3HO

3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) (est. 1969) is a non-profit organization and a United Nations affiliated non-governmental organization dedicated to sharing the teachings of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Harbhajan Singh Yogi, founder of the group.

The stated mission of 3HO is to "share the lifestyle, yoga and meditation practices of Kundalini Yoga," [Peralta, J and Tulabut, E: [http://www.squeezeoc.com/squeezeoc/livingitup/wellbeing/article_886024.php "Seeking an energy equilibrium"] , SqueezeOC.com] claimed by its practitioners to be the most powerful form of yoga. [Khalsa, GK: [http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/classes.html On-line Introduction to Kundalini Yoga] ] This yogic lifestyle practice includes yoga, meditation, diet, and philosophy as methods for helping people live healthy, happy, and holy lives.

3HO describes itself as a spiritual community welcoming of all religions and lifestyles. Teaching Kundalini Yoga does not require belief in Sikhism, however many followers of Harbhajan Singh Yogi choose to follow a Sikh way of life. The associated Sikh Dharma movement, based in Española, New Mexico, considers itself a Sikh "sangat", and its followers observe the five K's. Men and women each wear large white dastaar. The movement's gender politics are egalitarian.

Beliefs and practices

3HO describes its practices as based on the yogic technology brought to the Western Hemisphere by Harbhajan Singh Yogi. [ [http://www.3ho.org/lifestyle.html "3HO Lifestyle,"] Healthy Happy Holy Organization.] Habits are created or broken over a 40-day period. A vegetarian diet high in protein, vitamins, and minerals is encouraged, as is consumption of the "trinity roots": garlic, onion, and ginger. [ [http://www.3ho.org/lifestyle/yogafood.html "3HO Lifestyle: Food,"] Healthy Happy Holy Organization.] The importance of seva and karma yoga, selfless service of others, is also discussed in texts and on the 3HO website. [ [http://www.3ho.org/lifestyle/seva.html "3HO Lifestyle: Seva,"] Healthy Happy Holy Organization.]

Controversy and criticism

3HO is described as a new religious movement within sociological research. [Khalsa, KS: [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0021-8294(198606)25%3A2%3C233%3ANRMTTW%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B#abstract "New Religious Movements Turn to Worldly Success,"] Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Vol. 25, No. 2.] [ [http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/sikd.html Religious Movements Page: Sikh Dharma,] Religious Movements Homepage Project at the University of Virginia.] [Tobey, A: "The Summer Solstice of the Healthy-Happy-Holy Organization," Charles Y. Glock and Robert N. Bellah, eds., "The New Religious Consciousness", pp. 5-30. Berkeley: University of California Press.] Confusion arises from the general association of 3HO, a secular organization, and the Sikh Dharma movement, a religious group also formed by Harbhajan Singh Yogi.

The group is sometimes described as a cult by detractors due to the alleged use of coercive tactics, including harassment of former members and outsiders perceived as threatening. [Ofshe, R: [http://www.rickross.com/reference/3ho/3ho32.html "Affidavit of Richard Ofshe, Ph.D., regarding 3HO,"] Rick A. Ross Institute.] All claims were reportedly settled out of court. [Anonymous: [http://www.rickross.com/reference/3ho/3ho43.html Yogi Bologna,] Rick A. Ross Institute.] Opposition to 3HO is similar to the opposition of other new religious movements.

External links

* [http://www.3ho.org/ 3HO Foundation]
* [http://www.kundaliniyoga.com/ International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association]

Detractors

* [http://www.rickross.com/groups/3ho.html rickross.com] - Cult consultant Rick Ross alleges the 3HO is a classic example of a cult.
* [http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/h/3ho/ Freedom of Mind Center]

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