Yogi Bhajan and 3HO

I am an American who is brand new to all of this, so please forgive my ignorance.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sects-groups-cults/19093-yogi-bhajan-and-3ho.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093

I recently started learning kundalini yoga, and I wondered what the differences, if any, are between what Yogi Bajan taught and the Sikh religion.

Also, please, is there a translation page so that I can more easily learn the meanings of the sacred words?

Thank you.
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Sat Nam Satjot Kaur!!! and Welcome to SPN!!!

Here is a list to help you get started. Vocabulary by Frequency

Your first question is more complicated because Yogi Bhajan is viewed in some parts of Sikhi as a very controversial person. I am going to try to answer best I can because at one time I was also a student of Kundalini yoga, and stopped because I found it was distracting me from Sikhi. But that is just my personal experience and do not think I am giving you advice. Everyone has a different story and a different vibration that takes them to the Guru.

Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is infused with Sikh themes and elements because Yogi ji was himself a Sikh. He came to the US and was essentially appalled by what he witnessed. It looked to him as if a generation of young people were wasting their lives on drugs, alcohol, sex and aimless wandering from one movement to another. They were lost. He used Kundalini yoga and spiritual practices from Sikhism to get them back on track. He attracted a large following and many of them converted to Sikhism. The original converts, their children and grandchildren have formed communities and built gurdwaras in many places throughout the US, Canada, South America, Europe. As you probably already know the Guru Ram Das Ashram in Espanola New Mexico is a kind of headquarters for what was to become known as "The Western Khalsa" (there is an official name which I can't remember). Yogi ji and his followers have created a HUGE legacy. The SIKHNET - Sikh Religion - Sikhism Information web site illustrates what some, only some, of this legacy is. Many are prominent leaders in the political, artistic, religious and business communities.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093

Now to the controversial parts -- or some of them. The 3HO Sikhs or Western Khalsa combine yoga with spiritual practice. They are vegetarians. Some are devotes of astrology and numerology. None of these practices are consistent with the mainstream beliefs of the Sikhs of Shabd Guru, and some mainstream Sikhs also strongly reject these practices. This is not to say however that these practices are at odds with the Shabd Guru, only tangential. Guru Nanak argued that these practices were in the end useless.

Yogi ji was himself a colorful character and made political enemies in various Sikh communities in India and elsewhere. After one visit to Singapore, he irked a lot of people and was asked not to return. Somehow things got patched up. If you snoop around long enough you will find that he took sides in an argument in which a prominent scholar was condemned by the SGPC in Amritsar and Yogi ji took the side of the scholar in a very vocal way. (I can get you the name of the scholar but it will take some time because it is filed somewhere out of hand right now). It is rumored that Yogi ji had an interesting sex-life. True or not, these rumors are often used as ammunition against him and against all 3HO Sikhs -- which is really unfair and unfortunate. It does nothing to advance Sikhism.

In the interest of fairness -- a worship service among 3HO Sikhs is no different from that at any mainstream gurdwara -- except that some parts are in English. 3HO Sikhs do all of their Nitnem, daily Banis with great devotion. Many send their children to study in Amritsar. Every one that I know is a student of Gurmukhi. They sponsor amazing seva projects sometimes on a worldwide scale. They believe in One Immortal Being, the teachings of the 10 gurus, and amrit or Sikh baptism.

My answer may provoke some people on this forum to respond with anger. Do keep in mind that this is my opinion in answer to your question. It is based on research, personal experience, and personal encounters with 3HO Sikhs around the country. I am not 3HO, but I am a Sikh because the intensity of their devotion to the Guru showed me the way. So I have a spiritual debt.

Do not be discouraged. Pick only the path that leads you to the Guru. All the best.

I do not like yogi ji, and i will keep it at that.

Thank you aad0002 for your substantially comprehensive answers. Yes, I would like to continue to "snoop" as the truth is important to me. I have seen some videos of Yogi Ji, and he did seem quite flirtatious - which does not seem in keeping with recommended spiritual practice. Nevertheless, he was a master, not a saint - two different standards. And it does seem that the greatest of men each had a colorful side that those around them tried to keep discreet. I understand, and I regard each act for what it is.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093

Sherab, your opinion is noted. If you wish to leave it at that, so be it - yet it interests me that you felt strongly enough to state your opinion, but chose not to back it up with specific reasons. Of course, there is no need to respond if you do not wish to elaborate.

It is OK not to like Yogi ji. He was controversial, meaning that people liked him or disliked him.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093

Satjot, Your point that "he was a master, not a saint" is well stated. He never claimed to be a saint. From all that I have read and heard (his lectures, videos and audios) he acted like one who readily accepted his burden of karma in his lifetime, and moved forward with it.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093

Sat Nam!

