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ARLT 100g, Arts and Letters: The Living Traditions of Hindu Yoga Spring 2013, Section 35237R, Prof. Rita D. Sherma, Office: ACB 233 Rel. Office Tel: 213-740-0272
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Yoga is now practiced globally and has extensive branches in the West. The interpretations and adaptations of yoga in the West are almost exclusively associated with fitness and wellness in the popular imagination. Yet, the history of yoga includes but surpasses wellness. Yoga, with millennia-old roots in the Hindu spiritual ethos, has traditionally been understood to represent major types of paths, each meant to lead the practitioner to enlightenment, and the fulfillment of the human potential defined differently by different yoga traditions. This course will study the living traditions of Hindu yoga, including the paths of knowledge, wisdom, love, and selfless service, and explore the yogic journey through its narrative literature, philosophy, art, music, and contemporary research on yogic states of consciousness.
COURSE MEETINGS
Day and Time: M W 2:00 – 3:20 PM
Place: WPH 102
Final Exam: final research paper due in lieu of final exam in last class on April 30.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
*To develop skills for critical analysis through deep engagement with works that show the different ways in which yoga has been understood and practiced in Hindu culture through narrative literature, art, philosophy texts, visual music, and film.
*To examine the distinctions between the major paths of the yoga tradition
*To experience, through films, music, field trips, and forms of meditation, the living traditions, practices, and systems of yoga
*To encourage reflection on what it means to be take the yogic path *To foster critical thinking about the tensions now present between the historical Hindu understandings and the contemporary Western conceptions of yoga
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Discussion Facilitation (10 %): Students will be asked to briefly summarize two assigned readings, (1 page) paying close attention to the critical lens used and the resources within the tradition mentioned by the author(s).
2. Reflection on Readings (20%). Reflection (critical and constructive thought) on the week’s readings of (1/2 to 1 page per week) to be read in class will be part of the basis of our discussions.
3. Class Attendance (10%) Missed classes (unless the cause is a critical reason) will affect student understanding and participation and will impact the grade.
4. Hindu Yoga-based Organization or Denomination Research Paper, Mid-Term (30%): Topic and sources must be first approved by the instructor. Using the recommended reading list, other books, web- based news sources, press releases, and interviews, write a research paper (3-5 pages,12-pt. font, Times Roman, doubled spaced, with footnotes and an annotated bibliography) on a traditional or modern Hindu yoga denomination (organization). Document the history of the denomination, the founder(s), and the yoga path on which it is based. Examples of such movements/organizations will be discussed in class.
5. Term Paper on one of the Major forms of Hindu Yoga (30%):
Topic and sources must be first approved by the instructor.
Write a well-researched paper (7-10 pages, 12-pt. font, Times Roman, doubled spaced, with footnotes and an annotated bibliography) on a major form of yoga studied in class such as raja; bhakti; jñāna, or karma yoga, OR a modern master of yoga.
Choose secondary and foundational texts from the required and suggested readings to show how the modern master teaches an ancient yoga path in a way that is understandable people living in today’s world. You may use either sources that speak from within and outside the tradition, but be aware of, and document the authors’ standpoint.
Your grade for this part will be based on whether and to what extent you have fulfilled the following requirements:
At least two books from the required and/or recommended lists Explanation and description of the type of yoga or historical person/yogi you have chosen to highlight Historical and biographical information on the modern master who has taught this form of yoga Critical and thoughtful approach to the subject Use of references from books, articles, websites, and/or interviews Clarity of argumentation and textual evidence NOTE: Your references must include at least two approved books. Do not paste directly from the website and be careful about your source origins. “Research” means you discover new points aside from our class readings and textbooks and that your paper demonstrates thoughtful reflections and research from other sources.
