SIKHI AND YOGA

"For the past several years, I had been thinking of writing a monograph on the concept of Yoga in the hymns of Guru Granth Sahib. I had noted a secret aversion for Yoga in the minds of the Sikhs, scattered in different parts of the world. This aversion had been born because of the efforts of some teachers to present Sikhism in the light of traditional Yoga. Even the Sikh papers and journals were very cautious and hesitated to publish articles on the Sikh Yoga."⁽¹⁾

kundaliniyoga (30K) The fact is that the Sikhs in Diaspora, at least, though may not be "Gung Ho" about Yoga, but many of them having started exploring it too. Well no body can deny the highly successful Sikh Movement of last century - American Sikhs. This movement was spear headed by Sri Singh Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi Ji. He had very deftly interwoven the terminology, concepts and practices of Kundilini Yoga with Naam Simran. The mixture worked. The visible results were spectacular. This movement, in fact, is a real exposure of the Sikhism to the Main Street Western World - Northern America, UK, European countries and even Latin American countries.

Just a few years back, Dr. Ajrawat has been marketing his yogic techniques of meditation, for stress reduction. He has even coined a name "Khalistani Posture" for particular style of sitting while practicing his meditation techniques.

Talking of postures (Aasans), the Sikhs already have been practicing at least two Aasans. Sitting in the congregation in Sukh Aasan (Cross legged), calling it "Chaokri Marna". The other is "Bir Aasans" (with one knee kneeling). "Amrit" (Sikh Baptism) is administered in this Bir Aasan.

"Basically (connoting) a "spirited discipline", Yoga today is mainly touted as a de-stressing tool - which is partly true with reference to the mind-body congruence."⁽²⁾.

Now, this shunned door to exploration of Yoga has been opened and widely.

In the Western World, Yoga and other religious and spiritual concepts were exposed by many earlier western scholars, but Indians consider the attendance of Swami Vivekananda Ji in the World Religious Congress, Chicago, in 1893 as the beginning of the phenomena of "exposure to the west". The real Trail Blazing movement, popular in the western main stream, was "Transcendental Meditation" (TM), as preached by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in the middle of the last century. The targeted market was "Corporate America".

Followed closely by Sri Singh Sahib Yogi Ji. He coined "3HO" - Happy, Holy, and Healthy. The targeted market was the rebellious Youth of America, the fall out of earlier "Hippy Movement" and initially it spread in and around University Campuses. These young people were disappointed by the "drug culture" of the "Hippies". They were in search of a real, genuine spiritual path.

SSC-3 (36K) Different variations of yoga with ever newly coined, marketable and attractive names (labels) are being touted by hundreds of Swamis, Rishis, and yogic teachers.

However, the two basic elements are: "Breathing Practices" and "Postures". On the benefits side, mainly the "Mind Control" and "De-stressing" are key advertising slogans. To attract main stream clients, "religiously correct" statements are used, such as "non-denominational", "spiritual" etc.

TM used the idea: "When the mind is steadied, it acquires the power of thought transformation."⁽³⁾ And then planting in the mind "the corporate objectives". The results, in increasing the efficacy of the corporate executives, were astounding. So "TM" became a buzz word in "Board Rooms". Similar type of marketing and target was used by Bhagwan Rajneesh Ji (OSHO), couple of decades later. But his organizational mistake was to try his hands, may be too soon, in political arena of USA, as well as making in roads in the main stream religions of America. This star thus faded fast.⁽⁴⁾. Baba Ramdev Ji is also openly declaring his political agenda, but only with respect to India. Most of the current "Yogic Masters" touring the western circuit, stay mainly within the ethnic population. They do have very successful ethnic businessmen as their followers.

In Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the focus is on Mind (Mun tu Jyot Saroop Haen). It is considered the seat of God. The relation with Body is of "container and contents". Even though the focus is "content", the container is not ignored. Obviously, if the "Content" is precious, it must have befitting "container" too.⁽⁵⁾

All Indian Spiritual Schools of thoughts refer in their own terminology, to the human body which has nine visible gates and one is hidden.⁽⁶⁾ Various Yogic Schools also talk of various Chakras on similar lines.

Which are these nine visible doors? Seven of these nine, are in the head portion of the anatomical division of the human body. Two Eyes, two Ears, two Nostrils and one mouth. All these seven are "Entrances". The Mouth is a Two Way Gate, both entry and exit (entry for solid, liquid and Gases; exit is for spoken words). The other Two are at the bottom of the torso with assigned main functions of discharge (Exit) of Urine and Shit.

The hidden door is the "Dasm Dwar". This TENTH DOOR is supposedly at the pinnacle of the head. The objective of most eastern religions is to promote advancement of human awareness to this "Dasm Dwar" (The Tenth Door).