Satjot kaur ji,

First off. Let's look at his website.

yogibhajan.com .

One.

You see a banner of apparently "sikhs" using mudras. As an extensive background in tantra, and tibetan buddhism, i can tell you that mantras are used to focus the mind, and activate the flow of rLung (life force, prana) into and through certain channels, and have them dissolve into a corresponding bindi (drop, chakra) . Why would sikhs have a need for methods related to tantra and yoga, in order to train and focus their mind? Is Naam not enough for them, or is there something lacking in Sikhism?

Let us move on from the home page, to the "About 3HO" tab.

We see a quote from yogi Bhajan up top in a yellow box. Mine says:

"“Happiness is your birthright!”
This is what Yogi Bhajan declared on Jan 5, 1969 when he founded 3HO."

Above that, you see another banner, with apparently - Sikhs.

And after you read the first paragraph - you learn that he had a mission to spread "kundalini yoga and tantra". He never specifies what kind of tantra. Tantra itself means "thread". As you know, tantras itself, are texts - threads of instruction to enlightenment. The actual act of performing any form of tantra - is "trul khor", or physical asanas, related to some form of deity worship (buddhist or otherwise, i am using mainly busshist terms for "yoga").

What kind of tantras does/did he use?

Apparently, that is never defined in this section. Let us move on to the next tab - "3HO Lifestyle"

Up top on the banner - more Sikhs. What are Sikhs doing practcing hindu and buddhist yoga, and using mudras? And what do mudras (hand posture) have to do with remaining physically fit, akin with yoga?

Nothing i can think of.

Anyways, moving on here, in the same tab - you can find links to numerology. I'll take a look at this later, and give you more info on that. He also gives you "recipes" to try. Okay, that's great. Nothing wrong here... But still some persistence as to why Sikhs are using tantra to find mukthi/moksha/rigpa...

Next tab. Kundalini Yoga. Ah yes, here is what we've been waiting to see.

First paragraph. Okay, helps you cope with stress. Good, nothing wrong with that.

But wait - Here we go. Here is what bothers me.

" "Kundalini yoga classes are a dynamic blend of postures, pranayam, mantra, music and meditation, which teach you the art of relaxation, self-healing and elevation."

Why do you need pranayam - breath control?
Why mantra? (invocations for deities)
and music? All tor elate you to some source deep within?

Let us consult gurbani on use mantra, pranayam, and music in another post.

And what is up with the "Aquarian" teacher. Why is a "Sikh" so obsessed with western forms of constellations and astrology, especially when Hindus used sidereal (not solar) constellations for calculations?

To me it looks like one big marketing scam....

More in a second post on the website.

Continuing where I left off.

The next tab is about "Yogi Bhajan"

"The Upanishads, Hindu’s sacred scriptures that date back to the fifth century B.C., describe Kundalini, although the oral tradition reaches back even further into history. For thousands of years, this sacred science and technology was veiled in secrecy, passed along verbally from master to chosen disciple."
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093

Here again, he re-affrims that it is from a hindu source. What more should be said then this? The details is about the rest of his life, however - he does admit that he propagates a hindu practice, supposedly, as a Sikh. Is there anything else to be said?

On the Womens 3HO tab -

"Giving up our self-respect is what the word corrupt means in the spiritual world. For by giving up ourselves, our center, our relationship with Infinity, we deny our essence. Without the essence of 'I am I am' (union with Self) we cannot communicate...Communication is meant to share what our spirit is."
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093

Gurbani says that we should not entertain egoism, or a sense of self.

Clearly, we see that Yogi Bhajan was a sikh teaching hindu yoga in order to make money, and start a business.

More later.

Well, continuing to explore this site -
Please see:

Yoga Photo Yogi Bhajan

At the bottom you see:

" If you would like to make an offering/donation in exchange for receiving your spiritual name, please click here:"



Why would you make an offering to someone who is not a teacher or guru?



This guys, is now starting to sound like a cult.



Now, to get onto that numerology i was talking about.



All it is basic math - and tries to define you loosely. I suggest you all try it and see how rue it is. However, all of it seems to be the same thing ,recycled over and over - no matter what info you put in.



Link: Tantric Numerology
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=19093



Next day is Gurbani to refute Yogi Bhajans ideas.

Sherab,

Thank you very much for your elaboration, and I look forward to the rest of your statement. So far, there is only one thing I have cause to disagree with:

No, actually, I did not know that. I am still very new to all of this, and am still even learning the basics of terminology.

I very much appreciate your contribution, as it is leading me to a more well-rounded view. If I only wanted the 3HO side of this, I would have only asked the instructors there. I am here and there looking for the whole truth.