REQUIRED TEXTS 1. Graham Schweig. Bhagavad Gita: The Beloved Lord's Secret Love Song [The earliest and best loved literature of the major forms of Yoga] 2. Swami Vivekananda, Dave Deluca ed. Pathways to Joy: Vivekananda on the Four Yoga Paths to God 3. Christopher Key Chapple. Yoga and the Luminous: Patañjali's Spiritual Path to Freedom [The translation of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, the systematic text on Yoga] 4. Paramahansa Yogananda. Autobiography of a Yogi [An international bestseller of a first person account of the life of a yogi] 5. Georg Feuerstein. The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice 6. Tony Schwartz. What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America. [This book outlines interesting documented research data on yogis and their unconventional abilities in the US]
TEXTUAL SOURCES for REFERENCE ARTICLES on BLACKBOARD or HANDOUTS: 1.Swami Prabhavananda, trans. Narada Bhakti Sutras: Narada's Way of Divine Love, 2nd ed. 2. Sri Ramana Maharshi, and David Godman (ed.). Be as You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi 3. Ian Whicher and David Carpenter, eds. Yoga: The Indian Tradition
RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR RESEARCH PAPERS 1. Swami Muktananda. The Play of Consciousness 2. Carl G. Jung. The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga, 2nd ed. 3. Swami Rama. Living with the Himalayan Masters: Spiritual Experiences of Swami Rama 4. Christopher Chapple and Swami Venkatesananda. The Concise Yoga Vasistha 5. Sri Aurobindo. Integral Yoga: Sri Aurobindo's Teaching & Method of Practice. 6. Christopher Key Chapple and John Thomas Casey. Reconciling Yogas: Haribhadra's Collection of Views on Yoga
WEB RESOURCES
1. http://vedanta.org/ Vedanta Society of Southern California website: Resources, programs, and information about the Ramakrisha Order.
2. http://www.yogananda-srf.org/ Founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920, the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) is the official organization that carries and disseminates his teachings. The SRF website contains resources, news, events, and information about the society and its founder.
3. http://iskcon.org/ The website of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the largest classical international devotional yoga (bhakti) lineage.
4. http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/philosophy_spirituality The Yoga Journal’s efforts to bring a wider philosophical and spiritual vision to yoga teachers.
5. http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/ Basic information on the life and teachings of the yogi Ramana Maharshi.
6. http://www.siddhayoga.org/ Official website of the Siddha Yoga organization started by Swami Muktananda.
7. http://www.hafsite.org/media/pr/takeyogaback Information on Hindu American Foundation’s stance on the origins and meanings of yoga that started the current yoga controversies.
Required Reading Schedule
OVERVIEW OF THE LIVING TRADITIONS OF YOGA
WEEK 1 January 14 Class 1: Lecture. Introduction to the course.
January 16 Class 1: Lecture II Introduction to the History of Yoga
WEEK 2 January 21 Martin Luther King Holiday
January 23
WEEK 3 January 28 Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Yoga History Handout
January 30 Reflection papers and discussion on readings:
Feuerstein. The Yoga Tradition, chapters 1 & 2 The Bhagavad Gita, chapters 1-3.
WEEK 4 February 4 Lecture Continue reflection papers and discussion Feuerstein. The Yoga Tradition, chapters 3 & 4 The Bhagavad Gita, chapters 4 - 7
February 6 Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Mircea Eliade. Yoga, Immortality and Freedom. Part I, The Doctrines of Yoga Tony Schwartz. What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America.
WEEK 5 February 11 Lecture Continue reflection papers and discussion The Bhagavad Gita, chapters 8 – 11 Tony Schwartz. What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America. Feuerstein. The Yoga Tradition, chapters 5 & 8
February 13 Film: The Origins of Yoga
Reflection papers and discussion on readings:
Feuerstein. The Yoga Tradition, chapters 12 & 13 The Bhagavad Gita, chapters 12-15
WEEK 6 February 18 President’s Day Holiday
February 20 Reflection papers due on readings:
Feuerstein. The Yoga Tradition, chapters 14 & 15 The Bhagavad Gita, chapters 16 - 18 Tony Schwartz. What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America.
