Yoga Fatwa is Against the Science of the Soul

The International Academy of Kundalini Dhyaan Yoga (IAKDY) organized a national meeting of all yoga students and teachers of Trinidad & Tobago at its headquarters on Saturday 7th February in the presence of Swami Brahmadeoji of Kashi India.  Secretary of IAKDY Sushri Ananda answered the press reporter’s questions on the issue of Yoga Fatwa taking place in Malaysia and Indonesia. 

The ‘Fatwa’s of Religious Council in Islamic Affairs’ declared that Muslims are not allowed to attend Yoga classes in Malaysia and Indonesia.  They claimed that through Yoga, the Muslim faith will be eroded.  Sushri Ananda explained that Yoga is a science as physics, chemistry, biology and medical science.  All NASA centers of United States of America use the syllabus and curriculum of yoga for all its astronauts who are also advised to practice Yoga.  At present all scientific centers of the world have practiced Yoga and Meditation.  She requested all faiths of the world to please accept Yoga, Meditation and Pranayama and its philosophy in the light of science and not on a sectarian or religious angle. Yoga is a great science of the soul. She requested the National Fatwa agency of Malaysia to think about the importance of Yoga and Meditation.

She expressed her happiness on the fact that the ‘Malaysian Muslim Solidarity Movement’ launched a counter argument in favour of Yoga and Meditation and issued the statement that Yoga is for the betterment of physical, psychological, physiological and spiritual health and well being. 

Malaysia’s Muslim Yoga teacher, Roslin Mohammed Daud claimed that this Fatwa is sectarian because she believes that if Muslims practice Yoga they will only become better Muslims.  General Muslims are welcoming Yoga poses and postures in all countries.  Sushri Ananda said that in USA, Europe and Asia, ‘Christian Yoga’ has started.

In answering one of the questions, Swami Brahmadeoji showed some 500 research papers of Yoga and Meditation from Maharishi Vedic University which depicts the good effects on the physiology and psychology of yoga on human life.  Through the effects of Yoga & Meditation, scientists have proved that brain neurons become cool and calm, blood circulation of the body normalizes and there is an overall development of a balanced digestive system.  A holistic healing pattern was noticed after these studies. 

Yoga and Meditation have been inculcated in jails across the world for all criminals.  Swamiji held firm faith that if terrorists perform Yoga and Meditation they will achieve peace and serenity and a softer and sober nature.  He challenged that Yoga and Meditation should be practiced first for a few months and if there is no effect then talks about bans should arise.  In the world, all spiritual traditions have different types of Yoga.  In Japan there is ‘Zen Yoga’, Buddhism practices (Vipasana) ‘Buddha Yoga’, China follows ‘Confucius Yoga’, Jains perform ‘Jain Yoga’ and Sufis follow Sufi Yoga (a synthesis of Islamic & Hindu Yoga technique).

Swamiji further questioned that Galileo and Newton were of Christian faith but they were world renowned scientists of modern science.  However, their researches and discoveries were not Christian discoveries. In the same way, Einstein who was of Jewish faith was one of the world’s most distinguished scientists.  He invented the relatative theory of atomic energy but this finding was not solely Jewish. Now all Islamic countries are busy in organizing huge plants for atomic energy.  So how will the invention of Yoga by Rishi Patanjali be only for Hindus? 

Hindus always think about world welfare, peace and prosperity.  This is revealed in the phrase “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam” - the whole world is one family.  Swamiji requested that this type of Fatwa on Yoga science should be stopped.  Long before the foundation of Islam, Hindus were worshipping the five elements; Earth, Fire, Water, Sky and Sun as God.  Does it mean that these elements are Hindu?  So should we go establish a ban against these five essential elements of nature then?

The same mistake occurred in the communist period of Russia when the government banned the subject of genetics, heredity and cytology.  The communist parties tortured many scientists who were scholars of these knowledges.  But at last Russia accepted this subject in all universities over the entire country.  Swamiji said that the same mistake is being made by Yoga Fatwa groups in Malaysia and Indonesia.  He added in a sound voice that as physics, chemistry, biology etc. are branches of one science, in the same way he hopes to see one day that Christianity, Islam and Hinduism would become branches of one science:  ‘The Science of Spirituality’.

Sushri Ananda started a signature movement in favour of Yoga to send to the Malaysian and Indonesian government and embassies on behalf of the Yoga family of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.  Swami Brahmadeoji and Ananda travel to different countries in propagating the movement in favour of Yoga.  Some of these countries are: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela, Barbados, St. Lucia, Europe (Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, France) Moscow and some states in USA and Canada.  They would like the support of free thinking, open minded and experienced Yoga practitioners to join on this platform of this grand movement of International Academy of Kundalini Dhyaan Yoga of Trinidad & Tobago.

Swamiji said that he was very happy that all the international media such as BBC, CNN, Voice of America, the German, Netherlands, Chinese and Indian etc. printing and electronic media stood up in favour of Yoga and Meditation.  He was however saddened that he did not see this type of awareness and awakening in the Trinidad & Tobago Media.  He hopes that in Trinidad and Tobago, Islamic and all other organizations would stand in support against this Yoga Fatwa Movement. 

Press reporter Paras Ramoutar asked what future programs the IAKDY had in mind.  Swamiji answered that the first project for 2009 of the Academy is to create a good and positive atmosphere of Yoga and Meditation in the whole world.  In February Swami Brahmadeoji will be attending great Shivaraatri festivals in Mysore at Datta Peetham and meeting Swami Ganapati Sachchidananda with the President of Dattatreya Yoga Center Mr. Ramesh P. Maharaj and committee members of the Dattatreya Yoga Center of Trinidad & Tobago. 

At last, Sushri Ananda informed me that The International Academy of Kundalini Dhyaan Yoga, Dattatreya Yoga Center and Brahma Vidya Peetham of Trinidad & Tobago is planning to jointly organize an ‘Olympic Yoga Conference’ in Trinidad & Tobago.  The date and time of this activity would be arranged after discussion between Swami Brahmadeoji and Swami Ganapati Sachchidananda. 

If you would like to support the movement against Yoga Fatwa please send your emails at brahmavidyapeetham@gmail.com