Yoga... Of the Devil?

[guacamole]

I don't think I even know what yoga is. Some on pontificate on it at length please...

[Cello]

I don't think I even know what yoga is. Some on pontificate on it at length please...
Can THINGS be of the devil? I mean, scripture talks a lot about people either being of God or of the devil, you belong to one or the other...

As far as yoga, I dont' know all THAT much about it, but in talking with people int he past..what I have come up with is that traditional (pure) yoga has to do with 'emptying the mind'. To me, thats not a good place to be. I think meditatoin is fine, but what is one meditating on? We should meditate on God and scripture, etc.

A gal I work with is a complementary care practitoiner...she knows all about chi and meditation and accupuncture and all sorts of stuff....what she says about meditatoin - TRUE meditation in yoga - is that you can use something to help focus on but eventually the goal is for that thing to leave your mind as wel -- to over practice learn to have miliseconds of thoughtlessness and learn to stretch that and that true thoughtlessness takes YEARS to accomplish. Try it. Try to get your mind to NOT think. Its weird, impossible just about, and very freaky.

As far as stretching and deep breathing and all that - those things are 'good' I think.

[Cello]

I don't think I even know what yoga is. Some on pontificate on it at length please...


Any one of several paths of spiritual discipline intended to lead a person to deliverance from samsara and the realization of moksha--i.e., to at-onement with ultimate reality. Specifically, it means a "yoking" of the self by spiritual discipline, a method of training designed to lead to union of the human spirit with ultimate reality and release from the limits of the individual ego. Also called margas (paths to salvation). Normally following a yoga involves apprenticeship to a guru (spiritual teacher or guide).
www.aar-site.org/syllabus/syllabi/c/cannon/r201glos.htm (http://www.aar-site.org/syllabus/syllabi/c/cannon/r201glos.htm)



Yoga is an ancient Indian practice, dating back to 2500 BCE, possibly even earlier. It is a scientific system designed to bring the practitioners health, happiness, and a greater sense of Self. In Yoga, the body and mind are linked to create a state of internal peacefulness and integration, bringing the individual from a state of separation to a self-unity that is flexible, accepting and whole. At the practical level, and included in the contemporary definitions of Yoga, are the actual physiological/mental techniques themselves. These techniques concentrate on posture and alignment, as well as creating a higher consciousness. Yoga utilizes stretching postures, breathing, and meditation techniques to calm the emotional state and the mind, and tone the body
www.chronogram.com/healthyliving/glossary.htm (http://www.chronogram.com/healthyliving/glossary.htm)



A combination of relaxation, breathing techniques and exercise which combats stress, and helps circulation and movement of the joints.
www.macmillan.org.uk/glossary/ (http://www.macmillan.org.uk/glossary/)



Union of the lower nature with the higher. Different forms and techniques to gain control of the physical, astral or mental bodies.
www.shareintl.org/background/glossary/g_main.htm (http://www.shareintl.org/background/glossary/g_main.htm)



As far back as the third century B.C., Patanjali, the father of classical yoga philosophy, defined yoga as "the cessation of the modification of the mind." Yoga, which in Sanskrit means "union," focuses on altering the state of a person's mind and using the powers of the mind to generate healing within the body. By assuming a series of asanas (positions) and concentrating on breathing, people who practice yoga keep their spine supple and systematically exercise all of the body's major muscle groups. This in turn strengthens the organs by increasing respiration and blood flow. (2)
hml.org/CHIS/altmed/glossary.html (http://hml.org/CHIS/altmed/glossary.html)



is an ancient Indian mind/body practice which traditionally prescribes physical postures and movements (asana), breathwork (pranayama), diet, ethics, concentration and meditation in order to live skillfully and to achieve emancipation (samadhi). The many branches of yoga stress various practices, ranging from Hatha Yoga's emphasis on asana, to Raja Yoga's emphasis on meditation, to Bakti Yoga's emphasis on devotion. The many styles of Hatha Yoga popular among Americans include Iyengar, Ashtanga (Power Yoga), Kundalini, and Kripalu.
www.artofwellbeing.com/glossary.html (http://www.artofwellbeing.com/glossary.html)



joining, union; the union of the soul with the immortal being and consciousness and delight of the Divine; a methodised effort towards self-perfection by the expression of the potentialities latent in the being and union of the human individual with the universal and transcendent existence; [as opposed to Samkhya]: the concrete and synthetical realisation of truth in our experience; [a system of philosophy systematised by Patanjali, one of the six darsanas].
www.miraura.org/lit/skgl/skgl-26.html (http://www.miraura.org/lit/skgl/skgl-26.html)



