There is no doubt that yoga philosophy has been an oral tradition passed on for thousands of years in India. Its relevance today is more significant as majority of people are living a sedentary lifestyle. There are thousands of yoga teachers in the western hemisphere. Due to its health benefits more and more people are seeing it as a powerful ally to the medical care system; yet, closed mindedness or prejudice of church authorities who have labeled yoga as a mystical religion, prevent many from its miraculous health benefits.
Relevance of Traditional Knowledge Systems in the Information Age
Hardeepak Bassi
Yoga : There is no doubt that yoga philosophy has been an oral tradition passed on for thousands of years in India. Its relevance today is more significant as majority of people are living a sedentary lifestyle. There are thousands of yoga teachers in the western hemisphere. Due to its health benefits more and more people are seeing it as a powerful ally to the medical care system; yet, closed mindedness or prejudice of church authorities who have labeled yoga as a mystical religion, prevent many from its miraculous health benefits. It remains a minor part of mainstream physio-therapy program recommended by very few medical doctors. Being a yoga teacher, I have seen amazing benefits of yoga first hand in my students with illnesses such as : anxiety attacks, OCD, infertility, prostate, diabetes, insomnia, migraine headaches, eating disorders, anger management, substance abuse etc. etc.
Astrology : Whether we look at Jyotish ( Vedic ) or Western, Chinese and Mayan astrology, all these are rooted in pre-historic cultures. Origin of these knowledge systems is controversial. Due to ignorance and improper regulation by governments and education boards, we have a situation around the world where most people see astrology as a superstition of bygone era ! Add to that past persecution of its practitioners by so called religions of love and peace during middle ages, astrological education remained vastly occult or hidden. Unless we give this sacred art and science its proper place in society, we may not see whole lot of spiritual progress in our young people. To practice astrology is to respect creation in its all shape and form; this is foundation of a healthy lifestyle I am a professional astrologer and served as executive member of Astrology Toronto Inc. ( ATI ) in Toronto, Canada from 1992 - 1994. ATI is a non-profit organization that promotes public awareness of astrology through its Monday night lecture series.
Both yoga and astrology are self-empowerment and self-realization tools helping human soul to defeat easily five proverbial enemies : lust, anger, greed, attachment and arrogance. I feel that most institutions are threatened by the extreme nature of benefits drawn from these without involving capitalist ideology. Hospitals are going to see very few chronic illnesses and merely reduced to emergency care. Religious priests would no longer get away with lies when majority is enlightened and empowered. We may do away with bureaucracy and run our planet more efficiently by being more peaceful and honest with each other - a natural side-effect of yoga and astrology practice. Many health and service related industries may simply disappear ! Know that such society could only exist if it is truly founded on Sanatana Dharma. "Paropakaram hitam sareeram" may not be a priority of those in power right now; however, we shall prevail as our roots are much deeper and stronger.
Copyright © H. Bassi 2006
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