While yoga is not a "religion" in the sense that the Abrahamic religions are, it is a well-established spiritual path. Its physical postures are only the tip of an iceberg, beneath which is a distinct metaphysics with profound depth and breadth. Its spiritual benefits are undoubtedly available to anyone regardless of religion. However, the assumptions and consequences of yoga do run counter to much of Christianity as understood today. This is why, as a Hindu yoga practitioner and scholar, I agree with the Southern Baptist Seminary President, Albert Mohler, when he speaks of the incompatibility between Christianity and yoga, arguing that "the idea that the body is a vehicle for reaching consciousness with the divine" is fundamentally at odds with Christian teaching. This incompatibility runs much deeper.
Yoga's metaphysics center around the quest to attain liberation from one's conditioning caused by past karma. Karma includes the baggage from prior lives, underscoring the importance of reincarnation. While it is fashionable for many Westerners to say they believe in karma and reincarnation, they have seldom worked out the contradictions with core Biblical doctrines. For instance, according to karma theory, Adam and Eve's deeds would produce effects only on their individual future lives, but not on all their progeny ad infinitum. Karma is not a sexually transmitted problem flowing from ancestors. This view obviates the doctrine of original sin and eternal damnation. An individual's karmic debts accrue by personal action alone, in a separate and self-contained account. The view of an individual having multiple births also contradicts Christian ideas of eternal heaven and hell seen as a system of rewards and punishments in an afterlife. Yogic liberation is here and now, in the bodily state referred to and celebrated as jivanmukti, a concept unavailable in Christianity and in an afterlife somewhere else. Ironically, the very same Christians who espouse reincarnation also long to have family reunions in heaven.
Yogic liberation is therefore not contingent upon any unique historical event or intervention. Every individual's ultimate essence is sat-chit-ananda, originally divine and not originally sinful. All humans come equipped to recover their own innate divinity without recourse to any historical person's suffering on their behalf. Karma dynamics and the spiritual practices to deal with them, are strictly an individual enterprise, and there is no special "deal" given to any chosen group, either by birth or by accepting a system of dogma franchised by an institution. The Abrahamic religions posit an infinite gap between God and the cosmos, bridged only in the distant past through unique prophetic revelations, making the exclusive lineage of prophets indispensable. (I refer to this doctrine elsewhere in my work as history-centrism.) Yoga, by contrast, has a non-dual cosmology, in which God is everything and permeates everything, and is at the same time also transcendent.
The yogic path of embodied-knowing seeks to dissolve the historical ego, both individual and collective, as false. It sees the Christian fixations on history and the associated guilt, as bondage and illusions to be erased through spiritual practice. Yoga is a do-it-yourself path that eliminates the need for intermediaries such as a priesthood or other institutional authority. Its emphasis on the body runs contrary to Christian beliefs that the body will lead humans astray. For example, the apostle Paul was troubled by the clash between body and spirit, and wrote: "For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:22-24).
Most of the 20 million American yoga practitioners encounter these issues and find them troubling. Some have responded by distorting yogic principles in order to domesticate it into a Christian framework, i.e. the oxymoron, 'Christian Yoga.' Others simply avoid the issues or deny the differences. Likewise, many Hindu gurus obscure differences, characterizing Jesus as a great yogi and/or as one of several incarnations of God. These views belie the principles stated in the Nicene Creed, to which members of mainstream Christian denominations must adhere. They don't address the above underlying contradictions that might undermine their popularity with Judeo-Christian Americans. This is reductionist and unhelpful both to yoga and Christianity.
In my forthcoming book, The Audacity of Difference, I advocate that both sides adopt the dharmic stance called purva-paksha, the practice of gazing directly at an opponent's viewpoint in an honest manner. This stance involves a mastery of the ego and respect for difference, and the hope is that it would usher in a whole new level of interfaith colaborations.
