Why "Islam" is the current King of Yoga
(image via ChatGPT)
That is, just as enlightenment is just perception / realization of non separation due a perception of not being a separating therefore judging therefore desiring therefore suffering ego self (especially as body-mind) meaning increasingly perceiving oneself as non separate therefore non desiring therefore non suffering Self (more accurately non self i.e. a god or avatar or buddha or slave or channel or link or vessel or vehicle or instrument) ...
I took it up back up at the end of last year after leaving it since late teenagehood, not that i was serious about it since childhood; it was more like - may I add a terribly boring & literally meaningless - routine (that i slacked incredibly with) that had practically no good sample practitioners, and so-called teachers and guardians had me memorize and repeat at prescribed times, without explaining anything, not even the Quran itself (although its Shari'a / Dharma was somewhat sometimes mentioned).
A teacher (starting at Imam being same rank as Priest / Qess / Sensei / Siheng / Guru / Kru / Saya / Lama etc.) is supposed to have knowledge (lots of it), the ability to transfer it (explain), and preferably also conviction in it in order to inspire, just like anyone who sells a product should not only know about it, but also genuinely believe in it.
Well aside from being inspired by a passionate foreign aspirant - who by the way is a Christian-born non-Arab-mother-tongue (nor even Arab) intellectual ( šØ ), well-grounded ( š ), & therefore intuitive globe-trotter who travels virtually without money or even planning for transport, food, or accommodation - is this:
1) it is the last major method, although pretty old therefore still lost in interpretation (and translation) at 7th century AD (over 13 centuries ago). This is especially due to language changes due to the long duration since the method was spread, and perception changes due to (seemingly) increasing distance from Ultimate due to an increasingly unnatural life, therefore also increasingly subtle demon AKA asura influence aside from misrepresentation due to lower-desire (or sense attachment; yes even religion can be taken too literally & purely sense-wise by the human-animal) caused politics.
When it comes to perception: as time went by and opportunities for survival and especially pleasure increased (thanks to technology misuse) our perception of ourselves therefore of the world therefore of God became increasingly dense therefore separate therefore He (inner masculine within outer feminine) seemed to be increasingly separate for we see things as we are, not as they are.
Therefore, monotheistic religions such as Islam were required to prevent excess strife as to the one true god / diety to worship or follow & pay allegiance to (š§water element, which is the main element of these times).
However, a lot of time has gone by since and our perception dropped - yet again! - therefore has become even more dense (therefore superficial), so even for most so called Muslims, Allah himself as representation as One has become separate anyway. So for most so called Muslims, they do not worship the egoless Divine beyond mind therefore illusion of separation therefore knowledge of the senses or even thoughts, but just another separate identifiable diety with a meaningless name (99 actually) & even more meaningless idol (err direction), so just another seemingly separate part of nature yet again. This is a perfect blend of infidelity and hypocrisy.
However, it still appears to remain the most suitable for this age where faith has dwindled, bodies have weakened, and minds have dumbed..ed; see?
2) it is widely available where I reside (mosques, books, community, imams, sermons etc.), currently the UAE. Not that it is an opportunity to freeload, although it is not free to reside here especially as foreigner, despite being born & raised & even owning property here i still got no permanent residency (therefore must pay to renew visa every decade at least).
I finally do not need to struggle to find a temple, dojo, training partner, or even Teacher. I simply read the translation and explanation of what I regard as an Alim AKA Sadhguru / Pope / Rabbi / Dalai Lama / Soke / Dai Sifu / Ajarn named Abdullah Yusuf Ali who also knows excerpts from the Bible which includes Old Testament also known as Torah aside from the Gospels, and even Shakespear's works.
Spirituality (other than local therefore government sponsored Islam) tends to be far too commercial especially where I reside: Dubai. No one really takes it seriously anyway, including its so called teachers, who for the most part tend to be worldly (either survival or pleasure based, or both), obnoxious, aggressive (one of them seriously injured me in the wrist, and EYE), or immature (leading to - possibly fatal - injury) and either "teach" it for money or as hobby. For the majority: they try to make money out of anything, and - albeit a minority - some of it required it in advance (yes before attendance even): be it through uniform, curriculum (yes just the training plan itself), rank, technique / word SEQUENCE (yes they put them together as a set; that way there is more to sell), and even certificates.