WEEK 7 February 25 Film: Thread of Yoga Reflection papers due on readings:
Feuerstein. The Yoga Tradition, chapters 17 & 18 The Yoga Vasistha, sections 1 & 2
PATANJALI’S YOGA SUTRA TRADITION: RAJA YOGA
February 27 Reflection papers and discussion on readings:
Vivekananda. Pathways to Joy: Vivekananda on the Four Yoga Paths to God, section: Classical Yoga, pp. 65-94 Chapple. The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali Feuerstein. The Yoga Tradition, chapters 9 & 10
WEEK 8 March 4 Reflection papers and discussion on readings:
Vivekananda. Pathways to Joy: Vivekananda on the Four Yoga Paths to God, section: Raja Yoga, pp. 213-50. Chapple. The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali
March 6 Reflection papers Mircea Eliade. Yoga, Immortality and Freedom. Part II, Techniques for Autonomy Chapple. The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali
WEEK 9 March 11 Reflection papers and discussion on readings:
Chapple. The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali Vivekananda. Pathways to Joy: Vivekananda on the Four Yoga Paths to God, sections: Jñāna Yoga & Karma Yoga, pp. 95-170
THE YOGA OF DEVOTIONAL LOVE: BHAKTI
March 13 Reflection papers and discussion on readings:
Vivekananda. Pathways to Joy: Vivekananda on the Four Yoga Paths to God, sections: Bhakti Yoga, pp. 171-212 The Bhagavad Gita, pp. 243-278 Handouts on the Yoga of “Divine Love”
WEEK 10 March 18 and March 20 – Spring Recess
WEEK 11 March 25 Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Classroom Reading: Selections from the Poetry of Bhakti Saints The Narada Bhakti Sutras, selected readings: Handouts Musical Selections from Contemporary Western Yogic Devotional Chants
March 27 PowerPoint on the Art of Bhakti Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Mircea Eliade. Yoga, Immortality and Freedom. Part IV, The Triumph of Yoga Handouts on the Psychological States of Bhakti Yoga
TANTRA: THE YOGA OF POWER AND POTENTIALITY
WEEK 12 April 1 Reflection papers and discussion on readings:
Mircea Eliade. Yoga, Immortality and Freedom. Part VI, Yoga and Tantrism Mircea Eliade. Yoga, Immortality and Freedom. Part VII, Yoga and Alchemy Handout on Tantra Yoga
April 3 Lecture and PowerPoint on Tantra Yoga
YOGA LUMINARIES: MAJOR MODERN YOGIS
WEEK 13 April 8 Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Handouts on Major Yogis of the 19th and 20th Centuries – Ramakrishna and Vivekananda Yogananda. Autobiography of a Yogi, chapters 1-5
April 10 Film: Living Yoga: The Life and Teachings of Swami Satchidananda Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Yogananda. Autobiography of a Yogi, chapters 1-8 Handouts on Major Yogis of the 19th and 20th Centuries—Sri Aurobindo
WEEK 14 April 15 Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Yogananda. Autobiography of a Yogi, chapters 1-9 Handouts on Major Yogis of the 19th and 20th Centuries—Ramana Maharshi
April 17 Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Yogananda. Autobiography of a Yogi, chapters 10-18 Handouts on Major Yogis of the 19th and 20th Centuries—Swami Muktananda
WEEK 15 April 22 Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Yogananda. Autobiography of a Yogi, chapters 19-29 Handouts on Major Yogis of the 19th and 20th Centuries—Swami Rama of the Himalayas
April 24 Reflection papers and discussion on readings: Yogananda. Autobiography of a Yogi, chapters 30-38
WEEK 16 April 29 Reflection papers and discussion on readings: The Yoga Controversy
May 1 Final research paper due today in lieu of final exam
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