Kirantana

 

Kundalini-Yoga , " vortexmagic " <singhbam wrote:

>

> Wearing white Around us are many dimensions In these dimensions are

> many elemental and spirit creatures. One reason for wearing white is the

> spirits do not like attaching to white AREAS! They prefer to attach to

> people wearing dark colours especially Black. In Tradition Tibetans and

> Indians always wear white at funerals. This is because there are many

> astral entities floating about in funeral parlours, hospitals and they

> attach themselves to the family members who become wearing black clothes

> and become too emotional. This allows tears in the aura and they jump

> in side and attach to these people Its now a dangerous trend to wear

> Black all the time It means one is enveloping themselves in a barrier

> which does not allow any goodness to come in. Angels normally stay away

> from people who wear black The Crown Chakra becomes further blocked

> wearing black hats or turbans. Amarjit Singh I would recommend these

> books to read by Swami Samual Sagan Clairvision School

> <http://www.clairvision.org/>

> Samuel Sagan will be visiting Sweden in 2010. Click here for details ...

> The Clairvision website is used by several legally unaffiliated entities

> ...

>

> www.clairvision.org

> Entities, Parasites of the Body of Energy by Samuel Sagan

>

> Based on numerous case studies, this book presents a thorough, rational

> approach to understand and explore various parasites of consciousness

> and negative energies, while putting into perspective old cliches about

> possession and exorcism. It will assist many practitioners in better

> helping their clients. It also includes a comprehensive discussion of

> the shattering of the astral body after death, a topic with major

> repercussions on the continuation of consciousness from one life to the

> next and the building of the body of immortality.

> ISBN 0 646 17882 2

>

> * Excerpts

> <http://www.clairvision.org/ckb/ckbe/ckbl/fol_0000_0001/cat_0000_0001/ti\

> d_2004_0121_0010.html> * Purchase the book

> <http://vt.clairvision.org/csa/csaEcOrder>

> Note: In the USA, the book 'Entities' is published by Destiny Books

> under the title 'Entity Possession'.

>

>

> Kundalini-Yoga , Paula Lucidi <plucidi@> wrote:

> >

> > Hello all,

> >

> > I thought I'd put in my opinion. I actually find some of the things YB

> > suggests kinda creepy and cultish - mainly the use of white and

> wearing of

> > turbans. I have always strongly and firmly believe that one needs to

> think

> > for themself and to do what feels right for them. That is basically

> why I

> > don't support religion (I don't think it supports free thinking, but

> rather

> > dogma), although I support religious freedom i.e. the right to choose

> or not

> > choose to have a religion.

> >

> > Part of what I see in KY books is the use of all white clothes and the

> use

> > of turbans. I have seen a couple of books where they are not in white

> and

> > those books I perceive as 'normal'. Is this religion or is this KY?

> >

> > Frankly I am not looking to adopt a religion. I am just trying to

> figure out

> > how I can be happy and spiritually fulfilled. I have no use for

> religion

> > doctrine.

> >

> > Anyways, I guess I am wondering if this wearing of white business is

> related

> > to KY. I am assuming the turban aspect is part of the religion.

> >

> > I think as well, seeing people doing this in a turban, may send out

> the

> > wrong message about KY and that one has to adopt this wearing of the

> turban.

> > I think it needs to be made clear because it might confuse those who

> are

> > leery of religion.

> >

> > Paula

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sat nam Paula,

 

Anyone who wears a turban and/or wears white does it out of their own free will.

No one ever forced this on me. Has anyone tried to sell you on wearing a turban

or wearing white? Or worse, tried to force you to do either? If so, that is out

of order. There are many reasons for doing both which I will not go into. If

someone asked me if one should do either, I would tell the the reasons and would

be doubly sure that is the decision they wanted to make. I would almost try to

talk them out of it so they know what they are doing. I await your answer if

someone tried to get you to do either.

