Greetings Reader -

Cultural appropriation is a significant concern in our yoga community. However, despite our best intentions, we can unintentionally engage in it. And the reason may surprise you.

Cultural appropriation in yoga is often seen as reducing practices to trendy aesthetics, taking traditional teachings out of context, and ignoring colonial histories that led to a commodified version of yoga that caters to Western consumer culture.

While these points are all valid, they stem from an unquestioned assumption: that yoga was invented in India by indigenous yogis.

If we accept this assumption, we might confine our conception of honoring yoga’s roots solely to that of honoring traditional Indian culture and practitioners of Indian descent.

But should we accept this assumption? I think it’s fair to ask: “Does the yoga wisdom tradition state that yoga originated in India?”

The answer is no; yoga wisdom tells us that yoga originates in transcendence.

While the spiritual culture of yoga’s geographical origin—India—undoubtedly deserves respect, the issue extends beyond geography and history. Yoga wisdom doesn’t distinguish between Western and Indian cultures; it differentiates between spiritual and material cultures.

The Sanskrit word apauruṣeya, meaning “not man-made,” describes Vedic knowledge. Yoga, as a branch of Vedic knowledge, is described as a divine revelation, transmitted across generations by self-realized souls; teachers who have attained transcendental consciousness. Therefore, the spiritual culture of yoga transcends geographical and other temporary material identities.

Yoga wisdom literature consistently emphasizes this transcendental origin. For example, in the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna makes the transcendental origins of yoga abundantly clear:

The transcendental origin of yoga is what makes it a non-sectarian science of self-realization, accessible to anyone, regardless of background or belief. However, despite this inclusive perspective, many members of today’s yoga community mistakenly think we have to look at yoga philosophy through a modern lens in order to make it relevant.

The problem with this approach is that a modern worldview compels us to mythologize the religious culture of India and then project that mythology onto the spiritual culture of yoga, which is precisely how European colonizers undermined and belittled Hindu culture: by fictionalizing its spiritual foundations in light of a presumably superior modern worldview.

Interpreting traditional yoga wisdom through the modern lens that colonial powers used to invalidate the origins of India's spiritual culture is not the best way to honor yoga’s roots. Instead, let’s challenge this reflexive modern worldview and consider that a transcendental science of self-realization must logically originate in transcendence.

As those of us in the U.S. reflect on Indigenous Peoples' Day, we're reminded of the importance of honoring and respecting the roots of indigenous cultures worldwide. It's also an opportunity for yoga enthusiasts to reflect on how the wisdom tradition of yoga tells us that the spiritual culture of yoga originates in a place that's beyond this world.

Therefore, the best way to show our appreciation for the spiritual culture of yoga is to acknowledge its transcendental roots and integrate this traditional understanding into our practice.

How can you use this philosophical understanding in your daily life? Here are some ideas:

1. Deepen Your Understanding of Yoga's Roots: Contemplate how the idea that yoga originates in transcendence might change the way you relate to and practice yoga.
2. Avoid Cultural Appropriation: Acknowledging that yoga transcends material identities can add a new and broader dimension to how we represent and practice yoga that can help us steer clear of reducing it to mere aesthetics or a fitness trend.
3. Integrate Traditional Teachings: Embrace the wisdom contained in ancient scriptures like the Bhagavad-gita, incorporate transcendental principles of self-realization into your practice, and actively question modern interpretations that might distort or dilute yoga's teachings.
4. Look at the World Through the Lens of Yoga: Instead of viewing yoga through a contemporary lens that may inadvertently repeat colonial attitudes, strive to understand it from its traditional perspective and then see if it changes the way you see the world.
5. Promote Inclusivity: Consider how yoga's transcendental origin makes it a universal science accessible to all, regardless of background or belief. This fosters a more inclusive yoga community that honors everyone's true spiritual nature.
6. Respect All Cultures: While yoga has roots associated with India, appreciating its transcendental origin encourages respect for all spiritual cultures and wisdom traditions. This aligns with broader values of cultural sensitivity and appreciation.
7. Educate Others: Share your insights about yoga's origins with fellow practitioners. Encouraging open discussions can help the community move towards a more authentic and respectful practice.

By integrating these practical steps, we can honor the origins of yoga, avoid unintentional cultural appropriation, and enrich our personal and communal practice.

Do you have any thoughts about the idea that yoga and spiritual culture originate in transcendence? Does this perspective shift how you view cultural appropriation? I’d love to hear your insights.

Wishing you all good fortune,

- Hari-k