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Benefit of Yoga - The Christian Viewpoint

The benefit of yoga is twofold - against everything Christianity preaches.
increased health and unification of the Christians believe that studying yoga is
spirit with the body. It is accomplished akin to practicing Hinduism, and one
through the use of many different cannot separate the philosophy of
aspects, but mainly through the Hinduism from their Christian beliefs,
combination of Asanas, or postures, and regardless of the health benefit of
breathing/meditation practices.This yoga.As a practicing Buddhist, I take
raises many question in the Christian issue with this viewpoint. To me, this
community. In my research for this smacks of tunnel vision and
article, I was very surprised at the narrowmindedness. A Christian is
viewpoint of the Christian apologists, expected to open their heart and minds to
and their take on yoga and its practice. Jesus, and to give in to the spirit of
I have hesitated on writing this article the Lord. They are expected to rely on
because of that viewpoint. However, I blind faith, and to accept the word of
feel that this question and the stance of God as the only truth in the world. A
the Christian community warrants thinking person would find this
reflection on the subject.Yoga has a hypocritical, for on the one hand
history dating back over five thousand Christians preach that Yoga must be
years, to the beginning of the avoided because opening the mind to
civilization of man. Little is really clearer vision encourages the possibility
known about Yoga. it is believed to have of demonic possession, yet on the other
originated in Mehrgarh, a neolithic hand preaches that one must open the mind
settlement in what is now Afghanistan. and heart to accept Jesus into their
Scholars believe it has grown out of lives. Opening one's heart and mind is
Stone Age Shamanism. In this early period exactly that - whether it is to look into
of civilization's beginnings, Yoga was a one's self, or to accept Jesus into their
community resource, because of its lives. If, as Christians preach, we are
attempts to determine cosmic order open to demonic possession if we look
through inner vision, and apply it to inside ourselves and open the mind to all
daily living. In later years, yoga the possibilities, how then can we safely
evolved into an inner dialogue through open our hearts to the concept of
which the Yogis sought to develop their Christianity? Is there a gatekeeper who
own salvation and makes this decision when we do so that
enlightenment.Archaeological evidence of determines what path we are to follow? I
the existence of Yoga first appeared in think not...For the record, I was raised
stone seals excavated from the Indus in a Christian household. My father was
valley. It depicted figures in many the deacon of a small Baptist church in
Yogic Asanas, or postures, and officially the farming community where we lived. My
put Yoga in the time period of mother, who taught us children to
approximately 3000 B.C. Of greater question everything, moved from the
import, it also linked yoga to the great Baptist community to the Assembly of God
Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, a period in churches, and was ostracized by my
time that was considered modern and father. I think that to her dying day,
efficient.From the Indus-Sarasvati she resented my father for this
civilization came the ancient texts known narrowmindedness. Life is a matter of
as the Vedas, the oldest scriptures in choice, and my mother believed that we
the world. The Vedas are a collection of are not required to operate under the
hymns that praise a higher power and illusion of blind faith, but to do what
contains the oldest recorded history of is right to us as an individual. And it
Yoga teachings. The Vedas required the is why I walk the Noble 8 Folded Path.
practitioner to transcend human It is simply a matter of choice, and
limitations, and reach a higher spiritual questioning everything in this universe.I
plane. In later years, texts known as believe that the practice of yoga is a
the Brahmanas were written to explain the good thing. It provides us with great
rituals and the hymns of the Vedas. health benefits, clearer vision, and
Following this came the Aranyakas texts, harmony in our souls. And in this day
which outlined the practice of Yogis and age, what else is there? Whether we
living in the seclusion of the forest. be Christians, Muslims, or Buddhists, we
This led to the beginning of India's must not disrespect the feelings and
medical tradition, known as Ayurveda. thoughts of others, their rights to
All in all, Yoga transformed into a practice as they wish, or try to push our
practice of health, harmony of the views down other people's throats. To
spirit, and a way of life.The Christian live in harmony is exactly that...To find
viewpoint is thus - if one opens the mind out more about the benefit of yoga, visit
to clearer thinking and inner vision, my website at Smith is a published and
they open the spirit to demonic award winning author who's website
possession. It is felt that Yoga informs and educates the person wanting
practice borders on occultism, and that to learn more about yoga and its
opening one's mind and spirit to the practice. Visit his site to stay informed
benefit of yoga is both dangerous and on the exciting world of yoga.




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