What is Yoga? Yoga is an ancient art of spiritual and physical development that originated in India over 4,000 years ago (around the same time as the formation of Hinduism). Yoga literally translates as Unionor To Yoke. In Hindu philosophy, yoga unites the Atman (individual soul) with Brahman (the divine). On a basic level, the goal of yoga is to yoke the mind, body, and spirit together in union to attain a state of peacefulness and well-being. Or in other words, Yoga is a reconnection with the sacred. In the past few decades, the media has portrayed yoga as a trendy fitness regime, one that celebrities promote as bringing clarity and inner awareness as well as a fit and red carpet ready body. This yoga boom has created an increase in yoga classes and centers. However, many traditional yoga practitioners feel this interest in yoga is focusing too narrowly on the physical aspects, or the asana(posture) practice, when yoga is actually a complex, multi-layered system that addresses every level of being, including one's emotional and mental state as well as our spiritual well-being. As you'll see, the postures are actually only one of the limbs ofPatanjali's 8-limb system of yoga. History of Yoga Remember when you learned about the Indus Valley and the Stone Seals that were discovered there? Well, some of those seals had images of yogis doing various postures and meditations. Archeologists speculate that these yogis were held in high regard because of their prominence on the seals. The forest yogis, known as rishis,taught through oral tradition. They dedicated their lives to practicing and teaching postures, meditations, reciting spiritual poetry, reading the scriptures, and living a life of austerity. Some even say they had magical powers and could levitate. Whatever the case, there is good reason to believe these rishis were held in very high respect! The Yoga Sutras Though yoga had been around for a long time already, it wasn't until Patanjali (considered to be a rishi himself) compiled all these teachings together around 200 BCE that Yoga really became solidified as a philosophical tradition. Patanjali was an expert in Ayruveda and Sanskrit and is considered by some Hindus to be an incarnation of Vishnu's vehicle (the cobra). Considered the "Father of Yoga," Patanjali's compilation on Yogic philosophy and poetic instructions on how to attain samadhi (enlightenment) become known as the Yoga Sutras,literally, the "Threads of Yoga." In this book, Patanjali defines yoga as "Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodahah" which means "Yoga is the stopping of the turnings of the mind." Called the "Heart of Yoga", the Yoga Sutras are meant to be memorized and recited. As compact wisdom packages, they are to be repeatedly studied throughout one's life. Some may call them vague, but others say there is a lot of room (purposely) for interpretation and reflection. It is through these sutras that Yoga becomes known as a practical mysticism. The Yoga Sutras are consider.

1. What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient art of spiritual and physical development
that originated in India over 4,000 years ago (around the same
time as the formation of Hinduism).
Yoga literally translates as Unionor To Yoke. In Hindu
philosophy, yoga unites the Atman (individual soul) with
Brahman (the divine). On a basic level, the goal of yoga is to
yoke the mind, body, and spirit together in union to attain a
state of peacefulness and well-being. Or in other words, Yoga is
a reconnection with the sacred.
In the past few decades, the media has portrayed yoga as a
trendy fitness regime, one that celebrities promote as bringing
clarity and inner awareness as well as a fit and red carpet ready
body. This yoga boom has created an increase in yoga classes
and centers.
However, many traditional yoga practitioners feel this interest
in yoga is focusing too narrowly on the physical aspects, or
the asana(posture) practice, when yoga is actually a complex,
multi-layered system that addresses every level of being,
including one's emotional and mental state as well as our
spiritual well-being. As you'll see, the postures are actually
only one of the limbs ofPatanjali's 8-limb system of yoga.
History of Yoga
Remember when you learned about the Indus Valley and the
Stone Seals that were discovered there? Well, some of those
seals had images of yogis doing various postures and
meditations. Archeologists speculate that these yogis were held
in high regard because of their prominence on the seals.
The forest yogis, known as rishis,taught through oral tradition.
They dedicated their lives to practicing and teaching postures,
meditations, reciting spiritual poetry, reading the scriptures, and
living a life of austerity. Some even say they had magical

2. powers and could levitate.
Whatever the case, there is good reason to believe these rishis
were held in very high respect!
The Yoga Sutras
Though yoga had been around for a long time already, it wasn't
until Patanjali (considered to be a rishi himself) compiled all
these teachings together around 200 BCE that Yoga really
became solidified as a philosophical tradition. Patanjali was an
expert in Ayruveda and Sanskrit and is considered by some
Hindus to be an incarnation of Vishnu's vehicle (the cobra).
Considered the "Father of Yoga," Patanjali's compilation on
Yogic philosophy and poetic instructions on how to attain
samadhi (enlightenment) become known as the Yoga
Sutras,literally, the "Threads of Yoga." In this book, Patanjali
defines yoga as "Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodahah" which means
"Yoga is the stopping of the turnings of the mind."
Called the "Heart of Yoga", the Yoga Sutras are meant to be
memorized and recited. As compact wisdom packages, they are
to be repeatedly studied throughout one's life. Some may call
them vague, but others say there is a lot of room (purposely) for
interpretation and reflection. It is through these sutras that Yoga
becomes known as a practical mysticism. The Yoga Sutras are
considered, still today, the most influential work on Yoga.
5 Paths
There are many ways to be a yogi, with five main paths of yoga
that one can choose to follow - Hatha, Raja, Karma, Bhakti and
Jnana.
Path 1 - HATHA YOGA
Hatha Yoga (Ha/Thameans"Sun/Moon")is the path that
Americans are most familiar with. It is focused primarily on the
physical body as a vehicle to health and well-being. Through
physical postures (called asanas) and breathing techniques
called pranayama, Hatha Yoga aims to heal and calm the body
in order to calm the mind. We'll explore the asanas and

3. pranayama in more detail when we get to the Eight Limbs later.
Though the focus of this path is centered on the physical body,
ironically the whole point is to strengthen ourselves so we
can transcend the body and focus on spiritual matters. For
example, doing yoga makes the body more comfortable for long
hours of meditation. If you sit down to meditate and your body
is not flexible and hurts from sitting, you're not going to be able
to focus on calming your mind, but probably will only be
distracted by the aches of your body.
By doing Hatha Yoga, we are able to release tension, achieve
balance, correct our energy flow, and strengthen ourselves.
Path 2 - RAJA YOGA
Raja Yoga was, at one time, only practiced by royality,
therefore is known as the "Royal Path." It is considered
the "Yoga of the Mind"and is more related to psychology than
any of the other paths. Hatha is considered a stepping stone to
Raja (first you must get the body strong, then the mind).
Considered the "Classical Yoga," Raja focuses on our
concentration and overcoming the limits of our mind.
An example of Raja Yoga is the following: A teacher walks in
and places a bowl of water down on the table. Then she places a
rock at the bottom of the bowl and waits a few minutes in silent
meditation as the water calms and becomes still. She speaks,
"See how clearly the water reflects the pebble. That pebble is
your consciousness, your mind. You can see it only when the
water is still and clear, which is what we aim for with yoga."
Then she stands up and takes out several bottles of food
coloring. She begins adding, first the red ("anger/passion")
turning the water pink, then the green ("jealousy/materialism"),
then yellow ("fear), then blue ("depression/sadness/loneliness")
and so on. The water slowly becomes dark and muddied,
swirling with all the different colors added. Then she adds a
pinch of something that looks like dirt, it is gritty and rough
like gravel. She says, "this is our resentment, our bitterness,
those grudges we hold." The rough texture swirls in and lays a

4. thick, grimy coat through the water.
"Can you see that pebble, your mind anymore?" she asks. We
shake our heads no. "This is what we deal with every day. It's
no wonder we have trouble knowing our true selves, they are so
bogged down by all this other stuff we carry." We nod in
recognition. She concludes, "Yoga is what helps us clear away
all these disturbances, all these turnings of the mind. Raja
focuses on preventing that water from getting clouded and
tainted so we can have clarity and know who we truly are."
You can see from this story why Raja is called the "Psychology
of yoga." As the basis for the Eight limbs that you'll learn about
in the next lesson, the Yoga Sutras says, "Raja Yoga dissolves
the barriers of the mind."
Path 3 - KARMA YOGA
Karma Yoga is the path to enlightenment through selfless
action. Referred to as the Yoga of Action,this path is not about
the results, but about the selfless joy of God.
Like in Buddhism, the practice must be done through a lack of
ego, not with any concerns about the fruits of the labor or
rewards. Any focus on our own rewards or ego would cloud our
inner tranquility and pure intentions for Karma yoga.
Karma Yoga focuses on the unconditional love for all sentient
beings, like the love a mother has for a child.
Lokaah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu
This Yogic chant translates as: "May the entire universe be
filled with peace and joy, love and light. May my positive
thoughts and actions contribute to the positive thoughts and
actions of others."
Considered the best remedy for depression, helping others helps
us to forget our own issues and egos and put our faith into
action. The Dalai Lama agrees, "To develop a sense of universal
responsibility is to develop a mind where when we can see an
opportunity to benefit others, we will take it in preference to
merely looking after our own narrow interests."

