Article from Bindu no 1
On Preconceptions and Perspectives about Yoga
It is now 1980 (revised 2008), ten (40) years since we began our work here in Northern Europe, and many years since the last issue of Bindu was published in Danish. After that pause, we once again resort to the written word, and this time also the English word, with the target of presenting a valuable and highly necessary scientific system of unity and harmony in mind and body – which is the foundation for being able to rest in consciousness.
Here we do not distinguish between higher or lower consciousness. We tend to know that concerning consciousness there is only one and everything else is built upon delusion and illusion.
To divide consciousness into parts is to us as fruitless as dividing life into work and play, sacred and profane, experiencing and creating. Such a partitioning of everything in life can be compared with the folktale that girl fairies have no back. So, if you see them from behind, you see nothing!
With this magazine we shall constantly attempt to spread light where fear, prejudice and misunderstanding cast their shadows. Without ignoring for one second the risk of forgetting ourselves!
Can one presume like some do, because of ignorance or in spite of their vast knowledge, that when one works to realize oneself and therefore sits still with closed or open eyes; stretches or bends the body in different "body-limbering" practices, as an Olympic athlete put it in a radio interview; or if one decides to stabilize the mind's energy through life-giving breathing exercises, one can seriously expect to get lost in introspective brooding? In that case one has not understood a bit! But only convinced oneself that one knows a method that should make it easier to forget oneself?!
... or easier to sleep life away?! To be self-centered or anxious?!
– And would someone perhaps believe that we, as active people – who dare act rather than cling to ideas about: ”what would happen if…“ – should, in our outward directed enterprises, work ourselves into oblivion and not be present in all our doings? And that this oblivion should be more important to us than our own intelligence, yes, even our own life? And finally, that we should follow local or strange customs and rituals, carry about with us billboards, photographs and special distinctions, as a proof that we are something other than what we really are - namely ourselves?
Such questions we must answer with a definite "No, it is not like this!" – adding also that everything we do, we do because we choose to do just that, and if because of our limitations we give reason for misunderstanding, so much greater the reason for constantly re-establishing understanding, inspiration, and unity.
And that is just precisely what we intend to do - through information, discussion and reflection – remove the misty veil which distorts our conceptions of life, which create faintheartedness and fear. We intend to see through this veil by coming forward and saying that we prefer to choose courage and confidence, that we dare feel one with ourselves, and the life we live, exactly where we live it.
As in the earlier issues of Bindu, we will continue to go deeper into that art and science of life which is called yoga. And we will do this by showing different sides of the subject:
- Scientific articles and investigations into the reaction of the body and mind to different practices and methods.
- Our on-going review of yoga in earlier cultures and in societies other than the eastern whatever that means.
- Naturally, we will also investigate the Indian tradition of yoga, both for inspiration and reflection, so that we can penetrate the real meaning of mythology, and understand the background for the explanations and symbols which were used in that culture. We are not afraid of being converted by our brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe or anywhere else in the world. Within this same subject area, we will also print things, which are so strong and vitally expressed that if they are not understood or experienced, well, then they will provoke.
- We will continue to account for our views, and attempt to see through all that is demagogic and suggestive, and find out what is original and truly works as we wish it to: A prophet is known by his fruits, Jesus said, and, we may add, so is a method. We will use that which gives us initiative, enthusiasm and commitment, and at the same time peace. But it must happen on our own terms, as everyone has their own path and way of looking at life. It is us who now have need of this tool in our culture, first and foremost as a science of becoming whole, and later as a creative tool.
- We will therefore, in the future issues of Bindu, continue to investigate the use of yoga, its different exercises and methods as well as their effects.
- And we will continue to guide in the different possibilities for reaching the meditative state.
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