The advantage of yoga is twofold-- increased health and marriage of the spirit with the body. It is accomplished through making use of several elements, however generally through the combination of Asanas, or postures, and breathing/meditation practices.
This raises lots of concern in the Christian community. In my research study for this short article, I was extremely stunned at the viewpoint of the Christian apologists, and their handle yoga and its practice. I have been reluctant on composing this short article since of that perspective. However, I feel that this concern and the position of the Christian community warrants reflection on the subject.
Yoga has a history navigate here going back over five thousand years, to the beginning of the civilization of guy. Little is actually known about Yoga. it is believed to have originated in Mehrgarh, a neolithic settlement in what is now Afghanistan. Scholars believe it has actually outgrown Stone Age Shamanism. In this early period of civilization's beginnings, Yoga was a community resource, due to the fact that of its efforts to identify cosmic order through inner vision, and use it to everyday living. In later years, yoga progressed into an inner dialogue through which the Yogis looked for to establish their own redemption and enlightenment.
Historical evidence of the presence of Yoga initially appeared in stone seals excavated from the Indus valley. It illustrated figures in many Yogic Asanas, or postures, and formally put Yoga in the time period of roughly 3000 B.C. Of higher import, it also connected yoga to the excellent Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, a period in time that was considered modern and effective.
From the Indus-Sarasvati civilization came the ancient texts known as the Vedas, the earliest bibles on the planet. The Vedas are a collection of hymns that applaud a greater power and consists of the earliest recorded history of Yoga teachings. The Vedas needed the professional to transcend human limitations, and reach a greater spiritual aircraft. In later years, texts referred to as the Brahmanas were composed to discuss the rituals and the hymns of the Vedas. Following this came the Aranyakas texts, which laid out the practice of Yogis residing in the seclusion of the forest. This led to the start of India's medical custom, referred to as Ayurveda. All in all, Yoga transformed into a practice of health, harmony of the spirit, and a way of living.
The Christian viewpoint is thus-- if one opens the mind to clearer thinking and inner vision, they open the spirit to demonic belongings. It is felt that Yoga practice borders on occultism, which opening one's mind and spirit to the advantage of yoga is both unsafe and against whatever Christianity preaches. Christians believe that studying yoga is akin to practicing Hinduism, and one can not separate the philosophy of Hinduism from their Christian beliefs, despite the health benefit of yoga.
As a practicing Buddhist, I take issue with this perspective. To me, this smacks of one-track mind and narrowmindedness. A Christian is anticipated to open their heart and minds to Jesus, and to succumb to the spirit of the Lord. They are expected to count on blind faith, and to accept the word of God as the only fact worldwide. A believing individual would find this hypocritical, for on the one hand Christians preach that Yoga should be avoided because opening the mind to clearer vision encourages the possibility of demonic possession, yet on the other hand preaches that one should open the mind and heart to accept Jesus into their lives. Opening one's heart and mind is precisely that-- whether it is to look into one's self, or to accept Jesus into their lives. If, as Christians preach, we are open to demonic possession if we look inside ourselves and open the mind to all the possibilities, how then can we securely open our hearts to the idea of Christianity? Exists a gatekeeper who makes this choice when we do so that determines what path we are to follow? I think not ...
For the record, I was raised in a Christian household. My daddy was the deacon of a little Baptist church in the farming community where we lived. My mother, who taught us children to question whatever, moved from the Baptist neighborhood to the Assembly of God churches, and was ostracized by my daddy. I think that to her dying day, she resented my dad for this narrowmindedness. Life is a matter of option, and my mom thought that we are not required to run under the impression of blind faith, but to do what is right to us as a person. And it is why I stroll the Noble 8 Folded Path. It is simply a matter of option, and questioning everything in this universe.
I believe that the practice of yoga is a good thing. It supplies us with great health advantages, clearer vision, and consistency in our souls. And in this day and age, what else exists? Whether we be Christians, Muslims, or Buddhists, we need to not disrespect the sensations and ideas of others, their rights to practice as they wish, or try to push our views down other people's throats. To live in harmony is exactly that ...