5. Path 4 - BHAKTI YOGA
You recognize the term "bhakti" from Hinduism, which means
"devotion." Bhakti Yoga is the "Yoga of Devotion." It is the
path of loveing all beings as faces of God and surrendering
ourselves through ritual, chant, dance, asana, etc. Through
bhakti yoga, we can have a direct, intense personal relationship
with the divine through just about any means (ex: the guru
(teacher), nature, our inner self, even our puppy...anything that
God can manifest in). In other words, we see the divine in the
world through our surrender and humility.
As in Hindu thought, Yogis believe anything can become God
as long as it's authentic intention. So, for example, if someone
is having a hard time focusing on the abstract notion of God,
they may be told to focus on someone in their lives they feel a
great deal of love for - their spouse, child, nephew, etc. and put
their energy towards that person as a face of God. Yogis see it
as all the same, an unconditional love (called prema).
This path of devotion is inherent in most religions (as you saw
in Hinduism and are probably familiar with in Christianity,
based on a devotion of God/Christ).
Within Bhakti Yoga are other yoga paths or techniques,
including Nada Yoga(the "Yoga of Sound"). Chanting (or
Kirtan) is one example of Nada Yoga. You've already heard
several chants during the Hindu section and the few more in this
section.
These chants, especially chanting the "OM," helps clear our
chakras and focus our prayers. The vibrations are believed to
heal and strengthen. Many Yogis believe bhakti is the most
essential component of our sadhana (spiritual practice). Without
bhakti, most yogis believe a true union cannot be attained.
"OM" chant(Listen to a few minutes of this video)
Path 5 - JNANA YOGA
Jnana Yoga is the path of the sage, the "Yoga of Wisdom." This

6. is the path in which we understand we are much more than just
our mind and body. It is the path of the scholar, the learner, the
student. It is considered by Yogis to be the most difficult path
of all because it requires a tremendous amount of dedictation,
will and intellect.
Gandhi followed Jnana Yoga by studying all the sacred
scriptures. He said it was our "sacred duty" to study the world's
scriptures and learn others' beliefs, even if we don't believe
them. Yogis agree - you don't have to be a Hindu to read and
appreciate the Bhagavad Gita and you don't have to be a
Christian to appreciate and understand Jesus teachings from the
New Testament.
Yogis say that the other four paths are foundations for Jnana as
it teaches us discernment of what's real from what's illusion.
There are Eight limbs according to the Yoga Sutras. These are
not commandments, but guidelines of yoga, step-by-step
instructions of reaching Samadhi.
Called "The Heart of the Sutras," these limbs of yoga are looked
upon as equally important in the goal of yoga. All must be
practiced together in order to achieve the final goal of Samadhi.
Yoga master Desikachar states, Only studying the physical
postures is like only strengthening one arm and letting the other
parts of the body become weak.
Notice the character's strong right arm in this picture (from the
M. Night Shyamalan film, Lady in the Water).
The Eight Limbs are as follows:
1. Yamas (ethical precepts)
2. Niyamas (ethical precepts)
3. Asanas (physical postures)
4. Pranayama (breath control)
5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses)
6. Dharana (concentration/one-pointed focus)

7. 7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (ultimate union)
Let's look at each individually to see how they play such an
important role in the yogic path.
Limb 1 - YAMAS (Restraints)
Yamas are the ethical "don'ts" or restraints. They consist of five
ethical preceptions, including:
1. Nonviolence(Ahimsa) - Nonviolence can take on many forms,
but includes minimal (or ideally no) violent actions, words, or
even thoughts. As you'll see with both Gandhi and Buddhism,
nonviolence is not just simply about not hitting people, but also
is in how we think and talk. There is a spectrum to this practice,
but ultimately it is about awareness of our actions and taking
responsibility for how we affect those around us and our
footprint in this world. Our speech should be positive, without
gossip or lies, without malice, but instead always be spoken
with compassion towards others, and most importantly -
ourselves!
2. Truth (Satya) - This is living a life of integrity, truth and
honesty. Living authentically and not dishonestly. From the
little things to the big things, we dedicate ourselves to living a
life of truth. It is not just about not lying, but our action and
thought behind our truth. We must demonstrate our truth
through the way we live. This is not a license to just be cruel
and harsh to people by saying whatever's on your mind. "Truth
can be used as a weapon, it needs to be wielded with
responsibility." - Ashtanga Yogi David Swenson
3. Non Stealing (Asteya) - Basically, this is taking nothing that
doesn't belong to you. This is not just about material things, but
also not taking advantage of people, stealing their time, trust,
energy, attention, etc. (If you are always late, you can be
wasting others' time. If someone is always late to meet you,
they are stealing your time.) Karma plays a big role in these
yamas as well. Chances are if you steal something, eventually it
will be lost to you anyway.

8. 4. Moderation (Brahmacharya)- Sometimes translated as
abstienence, it usually is interpreted as a kind of responsible
behavior or moderation in relationships regarding our emotions
and intimacy. Ultimately, it refers to the integrity and mutual
respect of a relationship.
5. Not possessing (Aparigraha) - Like Buddhism, Yogis find
liberation and freedom in living more minimalistic or simplistic
lifestyles, not depending on much, materially speaking, for
happiness. The idea behind this is that the more we possess and
"own," the more those things possess and own us. When we
become possessive, taking too much, we lose our freedom and
our balance, becoming slaves to our desires, attachments and
greed. You probably have heard, "You can't take it with you."
Yogis agree. The problem is not the material stuff itself, but
wrapping our identities around this stuff and depending on it for
happiness. Our physical bodies are probably the hardest
temporary thing to practice aparigraha with.
Limb 2 - NIYAMAS (Observances)
Niyamas are the ethical "do's" or observances and consistent of
the following:
1. Sauca (Cleanliness) - This is a type of purity, both internally
and externally. Yogis see the body as a temple and we want to
treat it as such. Beyond having a clean environment or taking a
shower, it is about not clouding our mind with negatiity. Yogis
believe our mind is colored by what we bring near it, like a
clear crystal next to a colored cloth - it takes on that hue.
2. Santosha (Contentment) - Everything is impermanence and in
flux according to Yogis, so go with the flow. Don't resist the
change or cling and grasp to things as if they'll last forever.
You'll see this teaching throughout our Eastern course, in both
Buddhism and Taoism as well. Santosha teaches us not to look
outside of ourselves for happiness. We will never find peace
externally, hence why it's called "inner" peace. Santosha is
about calming our cravings and desires so we don't become a
slave to them. This doesn't mean an absence of suffering or

9. difficulty, but having a healthy relationship when it arrises.
Find contentment in each moment. In other words, want what
you already have instead of pining for what you don't.
3. Tapas (Discipline) - This is the basis for Ashtanga Yoga,
focused on detoxifying or purification. This is the discipline of
practice, the burning of the fires. Tapas can be interpreted in a
variety of ways, from fasting and austerities to having a daily,
dedicated asana practice. It is the work and time and
committment that goes into the Yoga path. We must do the
work, and detach from any results.
4. Svadhyaya (Self Reflection) - Socrates said, "Know Thyself"
and so do Yogis. This branch of the Niyamas focuses on our
own self reflection and self-examination. Who are you? Are you
comfortable with yourself and who you are? Do you know your
weaknesses and strengths? Are you comfortable and strong in
your self identity? This is a must when becoming a yogi and
working towards inner peace. Svadhyaya is closely tied in with
jnana yoga (reading, reflecting, learning). This is one of the
most difficult of all the Niyamas, becasue while we love to
study and observe (and judge) other people, we often shy away
from putting this same scrutiny onto ourselves. Inward looking
causes us to see our shadows, our flaws, our imperfections. But
this is how we begin to recognize patterns that may not be good
for us. It causes us to realize our mistakes. The mistakes
themselves aren't bad if we learn from them and make the
necessary changes.
5. Ishvarapranidhana (Devotion) - Much like the Bhakti path
described above, this last Niyama is the observance of the
divine. Literally, Ishvarapranidhana means, "To lay all your
actions at the feet of God." In Yoga, everything is devotion. We
act in humility and surrender. There is no particular form to this
divinity, so it is interreligious, appealing to all faiths and
understandings. As discussed above, pretty much anything can
be the face of divinity with the right circumstances and
intentions. This branch of Niyama is symbolized by the "OM"
and is a major focus for asana (posture). Many yoga classes will

