What are views/teachings on yoga in Sikhism?
Share
Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.
Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.
Let’s understand this Shabad.
ਜਾਪ ਤਾਪ ਗਿਆਨ ਸਭਿ ਧਿਆਨ ॥ਖਟ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਵਖਿਆਨ ॥ਜੋਗ ਅਭਿਆਸ ਕਰਮ ਧ੍ਰਮ ਕਿਰਿਆ ॥ਸਗਲ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਬਨ ਮਧੇ ਫਿਰਿਆ ॥ਅਨਿਕ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ਕੀਏ ਬਹੁ ਜਤਨਾ ॥ਪੁੰਨ ਦਾਨ ਹੋਮੇ ਬਹੁ ਰਤਨਾ ॥ਸਰੀਰੁ ਕਟਾਇ ਹੋਮੈ ਕਰਿ ਰਾਤੀ ॥ਵਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕਰੈ ਬਹੁ ਭਾਤੀ ॥
All of the above methods/techniques don’t equate to the value of Naam.
>>ਨਹੀ ਤੁਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬੀਚਾਰ ॥ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਇਕ ਬਾਰ ॥੧॥
My understanding and explanation about why Yoga is not the way:
Yoga is something we perform on a Physical level and sometimes mental level. It may be very beneficial for physical health, I don’t challenge, but it cannot be a way towards establishing a relationship.
I hope you can differentiate between relationships at the Physical level, Mental level, and emotional level (involves heart, feelings).
Any genuine relation may exist without physical or mental relation, but it cannot exist without feelings/emotions. If a relation is without emotional attachment, It is not a relation, It is a deal.
SGGS guides us towards Naam which established our connection with God emotionally.
In conclusion, Love and submission is the only way.
Secondly, you know, our ancestors used to perform those techniques for 100s of years. Just for an instance, Ravana practiced for more than 1000 years. Can we follow those footsteps now, when the average life span is 60-80 years?
Thirdly, all those thought practices are meant for only Yoddhas, Not everyone can do that much of Tapasya because of Physical, financial, and health constraints. Can a handicapped do yoga?
If Yoga is the way, No handicapped can achieve the success which would be unfair.
Last thing, most of the traditional methods of practice aren’t effective in Kalyug.
ਜਤੁ ਸੰਜਮ ਤੀਰਥ ਓਨਾ ਜੁਗਾ ਕਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਕਲਿ ਮਹਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ॥
Celibacy, self-discipline, and pilgrimages were the essence of Dharma in those PAST AGES; but in this Dark Age of KALI-YUGA, the Praise of the Lord’s Name is the essence of Dharma.
ਗਲੀ ਜੋਗੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਏਕ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਮਸਰਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਜੋਗੀ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ – 730
Gurmat does not accept the normally propagated Yoga. But Gurmat teaches us how one can become a real Yogi