Looking scientifically, the Western Medical Science System, recognizes the nine. The "Entrances" are lumped under one specialty - ENT (Ears, Nose, and Throat).

Now Science has realized the importance of "Mind". In many Western Medical Universities courses like "Mind over Matter" etc. are being introduced and many medical research institutions have started extensive serious research in this area and are publishing astounding discoveries, in particular effects of Positive Thoughts producing extra ordinary beneficial effects on human body.

Latest Scientific experiments, in linking the signals received from the sensory organs (the seven entrance gates) to initiation of "thought Process" in the Mind, which then directs the body functions (matter) - Thus the field of study, rapidly emerging in scientific world is "Mind over Matter". Many sub-specialties are emerging too.

Recently results of laboratory experiments exploring the Christian concept of "Sin", came out. It concluded the sensory organ of eyes (with function of seeing), if stimulated by sexually explicit images, creates excitement in the "lust" region of the brain, as well as suppressed the "self control" region of the brain. Conclusion was that the person gets propelled to sinful acts.

Execution of Body functions are basically "Muscular Functions". To make body function properly, the muscular health is very important, hence the necessity of "Body Exercises."

The muscles of the "Entrance Gates" should also be strong and should function properly. The center piece in yogic breathing exercises, thus is the "Bhamri Pranayam" . It gives gentle vibratory massage to all this area.

Closing the ears with two thumbs, shutting the eyes with first two fingers and lightly pressing the nostril with other fingers and then inhaling through the nostrils and slowly discharging through the mouth with the humming sound of the Humming bird, produces soothing vibrations in these seven organs. It gives gentle message to the controlling muscles of these Seven Entrances.

We all use various "filters" at entrances, to keep out the pollutants. Filters are important in air-conditioning systems, fuel, oil and air intake systems of cars and machines. They promote proper functioning of the systems.

The Bhamri Pranayam⁽⁷⁾, while giving healthy exercise to muscles of this area, also provides us an opportunity to "Install" these filters at these entrances.

What are these Filters? We all know about three iconic wise monkeys - "hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil". ANAND SAHIB in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, has elaborated all such filters - what to see, what to hear etc.⁽⁸⁾

Thus, while performing "Bhamri", keep your mind focused on the filters as taught by Guru Ji.

The slight presence of the pressure of thumbs and fingers on these gates, provides easy concentration of mind and an opportunity to "install these filters" correctly. Eventually they produce, "Positive frame of Mind" or "Chardi Kala" as is mentioned in Sikhism. With that kind of frame of mind, the path to spiritual advancement as per your personal beliefs becomes easier to follow.

Jasbir Singh Sethi
16410 Bluff Springs Drive
Houston, TX 77095
[email protected]

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NOTES:

(1) Page 7- Preface. "YOGA OF THE SIKHS" by Surinder Singh Kohli; Singh Bros. 1991.
(2) "Yoga in Gurbani" S. Saran Singh Ji, The Sikh Review, November 2010, Page 10.
(3) Page 34, "Yoga of the Sikhs" op. cit.
(4) Rajneesh's assets when seized and put on block, had 128 Rolls Royce's.
(5) (A)"Blessed, Blessed is the Body, wherein are planted Feet of my Guru" Dr. Gopal Singh, English Translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib - Vol. II Page 625. (Ref. SGGS Page 649-650) (b) "Thou hast obtained from thy God a human's body, now alone is the time to Attain to thy Lord." -op cit-Vol. I, Page 15 (Ref. SGGS Page ).
(6) SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB - the Sikh Scripture expresses this truth as, "Nau Dware Pargat Kiyae, Daswa Gupt Rakkhayea" (Nine doors are evident, tenth door is hidden).
(7) Here we examine "Bhamri", how it can be a tool in the "Practice of Gursikhi." Various other aspects of Yogas can be studied and adopted with beneficial effects per Gurbani.
(8) "Aawo Sikh Satguru Ke Piyareao, Gawao Sachhi Baani" (Be a beloved Sikh of Guru and utter the Truth.
"Baani ta kachi Satgur Bajon haor Kachi Baani, Kehnde Kachae Sundae Kachi Aak Vikhani " (Stay away from false teachings, All except Satguru is Falsehood, and only liars speak and listen to the falsehood.)
"Satgur Ka Updes Suun, howae tere naale" (Listen to the teachings of Guru and always keep these teachings with you)
"Karan Na Sunae Kahon Ki Ninda" (Your ears should not hear bad mouthing of any one.)
"Eh netrao mereao har tum mae jyot dhari har bin awar na dekho koae" (The eyes have been given the light to see, thus you should endeavor to see HIM only)
Published: January 26, 2011 Sikh Review (Youth Sec.)