10. begin with an "intention" set for the practice. Patanjali states
that this final Niyama is the most direct path of self realization.
It is the acknowledgement of a greater good beyond ourselves.
Both the Yamas and Niyamas are foundations to the other limbs
and practices. For both yamas and niyamas, the point is that we
can stand on our heads all day long and do yoga poses, but
unless we follow some basic ethics and morals, we will not be
true yogis.
Limb 3 - ASANA (Posture)
This limb is probably what you're most familiar with - the
stretches or postures of Yoga. Literally, asana means "to stay"
or "sit." It is a grounding seat, one that helps with bodily
control and encompasses both movement AND stillness. Asana
focuses on conscious breathing, our connection to the earth,
bodily strength and balance. It strengthens and heals the
nervous system and organs. There are over 200 asanas today
(there used to be thousands according to yogis, but most have
been lost with time) that include standing, sitting, balancing,
twisting, forward bending, back bending, inverting, etc.
The asana limb certainly focuses on flexibility and strength of
the body, but remember the whole point of this is to help the
body be strong and limber for meditation and focus on more
spiritual work. Asana is not about perfection, but "moving into
stillness."
In fact, any good Yoga teacher will tell you never to give 100%
in a yoga pose. You should instead give about 85% or so and
leave yourself plenty of room to breathe deeper, to relax INTO
the pose. Remember, the first Americans doing Yoga were
hippies. They were super relaxed! Now, we have Type A,
stressed out Americans forcing themselves into Yoga positions
that they are not ready for, not warmed up for, or simply aren't
breathing into enough and people can get hurt this way. There is
a saying, "The strongest trees grow the slowest."
"To honor the earth is the essential componenet of the practice
of asana. Asana is a form of worship." - David Life

11. 1. Several types of asanas - Check out this overview
2. Ashtanga Yoga Asanas - Watch these impressive Ashtanga
Yoga Asanas to see some examples of very flexible yogis doing
various asanas.
3. Krishnamacharya - Watch this short, silent video from the
1930s to see one of the most beloved yoga teachers,
Krishnamacharya do traditional yoga poses. He is one of the
main reasons we have Yoga in America today. (Note: Can you
tell whether he's a Vaishnavite or a Shaivite? Also, what is he
wearing that indicates he underwent a Hindu rite you just
learned about?)
Limb 4 - PRANAYAMA (Breath Control)
"The mind is more difficult to control than the wind." But
we can control our breath, which will have great influence over
the mind. Prana is the life force (called "Chi" in Chinese or
"Ki" in Japanese) that exists in all living things. Pranayama is
the bridge between the body and the spirit, based in our
breathing. Pranayama translates as "to stretch or extend the
breath."
Yogis believe if we have too little prana or weak prana, we
become listless, sick and depressed, like a car low on fuel. On
the other end of the spectrum, if we have too much prana or
prana that is wild and out of control, we can become manic and
overly stimulated. The idea, of course, is balance. If we can
learn to strengthen this prana and make our breath strong and
deep, we can become healthy and balanced between the two
spectrums.
Desikachar defines a Yogi as "one whose prana is all within his
body." By controlling the breath, yogis believe we can control
our mind state. Think about how many times you've gotten upset
or worked up about something. What do you usually hear almost
immediately? "Take a deep breath." When we get worked up,
our breath becomes shallow and fast. When we are relaxed and
calm, our breath is slow and deep. Yogis believe we can work

12. this reverse - by consciously breathing deep and steady and
smooth, we can make ourselves become calm and relaxed. For
Yogis, the breath is the link to everything, the breath "is the
teacher." It strengthens our life force, makes us more present
and initiates the asanas more than just our muscles.
According to Yogis, if you can breathe, you can do Yoga. It
really is the heart of Yoga. In fact, many ancient yogis have
claimed that our lives are not counted in years, but in numbers
of breaths. So, breathe slow and deep everyone!
Physically speaking, pranayama is very good for our health -
helping to overcome addiction, aiding in digestion, reducing
asthma symptoms and reducing stress.
Pranayama is linked to our nadis (nerve channels - called
meridians in Chinese medicine) and ourchakras (energy
centers). The chakras are believed to be energy centers in our
subtle body, lining up with the physical spinal cord. Each has
their own sound vibration, associated color, element, emotion
and mantra. Essentially, our bodies our made to be prana
conductors, but through lack of exercise, negative thinking,
trauma, etc. our "wires" can become bent or half functioning
and we fail to conduct the energy successfuly, therefore causing
our fatigue, weight gain, depression, sickness, etc. In other
words, our energy can't flow if we have blockages and Yoga is
meant to help remove these blockages and get things flowing
again.
Some Yogis will perform bandhas, which are specific
expansions/contractions of areas of the body to lock and unlock
energy, directing the prana into certain focus points.
For a demonstration of Pranayama breathing, watch
this Pranayama video demonstrating Naadi Suddhi (alternate
nostril breathing). Called the "Yogic tranquilizer" it is a very
calming, deep breath, focusing on one side at a time.
Limb 5 - PRATYAHARA (Withdrawal)
The rest of the limbs focus beyond the body, towards meditation

13. and ultimate inner peace. Pratyahara is the first step - a
withdrawing of the senses from the external world. It's a focus
on detachment from all the chaos and stress around us. It starts
with simply closing the eyes and bringing our awareness within.
Think of it as a kind of "unplugging" from everything around
you. Pratyahara is a preparation or foundation for the rest of the
limbs to come. This is not a negation of the senses, but giving
the senses a healthy transformation.
Because we have so much mind chatter (Buddhists will call this
"monkey mind"), it's important to leave any distractions outside
and focus on our center. This goes back to that Raja idea of
clearing the water so we can see that pebble at the bottom.
Let go of angers, bitterness, resentment, jealousies, thoughts,
anything that disturbs your inner peace. Here, we focus our
attention and quiet the mind.
A specific Pratyahara technique is the Yoni Mudra Seal. A Six-
Way Seal, you sit your thumbs on your ears, put your index
fingers over your eyelids, your middle fingers across your nose,
and your fourth fingers and pinkies on your lips. It is tangible
way to close off your attention from everything around you.
Others may achieve this seal by sitting in the dark with
headphones on, listening to a song or chant. If you like to swim,
sometimes you may go under for a moment, holding your breath
and just absorbing the muffled silence underneath the water -
this is pratyahara.
Limb 6 - DHARANA (Concentration)
How many times do you multi-task? How many times do you
find yourself trying to multi-task as many things as possible?
Dharana is the opposite of this. It is mono-tasking! Dharana is
the Concentration limb. Literally translated as "To Hold,"
Dharana takes withdrawing the senses from the outside world
one step further to now concentrating your focus
on ONEparticular thing. This is done so the mind becomes still
and completely focused. Standing in a yoga pose and focusing
on one spot in the floor in front of you (called the dristi gaze),

14. watching a campfire blaze, or listening to a drum beat - these
are all ways to participate in Dharana, concentrating on one
particular visual or sound.
There are two basic types of Dharana:
1) Focus on a Concrete Object - meditating on an image (yantra,
mandala, symbol, candle flame, etc.); focusing on a particular
chant or prayer, focusing hands into mudra or using mala beads
(prayer beads), etc. OR 2) Focusing on an Abstract Concept -
meditating on nonviolence, compassion, healing, strength,
forgiveness, etc.
Know that regarding the Concrete aspect, these techniques are
just tools - we don't need them to have Dharana, but they
can help focus the mind tremendously.
I mentioned Mudras above - you've seen these hand gestures
already in this course. Used for both meditation and pranayama,
these hand gestures focus and guide energy flow, symbolizing a
variety of meanings.
Many of the Hindu gods held their hands in mudras, including
the Abhyaya mudra ("Fear Not") and the Linga/Yoni Mudra
("Balance"). When reaching enlightenment, Buddha will put his
hands in a mudra, touching the earth as his witness. Zen
Buddhists will lay one hand on top of the other, open palms for
a Zazen mudra.
Often, specific mudras will be used with chanting each syllable
of a prayer. The Gayatri Mantra you learned about with the
Hindu Upanayana riteis an example of this.
Ashtanga Yogi David Swenson gave one of my favorite (and
useful) examples of Dharana: "Even if you hate something,
breathe through it, hate it temporarily (concentrate on it), then
let it go!"
Limb 7 - DHYANA (Meditation)
Take a moment here. Close your eyes and try to think of
nothing. No, really...try this. Okay, how did that go? Thinking
of "nothing" is nearly impossible because even this "nothing"
we try to think of is something, right? Yogis recognized this

