Whats wrong with Yoga and Meditation?

[Guest koppen]

Well, I've been doing power-yoga for about 4 years now. There isn't any meditation to speak of. It's basically a form of calisthenics exercise, that invigorates, and strengthens the entire body. The spiritual side that you all are concerned over, is brought into yoga exercise, just as Christian spirituality can be brought into it, or any other form of exercise.

I use to study martial arts. My teacher is a Christian, who also had Bible studies at the dojo, after class.

As far as meditation goes, Christians meditate, myself included. Going to the center of your very being, in silence, and being one with Jesus, is the catelyst of contemplative prayer, which is the deepest form of prayer there is.

Those who do not reach contemplation, do not grow very deep in faith.

There is a HUGE difference in mediation in the Lord than in Yoga....HUGE!

[JimR-OCDS]

There is a HUGE difference in mediation in the Lord than in Yoga....HUGE!

Well I don't know anything about yoga meditation, I've never done it so I can't comment on it.

However, Christian meditation, also known as "Centering Prayer," I do daily.

Resting in the Lord Jesus Christ and letting go of our own agenda's, is what it's all about.

[larryt]

There is a HUGE difference in mediation in the Lord than in Yoga....HUGE!

Well I don't know anything about yoga meditation, I've never done it so I can't comment on it.

However, Christian meditation, also known as "Centering Prayer," I do daily.

Resting in the Lord Jesus Christ and letting go of our own agenda's, is what it's all about.

What do you mean by centering prayer? Could you describe what you do or how you do it. I'm not trying to split hairs but this sounds like yoga meditation at first glance and you may not realize it.

LT

[irishcowboy]

There are yoga classes taught at some local gymns that do not emphasise the spiritual aspect, however, and I personally don't see a problem wth that.  Sans the mysticism, yoga is just another kind of physical exercize.

That may be true God-man, but I couldn't indulge in that anyway, because my conscience wouldn't let me. If I were to try to participate in any type of yoga, I would feel I was in disobedience to God, therefore for me it would be a sin. I myself think of it as being wrong altogether.

God bless,

Kat

my thoughts also,

if we are opening our mind to anyone or anything other then God, we are asking for trouble.....

Meditate on the Word of God.... that is the best thing to do...

as far as spirit, mind and body being in tune with each other, God can do that also, and does a lot better job of it then trying to focus on man......

the Bible also tells us about mixing or trying to mix " religions " meaning, trying to have other gods along with The Only God.... it dont work.... Israel found that out..... but yet for some reason they still didnt listen....

i do not see it being beneficial to mix God and hinduism or budhaism, fact is it wont work...... how can a man serve two masters..... are you serving the Spirit of God or are you serving the spirit of man.....

as far as exercise, a person can do that with out having "yoga" or even martial arts ( a person can take ballet, or other dance to do just as much as the martial arts or yoga.... )

mike

[georgesbluegirl]

I do yoga and meditation, pretty regularly. In fact, at my high school, religion classes mediate one out of every six classes. It's about finding time to focus on your life, quiet yourself, isolate yourself and really give a good look at things - often by letting your mind go blank and then seeing what comes. It's REALLY good for relieving stress and many of our meditations are God-centered as well, often we meditate on a particular image of our faith, sometimes a passage from Scripture or a thought. I understand your reluctance to engage in anything you consider non Christian, but it's a very healthy thing to do. Plus Christ meditated! What do you think he was doing for 40 days in the desert?

Also, it's not a "cult" or "pagan" thing: Yogic practices are rooted in Hinduism (which precedes Buddhism; Siddharta was a Hindu), although the more physical forms are used in Western culture today mostly for exercise.

[Guest koppen]

I do yoga and meditation, pretty regularly. In fact, at my high school, religion classes mediate one out of every six classes. It's about finding time to focus on your life, quiet yourself, isolate yourself and really give a good look at things - often by letting your mind go blank and then seeing what comes. It's REALLY good for relieving stress and many of our meditations are God-centered as well, often we meditate on a particular image of our faith, sometimes a passage from Scripture or a thought. I understand your reluctance to engage in anything you consider non Christian, but it's a very healthy thing to do. Plus Christ meditated! What do you think he was doing for 40 days in the desert?

Also, it's not a "cult" or "pagan" thing: Yogic practices are rooted in Hinduism (which precedes Buddhism; Siddharta was a Hindu), although the more physical forms are used in Western culture today mostly for exercise.

As I said before ..there is a HUGE difference in mediating in the Lords name than within yoga..It goes MUCH MUCH more deeper than just physical exercise. this is how the devil decieve christians by dressing it up and making it look pretty...It isn't of God...Research it and you will find out exactly how evil it is...I have researched this topic off and on over the years and there is nothing Godly about it. You can find that out just by reading up on it and its history.

[georgesbluegirl]

You assume I don't know anything about it, though, and I do. I've studied its roots for years now. There is nothing "evil" about yoga! It is an ancient and beautiful practice. I'll have to look up the "slavery" passage, but that set off some alarm bells for me...it didn't sound like an accurate translation (I've read more Swami A.C. Bhaktivedanta, though, so I'm not so familiar with the cited guru).

[Guest koppen]

Actually I haven't assumed anything about you not knowing about it...I am saying that from a Christain stand point and as a believer and from where I am in my walk with the Lord it is not of God.

It OK with me if you do not agree however I have researched it very deeply and it is not what we as Christians should participate in..As kitkat said it opens doors...However, it is at each of your own discretion and between you and the Lord...I have stated where I stand and I stand firmly on my position.

[georgesbluegirl]

By the way, I just looked up "Christian response to Yoga," which seems to be where you got your above information, and after only skimming it, I've seen at least one glaring thing wrong: the "destruction of the individual?" No! It's "The drop is not poured into the Ocean; the Ocean is poured into the drop." Don't believe that article at first sight; I encourage you to do more research within Hinduism itself and form your opinions based on what Hindus have to say. A good (commercial, but nonetheless) place to look for beginners is harekrishna.org (which I think takes you straight to krishna.com these days...it's the home of the A.C. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust).

[Guest koppen]

I have so much research on this subject honey because it was brought into the school my children at the time where attending...You can't dress this up to make it pretty because it is not of God. period.. However... ask me anything about it and I will find you an answer through scripture or actual info from yoga masters....As I said before I only posted a little bit concerning yoga hun...There is much much more to go on...As others have also stated you cannot mix religions or beliefs...Yoga is not a christian belief...