Christianity and Yoga, Meditation The Christian Viewpoint Benefit of Yoga

 The Christian view is as follows - if one opens the mind to clear thinking and inner vision, they open the soul to demonic possession. It is felt that yoga practice borders on esotericism, and that it is dangerous to open one's mind and soul to the benefits of yoga and is against everything of Christianity.

The benefits of yoga are twofold – increased health and integration of the soul with the body. This is accomplished through the use of many different aspects, but primarily through a combination of asanas, or asanas, and breathing/meditation practices.

This raises many questions in the Christian community. In my research for this article, I was very surprised at the attitudes of the Christian preachers and their view of yoga and its practice. That approach has made me hesitant to write this article. However, I think that this question and the stand of the Christian community require reflection on the subject.

The history of yoga dates back more than five thousand years, to the beginning of human civilization. Very little is actually known about yoga. It is believed to have originated in Mehrgarh, a Neolithic settlement in what is now Afghanistan. Scholars believe that it evolved from Stone Age shamanism. In this early period of the beginning of civilization, yoga was a community resource because of its efforts to determine the cosmic order through inner vision and apply it to daily life. In later years, yoga developed into an internal dialogue through which yogis sought to develop their own salvation and enlightenment.

Archaeological evidence of yoga's existence first appeared in stone seals excavated from the Indus Valley. It depicted figures in many yoga asanas, or postures, and officially placed yoga in the period around 3000 BCE. Of greater importance, it also linked yoga to the great Indus-Sarasvati civilization, a time that was considered modern and efficient.

The ancient texts from the Indus-Saraswati civilization are known as the Vedas, which are the oldest texts in the world. The Vedas are a collection of hymns that praise a higher power and contain the oldest recorded history of yoga teachings. The Vedas required the practitioner to transcend human limitations and reach a higher spiritual level. In later years, texts known as Brahmanas were written to explain the rituals and hymns of the Vedas. Then came the Aranyaka texts, which outlined the practice of yogis living in the solitude of the forest. This marked the beginning of the medical tradition of India, known as Ayurveda. Overall, yoga turned into a practice of health, harmony of the soul and a way of life.

The Christian view is as follows - if one opens the mind to clear thinking and inner vision, they open the soul to demonic possession. It is felt that yoga practice borders on esotericism, and that it is dangerous to open one's mind and soul to the benefits of yoga and is against everything of Christianity. Christians believe that the study of yoga is tantamount to practicing Hinduism, and regardless of the health benefits of yoga, the philosophy of Hinduism cannot be separated from their Christian beliefs.

As a practicing Buddhist, I take issue with this approach. To me, it smacks of tunnel vision and narcissism. A Christian is expected to open his heart and mind to Jesus, and to give to the Spirit of the Lord. They are expected to rely on blind faith and accept the word of God as the only truth in the world. A contemplative person would find this hypocritical, because on the one hand Christians preach that yoga should be avoided because opening the mind to clear vision encourages the possibility of demonic possession, yet on the other hand it preaches that to accept The mind and heart must be opened by Jesus in their lives. This is exactly what it is to open your heart and mind - whether it's looking at yourself, or accepting Jesus into your life. If, as Christians preach, if we look inside ourselves and open our minds to all possibilities, we are open to satanic possession, then how can we safely open our hearts to the concept of Christianity? are? Is there a gatekeeper who decides when we do so that determines which path we have to follow? I do not think so...

For the record, I was raised in a Christian household. My father was the deacon of a small Baptist church in the farming community where we lived. My mother, who taught us children to question everything, moved from the Baptist community to the House of God churches, and my father excommunicated her. I think until his dying day, he resented my father for this promiscuity. Life is a matter of choice, and my mother believed that we need not operate under the illusion of blind faith, but rather what is right for us as individuals. And that's why I follow the Noble 8 Folded Path. It is simply a matter of choice, and to question everything in this universe.

I believe that practicing yoga is a good thing. It gives us great health benefits, clear vision and harmony in our spirits. And what else is there in this day and age? Whether we are Christians, Muslims, or Buddhists, we should not disrespect the feelings and thoughts of others, their rights to practice as they please, or try to push our ideas down other people's throats. That's exactly what it takes to live in harmony...