15. and said what we should do instead is think of ONE thing, some
thing to concentrate on.
So, when most of us say we're "meditating," we're actually in
the previous stages of withdrawing or concentrating. Actual
meditation is a true state of achieving oneness. In other words,
there is no distinction anymore between you and that candle,
you and that mandala, you and that prayer, you and compassion,
etc. Nothing else exists because you perceive the self in
stillness.
In meditation, you've shifted your identification from your body
and mind to your inner divine self. Think of it - meditation and
medicine have the same root word. Like pranayama, there are
many physical benefits to meditation - lowering stress,
calmness, clarity of mind, etc. Yogis call it looking into "life's
mirror."
Certain times of the day are said to be more conducive to this
meditation, particularly right before sunrise and sunset. In true
dhyana, we realize the age old yoga saying, "We are not the
body, we are not the mind." Instead, we are divinity and
oneness.
"In Yoga, there is only one problem and one solution. The
problem is we've forgotten who we are. The solution is to
remember that we are Atman (inner soul)." - Amrit Desai
Limb 8 - SAMADHI (Bliss)
The ultimate goal in Yoga, the ultimate end in the Yoga Sutras -
our Samadhi. Seen as a pure consciousness or bliss (ananda),
this is an atonement, literally at-one-ment with the universe.
The entirety of the eight limbs culminate in this state.
Translating as "to merge" it is a state of ultimate tranquility,
much like Buddhists will define Nirvana. In this state, we have
a complete and total merging with everything, we no longer are
separate entitties, but instead achieve a pure consciousness of
no distinctions.
This isn't new. Remember, this is the same basis of Hindu
philosophy - that we and everything around us is one and the

16. same. "Tat Tvan Asi" = Thou Art That! It is described as an
"Aha" moment of interconnectedness and ultimate oneness in
which the "I" disappears. It is a type of spiritual death and
rebirth, we are "born again" with new eyes, a new perception
and a new way of thinking about the world and ourselves. it is
ultimate unity. It changes everything!
In today's modern world, Yoga mostly provides a way for
stressed out individuals in this fast-paced western culture to
chill out. But, as you've learned in this lesson, there is much
more offered in Yoga if you dig deeper.
So, more than just a physical workout, Yoga's aim is to calm the
mind. Yoga can strengthen, renew, invigorate and restore the
body and mind by providing balance, coordination, and
calmness. A consistent Yoga practice can help to quiet the
mind, refresh the body and invigorate the spirit, bringing health,
relaxation and happiness. Besides producing many positive
physical benefits, most Yoga practitioners agree that Yoga is a
way to bring awareness within and to connect with your
innermost self.
Today, there are several hundred different styles of Yoga that
have developed, many named after the specific teacher or guru
who started the movement. Below are some examples of these
styles:
Kripalu is a meditative, spiritual and compassionate style of
Yoga. Its center, one of the biggest yoga centers in the nation,

17. is nestled in the mountains of Massachussettes.
Vinyasa is a flowing style yoga - a moving meditation of poses
in which the same in between each pose is just as much of a part
of the yoga as the pose itself.
Iyengar is the most widely known, based on alignment and
precision. It is more structural, utilizing props and basing its
emphasis on scientific effects of posture.
Bikram practices each pose twice for ten seconds, in a series of
structured sets in a heated room. A very sweaty and detoxifying
yoga experience!
Kundalini cultivates our energy through breath, chanting and
specific repetitive movements to stimulate and awaken that
energy through the chakras. It tends to be very spiritually
focused and many modern Kundalini teachers are from a Sikh
background.
Integral Yoga, founded by Sri Swami Satchidananda, is
extremely meditative, traditional (based on Hindu philosophy
and thought), and integrates all yogaic paths. It is very holistic,
focusing its attention equally on all eight limbs and paths.
Sivananda is the mother of Integral Yoga, but a bit more
physically challenging on the whole. It is very focused on the
five paths.
Ashtanga yoga is one of the most popular styles right now.
Often called "Power Yoga," it can be more intense, designed to
create that tapas (heat/discipline) and detoxify the body. There
are six successive series of asanas repeated.
Jivamukti is one of a unique modern hybrid of Yoga. Based on
the "liberation of the soul," it was founded by musicians David
Life and Sharon Gannon in New York City. A dynamic, strong
and spiritually charged yoga session, grounded in a modern,
politically aware life.
There are also many applications of yoga to appeal to all
individuals, including:

18. Children's Yoga - the characteristics of the animal poses are
really emphasized - kids roar like the lion, bark like the dog,
slither like a snake, etc.
Prenatal and PostnatalYoga - specifically geared for the mother
and child and connection during the pregnancy and after.
Women's Yoga - an empowering positive body image yoga that
helps women overcome abuse and body issues. Considering 80%
of yogis are women, yoga's emphasis on accepting ourselves and
our bodies is paramount.
Restorative Yoga - A very "yin" style yoga, based on using
props and holding resting poses for 5-10 to even 20 minutes at a
time. Instead of flowing through fast, we hold each pose to
achieve optimum relaxation results. It is extremely relaxing,
nurturing and healing.
Trance Dance Yoga - it may sound kooky upon first glance, but
it's one of the most dynamic, vibrant and liberating forms of
Yoga today! Founded by Shiva Rea, this movement is a merging
of two great rivers, long held spiritual/body movements - yoga
and dance. It focuses on an elemental arc of awakening the
kundalini energy - through earth, water, fire, air and space. A
mix of energy work, meditation, vinyasa yoga, kundalini yoga,
tribal dance, free form movement, chanting and relaxation, it
can be quite a transformative experience. (You watched an
example of this during the section on Shiva in Deities).
There are many yoga studios in the Dayton area. Some studios
focus on one specific style while others offer classes in a
variety of styles and lineages. If you're interested in yoga but
don't have the time or funds for a studio, there are many
wonderful DVD's out there as well you can do right in your
living room, featuring very well known and talented teachers,
such as Rodney Yee, David Life and Sharon Gannon, Susanne
Deason, Shiva Rea, Gurmukh, Bryan Kest, etc.
Like the varieties and denominations of different religions, you

19. can't judge or assume by experiencing just one. No two are
alike! So if you want to do Yoga, try many classes and styles to
find your fit. Yoga is often described as a 4,000 year old tree
with big, gnarly, tangled roots, huge branches and countless
twigs - all those branches and twigs are the different styles.
"Most of us who start out on the yoga mat do not realize that if
we dedicate ourselves to practice, it is only a matter of time
before the mat becomes an altar." - Stephen Cope
You do not have to be spiritual to do yoga. Yoga is definitely
NOT a religion, though it grew up in and around several
religious traditions and influences. Its philosophies and
principles can be blended harmoniously with virtually any other
religious tradition or none at all. In other words, it is
very flexible (pun intended :). You can certainly just do Yoga
for the physical benefits. However, most who do Yoga
consistently and dedicate themselves to the practice will find
over time that you can't help but be drawn to all the other
deeper aspects Yoga has to offer.
So, no...you don't have to be religious or spiritual to do Yoga.
But, chances are if you do Yoga on a regular basis, you'll at
least wind up a little more mindful or curious of how to take
these principles "off the mat." Most of us who practice Yoga
believe strongly that being a Yogi is not just about what we do
on the mat, but what we do in the world!
Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi
(1869-1948)
Mohandas K. Gandhi was born in 1869 and became a lawyer,
social reformer, spiritual leader, political philosopher and peace
activist. He left his homeland of India to study in England for
his law degree. A lifelong vegetarian, he even caved to peer
pressure in London and tried eating meat to fit in with his
fellow students. But after a horrible nightmare in which a lamb
cried from his belly, he decided it wasn't for him.