Thanks to lower desires i.e. instincts (including sense attachment let alone desire), spirituality has generally become a major money making scheme, therefore trap people into a self-righteous holier-than-thou form-affixiated method (even strain) without customizing it - nor physically nor mentally nor even spiritually - let alone explain it for the unique individual. Usually it's a means just to socialize (like a club), therefore satisfying students' pleasure instincts (aided by helping them look good by getting fit and/or show off and compete) and "teacher" survival (therefore pleasure too) instincts by helping them make money (lots of it).
I even was encouraged to do material exchange (i.e. money, aside from the health & fitness influence, knowledge, & supplies i got) for my former Hinduism based Guru in Sharjah despite all the weekly distance (besides seva / service, which I also did) who came all the way from Kerala, and that was not even commercial to begin with!
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| (This is actually a temple in Abu Dhabi called BAPS Mandir, the first fully stone temple in the Middle East. Pretty awesome actually) |
However his temple costs was cleverly minimized as it was secret because one would have to pay licensing & probably related certification fees and so on (that would aid in commercializing it), and was near to Etihad (meaning Union) Square; that (aside from the wonderful spiritual & otherwise experiences) brought tears (of joy) to my eyes.
He was the best Guru (again, same rank as Imam) I had mostly because was honest to the level of self-sacrifice because he gave the knowledge suitable (and required by) for me without asking (but to some extent later expecting some return, but more so as dharma) anything in return even if it meant losing me as student, and I in turn refused to leave him or his temple because I saw them as the greatest example and influence - and spiritual battery recharger i.e. sanctuary / resort - one can possibly have.
Also, believe it or not, and probably for the first time ever, he - along with most his students - were open-minded, which means they did not see their method as better than others' ("different bottle same fine wine"), and even encouraged me to stick to whatever method I was practicing, including my birth method! That is because some Teachers (albeit few) understand the underlying concepts of their method(s), therefore all methods.
By the way, my mother tongue also happens to be Arabic :D Which means I cannot really quite get deceived (intentionally or not) through incorrect translation.
3) Islam means surrender (desire), which more clearly explains meditation as the act of measuring / being aware (without desire) of body-mind ego-self in descendingly dense elements (earth š: awareness over the senses and tendency to fear death & poverty via survival instinct therefore greed therefore hoarding & lying & stealing etc., waterš§: awareness over memory & beauty of art and tendency to follow pleasure instincts therefore gluttony, lust, & society without awareness therefore understanding, fire š„: awareness over physical pain and tendency to control & subjugate therefore anger & violence, and finally air šØ : awareness over mental pain and the tendency to doubt, think, & scheme).
It is therefore not limited to what we call meditation as the act of sitting in silence whilst observing the senses, ignoring all thoughts like unwelcomed (nor welcomed) guests, which is albeit also valid and much admired as it mixes š„ fire (physical endurance) & š earth (austerity renunciation) elements, which are the highest two in descending order. It was also said to be The Lord / Allah / Shiva (at that time was Shankar meaning Destroyer (of illusions, even if he had to resort to eliminate selfishness by combatting wrong doers), nevertheless probably the greatest Self realized god / avatar of all time) main method.
Above / on the left: observe the trident of the gods / avatars representing union of outer feminine manifest (body-mind with masculine earth & fire Pingala and feminine water & air Ida channels) with inner masculine unmanifest (soul / Sushumna channel). The black Shiva Lingam symbol represents same thing: outer feminine manifest Shakti as yoni / vagina & inner masculine unmanifest Shiva as phallus / penis. Also notice the open left hand upwards representing free inner masculine unmanifest merging with bonded outer feminine manifest as the closed right hand downwards. Notice the rising of Kundalini Shakti represented as awakened serpent. The crescent on the head; it is the same main symbol used in Islam implying the Great Unknown. Notice the diety above with 4 arms which represent Higher Self holding (left to right) 4 objects: discus (šØ) & conch (š), mace (š„) & lotus-flower (š§).
