From the best comment ever department:
I just discovered your website last night then today saw the story on the “most meaningful moment of the oscars”. At that point I had to reject your site as having nothing to do with actual yoga.
Yoga calls for the regulation of the senses, above all the tongue and the genitals. The genitals are to be used in the ultimate sense for procreation. Homosexual sex has nothing to do with this whatsoever.
A yogi seeks their love in the absolute. Not in so called “love affairs” of this world. There are so many reasons why homosexual activity is rejected by true yogis that it is hard to know where to begin.
I hope that not too many innocent people are confused and persuaded by your pop culture, hedonistic brand of so-called yoga.
My reply:
Dear Brad,
Whether or not yoga forbids homosexuality is, to my mind, about as relevant as whether or not the Bible forbids homosexuality: Not. At. All.
The basic issue, I would hope you agree, is not about genitalia, but about every single human being being fundamentally good and possessed of basic human rights, such as the right to wed in matrimony (and divorce, but that’s another story).
Anyway—thanks for the comment, and feel free to write an article for us expanding on your true understanding of yoga (which, up to 50 years ago, didn’t allow women to practice).
PS: this whole discussion is only slightly sillier than the recent Fatwa declared on…yoga!
Founder of elephant magazine (founded: 2002, went national as indie magazine, & successfully transitioned online in 2009 [because mainstream magazine distribution is wildly inefficient from an eco-responsible point of view]) is dedicated to "bringing together those working (and playing) to create enlightened society." It's about anything that helps us to live a good life that's also good for others, and our planet. elephantjournal.com (named Top 10 in the US by over 40 sites) and host of "Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis," a national “top ten ‘green’ video blog," Waylon was born in Boulder, Colorado, raised at a Buddhist meditation retreat in Vermont, graduated from Boston University’s top-ranked magazine journalism school; and is a top columnist for Huffington Post, daily bike commuter, workaholic, mediocre climber & best friend of Redford (a rescue hound). His goals in life: to take a long bath tonight with Dwell, The Sunday NY Times, The New Yorker & a glass of Talisker with one ice cube; publish a best-selling novel (and get filthy rich); have 12 red-headed chil'n (and only one wife); run for President (and lose) & have fun all along the way. ~~~ founder: elephantjournal.com | host: Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis. Ft. on 20 sites, incl. Huffington Post. ~ 200,000 unique visitors/month: Google Analytics. ~ Treehugger: Reader's Choice "Eco Ambassador in Culture & Celebrity" + 2010 "Changemaker" ~ Discovery Network's Planet Green: "Green Hero" ~ Shambhala Sun: "Prominent Buddhist" ~ Naturally Boulder: "'07 Entrepreneur of Year" ~ 5280 Magazine: "Top Single '09" ~ MNN: Top 10 US Green Video Blog ~ Beliefnet: Top 10 Buddhist Blog ~ Shorty Awards: #1 Green Twitter in US ~~~ To connect:
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Good response Waylon. Unbelievable, really. It would be a really lonely world if we were all to be seperated as people like this wish.
wow. to declare such dogma as "yoga" is not giving homage to the innate nature of the word. it's sound. and it's power. the minute my yoga practice (simple existence of oneness) is turned into a religion, it is the moment i check out. still, in my current state of yoga, i accept the craziest of "beliefs" as relevant and entitled. wish that could be the same for mr. brad.
word waylon.
bless up!
There must be 6.7 billion sexualities and counting on this wet rock! If I were the expanded consciousness of the entire universe the one thing I would not know is how to think and feel like a brad, or a waylon, angela, milo. finite containers for the uncontainable. ante up shaktis, shiva wants some 411!
I've been celibate for long periods of time. I also live in a body that is nourished by physical touch and companionship. Both can be practices of yoga – both bring me blessings and lessons, and if I'm truly practicing, lead me to freedom and peace.
Renunciation doesn't really have anything to do with the outer world or our involvement in it. Though it can be a handy way to trick the mind (giving up the outer comforts, addictions and the like), true renunciation (withdrawal of the senses, etc…) is an inner, mental state of detachment that is ultimately independent of circumstance. When inner renunciation is achieved, the outer world (and our involvement in it!) is pure freedom. I can engage without becoming entangled, I can love anybody (unconditionally, selflessly!), I can possess possessions without being possessed (or obsessed) by them…
It might be noted, as a humorous side-note, that in several classic yogic texts (including the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Shiva Samhita), there are explicit sexual practices for the purpose of yoga practice (for the cultivation of Shakti kundalini, etc…) that specifically engage the genitals. Hahaha!!!
Sat Chit Ananda…
I posted a somewhat altered version here…please comment and support, the more comments they get, the more they might show off this article on the huge Huffington Post site.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/waylon-lewis/yoga-f...
[...] form. So which are you, hedonistic heathen or forbidding puritan? Clearly it’s cut and dry. [elephantjournal] [Huffington [...]