| Some Yoga teacher candidates are seeking more | | | | claims to be a spiritual teacher, he or she should |
| than a few dozen physical techniques. They want the | | | | know and be able to apply the spiritual principles that |
| whole mind, body, and spirit experience. It is | | | | are being taught. |
| understandable that an intern should desire complete | | | | Spiritual teachers are able to point out references in |
| training in a practice that has many spiritual facets | | | | Holy scriptures. They must also be able to point |
| and is thousands of years old. | | | | students toward logical solutions, by applying |
| However, some spiritual Yoga teachers say the | | | | concepts to daily life. In fact, Holy scriptures are |
| meaning of "spiritual" is not religious. If we look up | | | | deeply valued for their ability to give us insight, into |
| the definition of spiritual in a dictionary, the definition | | | | solving problems, at this moment. |
| is stated as religious, concerned with sacred matters, | | | | Generally speaking, the spiritual principles of Yoga are |
| a religion, a religious group, or religious texts. Is there | | | | rooted in Hindu beliefs. That said, all religions have |
| a spiritual path, without some form of guidance, | | | | common links. Humanity's problem has been that we |
| based on religious principles? | | | | often see only the differences in religions outside our |
| A spiritual teacher may be a Universalist, Hindu, | | | | own. There is an inherent fear of outside ideas and |
| Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, or a member of any | | | | religions, which has resulted in armed religious conflicts |
| other religion. There is nothing wrong with having | | | | throughout recorded history. |
| religious values as part of your spiritual foundation. | | | | In order for our species to advance, we have to |
| Why do some spiritual teachers deny religion? | | | | focus on what we have in common with each other, |
| Perhaps it all comes back to religious conflicts that | | | | and then appreciate our differences. Yoga is an |
| have resulted in the deaths of millions. | | | | avenue for a peaceful planet. The principles of Yoga |
| Religion is a volatile subject and has caused many | | | | are universal to all religions. As a result of this, |
| wars. That said, religious dogma is the historic fuel | | | | anyone, of any religion, can see the link to Yogic |
| that incites armed conflicts. On the other hand, a | | | | principles and their religion. There is no need for |
| spiritual teacher always has a religious foundation. To | | | | religious conversion, or indoctrination, at any Yoga |
| state otherwise is an insult to your intelligence. If one | | | | teacher training, to accept spiritual dogma. |