Holy Yoga - Connect With Christ | Christian Yoga
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There are many obvious contributions for which India is still being denied any form of unambiguous credit. Even in the latest text books, decimal numbers are still referred to as Hindu-Arabic Numerals (which is of course an improvement over just Arabic Numerals). Whilst the Arabs always called it Indian Numerals.
West is not going to give up its old ways that easily. But ironically in this struggle the brown sepoys are going to be the main trouble, not the west itself.
http://dogmatoxin.wordpress.com/we-are-all-hindus-now/
The point of this post is, Yoga is to Hinduism, what heating is to baking. You are the oven, yoga is the heat, jnana is the cake. Any one can practice the Yoga Asanas (postures, streches) - it doesn't matter who you are or what you happen to believe. You can say I don't need all that Hindu mumbo-jumbo nonsense, let me just stretch my back. Fine. But when the oven is heated, it starts to bake, and the kundalini starts to tingle and buzzzzz your chakras, your 'Christian' priest is not going to give you any answers. Zilch. Nada.
The Asanas are the process - when it actually starts to go to work on you, bake you, you better be prepared. You will need help.
http://www.manblunder.com/search/label/kundalini
To say you are a Christian who practices Yoga is one thing. This implies a proud heretical stance against current Christian dogma by those who follow a different belief of Christ's origins and purpose. But to practice "Christian Yoga" implies a bullyish overriding of the basic philosophies that are the innate foundation of this healing eastern art form. Christians should perhaps find another name for this new hybrid practice in order not to create confusion.
Looks like that is part of the problem. As long as there's a "HIndu View" of Yoga, there will be a "Christian View" too one fuels another. One way of making it more secular would be address the issue of terminology.
"Christians should perhaps find another name for this new hybrid practice in order not to create confusion."
I'd say those who practice Yoga should find other terms to explain the contents of the practice...
When Yoga is Hindu what absurd statements are you making?
YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOGA IS, DO YOU SOLDIER!
YOU DON'T HAVE THE TEMPERAMENT- DO YOU!
For example, a particular well known Catholic women's college/convent in my area that has been known for over 50 years to teach and certify such disciplines as authentic Yoga, Reiki, and many other eastern forms of spiritual practices, including Native American, is among the many US convents being investigated by the Vatican. If they are threatened with the loss of funding, I can see many of these institutions being forced to discontinue these cherished activities.
That statement is a real reach. "Most" ... really? Let's see some data. I practice yoga and know and talk to many others who do as well. We don't spend any time worrying about karma, original sin, heaven or any other organized religious doctrines. Rather we worry about breathing, moving, calming the mind, improving our bodies ... basically living.
Read more @ http://www.thestar.com/living/religion/article/722554--westhead-india-s-new-bible-wears-a-bindi
The best testament on the concept of Yoga has been propounded by the great Sage "Patanjali" in his eternal scripture called "Yoga Sutra" or more appropriately to "Patanjali Yoga Sutra" explaining his "Eightfold Path" of attaining the ultimate experience. It depends upon the student as to how far can he go or how far can he sustain? It is a highly scientific and systematic technique.
Unfortunately there are no short cuts in the path of "Spirituality" and like any other education, all depends on the student or disciple.
I shall not bind it into hinduism or christianity or buddhism and etc. Let those do it who have their vested interests otherwise. But the "Truth" is one - "Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti" i.e. truth is one, the wise call it by different names or differently. This very basic understanding explains all but it takes time to understand it. Arguing for the sake of dilatory arguments is counter-productive to the very case. Today "Religion" has become a productive industry. That has confused the whole issue.
God bless
Dr. O. P. Sudrania
Yes, the one truth can be called in various ways. But this does NOT imply that all propositions or statements are true. There are also falsities, adharma, untruth, etc.
Chemistry's "context and environment" was inseparable from the alchemists' search for the philosopher's stone, but that quest is no longer any part of the practice of modern chemistry. I' not sure I understand what you mean by "Every person should be able to benefit fully from yoga by respecting these contexts." If you mean, ackwoledging the historical context (the way modern chemists acknowledge their debt to the alchemists of yore), I agree whole-heartedly and fully support the efforts to make these historical links and origins known to all practitioners and students of Yoga.