Finally, notice the wearing of tiger skin implying conquering animal instincts (although he may have had to resort to hunting at that time; we were afterall probably hunter (of animals) gatherers (of fruit) long before agriculture was discovered). By the way meat (in fact any food) is only halal (accepted) for sustenance (as necessity) obviously not for pleasure, while fruits & vegetables are preferred; this is proven by Quran. Logically (by the way the Quran condones using brain humans are endowed with, as opposed to animals that basically act only on instinct), plant food (especially fruit especially fresh especially organic) is more natural (closer to the non instinct-driven non thought-based elements) therefore closer (in perception) to Allah.
4) its idol err direction of worship is the black (as in unknown) Kaaba, which comes from mokka'ab meaning cube (see below at consciousness in geometry), which is the symbol of š earth element. It also happens to be at the muladhara (š) of the earth-body (therefore at its center), as opposed to Jerusalem being at its 3rd eye / soul, which was actually its previous Qiblah (direction of worship).
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š Earth element (austerity & non sense nor thought fulfilment via neutral awareness over the senses) is of the highest and least painful paths towards Yoga / Union (with Allah). This is also the most lacking element these days, and as you can see too many people have become ungrounded (unaware of their senses therefore environment) due to the lack of austerity due to excess of sense (and therefore thought - albeit shallow - as well) stimulation thanks to yet again.. technology misuse. People cannot really read anymore due to lack of attention span let alone discipline.
You can prove this with the predominant ā„ļø red color (earth frequency) used for carpets and (striped) ghutras (AKA shmagh which are scarves worn over the head), and even long beards all of which aid in sense-restraint, humility, and connection to earth. This is just like long - especially if tightly tied at the Bindu especially if upwards pointing as the case with the Samurai - hair aids in connection with air therefore especially with intuition. In fact, the combination of both š earth and šØ air is best to aid with activating intuition therefore connection to Allah.
Afterall, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known to wear a ring only on his pinky / smallest finger, which represents the element of simplicity: earth š.
He held no wealth, yet he was the most generous of hearts.
He did not dwell in a palace, yet he lived as the king of hearts.
He had no vast armies, yet empires trembled at hearing his name.
He was buried in simplicity, yet his light continues to guide us.
He had no promises of riches, yet he is the treasure of our lives.
He ruled no lands, yet millions called him the messenger of Allah.
He wore no crown, yet his character was the crown of humanity.
5) It has a remarkably intricate mix of feminine & masculine elements, especially internal / right hand path of masculine-element & feminine-falling-manifest earth š with feminine-element & masculine-rising-unmanifest air šØ, primarily proven by the Quran's emphasis on them such as Ayat Al Kursi (Sign of the Throne; throne implying pineal gland of the crown chakra) in which are mentioned twice, in just a single sign.
The right hand might also be preferred to encourage inner purity which is affected by outer purity through clean blood (more prominent in arteries which are on the right), and pre agreed disposition to keep right hand clear of dirt (especially fecal matter) by using left for toilet related matters.
Right hand path deals with pleasure instinct, and being the more philosophical / intellectual path, tends to be the most talked about, but dealing with survival instinct therefore lack therefore fear based behaviours (which also causes the tendency to be unnatural through stealing, lying, killing, nepotism, carnism, etc.) is also important. Survival however is less important especially in this day of age (thanks to constant sense bombardment).
This is done through the methods of prayer and reading of the Quran, latter usually done after prayer especially in order to remember & understand the Dharma / Shari'a excerpts recited during prayer. The Quran condones forgiveness as charity a little more than returning an eye for an eye (vengeance) including for not following Shari'a / Dharma especially after repentance. Forgiveness is afterall 100% selfish; it causes less suffering as it is the antidote of the hate poison. In other words: it is the ability not to resort to burning one's house to kill a a rat, but ironically, that is not easy to do. Afterall the right hand path is the highest because it is the least worldly therefore the least suffering. Charity is ultimately based on overlooking others' faults (therefore give anyway, which is where the word forgive comes from); it is up to receivers to ascend, best of all by giving back (to society if not to the giver).