20. Gandhi traveled to South Africa, where severe oppression and
segregation where taking place between the British, South
Africans and Indians. Here is where he experiences racism
firsthand when he is kicked off a train car for being Indian and
in the wrong place on the train. Because of his own experiences
and what he saw others enduring, he helped lead an
independence movement against British occupation in both
South Africa and eventually, in India.
Nonviolent Noncooperation
His movement was based entirely upon Ahimsa andSatyagraha.
Ahimsa means nonviolence and Satyagraha means
literally, Holding onto the Truth. Gandhi believed that Truth is
incompatible with violence. This nonviolent resistance (or
pacifism) is an active resistance, not a passive one. It is a
standing up for the truth in an active, consistent and persistent
way, but it is a movement based on the principle that you
will not kill for its truth.
Gandhi advocated that, if necessary, one should take blows and
whips for their cause, but one should never deliver them. He felt
that one's steady dedication to nonviolent action will awaken
compassion in the heart of the enemy. He felt that violence only
begets more violence and misunderstanding and in the end, any
peace achieved is not true peace at all.
Through nonviolent means, Gandhi and his followers fasted, led
marches, strikes and other non-cooperative rebellions against
the British occupation. One of the most famous of these was
the Salt March. The British decided to charge an outrageous tax
on salt, which would help keep the Indians under control. In
response, Gandhi and thousands of others marched to the sea to
collect their own salt. This did not please the British, as you can
imagine. Gandhi's actions caused him to spend much of his life
in jail, over 2,000 days.
Salt March - Watch this

21. Self-Sufficiency
Gandhi strongly advocated simplicity and economic self
sufficiency so the Indian population would not depend on the
British to survive materially. He felt that if they could cut off
their economic ties, that would be a way to force the British
out, since the British relied upon Indian consumerism in a big
way.
The Spinning Wheel became a famous symbol of Gandhi and his
nonviolent self sufficiency. He, along with many others, made
their own clothing, so to not depend on the oppressive
government that colonized them. You can see this same self-
sufficient and self-reliant thinking in the movement of Malcolm
X and the Nation of Islam.
Gandhi on Untouchability
Gandhi was against untouchability and would often say that We
are all children of God. He wrote an autobiography called The
Story of My Experiments with Truth. An accurate title, for
Gandhi experienced Truth through the struggles of life and
experimented often, sometimes winning, often losing and
learning lessons the hard way. He practiced what he preached.
For some, religion is about ideals/principles. They are talked
about, but not always put into action in daily life and tested to
see if they allow growth.
Gandhi advocated putting your principles into action and taking
them into the world. Gandhi was not just opposed to
untouchability, he actually adopted an untouchable child,
something an Indian of a twice born class would have never
done. He cleaned latrines - a job not fit for an upper caste. He
did not just advocate for the poor, but he lived as a poor, simple
man. He did not just respect other religions, but read from their
sacred scriptures daily. As you'll see in the next lesson, he
taught that we should not just simply accept religious truths, but
try them out for ourselves and see what works.

22. Gandhi on Truth
Gandhi had very specific views of religion. He
believedAsteya (Truth) is not a possession of one group of
people or religion, but a gift and a goal for us all. His favorite
scriptures, which he read from everyday, were the Hindu
Bhagavad Gita, the Christian Sermon on the Mount (from the
New Testament) and the Muslim Qu'ran.
He believed truth should never be taken exclusively by itself.
No one owns it all and no one can claim to see it all. It
transcends any one claim of it! He taught that Truth (God) is
transcendent and beyond our understanding of it and that we
simply have human limitations in how we can perceive it.
Gandhi stated thatTruth is many sided and must be seen from
many perspectives. True to his Hindu background, he felt that
there are many faces to the divine.
Gandhi believed that ALL religions are true. This is
called Sarvadharma Samanatva or having an equal mind and
respect toward all religions. He saw religions as many branches
of the same tree, many siblings of one family. We have different
roads and paths we take, but out travel is toward a common
destination. In other words, "Truth is One, but Paths are
Many." He taught that having an understanding of another
religion doesn't mean we have to convert to that religion, but it
can lead to a deeper understanding of our own beliefs.
Reading from the Qu'ran and the New Testament everyday
didn't convert Gandhi to Islam or Christianity. He was Hindu
from birth until death. He stated, Jesus affects my life no less
because I am a Hindu, because I regard him as one of many sons
of God, and not the only one. Reading from the New Testament
allowed him to have a greater understanding of himself and his
own religion. He felt that we need one another to understand
ourselves.
Below are some more thoughts from Mohandas Gandhi on
Religion:

23. Indeed, one sure sign that one is losing track of Truth is the
claim that one's own group has an exclusive claim upon it.
Cultivation of tolerance for other faiths will impart to us a truer
understanding of our own.
I want all cultures and religions to be blown about my house as
freely as possible. I do not want my house to be walled in on all
sides and windows/doors to be closed.
- Quotes from Diana Eck, Gandhian Guidelines
Gandhion Conversion
Gandhi felt strongly that all religions have truth to them, but at
the same time, that all religions are imperfect. They are all
divinely inspired, but they are inherently imperfect because they
are merely human responses to glimpses of God. They are ways
of being and paths of seeing. But in certain hands, they can be
hurtful and fall short of their ideals. We shouldn't put on
blinders and ignore the ignorance, ego and violence that is
sometimes caused by our misconstrued
perceptions/interpretations/applications of religiosity.
Gandhi was highly against conversion tactics and felt them
coercive and ingenuine. He felt true conversion was helping a
Christian or Muslim to become a better Christian and Muslim.
He said that conversion is God s business, not ours, and that the
conversion of the heart is God's work alone. Keep in mind,
Gandhi experienced Christian missionaries in India, who often
went hand in hand with exploitation and violence. Conversion
was presented on the basis that one religious ideology was
superior over another and Gandhi felt purity of character is
based on purity of heart, not on whether he embraces a
particular religion or not. Gandhi said the real conversion we
should work on is "converting our enemies into friends."

24. Sikhism
Introduction
Sikhism is very rooted in India and is the fifth largest of all
world religions. Sikhs see their path more as a universal
truth that transcends all religions rather than a distinct dogmatic
religion. Because there is so much influence from Hindus and
Muslims, you will recognize many of their beliefs.
While many may dismiss Sikhism as an offshoot of Hinduism or
a combination of Hindu and Islam, most Sikhs feel they are still
a unique religion and that Nanak gave us a whole new
revelation.
Sikh Founders
Sikhism is a minority religion in India and is a kind of blend
between East and West academically speaking, mixing aspects
of Hinduism and elements of Islam. It arose in the 15th century
in a mystical tradition of the area of Punjab (part of
India/Pakistan) that focused on God outside of the traditional
perceptions and limitations.
Though both Hinduism and Islam are distinctively different in a
variety of ways, they share an emphasis on religious devotion
and the role of a spiritual master. Kabir (1440-1518) was a poet
and mystic of theSant (holy people) tradition (this was a
spirituality that drew from both Hinduism and Islam) who really
began this merging. Sants were often Sufi (an Islamic branch)
mystics who, instead of engaging in empty ritualism, held
theological and philosophical discussions. Kabir composed
songs about his union with the divine while he worked at his
loom. Like most Sufis, he focused on personal intimacy and
ecstatic experience more than outward forms. The following is
one of Kabir's poems:
O human, where dost thou seek Me
Lo! I am beside thee.
I am neither in temple nor in mosque.
I am neither in Kaaba or Kailash

25. Neither am I in rites and ceremonies; nor in yoga and
renunciation.
If though art a true seeker, thou shalt at once see Me: thou shalt
meet Me in a moment of time.
Kabir says, O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath!
(Note: Kaaba is the holy altar in Mecca that Muslims circle in
Hajj; Kailash is the powerful pilgrimage place in the Himalayas
for Hindus and many traditions, home of Lord Shiva).
"God is like sugar scattered in the sand. An elephant cannot
pick it up. Says Kabir, the Guru has given me this sublime
secret: 'Become thou an ant and partake of it.' - Kabir
Then Nanak (1469-1539), a Hindu with a best friend who was
Muslim, had a powerful revelation in a forest meditation in
which he felt he had experienced God directly. In vision, God
gave him a bowl of milk to drink and said it was nectar (Amrit)
which would give him the power of prayer, love of worship,
truth and contentment. He wasn't concerned with worldly
things, and also like the Sufis, was opposed to the overt
ritualism of Hinduism. Nanak worked as an accountant, but
gave away his money to the poor.
His vision revealed to him that there is only one God and this
God is beyond all our conceptions and perceptions. Because
God is beyond our human conception, he concluded that Hindus
and Muslims worship the same God and any distinction is only
in our inability to recognize our own limits. Like Gandhi,
Nanak felt ultimately, there was no Hindu or Muslim, just one
true God, setting the foundation for the principles of Sikhism.
Also like Gandhi, Nanak did not recognize caste distinctions
and believed strongly in social order and equality.
Nanak preached and gathered disciples (this is where the
term Sikh comes from, meaning "disciple") along with his
Muslim friend and musician, Mardana. They focused on bhakti
(devotion) through singing and Mardana's musical
accompaniment. Nanak deliberately taught a mix of Hindu and
Muslim ideals, even wearing clothing that represented this (ex:
Hindu dhoti pants and the bindhi/tilak along with Muslim coats

