Yoga: The Quiet Revolution

All across the world, in response to the stress of our growing world crisis, millions of people are turning to yoga as a way of discovering the peace which can be experienced within the body, heart and mind. This peace has been described in all the mystical traditions as the primordial gift of the source.

For yoga to be truly transformative, it needs to return to its ancient roots in a universal mystical vision that celebrates the body as the creation and temple of divine consciousness. The danger of a great deal of the modern teaching of yoga is that it either glosses over or ignores this essential teaching in favor of a seductive emphasis on optimal health and physical appearance. While these are, of course, radiant by-products of yoga, they were never intended as its exclusive goal.

Thankfully, there is now a gathering movement within the yoga community to take the instruction and practice of yoga beyond these limited goals. It is to illumine and crystallize this movement that we have written "Heart Yoga," which both returns yoga to its ancient roots in the Hindu tradition, and marries it, in very simple and potent ways, to the evolutionary mysticism of other mystical traditions.

The body is an exquisite crystallization of spiritual and psychic forces. This view is corroborated by the latest discoveries of modern physics, which reveal that matter is light-energy. When the body is consciously experienced as concentrated light-energy, it can be profoundly affected, and a wholly new level of dynamic healing and transformation is accessible.

This is not a truth known only to great yogis -- it is actually something that many people have already experienced. Remember those moments when you have felt great bliss, ecstasy or sudden rushes of energy through your body. These may have come to you while deeply connecting with a loved one, listening to great music, being outside in the majesty of nature, in the tender joy after lovemaking, or when you felt at one with all Creation. All these are moments when the essential light-energy of the body and your essential nature as crystallized consciousness are revealed to you. These direct experiences allow you to open to the mystery of the subtle anatomy of the body.

The aim of heart-centered yoga is not only to make the body healthier and more supple. This yoga also creates an open and spacious foundation to receive the direct transforming energies of the divine light consciousness. Eventually every cell can enter into lucid, joyful and constantly regenerative communion with its origin. We are here to embody spirit.

Our prayer for our work, "Heart Yoga," is threefold. First, we hope that it will inspire all those who have already tasted the benefits of yoga for promoting health and well being. May these beings be encouraged to go much deeper into the direct relationship in and through their body with the divine consciousness that resides in every cell, and that is concentrated, as all the mystical traditions tell us, in the heart center.

Secondly, we intend that our vision inspires those seekers who have been discouraged by a purely physical vision of yoga to dive into its authentic healing waters, and to experience the vast spaciousness and all-embracing perspective of yoga.

Thirdly, we pray that "Heart Yoga" will be a wonderful gift to all those who are activists on the front line working peacefully to preserve our world. Through the great stress and demands on their energies, may it keep their hearts, minds, bodies and souls illumined and compassionate.

Through a simple yoga practice connected with the ancient wisdom of mystical tradition, people will find the strength, courage and inspiration so necessary to sustain them through our difficult times.

 

 

 

Comments

[circleseeker1]

06:10 PM on 09/24/2010

I get worried nowadays with all the different and new "Yogas" out there! I have not read this book but just the fact that another book expounding another point of view on Yoga-that had become big business-worries me. If people get inspired, they can search for their answers. There is ancient yoga text they can go to. Not every teacher out there is teaching from the heart center-trust me I know-I live in LA the land of the YOGA STARS! Half of these teachers will take up 15 minutes talking about something that makes no sense at all. I believe this is because they have not had any direct contact of what they are talking about. People can walk the walk, wear the clothes, be vegan et et et but be no more enlightened. I think Spirituality and opening the heart should be authentic-and each journey to that place individual. This posting, as nice as it sounds, reminds me more of a plug for a book then it gives any real info to the reader.

[Andrew Harvey and Karuna Erickson]

04:22 PM on 09/24/2010

Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your thoughtful comment.I agree that the physical practice of yoga has many profound benefits which are not only physical but affect other realms as well, and will lead to exploration of a deeper practice. Our intention was to encourage yoga teachers and students to be curious and investigate the vastness of yoga and its potential for transformation, and to inspire them to experience the many levels on which yoga can be so healing.The practice itself will lead the student deeper...mystical poetry and imagery can accelerate the journey. I'll be interested to hear how you enjoy the Heart Yoga book.
Namaste, Karuna

[mssreader]

01:36 PM on 09/24/2010

I don't know about the divine and mustical aspects of this yoga but I do know that spiritualit was a by product from my yoga from the start. At first it was this precious human body and taking care of it and I studied some Hinduism and that took me to Buddhism where I am a deep cultivator and it is my path. I have yoga to thank for forty plus wonderful years and a deep spiritual life. I have learned how wonderful and yes rare it is to be born as a human being and not to abuse body or mind. That being said, most I know who do yoga do it only for the physical benefits and eat meat and all the other things they used to do which is a pity really. I don't see how one can practice yoga, from a real teacher and not be touched on a deeper level. Heart Yoga sounds like a good start for many.

[Lisa Minn]

11:20 AM on 09/24/2010

I completely agree with your statement, "For yoga to be truly transformative, it needs to return to its ancient roots in a universal mystical vision that celebrates the body as the creation and temple of divine consciousness." However my question is, is it necessary for yoga to be truly transformative? The physical (not referring to the perfectly sculpted yoga butt) and mental benefits of yoga are enormous and it is my belief that offering a style of yoga that emphasizes those benefits can reach a lot more people. Many of the older generation, the fervently religious, the young athletic, the busy mid-lifers and others have no interest in what they perceive as a new age or religious experience but they do want to feel better. For many, the profound effects of a mostly physical practice will spark an interest in a deeper practice. But just offering a positive physical experience and improved peace of mind is a noble goal. So I guess my point is that, yes, yoga teachers should be aware of the divine aspects of yoga but not every class needs talk about a Higher Power in order to shine a light and do some good. But "Heart Yoga" sounds like a great book and I look forward to reading it.

[mssreader]

01:45 PM on 09/24/2010

Lisa, I think you pose a good question for which you should be provided an answer and I'll be anxious for the authors to respond. I agree," just offering a positive physical experience and improved peace of mind is a noble goal". I'd like to see more teachers stress this which is the reason I just practice on my own today as my first teacher moved back east and I haven't found one that comes close to her since. I taught for a while myself and loved teaching and then taught stress reduction and yoga for women at our local jail which is a real experience but I did have one inmate who derived all the benifits I was hoping for her, hers is a wonderful story in itself) which made it all worthwhile. Today I practice alone but miss not being with a class as it's necessary for good discipline.

May I be your first fan.