Christianity and Yoga

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Fri, 2010-06-04 11:17 — Joseph Bayly

Is it possible to worship God while practicing Yoga? This is a very practical question, as Yoga is extremely popular in America today. As it becomes more mainstream, Christians are beginning to take part in ever-increasing numbers. To many brothers and sisters in Christ, then, this might even be a silly question, akin to asking, “Is it possible to worship God while exercising?” The assumption here is that Yoga is simply an exercise regime. It is not.

The purpose of Yoga is to enter an altered mental state where you realize the union between yourself and the Universal Spirit. In other words, you discover the secret of “true spirituality” in which the body doesn’t really matter. This has always been its purpose, from the time of its inception prior to the birth of Jesus until now. To the Hindu, the physical world is merely an illusion, and Yoga is meant to help you forget the illusion.

Sannyasin Arumugaswami, managing editor of Hinduism Today is refreshingly honest. He says, “based as it is on Hindu Scripture and developed by Hindu sages. Yoga opens up new and more refined states of mind, and to understand them one needs to believe in and understand the Hindu way of looking at God. ... A Christian trying to adapt these practices will likely disrupt their own Christian beliefs.”

Everything you do in Yoga is designed to help you reach that altered state of mind. The breathing, the concentration, the stretches: each contributes to getting you there. For the person that is not very good at Yoga, the outcome is simply “feeling relaxed.” But that is only the first step on your way to true enlightenment, when the energy from the serpent wrapped around the base of your spine releases its hold and you can make use of it for other purposes. Don’t worry if you haven’t experienced this yet. With practice you will begin to understand the true mysteries of the religion. The Christian who has studied Church history will recognize this teaching as remarkably similar to the ancient heresy of Gnosticism.

Is it any wonder then, that those who defend Christians practicing Yoga depend on Gnostic principles? You see, Yoga is to Hinduism what attending church is to Christianity. It is the worship service. It is, at its heart, spiritual, not physical. The physical act is simply a tool for the spiritual act. The modern Christian who wants to partake in Hinduism by way of Yoga will make the claim that what they do with their body doesn’t matter. It’s all about the intentions of their heart. But this is almost exactly what Gnosticism teaches! So I warn you that practicing Yoga as a Christian will lead you to believe the lies of the Gnostics, and you respond saying, “Don’t worry, dude! I’m already a Gnostic! The actions that my body takes don’t affect my spirit or my heart at all.” Somehow that isn’t very reassuring. Instead it confirms that Christians who partake in Yoga are being syncretistic—mixing Christianity and Hinduism to form a new religion.

This is what Rob Bell has done in his “Breathe” NOOMA video, when he says, “You are a sacred creation of God. The divine breathe is flowing through you, and it's flowing through the person next to you and it’s flowing through the person next to them. You are on holy ground. There is a holiness to the people around us and how you treat them. Jesus said whatever you do for them, you've done for him.”

But what if your intention is to worship the true God as you physically contort your body into the shape of a Hindu god? This concept has been around for a long time, and Pascal describes it well when he says, “…as they have done in the Indies and China where they allowed the converts even to practice idolatry by the subtle device of making them conceal under their dress an image of Jesus Christ to which they were mentally to refer the public worship which they paid to the idol Cachinchoam” (Provincial Letters, page 100. Read more here.). Pascal mocks the Jesuits for claiming that this practice can be called Christian. Unfortunately, we are unwilling to do so today. But the Bible is clear:

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

Comments

Fri, 2010-06-04 14:26 — J.Kru

Not that I care about yoga

Not that I care about yoga one way or another, but it seems that when liberal americans get a hold of anything, they wreck it. I would be more concerned about a Christian doing yoga with a genuine yoga devotee. I'm less concerned with the pop version of yoga, which is taught in fitness clubs by people who only know about stretching and breathing.

It seems the same issue as meat in Corinth. If someone says "come and free your spirit through yoga," abstain. If someone says, "come stretch your back out," don't make a fuss over it.

Isn't every form of exercise a reflection of the idols (or true God) of the creator of that form? Aren't track events just a reflection of the Greek god Mercury (or Hermes? I forget which one is Greek and which is Roman). Why doesn't running make idol worshippers out of runners? Or how arched does your back have to be before you're leaning towards Hinduism? If a Christian happens to stretch in a manner similar to yoga, could that accidentally open the door?

However, I will acknowledge that the spirit of our age is one that says "let's all just find own way. It's all good!" In a vacuum, "fitness club yoga" is harmless. That makes the danger double for the undiscerning.

Fri, 2010-06-04 16:53 — Joseph Bayly

Dear J.Kru, The point is not

Dear J.Kru,

The point is not to say that we cannot sit with our legs crossed. Rather, it is to encourage Christians not to participate in Yoga, whether the deeply religious kind or the pop-exercise kind.