26. andkufis, which are religious head caps).
Nanak's teachings can be summarized into three central
elements: 1) Work hard to earn an honest living. He was very
much against ascetic/renouncer practice of both Hindus and
Buddhists. Instead of the popular ideal of withdrawal, Sikhs
emphasize active service and giving in the world, which leads
us to 2) Share earnings with needy and poor and 3)Remember
God is the only giver and doer - do God's work.
To further solidify his belief that Hindus and Muslims were
equal, when Nanak died, he instructed Muslims to place flowers
on one side of body and Hindus on the other. After his death,
Nanak was termed Guru Nanak and is seen as the first of ten
Sikh gurus to come.
The following is a Poem by Nanak:
Oh my mind, love God as a fish loves water;
The more the water, the happier is the fish,
The more peaceful his mind and body.
He cannot live without water even for a moment.
God knows the inner pain of that being without water.
Guru Nanak
Early History
During this time, poetry, hymns, and rituals were written and
many communities formed, the largest at Amritsar (note the root
word amrit, which means nectar).
A succession of gurus followed and the fifth guru, Arjan (16th
century) built the famous Golden Temple (Gudwara) in
Amritsar. Surrounded by a sacred pool, it is one of the most
popular pilgrimage spots in India. Buddha himself often visited
this sacred land (long before the temple was built). There is a
door on each of the four sides of the temple, symbolizing Sikh's
openness to all faiths.
Make sure to read Molloy's first hand experience of this Golden

27. Temple in Chapter 5!
The sacred book, Adi Granthwas also created. Meaning"original
collection," these hymns of the gurus are considered the
ultimate authority for Sikhs and require the same reverence as a
living guru. In fact, according to Molloy, the Adi Granth itself
is considered the final, permanent Guru.
This primary scripture is divided into three parts and written in
poetry form, a collection of praise for God, works from Hindus,
Muslims and Sikhs. Believed to contain the living spirit of the
Gurus, the book is held with utmost reverence. At the Golden
Temple, the Adi Granth is handled with gloves and set on a
cushion, fanned throughout the day and put to bed at night,
much like Hindu statues. Sikh homes may have an altar or an
entire room to enshrine the book, which is read from daily.
Guru Arjan (mentioned above) was killed by a Muslim emperor
because he refused to adopt Islamic practice entirely. Sikhism
didn't stop developing here though. In its early days, Sikhism
coexisted peacefully among other traditions, but soon due to
volatile circumstances and Islamic rivalry, Sikhism became
more defined and militant, arguably from a Sikh perspective, for
purposes of self protection.
Arjan's son sought revenge for his father's murder, enlisting an
army and wearing two swords (one for practicality, one for
spiritual power), causing a militancy to grow within Sikhism.
Another guru (the ninth) was captured and decapitated by
another Muslim emperor who saw Sikhism as a threat. In
response to this, the tenth guru became known as the lion and
initiated a special military order for men (called the Khalsa) or
a baptism of the sword.
Khalsa ("the pure ones") pledge a special code of discipline.
Every man within this Khalsa took the last name Singh, which
meant lion. There are still many Indian men today with this last
name, even not within the Sikh tradition. This history shows
Sikhs straying away from Hindu nonviolence (ahimsa) due to
their long held tension with Muslims and the symbol of the
sword in their tradition. For a long time, only men allowed in

28. the Khalsa, but now women are also included (be sure to
readThe Adi Granth on Women at the end of Chapter 5 in your
text.) While men were given the name Singh, women were given
the name Kaur which means princess.
Beliefs
God
The major focus is Sikhism, like in Islam, is the belief in One
God. They believe whole heartedly that the same God is
worshipped by everyone. They describe God as formless,
beyond time and space and as the only truth. However, unlike
Hinduism, Sikhs do notbelieve in multiple deities and do not
use idols or statues in their worship like Hindus, instead taking
on a more Islamic monotheism. God is
definitely personal though, not abstract.
Meditation and prayer are way to connect on a personal level
with God. However, even though God is personal, God
is notanthropomorphic (human-like). Unlike the human and
animal gods in Hinduism or the heavenly father of Christianity,
the Sikhs view God as the universe itself and without any sort
of human characteristics.
Ultimately, Sikhs feel the nature of God is beyond our human
understanding. You can see a distinct mystical influence here -
that we can t understand God with our heads or intellect, only
our hearts and spirit.
The following is the Jap Ji, first morning prayer for Sikhs:
There is One God
Whose Name is Truth
The Creator
Without fear, without hate
Eternal Being
Beyond birth and death
Self existent
Realized by the Gurus grace

29. God is often referred to as Sat or Truth. God does not have a
form, but is just truth. Nam is a holy name of God. Often this
prayer, Sat Nam is chanted to indicate God's truth as not
separate from anything or anyone.
Watch This Demonstration of the Sat Nam Chant.Then, listen to
another beautiful chant at the Sat Nam fest (skip ahead to
around 2:30 if you just want to hear the music. It's worth
checking out! Try putting it on while working on your
discussion post).
Guru
Like Hindus, Sikhs venerate the Guru or teacher very highly.
They believe the light of God shines fully through the Guru.
Reincarnation
Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the force
propelling this - karma.
Diet/Lifestyle
Unlike Hindus and Jains, Sikhs usually are not vegetarians,
more influenced by Islam in this worldview. Like Hindus and
Muslims, Sikhs will strictly avoid intoxicants.
Scripture
As you learned above, for Sikhs, the ultimate authority are the
hymns of the ten Sikh gurus (teachers), called the Adi
Granth. These are read and are the focus of devotion. As
mentioned earlier, though there is much Hindu and Muslim
influence, Sikhs believe theirs is a unique religion from Guru
Nanak, who received his revelation directly from God, not from
another religion.
Conversion
Like Hindus, Sikhs do not claim to have the only path to god.
Like Hindus, they are not interested in converts. For Sikhs, the
whole point is to realize God within the world and everyday

30. practices (much like you ll see with Zen Buddhism). Like
Hindus, Sikhs are very ethnically and family based.
It's not that they won't accept converts - they will, and in fact,
have a special initiation ceremony for that very event. But, by
nature, the Sikh religion isn't evangelical or interested in
winning over souls.
Sikhs are not concerned with conversion, but instead in equality
and justice. Like Gandhi, they are highly involved with social
services and serve everyone regardless of caste, gender, creed,
religion, etc.
Prayer
Sikhs may spend much time in devotion and prayer and service,
mostly at the Gurdwara or place of worship. Morning and
evening prayers take about two hours a day.
Listen to This Sikh Chant, which means "God is One, the Truth
itself, most respectful, wonderous beyond words."
Ritual and Ritual Items
For the most part, early Sikhs rejected the Hindu emphasis on
ritual because they felt it became too obsessive, taking away the
focus on God and putting it on us and our outward motions
instead (interesting how similar this is to Christ's teachings as
well). However, Sikhs still have certain rituals and honored
traditions. One such tradition is for Sikh men to grow their hair
out. This is one of the five K's (kes) of the Khalsa or religious
order. The older men often wear turbans over their long hair.
This is not observed by all Sikhs, but usually those in the
Khalsa to promote strength and self identity. Below are the Five
K's of the Khalsa order:
1. Kes - Uncut hair/beard - Symbolic of lion and power. Usually
worn in topknot and covered with turban. Those who choose not
to wear the turban may cover with another material instead,

31. such as a bandana or scarf. This is especially popular with
younger generations.
2. Khanga - Special hair comb to hold hair in place.
3. Kach - Like some Mormons, this is a type of special
underwear with a drawstring for modesty and identity.
4. Kipran - A sword to symbolize dignity and willingness to
stand up for justice. A symbol of protecting innocents and of
divine wisdom.
5. Kara - A steel bracelet often worn to symbolize strength and
to remind us that we are servants of God. Sikhs say it is also a
reminder of the integration of material and spiritual worlds (and
perhaps on a practical level, was protection in combat?) In
Molloy's experience in your chapter, you'll see an example of a
Sikh wearing this bracelet and what it means to him.
Conclusion
After the British left in 1947, more than two million Sikhs left
Pakistan in order to avoid Muslim conflict, settling in Punjab.
But, now Sikhs have settled all over the world outside of India.
In fact, Vancouver, Canada is one of the most Sikh populated
areas on earth!
There is also a large community of Sikhs right here in
Beavercreek/Fairborn area as well! You can visit their temple
any Sunday (and enjoy a wonderful home cooked meal
afterwards!).
Jainism is one of the few Indian religions not based on the
Vedas. With six million adherents, it has been almost entirely
known within India. You will note several characteristics that
are similar to Hinduism, including its emphasis on nonviolence
and that through our own self reflection and disciplne, we can
attain our freedom or liberation (called "kevala"). But, as you'll
see Jainism is its own unique religion, with a very high standard
of personal ethics and in contrast to Sikhism, a strong emphasis
on ascetic practice.

