Concept of Meditation in Islam and Yoga

Concept of Meditation in Islam and Yoga
Abstract
Yoga is easily found to be integrated with the Islamic life, in fact the two assist one
another. Not only is there no conflict, but Islam and yoga together make a mutually
beneficial synergy. Both are agreed that, while the body is important as a vehicle
on the way to spiritual realization and salvation, the human being's primary identity
is not with the body but with the eternal Spirit.This is not a case of syncretism
between two religions (which would be spiritually invalid). Yoga is not a religion.
Rather, it is a set of techniques and skills that enhance the practice of any religion.
Yoga arose from the matrix of the Hindu world, it is of pre-Hindu origin and can
be traced back to prehistoric shamanism. Like India's other gifts to world
civilization, for example the system of place notation on which all mathematics
depends; yoga is not tied to the Hindu religion but has a universal applicability. It
helps one to follow one's own religion better whatever that may be. It has certain
specific affinities with Islam that make for an interesting study.
Metaphysical doctrine : Since the metaphysic of Advaita Vedanta is in agreement

with the tawhid (doctrine of oneness) of Islam, there is perfect compatibility
between Islam and yoga on the highest level. All traditional esoterims agree that
everything in manifestation has its origin in the Supernal. The manifestations on
the material plane are derived from the ideational realm of archetypes (known as
al-a 'yan al-thabitah in the metaphysics of Ibn al- Arabi). This world, limited as it
is, is just an expression of the ultimate Reality, and will ultimately be reabsorbed in
its supernal Origin. Advaita Vedanta and Islamic esoteric metaphysics are agreed
that God is the only absolutely real, eternal Reality; all else is contingent and
therefore transitory. The unitary view of reality in Advaita Vedanta accords well
with the tawhid (divine oneness) of Islam, and the Oneness of Being in the Sufi
doctrine of Ibn al-Arabi.It is interesting to compare the symbolism of Prophet
Muhammad's nighttime ascent to Heaven, al-Mi'raj, with the corresponding
symbolism in yoga. The Prophet ascended on al-Buraq, a riding beast with the
head of a woman, through the seven heavens to the Throne of God. In yoga, the
kundalini is a feminine power (sakti) that dwells at the base of the spine and
ascends through seven levels (represented by the seven cakras to the summit of
liberation (brahmarandhra).
Meditation and worship in Islam and Patanjali Yoga.As the second pillar of Islam,
Salah is performed by all Muslims across the globe in exactly the same manner and
measure, at least the mandatory five prayers. The steps and specific supplications
are demonstrated by example by the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) as
mentioned in this Hadith ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œPray as you have seen me
praying and when it is the time for the prayer one of you should pronounce the
Adhan and the oldest of you should lead the prayerÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â. (Sahih
Bukhari-Book 11: Call to prayers; Hadith 604). In order to realize the far-reaching
and deep-seated impact on the attitude, behavior and life of a believer Salah must
be understood properly and exercised appropriately as given in the authentic texts.
In part 23 of the Yoga, Sutra, Patanjali teaches the attainment of supreme spiritual
realization through devotion to God (isvara pranidhana). The sutra is a very
succinct, condensed type of literature, so a single brief mention suffices. Because
Patanjali did not elaborate upon it, some commentators have assumed that his God
is a mere figurehead or abstraction and therefore not so important in yoga practice.
Nothing could be further from the truth; in fact, the one feature that distinguishes
the metaphysic of the Yoga darsana from that of the Sankhya darsana of Kapila (a
non-theistic analysis of the elements in the cosmos and consciousness) is the
presence of God in Yoga. This makes all the difference, and allows the consonance
of Yoga with religion.
Patanjali wisely chose to refer to God as isvara, which in Sanskrit simply means
'God, the Supreme Being' and does not name any deity of any particular religion.
This universality frees Yoga from conflict with any religious doctrine, so that its
techniques can be applied by a believer of any faith. In India, Yoga has been
applied to a vast variety of different religious perspectives, and it works just as
well for other religions including Islam. There is nothing specifically Hindu or
Islamic about its techniques, but it will assist the devotee in any kind of worship.
Yoga means to concentrate and still the mind; when this concentration is directed
upon God, the yogi is reaching toward the heart of his religion.As for meditation
tratakais yogie technique to focus the attention and attain one-pointedness. It
consist of fixing the gaze on a single point assist balance, too.) While standing in
Islamic prayer we practice trataka by fixing the gaze on a spot on the ground where
the forehead rest in sujud.
Ablution -- The purification and preparation OR Sauch It goes without saying that
both Islam and yoga require basic physical and moral cleanliness and purify
(taharah sauca) before performing their practices.
Salah -- The formal prayer The five mandatory salat are spread over various parts
of the day in such a way that the devotee is not only in contact with the Creator
frequently and receives peace and blessings as his reward but also experiences
physical well-being that has now been scientifically confirmed. [3,7,12]
Yoga derives from the Sanskrit word 'Yuj' which means 'to yoke' , to join the
Supreme power ultimately through simple, healthy, sacred and spiritual lifestyles.
Thus, yoga implies union and integration of total human being from the inner most
to the external nature or the Almighty. It is a path of self-discovery bringing about
balance and harmony in life. [14.15] . Physical similarities between Salah and yoga
are in the body movements that are repeated in a set pattern. Salah with its five
major physical movements finds corresponding movements in yoga called 'asanas'.
When performed involving just the physical movement yoga and salah have been
found to evoke comparable medical benefits in all major organ systems. While
yoga has trainable 'asanas' (but not all 'asanas' rather some of them) than those
found in salah, where the latter on the other hand, is more of a spiritual obligatory
duty. As mentioned earlier, Islam is a prescription for a complete and balanced
way of life, hence, Salah besides being an act of worship doubles as a holistic
health tonic.
How to explain the many points of correspondence between yoga and Islam? Did
these ancient teachings travel from India to Arabia? No-there is no need to assume
such a horizontal transfer; the sacred truths are revealed vertically from Heaven to
all people. There are close similarities between Islam and yoga not because of
borrowing or cultural diffusion, but because of both originating in the Primordial
Tradition, sanatana dharma, al-din al-hanif, which all the prophets of Allah have
brought and reaffirmed throughout the ages, among all nations, revealed directly
from the Creator.
Dr. Tabassum Sheikh

Associate Professor, G.M.Momin Women's College, University of Mumbai

Concept of Meditation in Islam and Yoga

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What are some of the similarities discussed between yoga and Islam?

How does the text explain the correspondence between yoga and Islam?

Concept of Meditation in Islam and Yoga

Metaphysical doctrine : Since the metaphysic of Advaita Vedanta is in agreement

Dr. Tabassum Sheikh

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