 

GuruBandhu

 

Kundalini-Yoga , Paula Lucidi <plucidi wrote:

>

> Hello all,

>

> I thought I'd put in my opinion. I actually find some of the things YB

> suggests kinda creepy and cultish - mainly the use of white and wearing of

> turbans. I have always strongly and firmly believe that one needs to think

> for themself and to do what feels right for them. That is basically why I

> don't support religion (I don't think it supports free thinking, but rather

> dogma), although I support religious freedom i.e. the right to choose or not

> choose to have a religion.

>

> Part of what I see in KY books is the use of all white clothes and the use

> of turbans. I have seen a couple of books where they are not in white and

> those books I perceive as 'normal'. Is this religion or is this KY?

>

> Frankly I am not looking to adopt a religion. I am just trying to figure out

> how I can be happy and spiritually fulfilled. I have no use for religion

> doctrine.

>

> Anyways, I guess I am wondering if this wearing of white business is related

> to KY. I am assuming the turban aspect is part of the religion.

>

> I think as well, seeing people doing this in a turban, may send out the

> wrong message about KY and that one has to adopt this wearing of the turban.

> I think it needs to be made clear because it might confuse those who are

> leery of religion.

>

> Paula

>

[Guest guest]

Hello,I've read the comments about entities attaching themselves, etc. I'm a skeptic by nature so I don't really believe in the concept of entities, although I think it's possible. I agree about wearing black all the time. I find people who do that are weird (usually they are the 'goths'). I personally like wearing colours. I know in theory, one can wear white out of free will but when you go to a group, you want to fit in so you adapt some of the group behaviour, which may involve wearing white. I personally would not want to do yoga in an environment where everyone was wearing all white. I believe in thinking for oneself and not conforming. I guess that's why I'm rebellous to this wearing white concept. Plus, I wear coloured underwear and I wouldn't want to wear white as people will see my underwear colour!

Paula

[Guest guest]

Some people actually believe that

 

" … the [elemental] spirits do not like attaching to white AREAS! They prefer to

attach to people wearing dark colours especially Black… Angels normally stay

away from people who wear black. " Etc., etc., etc.

 

This is the same nonsense dispensed by Scientology, and is used to lure new

recruits. You will see similar tactics by charlatan " psychics " who claim there

is a " curse " on you (and for a lofty fee, said curse will be neutralized by the

psychic). How absurdly Piscean – a cabal with " secret knowledge " held by the

privileged few! The new age cannot come fast enough.

 

Having said that, when a person is deeply immersed in such " fear based " beliefs

they often create darkness in their own aura. This is self induced; there is no

external force or `elemental spirit' involved (which sounds a lot like `Satan').

People always look for an outside force to blame, rather than take ownership for

their circumstances.

 

My body is the temple, Kundalini Yoga is the daily sermon, and God's laughter

guides my heart.

 

 

 

Kundalini-Yoga , Paula Lucidi <plucidi wrote:

>

> Hello,

>

> I've read the comments about entities attaching themselves, etc. I'm a

> skeptic by nature so I don't really believe in the concept of entities,

> although I think it's possible. I agree about wearing black all the time. I

> find people who do that are weird (usually they are the 'goths'). I

> personally like wearing colours. I know in theory, one can wear white out of

> free will but when you go to a group, you want to fit in so you adapt some

> of the group behaviour, which may involve wearing white. I personally would

> not want to do yoga in an environment where everyone was wearing all white.

> I believe in thinking for oneself and not conforming. I guess that's why I'm

> rebellous to this wearing white concept. Plus, I wear coloured underwear and

> I wouldn't want to wear white as people will see my underwear colour!

>

> Paula

>

[Guest guest]

Sat nam Paula-

 

No one is required to wear white in this community except in two situations, if

you are teaching a KY class, or are participating in white tantric yoga.

 

I like this story one of my yoga teachers told us in teacher training. She told

us that when Yogi Bhajan told them about the whole wearing white thing, she did

an experiment and wore only all black for 40 days, and then all white for 40

days. And she noticed how she felt better wearing white than black.