Vengeance however is also fine but as per the external / left hand path as preached also by the Quran, should be done not out of hate & spitefulness, but for Justice and enforcing Shari'a / Dharma (the highest worldly desire, lesser however than desire for Liberation, but still aids - greatly so - with it because of š„ fire element union, the element of sacrifice through action).
Therefore, it actually also is to some extent even left hand path, because of š§ water element (feminine-element & feminine-falling-manifest: prostration / bowing, and art such as beautiful chanting, rhyming, calligraphy, & architecture), along with š„ fire element (masculine-element & masculine-rising-unmanifest: movement, bowing with physical-pain such as reaching for the knees, and ground-sitting with related postures), also done at same time.
By the way during sitting: left foot should be over right because it represents inner unmanifest masculine (soul) being higher (frequency) than the outer manifest feminine (body-mind). Yes just as the Bagua of Taoism shows the left to be the Yang / masculine unmanifest, veins (especially jugular) which happen to be on the left are closer & deeper.
Also, left should be closer to body when standing because of the same concept. The hands for men should be at solar to strengthen masculine š„ fire element, while for women should be at breast to strengthen feminine š¬ļø air element. I myself like to make the shape of Star of David with my hands which represents heart chakra, the exact center between the 3 lower manifest / outer elements and the 3 higher unmanifest / inner elements. Heart chakra is also where Sruti / Shin-den (Spirit transfer) where experience of Union (with Allah) happens.
Its standing prayer gestures (mudra / kuji) & postures (asana / kamae) even represent union of inner masculine unmanifest with outer feminine manifest. Inner masculine unmanifest is represented by hands' placement at the temple / next to ears representing soul / 3rd eye chakra & possibly Spirit / crown chakra. Outer feminine manifest is represented by hands' placement at the chest representing mind of feminine air chakra (š¬ļø) for women and masculine fire chakra (š„) for men, while hands at the knees representing body of earth chakra (š) & possibly even water chakra (š§).
This same trinity is expressed during the 3-count wash for each chosen body part during pre-prayer ablution, each with a chant / mantra / shingon that aids in Union. The primarily emphasis is on physical cleanliness which aids with mental purification because physical affects mental through mirroring, but if one is already clean after taking a shower, then the ablution (preferably with its visualization) chants will suffice.
It is afterall a religion of flexibility because even if water is not available, then one can use sand (called tayammom), and otherwise just visualization will suffice. The same goes for prayer: if one is too tired then one can visualize it instead.
In fact, š„ fire element is condoned with the term Sunnah (not to be confused with divide & conquer strategy driven Sunni strain, although many associate it with the prophet as he was remarkably diligent & enduring) meaning extra effort with acts such as waking up earlier than day-break, sitting on floor (albeit carpeted), eating with fingers, and performing added prayers.
When it comes to dress colors: men wear white representing masculine inner unmanifest while women wear black representing outer feminine manifest, which is primarily why marriage is condoned as Sunnah: to aid in union (therefore with Allah). Vama (left hand path) Tantra (body expansion) seems to be represented within Islam itself! Also, the male uniform named kandora / dishdasha (which also encourages cleanliness same as Japanese hakama & Indian dotti) with its head gear named ghutra / shmagh & igal is designed wonderfully to mix feminine as circular (and black to some extent) with masculine (and mostly white) as linear perfectly equally.
Ironically, white represents all elements as known light (manifest) which everything is made of (Shakti / samsara / maaya / donya), while black represents no elements as unknown dark (unmanifest) which is within everything (Shiva / Allah).
When it comes to mosque: it unites the inner masculine unmanifest as linear minaret with outer feminine manifest as circular qobba (dome). Same thing goes with the symbol of Islam: crescent represents unknown masculine inner unmanifest while 5 pointed star represents known feminine outer manifest (5 elements of body-mind).
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Did you know they often also mix the colors red and green? Red ā„ļø (frequency of š) is used especially in indicating (w)athan (call to prayer) time which represents feminine manifest (this time as body). Green š (frequency of šØ) is used especially in indicating iqama (prayer time) which represents masculine unmanifest (this time as mind).
