Looking at Yoga

Looking at Yoga, Buddhism and Christianity

Our interest and quest for a religious or spiritual

path and presence seems like a noble one, though at

times we may not be fully mindful about what it is

that we want from it.

In other words, what we get from seeking out and

practicing or following such a way may not be truly

noble, spiritual or religious at all.

Examples of this would be that we want to feel like we

are special, better or more enlightened and wise then

others.

This is nothing more then a reinforcement of

unskillful aspects of our current ego and being and

will not result in us being more mindful about others

and how we react to them and treat them.

It can result in nothing more then having a path and

practice that results in one having more of a closed

and less tolerant and patient mind, consciousness and

being.

And it happens among practitioners of all paths and

religions.

With continued practice and understanding, plus

walking down the path of life with the changes and

challenges that it can bring, we can get away from

this way of thinking and feeling and start to see that

the most worthwhile thing to do is to look at others

with patience, understanding and kindness.

We can not say for sure that if one practices Yoga, or

one practices Buddhism, or if one practices

Christianity or any other path or way, that that will

be the way that will bring them to this state.

This writer has, as I am sure you have, met intolerant Buddhist, Yoga and Christian practitioners at one time or

another.

All of these paths and ways have elements and

teachings within them that teach us the same thing.

Sometimes it is not easy to search them out or

comprehend them on our first exposure to them or if

our exposure is more of a superficial one or if we are

doing nothing more then looking for a way to feel

special about ourselves or think that we are better

then others.

One of the great similarities among Yoga, Buddhism and Christianity is that we are looking at ourselves and

working on ourselves, not preoccupied with the thoughts, attitudes, feelings and actions of others.

This process of looking at and working on ourselves

can be at times an almost ruthless one, or at the very

least, challenging.

It is hard to see clearly how we are and how we can

and should be.

Perhaps Yoga and Buddhism, with their emphasis on

regular meditation practice, give us a way to do this

looking in a way that is not overly harsh, self –

critical or self – demeaning, allowing us to learn and

grow in a way that is joyful and enlightening, as we

cast off the old and put on the new.

Some have thought and stated that Christianity, with

its emphasis on teachings of the Bible, which are

many, and prayer and belief in Christ, may ask too

much of a person, and instead of giving them a path to

self – acceptance and understanding, lead to

confusion, guilt and shame in dealing with and

understanding their past and present actions and

experiences.

The idea of thinking of oneself or others as being a

sinner may not always be a helpful one in getting to a

better understanding of oneself and others.

In Yoga and Buddhism, states that are causing problems

are clearly stated and spelled out, these being the

mental defilements and hindrances, and ways of

bringing about change are given clearly, these being

things such as posture practice, breathing techniques,

morals and ethics, healthy habits as regards diet,

sleep and leisure activities and meditation.

In addition, what we achieve and the changes that come

about are also clearly stated. These are that we come

to a sattvic state, which is according to Yoga, a

state of mental and physical being where we are calm

and focused, while in Buddhism, we cultivate and

develop what are known as The Factors of

Enlightenment. These are mental and physical states

built on mindfulness, concentration, joy, and energy

and effort, among others.

Though some teachings and practices may differ among

Yoga, Buddhism and Christianity, they all put an

emphasis on loving kindness and compassion to others.

It is just that the paths and ways on both the

intellectual and behavioral level between them may

differ slightly.

A healthy and skillful ascension on the religious and

spiritual ladder leads us to understand the universal

values and states of mankind and living, not to think

that our way or path or practice is the best.

(John lives and teaches in Bangkok, Thailand. He can

be reached at johnckimbrough@yahoo.com)