Many who have not been to the top of "the spiritual mountain" have read or heard quotes by Hindu (and other) spiritual/religious teachers such as: "All is One," or "I am a Hindu, and a Christian and a Muslim," etc. This "new-age movement" (of course it is simply the "old-age ego-movement") and especially how it applies to Yoga is an example of naive individuals simply repeating the words of one who has climbed the mountain. Of course there are also relatively realized (and more than a few with criminal intent) teachers who have not taken into consideration their actions and reinforce the delusions of the naive student by not providing the inspiration and method by which one can climb the mountain.

It is a stereotypical "new-age" delusion to pretend to be at the top of "the spiritual mountain." It is true that many relatively realized saints have achieved a "mountain top state" of oneness. However a fact that is often "conveniently" overlooked is the progress up the mountain. Some of these teachers may have allowed their self to be quoted out of context and/or many naive followers have taken this misguided approach.

The following may help to clarify the importance of steady progress on one's chosen religious path up "the spiritual mountain: Who am I? Who was: a mediocre student; lacking in confidence and poise; began smoking at twelve and stole money for cigarettes; contemplated suicide; married at 13; would not allow his wife to go out without permission; supported strict social division; was haunted by fears of thieves, ghosts, and serpents; considered meat-eating a duty; revolted against religion; had no faith in God; and ...... who was a lawyer; extremely courageous; highly ethical; a champion of equal rights; thirsty for religion, a zealous vegetarian, a Hindu and a spiritual/religious leader of a nation? Mahatma Gandhi.

Along with his many erroneous (but necessary) and relative life "conclusions," at one point in Gandhi's life, he also said: "I am a Christian and a Hindu and a Moslem and a Jew." When Gandhi, the Hindu, said "I am a Christian and a Hindu and a Moslem and a Jew," he clearly meant that he could appreciate the many aspects of these religions which is a basic Hindu belief. He also said: "Why can I go to Heaven and attain salvation only as a Christian?" He used to "chide the missionaries for making Christians of hungry Indians ... make us better Hindus, he pleaded." "In the end, Gandhi embraced Christ but rejected Christianity." (source and quotes: "Gandhi His Life and Message For The World" by Louis Fischer 1954.)

In other words, when the "Master" says "all is one" they are speaking from the top of the mountain. If one looks into the lives of these individuals, one will see that these courageous adventures had the intelligence, determination, strength and patience to choose a path and to climb that specific spiritual/religious path "up the mountain." Truly respecting other religions is to know what they believe. Though there is much in common to be celebrated, there are also many differences some of which are very contradictory. Like the numerous specific professions/careers of the world that get along harmoniously with their differences, the many religions of the world are not the same; but that does not mean that humanity cannot seek a sense of religious harmony to accompany the natural differences between the various religions. All paths up the mountain are not the same though they may lead to the same place.

If one is to grow in the spiritual/religious realm, one must (at some point) find a spiritual/religious path that is comfortable and then step on it and follow it to the top. From the top, one will realize what is meant by "Oneness and Manyness." True "unity in diversity" is being on a religious path while simultaneously respecting the validity of other paths. It is one of the many self-deluding tricks of the ego to never choose a religious path and/or to prematurely declare that one is a (yoga) teacher before one has fully committed (in this case, to the Hindu path) to a religious path. Stepping on a religious path is the first step; then one finds the courage and will to follow it to the top.

Yoga is a Sanskrit (the foundational language of Hinduism) label identifying the many, progressive spiritual disciplines of the Hindu religion. Since the definition of "Sanskrit" is: "the ancient Aryan language of the Hindus," (Webster's) one cannot use a single Sanskrit word without recognizing the religious/Hindu connection.

Many "new-age" individuals and groups who are perverting the Yoga/Hindu teachings and practices often claim to have a problem with labels. The problem, of course, is the age-old problem of the ego. The problem is not, essentially, with labels which are an inevitable and useful (and can also be misused) but rather a egotistical problem of simply choosing labels only to suit one's own agenda. Of course one who truly eschews all labels would be totally isolated and incommunicado. For all the rest of us, honest labeling is a useful fact of life (remember that the next time you go to the "Gandhi store").

Anyone who thinks they do not need labels is either not thinking or, with relative degrees of awareness, crafting one's own ideology. Here are a few thoughts: Mislabeling through ignorance or cunning makes one liable. Believing there is only one label, one becomes disabled though quite able of hurting others. To respect and use proper labeling is inherently enabling. "New-age yoga" suffers from the age-old ego delusions of rebelling against definition and then turning around and creating one's own false definitions. Superficially labeling over an already established tradition (Yoga) is unethical, at best and criminal at worst. Eclecticism is the "new-age" ism for stealing.

The word "system" is often used in connection with "yoga" but what does this mean? The Yoga system refers to the Yoga philosophy (darsana) of the Hindu Guru Patanjali. Books on Hinduism and even secular books on comparative religions recognize the Yoga philosophy as "one of the six orthodox systems of Hindu philosophy." (McMillan's "Man's Religions") In Webster's, the word "system" is defined as: "a complex of ideas , principles, etc. forming a coherent whole; as, the American system of government; hence, a particular philosophy, religion, etc."

The coherent whole or the system of Classical Yoga defines the Hindu religion; i.e., Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Studying the various Yogas will make one more informed about Hinduism and will make a Hindu a better Hindu. Being or becoming a Hindu would be the logical and ethical pre-requisite to genuinely teach the various Hindu yogas.

It is important to learn about other religions, and, in this regard, studying the classic Hindu Yogas (or any religion) will make one a better or more informed individual regardless of one's religion. Admittedly Hinduism's great tolerance can help those of less tolerant religions to further evolve, however, aside for this important factor, studying Hinduism/Yoga will not make one a better Christian, for example. Common sense points out that studying and practicing Christianity, for example, will make one a better Christian. One also always has the option of ethically leaving a religion whose theology does not suit one, or one may choose to remain and work for change from within the religion.

An intelligent and compassionate individual should know which religion(s) one is studying. One should know to which if any religion one belongs. One does not have to choose to belong to any religion, but of course such an individual could never honestly teach any part of these established religious traditions. Other than a duplicitous person, one cannot ethically claim to be, on the one hand, non-religious and, on the other, simply take from established religious traditions and mold them to suit one's own personal agenda. Of course one can always attempt to pretend to be "at the top of the spiritual mountain" but this turns out to be a very dishonest and cruel game indeed.