The Check Rate should be less than 10%
In our second unit, we looked at four different traditions of “Yoga” in premodern India:
(a) Patanjali’s classical Yoga philosophy (c.400 CE),
(b) Karma Yoga and (c) Bhakti Yoga as spiritual paths in the Bhagavad-Gita (c.200 BCE – 200 CE), and
(d) Hatha Yoga as a physical/tantric practice in the medieval period especially in the Hatha-pradipika (c.1400 CE)
In your reflection, please synthesize what you have learned and add your own perspectives by exploring the following question:
Imagine that you are a yoga practitioner living in India in either 400 CE or 1400 CE. (choose one)
What does “Yoga” mean to you and why are you pursuing it?
Explain who you are (the avatar you’ve created!), your life-journey, and why you are pursuing “Yoga.” What made you go in this direction and not some other pursuit? Be creative in imagining what your life would be like. You could be a king or queen, a struggling farmer, a philosopher, a merchant, a student, a retiree – whoever you want to be!
Describe also the particular methods and practices that you are engaging in based on the path of Yoga that you’ve chosen to follow. Base your ideas and reflections on the readings and media from this unit (weeks 5-9).
Finally, explain the key teachings that are involved in this path, which make it significant or meaningful for you. For this, we ask you to cite at least one passage from a corresponding text that helps to validate the path you have chosen. Quote this passage and explain what it means.
Samples from the texts are provided below, to help your research. Choose any one that illustrates your point. (You are also free to look through the full text!). Be sure to quote and cite the full verse or sentence, and explain what it means in your own words.
1. Karma yoga
2. Bhakti Yoga
3. Patanjala Yoga
4. Hatha Yoga
Your submission should be written in your own voice (first person), accurately describe the path you have chosen, quote/analyze one passage from one of the above texts, and show careful reflection about the premodern historical context. If you make reference to websites o
r scholarly resources outside of the course materials, include a bibliographical citation at the end of your submission in any standard format.