What is the source of Yoga?

 The debate on the source of Yoga is intense with many people strongly making the point that it is Hinduism's gift to the world. Though controversial I would as a practicing Yogi, like to make a different point.

The more one goes into Yoga, the more one realizes the oneness in infinite diversity, the critical role that "Prana" or life force plays on the state of mind (whether the calm, not so calm, or the ultimate ZERO state), and, the essential realization that the external manifestation of human behavior is 100% a function of the internal state of the mind. There is a need to implement this knowledge for the wellbeing of humanity in a skillful way taking into consideration the various types of people we encounter. From the religious believers to the non-believing atheists and agnostics. 

When we look at the way any religion has been designed, it essentially has aimed to calm the restless mind through prayer, meditation, etc. In Hinduism the restless mind is compared to a monkey that is drunk, bitten by a scorpion, and then occupied by a ghost! What takes the mind outside are the 5 senses of touch taste smell sight and hearing. Making use of these very 5 faculties to bring the mind within and calm it even for a few moments is the reason why the great yogis thought through and designed the many temples of India. The sense of belief in an almighty parent called God with an image sculpted in the form of an idol is very essential for this aim to be accomplished. 

1. The sight or "Darshana" of the main "vigraha" or idol, which has undergone the regular process of "Prana Pratishtha" or imbued with life force using a lot of technical sophistry like the use of precious gems buried deep under the main idol as well as the use of water subjected to the recitation of certain mantras (watch this amazing video to understand how water is effected by human emotions and the vibrations of certain words https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Moz82i89JAw) flowing onto the idol from atop, brings the mind to calmness

2. The smells of ingredients like "Tulasi" or Holy Basil, Sandalwood, Camphor or "Karpooram" all bring the mind to calmness

3. The taste of the "Teertha" or holy water which has Holy Basil, Sandalwood, Camphor etc heightens the Prana and brings the mind to calmness

4. The sounds of the bells and mantras chanted bring the mind to calmness. The ragas in classical Indian music each have a very different effect on the mind

5. The touch of cool floors and walls of the temple brings the mind to calmness

One of the core aspects of Yoga is meditation or Dhyana. When we look at all religions, they are meditative revelations. Whether it was the Vedas that were revealed to the sages of yore, the Quran that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) when he meditated in a cave, or the fact that Jesus fasted and meditated for 40 days in a desert. 

So coming back to the main question. Did Yoga come from Hinduism or was it the other way around?! The answer to this question is the same as whether space came from matter or the other way around? :) 

AUM AUM AUM