32. To the left, notice the Jain symbol, agreed upon by the majority
of Jain sects in the 70s to represent the religion. The swastika
you recognize from Hinduism - a symbol of peace and
prosperity and the wheel of samsara. The three dots above it
represent insight, knowledge and wisdom. Above that, you'll
notice a crescent and one single dot, which symbolizes the "jiva
mukti" or liberated soul. The hand with an open palm is
inscribed with the word "ahimsa," which as you have learned,
means "nonviolence." While Hindus, Hare Krishnas, Yoga and
Gandhi have all held this principle highly, Jains take ahimsa to
a whole new level, to what some may consider "to the extreme."
History
With Jainism, usually we start with the most famous
teacher, Mahavira(also called Mahavir) or "the Great Hero,"
who was a contemporary of the Buddha, living around the same
time frame around 500 years BCE (or before Christ). He had a
lot in common with Buddha, as you will see, coming from a
princely background and renouncing his wealth and status to
wander as a spiritual seeker.
Like Buddha, Mahavira practiced extreme asceticism, often
enduring misery and even torture from others during his
meditations. It is even said that wild dogs attacked him. But,
legends say no matter what he endured, he did not waver and
after 12 years of extreme asceticism, Mahavira achieved
enlightenment, at age 42 (Hitchhiker's Guide, anyone?). Like
Buddha, Mahavira spread his teachings and gained a following
of monks and nuns and rejected the caste system.
However, while Mahavira's importance cannot be denied,
Jainismdidn't actually start with him. He is actually considered
the last of 24 Tirthankaras(role models or guides).Like Hindus,
Jains believe our universe is without true beginning or end and
that it continually passes through continuous cycles of progress
and destruction. Interestingly, Jains believe that at the
beginning of these cycles, humans are so happy and virtuous
they do not feel any need for religions, but towards the end of

33. the cycle, misery begins and humans crave the stability and
promise of religion, and this is when these Tirthankaras visit to
bring religion and help people avoid the evil and misery of the
world. Interestingly, Jainism goes so far back that ancient
Hindu scriptures refer to it as an existing tradition outside of
the Vedas.
Like most religions, the teachings were passed along orally for
quite some time, but over time as the religion grew and groups
began splitting, the teachings began being recorded. Many
changes happened, including a split into two groups. The first
was a group of monks, known as Digambaras, who went nude
(to better blend in with nature and be nonattached to material
things), and had only two possessions - a broom of feathers
used to sweep the ground before they walked (as a precaution to
avoid stepping on any insect or creature) and a drinking gourd
for water. This group did not believe women could attain
liberation. Because women were not allowed to walk around
naked, they were seen as inherently inferior, only able to be
liberated if they are reborn as a man.
The other group, known as Shvetambaras, wore white cloth
robes and formed a council to edit Jain texts into a canon. This
group, the white robed Jains, disagreed with the Digambaras's
views of women, arguing that women are equally capable of
achieving spiritual liberation. They even claim that the 19th
Tirthankara was a woman! There are other newer branches of
Jainism too, each with their own unique focus - you can read
about these in your Molloy chapter.
Ethics and Beliefs
Jains have a very high code of ethics, following it to a precise
manner, to a level some may consider extreme. Like both
Hindus and Buddhists, Jains believe in reincarnation and the
cycle of samsara and the need for us to be liberated from this
cycle. Jains believe Jiva, which is the individual's soul or higher
consciousness, can liberate itself through discipline and self

34. reflection. One who has attained this state of liberation and
purity of the jiva is called a Jina (literally a "winner over the
passions" or "conqueror"). This term, Jina, is where "Jain"
comes from. All the Tirthankaras mentioned above were Jinas
who helped others, much like the bodhisattva you'll learn about
in Buddhism.
Like Hindus and Buddhists, Jains believe in Karma and that our
lives and destinies are the results of our own thoughts and
actions. Therefore only we can save ourselves, no outside savior
or external force. In fact, much like Buddhism, Jains believe
that ideas of a personal God that acts as a savior is only an
attachment that would bind us more to this cycle of rebirth.
According to Jains, only true nonattachment is the way to
achieve salvation. However, this does not mean Jains don't
believe in divine beings as most do, but like Hindus, they
believe these beings are subject to the same forces and karma as
humans.
The three basic beliefs and practices of Jainism are Ahimsa,
Aparigraha, and Anekantwad.
Ahimsais nonviolence, as you already know. Jains believe that
every fragment of the universe is filled with sentient, living
beings. Even a drop of water contains living beings and all of
them have the right to live. According to Jains, killing any
living thing has very negative karmic effects for us. They
acknowledge that even if we intend not to kill, we often may
kill creatures by accident (stepping on an ant accidently, or in
modern times, hitting a bug with your windshield, etc.) But,
Jains say that we can avoid these killings as well. Many Jains
will wear a cloth or face mask over their mouth to prevent
breathing in tiny, unseen organisms. They will avoid eating
after dark so they will not eat anything unseen in their food or
water. And as mentioned earlier, some use a whisk broom to
brush away any bugs or insects or other unseen organisms
before walking to prevent stepping on them. (And yes, they
don't even kill mosquitoes or spiders either! :)
As you can imagine, most Jains are strict vegetarians and

35. animal well being is a very high priority. In India, there are few
animal shelters and hospitals, but those that exist are usually
run by Jains. Jains are notorious for going to markets and
buying animals that are packed in crates and cages just to raise
them as "cage free" or in comfort.
If you ever come across a Jain monk or nun, chances are they
will not hold eye contact with you. This is not them being rude,
but because most are walking slowly with their eyes cast down
towards the ground to avoid stepping on any animal. This is
also why many Jain monks and nuns spend a lot of time in
meditation - the less moving around means the less chance of
hurting something!
As you read in both Hinduism and Yoga, ahimsa goes beyond
not hurting people or animals in actions, but even includes how
we speak and think. Even our words can be violent. You'll learn
more about this notion in the Buddhist section in their "Right
Speech" principle.
Aparigrahais the nonattachment, a central principle to Jainism,
more than in any other Indian religion. Jains believe we should
keep our material possessions to a bare minimum otherwise they
will possess us! In other words, the more we have, the more we
have to worry about. This is the true nature of "letting go" and
being free. If we are not bound to things or attachments, we can
attain true freedom and liberation. According to Jains,
happiness does not come from external things or possessions,
only from within. Jains believe by practicing Aparigraha, we
reduce our consumption and help even out resources for
everyone, reducing the amount of poverty and neediness in the
world as well as environmental damage.
Anekantward is non absolutism. This means that Jains try to be
open minded and not see things from an absolutist perspective.
In other words, truth can be relative, or there are many paths to
God. They are big believers in the "Blind Man and the Elephant
Story" which goes like this: Several blind men are asked to
describe an elephant they can touch. One feels the trunk and
says, "It's like a tree branch, rough and barky" while another

36. who's touching the tail says, "No, it's thick like a rope" while
yet another touching the ears says, "No, you're both wrong, it's
smooth and soft." You get the point - all their answers are the
truth and correct, but they can only "see" what's right in front of
them. They only have part of the truth. This goes for religion,
ethical dilemmas and pretty much everything we encounter.
Truth is bigger than sometimes we have a view of.
Rituals and Vows
While devotion is a part of Jain practice, it is not the main
emphasis. Instead, Jainism emphasizes the path of the monk and
nun, through ascetic practices. So, often Jains will practice
celibacy, fasting, and daily meditation. Many sleep on the bare
ground, endure any weather or external conditions or
unpleasantness. Often in initiation ceremonies, Jains will even
have their hair pulled out by the roots! (This is to further detach
from physical condition and vanity). These kinds of acts of
renunciation are considered the most direct way to salvation,
even more than reading scripture or meditating.
But keep in mind, not all Jains are monks and nuns and not all
take on renouncer lives. Many are householders who still aim
for a life of purity whenever possible. Therefore, Jain homes
and temples are usually very clean, free of any signs of
suffering (no leather, animal products, etc.) and they choose
medicines and products not tested on animals.
Householders will take vows just like Monks and Nuns,
including vows of nonviolence, truthfulness, not stealing,
sexual morality (usually means no sexual relations outside
marriage or commited relationships) and having a minimal
amount of posessions - only what you truly need to survive and
be fulfilled. Monks and Nuns take further vows specific for
their path.
All Jains look to the Tirthankaras as models for their own life.
They do not look to them as gods or as beings who can help
them earn salvation, but they are given respect with intricate
images and offerings.