Posted by Surindra
"The Westerner who wishes to make use of a discipline which in the minds of its inventors was nothing more than a skill must therefore take care first of all to sort out the theories from the practice, and to remove the exercises from the Brahmanic atmosphere that seems to be their matrix; he must then restore them to their pristine condition before introducing them into a Christian climate." (Christian Yoga, 66-67).
Such cultural miners had an obvious reason for claiming that "in the eyes of its inventors" Yoga was simply a series of exercises - it allowed them to claim that by grafting it onto a Christian philosophical worldview, they were perfecting yoga rather than stealing it.
It is a short step from such a claim to the sanitized modern yoga without spirituality. But it is a step over thousands of years of ignored tradition.
“Two recent studies have shown that ritualized meditative practices that include a supernatural element produce stronger psycho/physical effects than purely secular ones. In one study, volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups practicing different meditative/relaxation techniques: a group that used a spiritual mantra such as "God is love" or "God is peace," a secular group using a phrase such as "I am happy" or "I am joyful," and a control group that was simply given relaxation training. After practicing their technique for 20 minutes a day for two weeks, subjects were tested on measures of anxiety, mood and pain tolerance measured by the amount of time they could keep their hands in water of two degrees Celsius. Those practicing spiritual meditation were able to keep their hands in the near-freezing water twice as long on average as the other groups. Additionally, the spiritual group showed greater anxiety reduction and mood elevation. “
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-j-rossano/the-fear-of-death-the-joy_b_783544.html
My first comment had expressed the view that what is good about Yoga is the physical benefits (and perhaps the psychological satisfaction that comes from a healthy body).
I am definitely a non-partisan in the conflict of religious ideas. But that does not mean that my non-partisan stand has nothing to contribute here!
The Hindu side here has taken the self contradictory position that theirs is a "superior" worldview because unlike the Nicene Creed, Hindus do not believe that their path is superior to other paths!
There have been suggestions that modern science (quantum theory, particularly) supports concepts such as karma and moksha; and the idea that matter is mere illusion. This is clearly a false claim that I have disputed.
The rational, non-partisan view is an important contribution towards reality check in such a debate. We need to develop pride in human legacy -- rather than insecurely hide behind narrow walls of religion and culture.
There is no instance (other than of Yoga, Turmeric etc) where "knowledge" more than a century old is sought to be "reclaimed" by a culture as their own! I can't imagine Germans or British claiming modern Calculus as a contribution of their cultures -- and all those who use it must constantly acknowledge this!
Such political positioning arises out of self-doubt and under-confidence.
Your misunderstanding and misrepresentation is obdurate. By your own admission, you have neither studied Yoga or Vedanta, nor do you practise the meditative aspect of these disciplines, and your understanding of QM has been refuted, which only you have taken to "suggest" the above. You muddy the waters here for the sake of pronouncing your admittedly limited understanding of Yoga.
"There is no instance (other than of Yoga, Turmeric etc) where "knowledge" more than a century old is sought to be "reclaimed" by a culture as their own!"
Here too, your misrepresentation continues. No one is saying that Yoga and turmeric should not be freely available to all, to use your examples. What has sought to be done in these cases is the stopping of persons from *patenting* turmeric/curcumin and Yoga postures. Obviously, if this were not stopped, then these would be owned by some person/corporation and not be freely available to all.
No, I did NOT ever "admit" that I have neither studied Yoga or Vedanta! I had said explicitly that I have a clear idea as to the core concept of Vedanta -- and I have repeated this more than once here.
No, I have NOT read all of the original treatises of Vedanta, Vedas and Yoga. But I fail to see, how that suggests that what I know about these disciplines is inaccurate. If you feel I my understanding of Vedanta is inaccurate, you are free to point out specific instances of erroneous understanding. (Let us presume that you have indeed read all these!!!)