 

It always resonated with me when the Buddha said " question everything " . I take

this to mean that don't do something just cause someone says so, but experience

it internally, think about it, feel it and determine if its right for you. Just

to give you an idea, I did this with shaving my legs. I had 2 furry, furry

legs, and shaved one last spring and left the other one hairy (yeah, i looked

strange). But I immediately felt the difference--my shaved leg felt...tense,

stressed out, and jumpy, which is a weird thing to feel in a leg. I could sense

from my other leg that the hair created a cushion of sorts. I also feel better

when I where white or light colors and wear a lot of it, but I definitely still

like to wear colors- depends on my mood.

 

Peace,

Kehar Kaur

 

>

> Kundalini-Yoga , Paula Lucidi <plucidi@> wrote:

> >

> > Hello,

> >

> > I've read the comments about entities attaching themselves, etc. I'm a

> > skeptic by nature so I don't really believe in the concept of entities,

> > although I think it's possible. I agree about wearing black all the time. I

> > find people who do that are weird (usually they are the 'goths'). I

> > personally like wearing colours. I know in theory, one can wear white out of

> > free will but when you go to a group, you want to fit in so you adapt some

> > of the group behaviour, which may involve wearing white. I personally would

> > not want to do yoga in an environment where everyone was wearing all white.

> > I believe in thinking for oneself and not conforming. I guess that's why I'm

> > rebellous to this wearing white concept. Plus, I wear coloured underwear and

> > I wouldn't want to wear white as people will see my underwear colour!

> >

> > Paula

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,

 

Somewhere I read that people who gravitate to black clothing feel that they are

on a precipice involving life transformation. (unless they are trying to cover

up obesity.)

 

Example: Many American teens like to wear black. And, black is the traditional

color of mourning.

 

JL

 

 

Kundalini-Yoga , " jojoitalia " <jkoslowsky wrote:

>

> Sat nam Paula-

>

> No one is required to wear white in this community except in two situations,

if you are teaching a KY class, or are participating in white tantric yoga.

>

> I like this story one of my yoga teachers told us in teacher training. She

told us that when Yogi Bhajan told them about the whole wearing white thing, she

did an experiment and wore only all black for 40 days, and then all white for 40

days. And she noticed how she felt better wearing white than black.

>

> It always resonated with me when the Buddha said " question everything " . I

take this to mean that don't do something just cause someone says so, but

experience it internally, think about it, feel it and determine if its right for

you. Just to give you an idea, I did this with shaving my legs. I had 2 furry,

furry legs, and shaved one last spring and left the other one hairy (yeah, i

looked strange). But I immediately felt the difference--my shaved leg

felt...tense, stressed out, and jumpy, which is a weird thing to feel in a leg.

I could sense from my other leg that the hair created a cushion of sorts. I

also feel better when I where white or light colors and wear a lot of it, but I

definitely still like to wear colors- depends on my mood.

>

> Peace,

> Kehar Kaur

>

> >

> > Kundalini-Yoga , Paula Lucidi <plucidi@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Hello,

> > >

> > > I've read the comments about entities attaching themselves, etc. I'm a

> > > skeptic by nature so I don't really believe in the concept of entities,

> > > although I think it's possible. I agree about wearing black all the time.

I

> > > find people who do that are weird (usually they are the 'goths'). I

> > > personally like wearing colours. I know in theory, one can wear white out

of

> > > free will but when you go to a group, you want to fit in so you adapt some

> > > of the group behaviour, which may involve wearing white. I personally

would

> > > not want to do yoga in an environment where everyone was wearing all

white.

> > > I believe in thinking for oneself and not conforming. I guess that's why

I'm

> > > rebellous to this wearing white concept. Plus, I wear coloured underwear

and

> > > I wouldn't want to wear white as people will see my underwear colour!

> > >

> > > Paula

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,

 

I would like to add to the discussion some technical information about where the

Kundalini Yoga mantras come from and in what language they are composed.

