Yoga and Christianity why the big perception of difference?

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   Ericdierkerposted 11 years ago

   I certainly can find nothing in the Christian bible to declare any wrongness in the practice of Yoga.
   I certainly find nothing in the practice of Yoga that declares any wrongness in the belief in Christ
   
   So it seems to me that it is a wholly organized church antagonism that stems from ignorance on the part of "Priests". That ignorance breeds fear which the project unto community. And that fear is more about losing their own personal control/power than one tiny thing about Christ.
   
   Yes I have studied the Canons and the Catechism and find no prohibition there that would preclude healthy exercise combined with spiritualism.
   
   I studied yoga and meditation for over ten years now and have never found a Yogi that suggests I do not use Christ as a mediator toward God or my inner self.
   
   (I have a favorite Yogi who is a Jewish fellow who came from New York, he is also a clinical psychologist)
   
   So perhaps Christians should not follow certain Yogis that teach against Christ. But in my mind we follow a President who basically does.
   
   So really what do you think is the antagonism?

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      Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's all about them darn demons. You practicing that new age eastern mystic yoga, and you'll let them demons in for sure. Once they gotta hold on you, you'll get a family line curse for 5 generations and before you know it you'll be drinkin hard liquor and a cussin Jesus. May God have mercy on your soul.

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   2. 61

      Zelkiiroposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's because people who are staunch Christians also tend to be the kind of people who fear both change and the unknown far more than their peers--especially if it comes from a part of the world where their preconceived notions of that place are negative, or if it involves a group of people they particularly distrust or dislike.
      
      E.g. If you introduce your heavily-religious grandfather (who opposed desegregation in the 60s) to rap music, he'll likely launch into a racist tirade (whether intentional or not) about how evil it is and that it comes from The Devil because The Devil was the songleader in Heaven (which aside from being hilariously stupid can be found nowhere in the Bible).

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2. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 11 years ago

   Now we are getting somewhere, Eric!
   Isn't it true...
      For all religions:
   
   Heaven is within?
   
   - and even atheists can agree,
   if they equate happiness with heaven!

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3. 85

   Electro-Denizenposted 11 years ago

   Jesus was a yogi. It was a form of guru Bhakti yoga, the easy yoga offered by saints who absorb your karma, when one gives oneself fully to the master, who is an embodiment of God. My yolk is easy, he said. And it is :-) His work lives on, fully. The word yolk and yog have the same root. It's a shame there's antagonism, it comes from misunderstanding. I read about a Church that refused a (Hatha) yoga group to practice in their hall.  I think maybe there's antagonism because their has been insufficient study on these matters. Where was Jesus for 30 years before his work really started?
   
   Perhaps the difference is that Jesus was a super-yogi, as it were :-), who exhibited all of the Divine traits and who understood the impact of his mission for the eventual transcendence of the Earth. Wow!

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Awesome and wonderful and caring to all traditions. I know this I love Jesus and deep Yoga brings him more fully into my heart.
      Whilst young Jesus must have traveled East.

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4. 85

   grand old ladyposted 11 years ago

   There seems to be a concern among conservative Christians that yoga opens yourself up to a "spirit" entering your body. I think yoga is okay if for the health reasons alone. I don't believe in that spirit thing.

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh I definately believe and practice opening up to a Spirit, it is called the Holy Spirit. Long devotional prayers to Jesus and God do to. Beautiful hymns do too. Deep meditation on the word, and even great sermons and witness do too.
      I love being all filled up and feeling the Holy Spirit and Yoga is just one of my tools. Running for an hour, Hiking hard in nature. My son and wife. They do good too. But first I must accept Jesus and then ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit and it is AWESOME.

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      1. 85

         grand old ladyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I guess what I meant is that they say it's an evil spirit. I believe, as you do, that the Holy Spirit fills us in many ways, including yoga, so long as it's done in the way you describe.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 11 years ago

   Many people equate yoga with "new age" philosophy. I don't know why, since yoga is ancient.
   Was there no way to find God before Jesus?
   Of course not!
   Was there no way to find God in India, China and Japan?
   Of course not! Are the religions of the East invalid since Jesus came to Earth?
   Of course not!
   If anything, he came to clarify the teachings of the East and introduce the teachings of the East to the West.
   East and West must unite. Thanks Eric, for this discussion post.

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      grand old ladyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Dear Kathryn, I agree with you, yoga is ancient. However, traditional Christians call new age philosophy a modern repackaging of these old ways to make them more appealing to a new generation.
      
      The Bible existed before Jesus, and there were ways to God through works and sacrifices. With Jesus a new covenant was made with the New Testament where people could be saved by faith instead of works.
      
      I hope you aren't offended by this, I'm just explaining how evangelists explain this. As far as I a concerned, I believe in some but not all the stuff evangelists propagate. Some is good, some is not.

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I'm thinking of the wisdom of Krishna. There is science behind the tale. Buddha showed the way to enlightenment and freeing oneself from delusion which causes suffering. Jesus did the same. Know ye not that ye are gods?  If thine eye is single thy whole body will be full of light.  Heaven is within.  There is science behind his teachings. Many will not agree. I know this. Sorry to upset anyone. Just the way I accept it. Many think I should give up these beliefs and become a Catholic.

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