What can a Yogi learn from the Da Vinci Code? Many lessons can be learned, when you understand the power of absolute control and misinformation. What are the present and past agenda’s? How can the truth be sorted out? What good can come out of all this?
Let’s look at the present: Dan Brown has skillfully weaved a tale of fact and fiction that created a Best Seller. Many authors did this before, and even since the release of his best selling book. This has spawned “copy cat’ books that give Leonardo Da Vinci credit for everything, including the Shroud of Turin.
It has created a sensation, but the truth can still be found if you want to do the research. The History Channel has done some interesting work of separating myth from the facts. Also, there are reputable books available that go into detail about the Gnostic Gospels, the Cathars, and the Templars.
Look back into history objectively, and you may wonder what Roman Emperor Constantine’s real agenda was at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. What was the real purpose of gathering all of the Christian sects “under one roof?” It possibly has more to do with power than it has to do with purity or protection.
So what in the world does this have to do with Yoga? Beware of organizations that desire to bring Yoga under one roof. The real agenda may be the pursuit of power. Once power is achieved, free thought is “squashed;” then - history is rewritten by the victors. This is the formula for gaining power in anything.
Recent best selling misinformation will now make Christians pursue the real truth. In the long run, this may be one of the best things to happen to Christianity in a long time. Yet, it took many centuries for this to happen. Just look at how long it has taken to clear Mary Magdalene’s name from alleged reformed prostitute to a person who had the inside story on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
When a philosophy, government, or a religion answers to a “central command,” all free thinking will cease to exist. Let me point out that the nine classic styles of Indian Yoga have similarities, and so do the many sub-styles of Hatha Yoga, but if you attempt to govern them, valuable and innovative thought will be lost.
Yoga is many things, but it must be allowed to evolve in many directions for the complete health maintenance of humankind. We do not have thousands of years to rediscover creations that could be lost. When priceless books, scriptures, and documents are burned, everyone loses.
© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