Another thing I found remarkable is that the 33 chants / mantra / shingon done after prayers, especially the most critical feminine dark to masculine light sunrise and masculine light to feminine dark sunset supplemented with 33-bead rosaries.
These 33 chants are done with the 3 main glorification phrases ("glory be to Allah", "thanks be to Allah", "Allah is Greatest") done 33 times each to a total of 99 (number of names / attributes of Allah), although counting can be done solely with the 5 fingers of one single hand (5 one way, 5 the reverse way, repeat 3 times, wrap up with 3 more finger counts). During the counting, one can practice deep conscious breathing / pranayama / kokyo.
33 represents the 33 vertebrae where the Kundalini Shakti needs to rise for Awakening (Enlightenment therefore Return / Liberation). 9 is also a special number as it represents Rebirth (of Spirit) therefore Death (of ego) therefore status of Sheikh (from Shekam meaning pouring of Light over the head / removing of darkness), even though the number 7 is usually used for the 7 heavens in accordance with 7 main chakras / elements / energy-centers.
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| ( The 3 main phrases; by the way this was Imam Ali's sword named Thulfaqir (that with split). I sell swords FYI ) |
This is only 3 of the - specifically prayer - supplications. You can find more (including for morning / evening) here. Notice the subtle use of red (š) and green (šØ) here too!
š„ Fire element is also shown through its emphasis on sacrifice through charity, which can be material (e.g. food or money for the deserving i.e. non lazy) or immaterial (e.g. skill, knowledge, comfort, wellbeing, or even life). Yes immaterial includes fighting and/or sacrificing one's comfort, wellbeing, or even life for a Higher cause; latter named jihad / martyrism, which is the absolute highest spiritual practice. Also, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage (the other 3 pillars besides prayer) are all predominantly š„ fire element.
Therefore, it has a wonderful balance of all elements, but yes mostly š earth & šØ air as prayer and reading of the Shari'a / Dharma through the Quran play the major part. However, š„ fire element is also greatly encouraged (as Sunnah), just like The Lord / Allah / Shiva (through Krishna through the Bhagavat Gita) did, the highest path / element of Liberation.
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6) Jesus is actually the same spirit of Gabriel as indicated in the Quran. Therefore, Jesus is Gabriel reincarnate, and that is the last major avatar / link to Divine. The word God actually comes from Gudan from Guton (avatar) from Gotum (large pot) where avatars were placed after achieving samadhi / integration / moksha / liberation. God as we refer to is unknowable (only experience-able, by Heart š) because He is beyond mind where separation therefore expression exists.
Notice the picture of Jesus gliding / walking on water above. Gliding literally means to move without resistance (due to non attachment to any outcome), in relation to emotions (energy in motion and the frequency of water due to problems & experiences due to thoughts due to desires) therefore realizing to be less dense i.e. less of a sluggish (stuck) dark dense particle (dualism therefore duality of yin / shakti / manifest / jasad) & more of a breezy (effortless) light free wave (non dualism therefore non duality of yang / shiva / unmanifest / rooh) therefore realize to be One with All. This is related to manifestation (check Element 8).
7) Last but not least, I personally lack š§ water element (contrary to my Pisces astrology sign lol), and Islam includes lots of š§ water element because of its prominent chanting & especially prostration & bowing which implies following / obeying / requesting forgiveness, just like water in how it follows the shape of its vessel or path.
I am actually weakest at being follower / adapter / social, but am especially bad at memorizing and therefore remembering. Therefore, I really really REALLY needed this method, very very VERY badly. Although honestly, it has a lot to do with how one practices ANY method, because of the emphasis one can place on any element during practice.
Well, that is aside from the fact that the Torah (thanks to occupation therefore exile of the Israelites by Babylonians then occupation by Greeks then Romans) then Gospel (again due to Roman occupation but mostly lack of clear & unified documentation due to being by more than one disciple, a long time after being taught) have been greatly lost therefore restored through prophet Muhammad, supposedly the last Messenger of this world, which the world needed because of being too dense / gross for dieties (non-physical / astral beings) such as archangel Gabriel.
