Dualism Rampant in Modern Yoga

     It is ironic that a practice such as yoga posture practice which was initially intended as way to unveil the unity underlying all phenomena so often derails into a practice that reinforces ones ego and sense of separation.  Though often well intentioned and sometimes not, the modern application of yoga posture principles has devolved away from the recognition of unity.  There are probably many reasons for this.  Perhaps the most influential one is our unfamiliarity with unity.  Because by far most of us live in a dualistic framework, we are unaccustomed to knowing and often unable to know the difference between unity and duality.  Speaking about or knowing intellectually, as with many subjects, comes easily in yoga.  Embodying and living the subject matter is quite different.
     Most Yoga instructors today will recognize Patanjali as a foundational source for what is now known about yoga posture practice.  However, it is clear from the commentaries written since the time of Patanjali that interpretation quickly moved away from the unity pointed to by Patanjali towards duality instead.  The grasping tendency so common to us in modern times was quickly imposed on top of Patanjali's pure invitation to oneness.  Yoga Posture Practice became a sequence of steps which if followed by the severely disciplined would grant the grand prize of Samadhi.  Hints of patriarchal exclusionism can be found in texts on yoga up to the present day.  Big movers in the modern yoga world like Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois & many others fueled the fire of this dogmatic approach.  An American culture immersed in "more is better" mentality and a blind extremism took this line and has been pushing it hard.  Sprinkle in Madison Avenue's commercialism juggernaut and voila you have the perfect lie of an approach to yoga posture practice completely infused with dualism while being packaged as a product that can deliver oneness.
     A simple way to discern your own relationship to this phenomena is to ask yourself;  "Does yoga posture practice invite an honestly deepened experience and expression of unity or does it in fact subtly identify "me" with "my" body/mind and invite a never ending carrot and stick game where yoga is something that is pretended and never experienced?"   Body image, physical ability, intellectual prowess and the accumulation of knowledge are all fertile ground for the ego to root in and grow quite nicely.  Clarify why you are practicing yoga.  If it be for dualistic reasons, fine, but acknowledge it and be honest about it.  If, on the other hand, you're serious about settling into unity, make sure that your practice is inviting just that.    

Marga Convergence

     One of the things that really appealed to me about the eastern religions compared with the western that I'd been brought up in was that they seemed much more open.  They recognized the vastness of God and consequently allowed for the infinite variety of ways in which women & men worship.  If you visit a Hindu home and they invite you to see their puja (worhsip) room, you will often find a variety of gods and gurus on the alter.  There may be a primary family deity, secondary deities and a living guru who gives teaching and clarification.  There is no conflict here.  This diversity represents the many faces of God and gives the devotee many views from which to meditate on the divine.  Contrary to popular western perception, these different faces of God are exactly that and it is recognized by most that the one God transcends all classifications, names & forms.  Consistent with this openness, the ancient texts suggest a variety of paths or Margas for the spiritual apsirant.  For some Bhakti is the best where they can develop a personal relationship with their chosen form of God.  For others Seva or service is the best option where they can get down and get their hands dirty making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.  Another possible orientation is that of Hatha Yoga, where the individual finds God through the physical body.  The Jnana Marga is another option for those drawn to the process of self-inquiry. 
     A fascinating aspect of these Margas is that at some point they all converge.  You could say that these apparently diverse paths ultimately lead to the same end.  At some point, if followed with diligence, the omnipresence of God is recognized.  So if you're spiritually inclined, pick the path that most suits your nature and inclination and rest easy in the fact that God is revealed regardless of the marga.  For the atheists out there, we need not name any of this.  Often times naming carries baggage and distracts us.  For atheists we could call it a path of increasing the experience of Love in life.