 

I agree with Gurudass' comments about the mantra not belonging to a group or

religion. That being said, it is interesting to note that the mantras do not

all originate from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib or other " Sikh " banis. In

Kundalini Yoga, we use some clearly " Hindu " mantras such as " Wha Yantee " in the

Aquarian sadhana chants. There are many others that Yogi Bhajan used in his

classes as well. We also use poetry that Yogi Bhajan himself wrote, such as

" Say Saraswati " and all of the songs from " Furmaan Khalsa " . We also use simple

English songs such as " Happiness Runs " , written by Donovan.

 

My experience is that Yogi Bhajan utilized the sound current effectively, and

did not discriminate what the origin was. Naturally, most of the sound current

practices came from the traditions of his native country, India, but not

exclusively so. In addition, the mantras, songs, and sound current included in

the Siri Guru Granth Sahib also draw upon the sound current from Muslim, Yogic,

Hindu, Sikh, and non-affiliated persons and groups.

 

I note that there is also a misunderstanding of " Gurmukhi " in some of the posts.

Gurmukhi is not a " language " in the spoken sense. It is a written language

only, so that all of the many languages contained in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib

may be read without years of study. It is a simply written language that is

easy to learn, so that it is accessible to the largest group of people. Within

the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and other Sikh prayers and hymns, is contained many

other languages, mostly languages native to India, and also Farsi and Arabic.

So again, the notion that Gurmukhi is " better " than other languages is funny to

me, because it is a script for many languages.

 

Blessings,

Adarsh Kaur

 

 

Kundalini-Yoga , Gurudass Kaur <gurudasskaur wrote:

>

> Nadh dear,

> In terms of the mantras it is important to remember that no sound belongs to

> any particular group or religion but rather that group or religion or

> spiritual practice adopts that sound to help it's practicioner access the

> state of consciousness that the mantra is vibrating at. When a yogi sat in

> mediation and realized a deep elevated state of consciouness and then opened

> his or her mouth, the sound that was emitted was a mantra. The mantra did

> not come with a ticket that the practicioner had to belong to any particular

> group or religion. I hope this helps..... Lovingly, Gurudass Kaur

> www.childplayyoga.com

>

[Guest guest]

Kehar Kaur -

 

Your post about wearing white was very interesting - also the shaving one one leg and leaving the other one hairy. I had to laugh - it reminded me on when some celebrity (his name escapes me now) was asked on Johnny Carson to shave half of his moustache, and would he do it - he did - and I wondered how that must have felt?

 

In any event - the wearing white thing was first presented to me in 2000 at a Womanheart Retreat given by Sangeet Kaur Khalsa of The Healing Source, in Arizona. She challenged us to try wearing white or very light colors for at least a week and just see how it changed us. Being a skeptic in those days (and I guess even in these days a little) - I always liked "testing" things - so I tried it. I came from the corporate world, where everyone wore dark colors - so most of my wardrobe was dark clothing. For one week I wore nothing but white or very light blue - at least on top - and it truly did change my attitude. I now own very few dark tops and mostly white; I have some blue jeans and even white jeans - and sometimes when I tie my turban, I will wear a white cap on top and the wrap part is sometimes a pretty colored scarf, because I still do like some color! I am in wonderment all the time, however, when I notice a place such as a massage/spa environment where they require their workers to where black. When I question these workers (some are students of mine) as to how they like their job, many are disgruntled, unhappy or miserable! I often wonder if doing something as simple as changing the black uniform to something lighter in color could help. I think so. Sounds like a talk/lecture/class in the making.......

 

Thanks for your post.

 

Guru Jiwan Kaur

Corrales, New Mexico

WISDOM OF LIFE THERAPIES, LLC

www.wisdomoflifetherapies.vpweb.com

 

"We are born perfectly spiritual beings, and spirit has no limit. We were born to have a human experience. Practice kindness, compassion and caring." ~ Yogi Bhajan