The first Kundalini Yoga class I took was at the Golden Bridge in Los Angeles. I remember walking into the large room with all the mats... and sheepskins. At the time I thought it was a little bizarre that people were using a dead animal as a yoga prop, especially since Kundalini yogis are usually lacto-vegetarians. I thought to myself: “why would you spare an animal’s life on your plate, just to use it as rug?”
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with several people on the topic. This blog post is a kind of “best of” of all the conversations I’ve had. I feel much more neutral about sheepskins these days, though I must admit, I don't own one.
Have You Read Your Sutras Today?
Most forms of yoga, including Kundalini, acknowledge Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, as a general framework for yogic practice. He describes an 8-limbed path: the first limb is Universal Morality (Yamas), and the first morality is ahimsa (non-harming). Jivamukti yogis consider this to be such an important part of their practice that they avoid eating, wearing, and using all animal products and bi-products.
Citing ahimsa, sheepskins don’t seem to be in alignment with a basic yogic tenet.
Of course, nowhere in the Yoga Sutras does it say “do not eat meat!” or “do not use a sheepskin”! The way we apply the sutras to our lives is up to our own consciousness. Strictly speaking, Patanjali does not condemn sheepskins.
Eat Your Veggies and Sit Still!
Another point is that when Yogi Bhajan taught vegetarianism to his students, it was mostly for health reasons. Plant life is easier to digest and has more bio-available nutrients than animal products, making it an ideal diet for those of us who meditate. Yogis Bhajan’s diet recommendations did not originate from an animal rights campaign, so sheepskins were a non-issue.
Can Anyone Cause "No Harm"?
Since we are already getting controversial here, allow me to stir things up even more. Realistically, no one can live on Earth and cause absolutely no harm. Ahimsa is a saintly practice, but even saints step on bugs when they walk across the grass. While we are in physical form on the planet, the best we can do is our best.
When I was trying to be an “ethical vegan,” I noticed how difficult it was to escape animal products... in my car, in clothing, even on fruit stickers! Purchasing a sheep skin could be likened to purchasing a car in that respect. You can't avoid the leather on the steering wheel, but how many cars are you going to purchase in your lifetime? Whereas an unthinkable amount of killing results from the factory farming of animals for food, most sheepskins serve a yogi for at least a decade.
Perhaps it is better then, to think of ahimsa on a scale from 1-10. If 1 is “no harm,” yogis could strive for the lowest number possible.
Meditation Makes Us Less Likely to Cause Harm
Yogi Bhajan recommended the sheepskin for meditation, as it created an insulation between the yogi and the magnetic pull of the Earth. Indeed, many people experience deeper states of connection to their Self and the Universe when using a sheep skin as compared to a sticky mat or cushion.
Harm is not just something to be aware of in terms of animal rights. Using electricity causes harm, as does arguing with your spouse, or getting into a car accident. It stands to reason that if you are growing in awareness (through meditation on a sheepskin) you are creating less harm to the planet, its inhabitants, and (if you believe in karma) to yourself.
In this case, you might say that the benefits of using a sheepskin outweigh the costs.
The World is Impacted by Our Healing
One of the reasons I continued to go to KY classes, even despite the dead animal rugs on the floor, was because of the transformation that occurred in my life. Years of hatha yoga had not even made a dent in the store of emotional trauma that mysteriously evaporated in my first White Tantric Yoga experience!
In the same way that a butterfly's wing can alter weather patterns in another country, I imagine that my increasing lucidity has an impact on global sanity. A change in my frequency can't help but affect the global frequency.
If someone is able to enter a space where they can wipe out years of neurotic thinking, thus raising the frequency of the entire planet, is it even important that they used a sheepskin to do so?
In Relative Conclusion I have come to terms with sheepskins and understand the reasons why they are attractive to some, especially when taken from sheep who have died of natural causes. At this time, I believe that the least amount of harm I can do involves not owning one. However, for reasons I’ve mentioned, and many more, I no longer judge yogis for their choice of floor covering.