You can keep repeating your false notions about Quantum Theory -- which no doubt, you obtained through out-of-context quotes by spiritualists, rather than a valid comprehension of Qunatum Theory.
No, you have NOT refuted my statements that Quantum Theory does NOT infer a) that consciousness can ever exist in the absence of matter. b) that matter did not exist in the past when life had not yet evolved on earth. c) that we need to postulate a non-material "universal consciousness" in order to explain quantum effects.
Why don't refute any of my contentions a) b) or c) as above? I would look forward to this!
It is not desirable to make comments without full facts at hand.However,I can say that I have so far known only that version of yoga which is heralded by Lord Krishna in 2.48 Shrimad Bhagwat Gita,which has been propounded by Maharshi Patanjali in his Ashtangyoga, which has been popularised by BK Iyengar in the US and now by Swami Ramdev here in India and also abroad.The term Christian Yoga is as erroneous as some Muslims talk of namaz as their equivalent of yoga.There is yoga simplicitor.There is not even Hindu Yoga.These are basically physical exercises meant to pave way for peace of mind.It is not mandatory to be a Hindu to be able to practise yoga.Therefore it is not possible to agree with the views of Albert Mohler.Even if it is necessary to embark upon the utopian exercise of assimmilating atma with parmatma or to attain the divine,still then the teachings of the Gita are the best guides to do so irrespective of ones religion and faith.So even this goal can be achieved with the help of using a sound body as a chariot to that journey.The subject of Christian Yoga has no practical value. It may work as a divisive force and it may cause misgivings about a truly secular concept.
NC Beohar
I disagree with the above statement. I DO agree with Mohler that yoga and Christianity are based on different assumptions. I DISAGREE with him that Christianity's core narrative (i.e. the Nicene Creed) is valid and hence yoga is to be rejected. Rather, Christians must ask if they wish to reject the Nicene Creed in whole or part, and accept yoga's spiritual dimensions fully.
In the Indic traditions, Bhakti is one aspect among others and I have wondered if Bhakti became more commonly taken up under the influence of the Islamic invasions, but I have not found any scholarship which addresses that. If anyone can shed light on this, it would be interesting to know.
The Gita, which tells of many paths but seems to place more emphasis on Bhakti is placed in the Mahabharata, which is a Purana, a type of text which the average person begins with, but according to the Indic tradition the person is expected to next move towards the nearer approaches of the Upanishads-Vedanta and Yoga, so as to move beyond belief/faith/prayer and towards understanding and seeing for oneself (Gyana)
Those who have realized the void often err by trying to tear down all beliefs, but "the teaching is never DISMANTLED just because one individual has understood its character as skillful means. It remains in existence for others to see through,“ p. 160, Skillful Means, Pye. Christianity uses belief to continue literalization; Buddhism expects the individual to de-literalize as he progresses.
For your information Hinduism is not a religion, in the sense of western world's organized cults, but rather its the way of life of those who were on the other side of the Indus ( Hindus ) river. Secondly - your question - 'why is hinduism alone exempt from all bad dees' - Any way of human activities are not entirely true or entirely false, hinduism is no exception, but since hinduism as a way of life has been alive since more than 1,00,000 years of human history ( since today ), its ways have been modified based on feedbacks and healthy arguments. There are recorded republican states practicing what today's world calls democracy, as early as 4500 years since today - ref. Chanakya's artha shastra. So, open discussions, discussions on social justice, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, geology were a common place several thousand years before Abraham was even born in the middle east. Charaka's samhita on medicine is more than 3500 years old. According to me anything is relative in this world, religion, according to western ways, what it relates to as morals, are relatively more better in hinduism is what I emphasize. If you see something incorrect in vedic ways, its for you to take up the issue and give feedback to proper channel - this post by Rajiv is to deal with the systematic morphing of Yoga.