1. Hodgepodge of dozens of religious and quasireligious systems and methods, many of which are health-related. The word "yoga" comes from a Sanskrit term that literally means "yoke" and, in Hinduism, implies harnessing oneself to God. But, contextually or with a qualifier (e.g., chakra, Chinese, Polarity, Taoist, or Tibetan), the word "yoga" often seems to mean simply "religious or quasireligious practice or group of practices." 2. Hatha yoga.
www.hcrc.org/diction/y.html (http://www.hcrc.org/diction/y.html)



A Hindu series of mental, spiritual and physical exercises designed to aid in enlightenment. The exercise component of Yoga is often practiced in the West as an aid to healthy living.
www.religioustolerance.org/gl_xyz.htm (http://www.religioustolerance.org/gl_xyz.htm)

A Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquillity. A system of exercises to promote integration of body, mind, and spirit. Yoga, to yoke, join, bring together, bring to union.
www.victoriayoga.com/dictionary/ (http://www.victoriayoga.com/dictionary/)

[spiritmech]

The physical practices of Yoga aren't bad. But there is a religious background to it that would deny the resurrection of the body. _Autobiography of a Yogi_ is an interesting book, and he even has some passages about the Bible, but they focus on reincarnation.

SM

[Jillyn'Toast]

I think it all really depends on how deep into the religious practice you get... I would say Yoga itself is not "of the Devil." I know many people who use yoga as a workout, not as a religion. I also know people who use yoga and do part of the spiritual practice by keeping their minds focussed. I don't know anything passed the focussing your mind, as far as the spiritual aspect is concerned. To me, it doesn't seem to condradict the Bible at face value. It's just a workout with some mental excercises added in, but again, I don't know anyone who really practices the religion.

[Teallaura]

Anything that involves putting perfectly good body parts in perfectly painful positions.... - maybe Satan didn't invent it, but I bet he snickers a lot! :lol:

[misterguss]

On a personal note...

I use yoga to increase my mental focus and attention span...I also use some Buddhist meditation techniques...I know, it sounds shady.

In life, it's all about why we are doing the things we are doing. Am I doing things to bring glory to God or to bring glory to myself? I used to struggle with praying, studying, reading, etc. because I have ADD (not ADHD...big difference) and our society is sooo visually over-stimulated that our attention spans are very weak (mine was as well!). That's why it's difficult for the average Christian to sit through an hour long service at church (I heard the average church service in the 1800's was at least 3 hrs!) and think a 30 second commercial on t.v. is long...and we wonder why praying for an hour or studying (not just reading) the Bible is such a horrible thing to ask of a person.

I don't buy into the philosophy and/or religion of either (yoga & buddhism), but I have seen amazing results in my ability to focus on tasks at work, studying, sports, etc. and can study, read books, and pray for much longer after applying these techniques to my daily routine of life. I use the good these techniques offer to strengthen my mind...which brings glory to God.

In my life, it's all about using whats beneficial in something and throwing out the garbage :teeth:

[Xavier]

If you try to dabble in the metaphysics of yoga, I can see problems on the Christian Horizon...

But, most just do it for the flexability and other health benefits... Nothing wrong there... :smile:

[flower]

Here is some interesting and timely reading regarding this topic:

Letter to Dr. John MacArthur
Is it okay for a 'strong Christian' to practice Yoga?
by Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
September 20, 2007

Please continue here: http://www.christianresearchservice.com/JohnMacArthurYoga.htm

[Jimmy Higgins]

Anyone that derides yoga as the Devil's work or anti-Christianity is a blithering ignorant fool.

Yoga is a physical and psychological exercise program that is older than Christianity itself! It helps clear the mind while establishing a very healthy body through the dynamics of the poses. It is also a relatively cheap manner of preventative health care.

[Timothy Leary]

If Jimmy likes it its gotta be of teh devil

[Teallaura]

:lmbo:

Yoga is obviously evil - you're required to put perfectly good body parts in perfectly painful positions. As I said before, if Satan didn't invent it he's sure laughing at it.

[Jimmy Higgins]

:lmbo:

Yoga is obviously evil - you're required to put perfectly good body parts in perfectly painful positions.Technically, you aren't supposed to be in pain. If you are, you are overextending yourself. I know you weren't being serious, but it's a distinction I wanted to make seeing most people are more ignorant about yoga than they are the Periodic Table!

As I said before, if Satan didn't invent it he's sure laughing at it.Actually, I think it's funny the people who'd wander into a class (and the classes I did weren't advanced), being all smarmy and stuff. Most never made it to the end of class. Yoga will humble people.

[Teallaura]

So will belly dancing...

:yes: Seriously...