(Editor's Note: What do YOU think about using Sheepskins in the Kundalini Yoga practice? Yogi Bhajan said that when a yogi meditated on the sheepskin, it helped to liberate the soul of the sheep as well. Most of the Kundalini Yogis I know don't treat their sheepskins as rugs, but rather as sacred spaces like an altar for their practice. And it certainly isn't a practice exclusive to Kundalini Yoga. Even images of Lord Shiva, the first Yogi, have him sitting on a Tiger skin. Still, many modern yogis in an era of factory farming struggle with the ethical implications of using sheepskins. Tell us what you think!)
 |
 |
 |
|
||
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
“Perhaps it is better then, to think of ahimsa on a scale from 1-10. If 1 is “no harm,” yogis could strive for the lowest number possible.”
It’s nice to think about it this way!
I don’t own a sheepskin, either, for similar reasons – thanks for the article.
~Donna
“Yogi Bhajan recommended the sheepskin for meditation, as it created an insulation between the yogi and the magnetic pull of the Earth. Indeed, many people experience deeper states of connection to their Self and the Universe when using a sheep skin as compared to a sticky mat or cushion.”
This is why I use a sheepskin when I practice Kundalini Yoga, and almost always while meditating. I’ve come to feel about my sheepskin much the way a child feels about a favorite security blanket.
Not too long ago, I was in Las Vegas performing with my band at a convention. Every time I walked through the particular hotel/casino where we were staying, I felt completely assaulted by the negative energy and false veneer of the place. Meditating on my sheepskin during that trip was a profound relief, like finding a close friend in a crowd of strangers.
I view my sheepskin with respect and try to take very good care of it. However, I can understand why some people would feel uncomfortable using one, and I respect that decision. My suggestion would be that you at least use a mat made of natural fibers, such as a cotton yoga rug or a rubber mat, so that you experience some of the same benefits that a sheepskin can give.
In my humble opinion, if your name is Sirgun Kaur, and you have changed your name to adopt a new faith, then you must have accepted Guru Granth Sahib as your Guru. As such, Yogi Bhajan is not your Guru, nor is Patanjali. The answers and justifications of your questions should come from Guru Granth Sahib, or you should use Guru Granth Sahib as the final “weighing scale” upon which you place the opinions of Yogi Bhajan, Patanjali or others.
Secondly, whether you are performing yoga on a sheepskin or a grass field or the oily floor of a New York auto repair shop, your spiritual practice, intention, attention and discipline will connect your consciousness with the supreme consciousness, rendering the use of a sheepskin inconsequential and superstitious.
[...] To Sheepskin or Not to Sheepskin? [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Patoso, Ramdesh Kaur. Ramdesh Kaur said: The debate on sheepskins rages. #Kundaliniyoga RT @SpiritVoyage http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/to-sheepskin-or-not-to-sheepskin [...]
Thanks for the great feedback! Nichelle, what a great story.
In my most humble of opinions, if your name really is Sirgun Kaur, then I found your article very fun. I look forward to reading more
Thanks! Keep on elevatin’!
[...] Notorious 2009 real estate market fades into the past The number of sales in 2010 increased and time on the market decreased, but both were due to appealing pricing in the short sale and foreclosure marketplace that has become about half the business. Read more on The Malibu Times On the same subject: http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/to-sheepskin-or-not-to-sheepskin/ [...]
[...] To Sheepskin or Not to Sheepskin? [...]
[...] Milwaukee, USA For more on this topic you can read: http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/to-sheepskin-or-not-to-sheepskin/ [...]
Sat Nam everyone,
I am a vegan and find it very difficult to escape the usage of products made out of
animal skins. Here in Spain vegan shoes are still horrible to look at, difficult to come across
and pricey. I wear trainers most of the year, and thank God this winter there are non leather shoes with fluffy warm material inside in raging fashion.
I truly think that society will change when the big corporations learn that there is more money to make by keeping animals alive than killing them. As simple as that.
Of course, at the time of lord Shiva and Guru Nanak there were no rubber mats.
If these masters were here today, they would certainly do things differently.
