IntenseDebate - mgindin

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Sure Road to Freedom: ... · 1 reply · +1 points

Thank you so much for taking the time to connect Bob and the kind words. I'm an eclectic grounded in Judaism these days- I teach at a synagogue, am involved in the yoga community, have a Zen teacher and enjoy reading Papal encyclicals!

Speaking of universalists, have you ever read the groundbreaking "comparative theology" work of Francis X Clooney? Worth taking a look on Amazon if you haven't, his work is quite amazing.

Best wishes
Matthew

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Can Spirituality Be Se... · 0 replies · +4 points

Great article.

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - When Does it Stop Bein... · 1 reply · +1 points

Hi Paul

I would recommend something by the late scholar and spiritual activist Georg Feuerstein- he has both a brief and a longer introduction, easy to find and trustworthy.

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - When Does it Stop Bein... · 3 replies · +1 points

Hi Michael

Thanks for your interesting response. Your perspective is indeed in harmomy with the Jnana Yoga path as laid down by Bhagavan Ramana, Shankara, and other great Jnanis.

Just to be clear- the ultimate aim of Hathayoga, according to the Hathayogapradipika, is moksha. The claim is not that asanas lead to moksha, however. If you read the text you will see that the claim is that the full assortment of Hatha practices lead to stillness, and that stillness can be used to attain Samadhi, which here means absorption in the Self/Shiva.
"Hatha is a ladder to climb the heights of Rajayoga," as Svatmarama says early in the text.

I do not currently teach Hathayoga, but I do teach meditation and other spiritual practices, so yes I am a Yoga teacher. In the traditions I teach in enlightenment is not a prerequisite for teaching, and I make no such claims- and am extrememly suspicious of anyone who does.

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - When Does it Stop Bein... · 0 replies · +1 points

I would argue that it has to do with intentions, David. Physical health can support spiritual health (but is not necessary for it) and spiritual health promotes physical health (but doesn't necessarily succeed). Ayurvedic practices aim at health, and can be done in a way that supports spiritual awakening. Yoga is a discipline taken on for the sake of spiritual awakening. Not every health practice supports, much less produces, spiritual awakening, however. One can be extremely physically fit and healthy and not interested in Yoga at all.

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - When Does it Stop Bein... · 0 replies · +1 points

Hi Ramani

You are right about the Hatha Yoga Pradipika mentioning some Ayurveda, and I think some other older Yoga texts do too- my assumption there is that if Hathayoha texts mention some Ayurvedic applications of their practices then Ayurvedic doctors would also be likely to know about them. The first evidence I am personally aware of comes from Krishnamacarya, who used asanas and pranayama Ayurvedically- he is said to have been a great healer and had a healing practice as well as teaching Yoga and Vedic knowledge. David Frawley teaches HathaYogic practices Ayurvedically, and believes that to have been part of traditional Ayurveda.
Thanks for the comment and question
Matthew

13 years ago @ http://zeek.forward.com/ - ZEEK: Articles: Hasidi... · 0 replies · +1 points

I disagree with Michaelson's general conclusion here, as well as many of the particulars of his argument. I've posted a detailed critical response at my blog, available here:
http://mgindin.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/affirmati...

L'shalom
Matthew

13 years ago @ Jewish Daily Forward - Gay and Orthodox: And ... · 0 replies · +1 points

Has v'shalom you or anyone else should suggest that homosexual Jews "seperate themselves". This is a complex issue, and at the very least those struggling with it need to be welcomed and treated with compassion and respect. Also you yourself should be treated with compassion and respect, and I'm sorry to see some of the very hostile or mocking comments here, which accomplish nothing.

13 years ago @ Buddhist Geeks : Disco... - A Difficult Pill: The ... · 0 replies · +1 points

good source on this Jane:
http://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh150.pdf

13 years ago @ Buddhist Geeks : Disco... - A Difficult Pill: The ... · 0 replies · +1 points

Good point about "consolation" for the ego. It's funny that some object to reincarnation as being mere consolation when the traditions that believe in it take as their supreme goal escape from it!

@ Buddhist atheist re: no evidence. Have you read Dr. Stevenson, "17 Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation"?

One point I would like to make: the main "evidence" for rebirth is the meditative experiences of Buddhist contemplatives. These contemplatives, in many cases, are people with less greed, hatred and delusion then me. So at the very least I take what they say seriously and would not dismiss it. As some others here I have had experiences myself which do not fit the scientific materialist paradigm. The funny thing is if you yourself have had these compelling experiences and failed to explain them away to fit a mainstream worldview then all the supposedly rationalist explanations in the world don't mean much.

To those who want to test whether rebirth exists: follow the Buddha's method. Attain the four jhanas and attempt to direct your mind to the recollection of past lives. The Buddha's claim is that in many cases this can lead to recollections. That's the real test.

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