This has been done through the Quran, which contains the same Shari'a / Dharma since Sanatana Dharma as proven by Rumi and his Masunavi's sayings of union (meaning of Yoga) of (outer feminine) soul with (inner masculine) Allah / Great Unknown to fully remove separation illusion through any ego self identification therefore Liberation.
However, one's enlightenment (therefore Liberation / Return / Union) still remains personal. That is, it is mostly up to one's effort through sadhana (discipline training) through spiritual practice (can be entirely through one's work, but preferably not so these days due to being unnatural & especially difficult to constantly š„ sacrifice) therefore interpretation & perception.
Also, there is no universal prescription for each individual as we are all different. Each and every person is unique in their knowledge, and other (character) elements by birth planet, inherited genes, experience, practice, geographical, and chronological circumstance, and even spiritual level (perception).
Some more worldly ones may need a clearer representation than The Supreme Unmanifest represented as Allah represented by the Kaaba, the house of Allah reportedly built / restored by Abraham, who was so pious & pure that was probably a Self realized god / avatar / buddha / Slave (therefore His house).
Abraham after all was the ancestor of a line of priests: Imran & Hannah (Anna / Anne) who gave birth Aaron (Haroon) & virgin Mariam / Mary who gave birth to Jesus via archangel Gabriel's miracle. Jesus (Eesa) was baptized by Yahya / John the Baptist, son of Zakariah & Elizabeth (daughter of Aaron).
Below is the Kaaba, which by the way has same Shiva Lingam design when seen from above.
As I learned from other methods such as so called Hinduism (a term given by occupying white skin i.e. British for those who inhabited the Indus river area, who supposedly followed Sanatana Dharma), gods / avatars (aside from realizing not be separate ego-selves or individuals) are parts of same Whole just as icebergs are parts of same Ocean when frozen / slowed down in time. In other words, we think we are separate dark particles (yin / shakti / jasad / manifest) as opposed to connected light waves (yang / shiva / rooh / unmanifest) because of lack of surrender to emotions (energy in motion) when intercepted by thoughts (of manifestation). Also, each avatar holds a trait(s) / name(s) of Allah (amongst the 99).
In other words, our perception of separation is determined by our level of consciousness: less conscious means more dense means lower perception therefore more ego / separation therefore more selfishness therefore denser desires: senses to thoughts to (usually) written Shari'a / Dharma (via senses via Scripture) to understood Shari'a / Dharma (usually via thoughts nowadays preferably with the aid of Scripture, increasingly deeply & intellectually) to felt Shari'a / Dharma via intuition then to absolute center / middle / straight way / non desire to Liberation. In other words: superficial to questioning to deep to center / straight / middle way to understanding / Enlightenment (due to unresisted emotions therefore more clearly seeing oneself as undisturbed light waves / yang / shiva / rooh) to no way / Liberation.
Therefore, Monotheism / Polytheism / Paganism / Pantheism / Atheism / Anytheism if practiced properly and with the right intent can all lead to same expedited & less painful Return / Liberation.
Especially as Sanatana Dharma's Bhagavat Gita mentions, each (seemingly separate) individual can choose a path(s) (preferably starting with the dominant element(s)), but the method named Islam balances them wonderfully and as per the limitations of our times, as long as it is practiced properly and with the right intent.
Yes, prayer is not an obligation due to fear from hell (survival instinct) nor even lust for heaven (pleasure instinct) but a spiritual practice out of detachment (due to suffering of the senses) and intent / aspiration (for Liberation). Therefore faith in Allah (to surrender desires to) should follow detachment (especially from the senses, even in relation to the method itself, otherwise drive others away from it, and distance - your perception - from Allah even more) & intent / aspiration (to be Liberated), because a prayer without concentration (masculine š earth element) preferably paired with intellect (feminine šØ air element) does not bring one ('s perception) Closer (to Allah), as currently preached. You can prove this with the intent before every prayer: "I intend this prayer in closeness (of perception) to Allah".
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