The comments I've read in this thread generally dismissing the merit of yoga in Sikhi betray, quite frankly, the position of one who has never really tasted the experience. Discriptions like yoga is 'sitting in a corner, twiddling your thumbs, or sitting in silly postures, indulging in vain self-exploration rather than engaging in the real world' are the observations of one who has not genuinely tried Sikh Kundalini Yoga. I am not a salesman for this science, nor am I a member of Yogi Bhajan's community. I am simply saying, if we took the time to actually taste this science, rather than falling back on pat, uninformed dismissals of all yoga as self-indulgent, selfish and futile, we would learn that this Kundalini Yoga, is really just a art of extending our prayer and devotion into physical discipline. Done properly, it clears the mind, heightens awareness, strengthens the spine and body, teaches stamina and endurance, and, yes, might even give a feeling of transcendant joy and spiritual ecstasy.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/hinduism/39509-yoga-reach-chauthaa-pada-fourth-state.html
I guess I have the right to dismiss Yogi Bhajans brand of Kundalini Yoga. I went through the so called teacher training, as P.T. Barnum Said “there’s a sucker born every minute”. At least I wised up.
For starters there is no such thing as Sikh Kundalini Yoga. There is Kundalini yoga which has its basis in the Tantras and Upanishads ( you might look up books by Swami Satyananda Saraswati )and there is Kundalini Yoga as invented by "Yogi" Bhajan which has its basis in the imagination of Bhajan.
I recommend reading Sikhism and Tantric Yoga by Trilochan Singh. Here’s a link to a free ebook http://www.gurmukhyoga.com/forum/index.php?mode=page&id=1
I got to tell you YB's type of yoga complete B.S. It's not science. Science has methodology. Science has reproducible results. Yogi? Fattest Yogi I ever saw. From the stand point of Kinesiology (real science) his exercises do real and lasting damage to the spine. They don't strengthen it. Ask me, I had to have months of therapy after damaging my low back doing “yoga as taught by yogi Bhajan." I know of many other people with the same problem.
As part of my therapy I was told to take up swimming. So I guess I'm lucky. I love to swim. I find it much more meditative than YB's stupid meditations which by the way are not real meditation either. As a Sikh I find it offensive that he uses passages of the S.G.G.S like "Mantras”, telling students that it's not important to understand the meaning that the vibration of Shabad Guru will change you on a molecular level. “Oh Please.
Guru ji wrote Gurbani in the language of the people so that they could understand and apply to their lives not so it would vibrate their pineal gland or whatever.
“Transcendent joy and spiritual ecstasy.”
Or do you mean Mystic hysteria.
I have no problem with meditation but holding your arms in the air until they ache is not meditive. Some studies suggest that certain type of meditation can lower blood pressure. That's great something that can make you calmer person is helpful but if you’re too wrapped up in it, it becomes an addiction like anything else. That's why Guru ji didn't pass the Guru ship onto Siri Chand.
I don't have any problem with yoga as exercise when it well thought out and appropriate to the level of ability. This is not the case with Kundalini as taught by yogi bhajan.
My personal view on chauthaa pada is that it doesn? do anyone any good if you achieve this state alone meditating. Where it would do the most good is in trying situations involving other people.
It is very helpful to get some feedback from yourself who has actually encountered the real experience of this type of yoga.
I think that it is good if someone wanting to try the kundalini stuff, can approach it with these feedback points. Because It is better to be prepared and forewarned so that one does not end up being taken for a ride.
It is these types of yoga and yoga arts that send out the wrong message of what it is really supposed to be about.
Before I went into meditation myself, I was also prepared and aware of the false intepretations that you read about.
Therefore, I too was and I still am, quite sure to be not taken for some kind of ride.
I just take out the actual good that I can use to help apply my focus to the Lord. Everything else about 6th senses, chakras and all that, I tend to leave behind by focusing just on the real simran.
This way the meditative experience becomes more pure and loving with the creator and his creation.
It doesn't make it more essential to life, but trying to do good and gurmat in all aspects of living, such as earning, providing and helping are all as equally essential to being a better person and better sikh.
Higher states of consciousness and spirituality can only be attained by having an equal balance of gurmat in every way one conducts their daily living.