I stopped buying leather bags a long time ago, but I did buy a much needed pair of leather boots two years ago. I’m not proud of it, but I’m not ashamed either.
I’m doing my best. And if some brother or sister of mine want to buy a sheepskin for their ky practice,I’m sure as my name is Agnidevi that they will pray for the poor animal much more than the average meat eater.
Thank you for reading. Sat Nam.
Important note if you feel bad about using sheepskins. They are a BY-PRODUCT. Sheep aren’t killed just for their skins, the meat is more valuable and many lambs/sheep killed do not have their hides saved – especially smaller farms and state inspected slaughter plants (vs. federal USDA plants). The farmer makes very little money off of sheepskins, they are sold salted to a tanner for a pittance who then works the hide so it is soft and durable. Less sales of sheepskins wouldn’t reduce the number of sheep slaughtered at all, the sheep would still be killed for their meat. It would just result in skins being thrown away and less money for the hide tanning industry. It’s much the same with down feathers, the animals are killed for meat, the feathers are harvested and either used a filler in pillows etc or as fertilizer/ feed additive.
So next time you buy a sheepskin rug, down comforter, leather couch etc. Don’t think you are encouraging slaughter, because you aren’t. You are just reducing waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill, shredded and added to the land, or fed to another animal (yuck)… Use of animal by-products like skin, feathers, hooves (dog chew, glue) is a form of recycling really. So don’t feel guilty : )
Thank you Linnea for your well-written reply.
When I watched “Earthlings” there was an entire section devoted to explaining how most leather is made. It is not, in fact, made as a by-products of the meat industry, but it a separate industry in itself. Most leather comes from “leather cows” who are tortured and dragged (starving) from India to Pakistan (where they can be legally killed). They are used for their skin only, discarded after being killed.
As for sheep… “Recycling” is one way to look at it. The bottom line for me is I do not support the cruel way in which these animals are treated in the slaughterhouse. Sheep are subject to castration without anesthetics, punched holes in their ears… many are skinned alive! Whether or not the skin would go to waste, if I bought one, I would be funding an industry I do not support.
If I ever purchased a sheepskin it would be from a farmer that either killed its animal ethically, or from one that died of natural causes.
[...] Young immune systems are fragile and they need to be treated accordingly with hypoallergenic clothes, blankets, and toys. Sheepskin rugs keep babies warm and toasty during cold months, and cool in warm months. Plus they don’t attract dust, dirt or other allergens. When the would-be kid’s not using it, snag it yourself for a spot of meditation. It’s the preferred rug of Kundalini yogis. [...]
I’m with you, Sirgun…least harm for me would be to just not own one, or to look into a fake fur version at the most. But I am so appreciative of your intelligent article viewing all “sides” of this issue! I was startled to see all the skins in the photo montage of the recent Sat Nam Festival yoga session, and thankfully found your article.
Many thanks!
Kat
Thanks for the article and raising the awareness of a much needed subject. Thanks for clearing up Linnea’s point of view which is incorrect. I was appalled but not not completely surprised when I witnessed the use of sheepskins at kundalini yoga classes. We live in a world of people who say one thing and do another. I’m still quite new to kundalini yoga but not yoga in general. It seems odd that one would need to use the skin of an animals to better their meditation practice. Is there no other way this can be achieved, and does the ends justify the means? C’mon people give your head a shake. I’ve noticed so many things are justified in kundalini yoga because Yogi Bhajan said. Really? Think for yourself people. This is the problem with Gurus and religions, not that kundalini yoga is religion, well kind of, but that’s another story. Sure Yogi Bhajan brought many great things to the west that we can learn from, but that doesn’t mean we have to take everything he says and do it. The use of milk too is disturbing. If you drink milk you support the veal industry, a by product of milk. The dairy industry in incredible cruel.
I encourage you to find out what really happens to sheep.
http://www.peta.org/issues/Animals-Used-for-Clothing/inside-the-wool-industry.aspx
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=6361872964130308142
Please people think for yourself and think about the lives of innocent animals over your meditation practice.
Thanks,
Chris