37. Pilgrimages and Festivals
You won't see as much ecstatic outward expression during
festivals for Jains as you will for Hindus (or especially Hare
Krishnas!) as they will be more focused on meditation and
renuncation. During Hindu Diwali, Jains will use this occasion
for a three day fast and recitation of hymns (it is believed that
Mahavira attained liberation on Diwali!) During this time, Jains
will spend a day cleaning and worshipping the books of
religious libraries too.
Another popular (and arguably the most important festival) is
the Festival of Atonement. During this, Jains do an eight day
fast while focusing on forgiveness. The final day is known
as "Forgiveness Day"and Jains will focus on seeking
forgiveness from anyone they feel they have any negative
feelings or wrongs towards. They will try to replace these
negative feelings with compassion and letting go.
There are several pilgrimage sites or sacred places for Jains,
mostly in the Bihar region of India. One of the most famous is a
huge monolithic statue of Bahubali (the renunciate son of the
first Tirthankara), pictured to your right, carved out of solid
rock in 980 CE. His feet are bathed daily in ritual (you can see a
close up picture of his feet in your Molloy text). Every 12
years, a visually interesting ritual happens when an elaborate
scaffolding is built and offerings including milk, sugar and
herbs are showered over the statue, sometimes by a helicopter!
Jain art, statues and architecture are probably some of the most
intricate, detailed and impressive examples of religious art in
the world! Often naked, the statues show a true to human form
that sometimes rival the works of ancient Greeks (with the overt
nakedness a symbol of strength and detachment). Jain temples
and shrines are often carved with such intricate detail and
decoration, that they are labors of love and meditation. You can
see an example of this first hand in the Dayton Art Institute! In
the last room of the Asian art, you will see a giant wooden Jain
shrine. You can't miss it - it looks like the gateway to Narnia. :)

38. Jainism Today
Though mostly centered in India, Jainism has started to spread
outside its boundaries by several teachers. One of these, Shri
Chitrabhanu, walked barefoot for 30,000 miles to sprad Jain
teachings and attended conferences in both Switzerland and here
in the states in the 1970s to educate the world about Jainism. He
is the first known Jain monk to travel outside of India!
Since then, many Jain centers have been established around the
world and vows have been written for all interested, Jain or not,
to help our world become a better place, including vows of
willful killing of innocent creatures, refraining from aggressive
work, fostering religious tolerance, and avoiding wasting water
and cutting down trees. As you can see, Jainism works very well
with modern Environmental Ethics!
Hare Krishnas (ISKCON)
Yes, they are probably some of the liveliest, happiest religious
people you have ever met!
Through dancing, devotion to Krishna (their Lord) and smiling
all the while, Hare Krishnas (members of The International
Society of Krishna Consciousness) are almost contagious in
their exuberance and excitement of religious practice.
My Sweet Lord- To get in the mood to learn about ISKCON,
listen to My Sweet Lord by George Harrison, a famous ISKCON
devotee as a member of the Beatles.
You may recognize this song, but did you know it's a devotion
to Krishna? His involvement with ISKCON and Eastern
Religions greatly influenced his (and the Beatles') music.
Hear the "Hare Krishna, Hare Rama" throughout the song.
The International Society of Krishna Consciousness, known
as ISKCON, was started in 1965 by a Hindu guru

39. named Prabhupada.
According to Prabhupada (who was raised as a Hindu), the only
true way to achieve pure release (moksha) and peace is directly
through Krishna. None of the other gods provide as direct and
pure of a path. Therefore, unlike Hindus, the Hare Krishna
movement focuses its devotion entirely on Krishna, through a
distinct Kirtan puja.
The following are images of various Hare Krishnas and their
kirtan practice, leading parades and dancing. As you can see,
many non-Hare Krishnas (bystanders and observers) will often
join in the dancing as well!
It is very important to note that Hare Krishnas are NOT Hindus.
Though their dress, lifestyle and belief system will be similar to
Indian Hindus, there are several specific characteristics that
make Hare Krishnas very different!
First, most Hare Krishnas are converts, coming from a non-
Indian ethnicity/background. In fact, over 98% of ISKCON
members are international, from all ethnicities and backgrounds
(hence, the name International Society of Krishna
Consciousness).
Second, they are evangelical! They want to spread the news of
Krishna as the true way to salvation. This is why you may have
the image of Hare Krishnas in airports handing out flowers and
religious pamphlets (though they've been banned from doing
this since the early 80s. If you are a fan of the
old Airplane movies, you know the parodies of this 70's
phenomenon).
Because most ISKCON members are international, they are not

40. just locationalized in India, but all over the world. California,
West Virginia, Poland, Australia, South Africa, France, Ireland,
Canada - you name it and they're there! In the videos below,
you will see this for yourself.
As you probably already have noted, another major difference
from Hindus is that Hare Krishnas believe Krishna is the only
way to salvation. It's easy to see why so many converts from
Judeo-Christian backgrounds found this form of Eastern religion
to be a good fit.
And finally, ISKCON members believe that by the simple act of
chanting "Hare Krishna" repeatedly, you bring yourself closer
and closer to moksha. This is definitely a distinct difference
from most Hindus. This comes from a story where a young
Indian girl, a devotee, living in Vrindavan at the time of
Krishna, wanted to go spend time her Lord. Her father, having
heard the rumors of his "playful" and trickster nature, forbid it.
Heartbroken, she locked herself in her room and repeatedly said
Krishna's name over and over again and in doing so, reached
enlightenment.
This is the reason why ISKCON members are given the
nickname, "Hare Krishnas," because of the use of this mantra so
repeatedly in their ritual practice.
Watch the following Hare Krishna Videos. In the latter ones,
you will see some practicing Hare Krishnas as well as many
bystanders who just decided to join in the fun!
· Hare Krishna Morning Worship (West Virginia)
· Hare Krishna Parade (Poland)
· Hare Krishna Dance (London)
As mentioned, the headquarters for ISKCON are
in Vrindavan (the birthplace of Krishna that we talked about
previously). Also called Mathura, this is the home of Krishna
and the biggest Hare Krishna following.
Inside the temple is a wax statue of their founder, Prabuphada,

41. as well as decorated and adorned statues of Krishna and Radha.
You can read more about this sacred place in the India
Journal "Dancing with the Hare Krishnas"if you wish.
However, a "New Vrindavan" is located right in our backyard
here in America - in West Virginia! Yes, that is correct. So, if
you want to take a pilgrimage or mini road trip for your
Religious Service Report, here is a great a good opportunity!
The first video you watched above was a puja filmed here...
As we mentioned in the beginning, George Harrison was one of
the most famous Hare Krishnas. Much of his (and consequently,
the Beatles') music was influenced by his spiritual faith. He was
a devout spiritual seeker and a devotee of Krishna's for much of
his life. His last words before he died indicated that he had been
searching for God his entire life and now, he had finally found
him.
Through a lifetime of activism, independence was achieved in
India in 1947. The British finally left! However, once the
oppressive regime was gone, Hindus and Muslims fought over
territory. It was decided to divide India into two portions, one
of which would be a Muslim majority (Pakistan) and one which
would be a Hindu majority (India). It may have been an idea
made with good intentions, but uprooting people from their
homes caused major violence and bloodshed to ensue.
Unfortunately, because Gandhi was so compassionate to both
the Hindu and Muslim cause, some extremist Hindus felt he was
being too sympathetic, a traitor of sorts.
And so, a Hindu fanatic assassinated Gandhi at his Delhi
Ashram in 1948 while he was taking his daily walk before his
prayers. At the funeral procession, millions mourned. It was one

42. of the biggest public funerals at that time (think of Michael
Jackson's funeral and the outpouring of worldwide sympathy
and sorrow…)
Though his body passed on, his teachings live on. Gandhi's
nonviolent non-cooperative movement will influence many
people, including a very famous peace activist here in the
United States: Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK actually visited
India to study at Gandhi's ashram after his death. He based
many of his tactics (sit ins, marches, etc.) on Gandhi's
movement in India.
1. Discuss the history ,beliefs, rituals of ISKCON in detail,
Utilize what you’ve learned in the text and also give your own
thoughts and reelections.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Before posting to this Discussion Forum you will need to have
read the corresponding Chapters for Jainism and Sikhism in
your text
Answer ONE of the following Discussion Questionsbelow. After
submitting your answer respond to the answers of at least one of
the other students. This homework assignment is worth 10
points.
· Discuss Sikhism. Give a detailed reflection of Sikh history,
rituals, beliefs, sacred places and practices as learned in the
online lessons and textbook. Make sure to include any videos or
audio clips you viewed and your reflections.
· Or, discuss Jainism. Give a detailed reflection of Jain history,
rituals, beliefs, sacred places and practices as learned in the
online lessons and textbook. Make sure to include any video
clip you viewed and your reflections.
· Or, read the experience journal of a local Sikh Serviceand then

43. give your reflections/thoughts on what you read and how they
relate to the material you've learned this week.
Note: This is a post first discussion topic. You will not be able
to read another student's post until you've posted your response.
You will respond to the answers of at least one of the other
students.