The reason is stated clearly by your last paragraph. We are not in a vacuum. Instead, we are in a country that is being swept by a return to ancient paganism, and "fitness club yoga" is part of that movement. How many Christians today associate "deep, centering breathing" with exercise? Deep breathing is part of exercising. Centering breathing is part of the occult. Pop Yoga doesn't remove much if any of the pieces, it just pretends that they have no religious significance, when in fact, they are actually teaching us to think of the world in a particular, and ungodly, way.

That's not to mention that the Yoga instructor at a fitness club may well be a Hindu, and be intentionally hiding the spiritual impact that he believes Yoga will have on the participants. This is actually an argument amongst Hindus, of how sly to be with their Yoga teaching, in an attempt to get others to lower their guard.

Fri, 2010-06-04 20:32 — Dan

Joseph, Excellent post. J.

Joseph,

Excellent post.

J. Kru,

I think you might be making a distinction that is simply not there. When considering the example of eating meat sacrificed to idols one should also bear in mind 1 Corinthians 10:20 [But I say that the things which the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. And I do not desire that you should have fellowship with demons.]

When a Christian asserts that doing yoga is a matter of a conscience what he/she is doing is in effect making 1 Corinthians 10:20 meaningless. The occultic nature of Yoga [and Hatha or Breath Yoga is but one form] is placing the believer *in fellowship* with demons. The Apostle writes in Ephesians 5:11 to have nothing to do with the fruitless works of darkness. What pray tell are these works if not yoga, astrology, witchcraft, and the like?

The subtle fallacy is that *pop* yoga is somehow different from *real* yoga. Take for example the widely distributed workout program P90X. This contains what you might call *pop* yoga. However upon further investigation you will note that the asanas are exactly the same as what you find in a class led by a Hindu Yogi. The absence of the title "Swami"notwithstanding the P90X program is a Hatha Yoga class. From the Namaste [or bow to the divine within you] to the Lotus position at the end, this class and every other yoga class have one goal in mind. The uncoiling of the Khundalini or *coiled serpent* lying dormant within the participant.

Christians should most assuredly avoid yoga as a fruitless work of darkness and repent of their involvement should they been fooled into participating.

Sat, 2010-06-05 01:11 — m

Coffee is traditionally the

Coffee is traditionally the religious drink of the Muslims. Just sayin it.

Sat, 2010-06-05 08:12 — Jody K.

God made it long before they

God made it long before they worshiped it. Not so with yoga.

Sat, 2010-06-05 09:16 — Joseph Bayly

Dear M, The improper use of

Dear M,

The improper use of an object does not invalidate its proper use. I already explained that the issue is not stretching, or sitting cross-legged. Why would coffee be any different?

I didn't say you shouldn't do anything that people who are Hindu do in their religious practices. I said you shouldn't do Yoga, which is the practice of worshipping Hindu gods. If you want the Muslim equivalent, it would be me writing a post telling Christians that they shouldn't celebrate Ramadan. And in that post, I would have shown how Bryan McLaren has created his own religion and is not worshipping the one true God, instead of Rob Bell.

-Joseph

Sun, 2010-06-06 11:39 — Ashley (Amaranth)

"The actions that my body

"The actions that my body takes don’t affect my spirit or my heart at all."

I'm still a bit confused over how bending and stretching one's body will destroy a person's faith in Christ. I don't think anyone is going to become Hindu solely through the movements of their body.

As for Yoga comparing the energy in one's body to a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, that is a description, the equivalent of my pointing to a dancer and saying, "The way she is moving her arms reminds me of a serpent moving across the ground." The serpent in the garden was evil. Snakes are a part of God's creation, and comparing something to a snake does not automatically make it evil. As for Yoga being the method by which Hindus worship their gods, it is not the only method, and I'm not sure it's even the most widely practiced method, though I'd have to do some specific research to be sure. I believe there is a vast difference between attempting to find God within yourself by clearing your mind, and pouring milk over a statue of Ganesha.

Do you have any personal stories of people you know losing their faith in Christ solely because of practicing Yoga? Yoga can produce good health, stress relief, mental and physical relaxation...those all seem like positive fruits to me. What specific negative fruits have you seen manifested from Christians participating in the pop variety of Yoga, where the specifics of its Hindu roots are not emphasized? God throughout the Bible makes it clear that he is more concerned with what is in the heart then with appearances.

Christians have been appropriating the religious practices of other cultures for centuries. That is where we get Christmas trees, Yule logs, and Easter eggs. All of these were used by ancient Pagans to worship their gods, and for no other reason. Of course, Christians had to change the meaning of these images to reflect a Christ-centered belief, and yes, they can turn into idols if their meaning is not clear...but then, money can do the same thing, and nobody is suggesting that Christians avoid money because it *might* lead to idolatry. Realistically, I don't believe many Christian has been led astray from the faith by the Easter Bunny, and I don't believe many seekers have gotten a warped or mistaken picture of Christianity because we light Christmas trees every year. Is Yoga different? Can Christians not replace the seeking of Hindu gods into seeking the Christian God? Or does the very act of bending oneself backwards, or balancing on one's foot, or centered breathing automatically lead one into Hinduism?

I'm not saying that Yoga as it is practiced is very Christian...it's not. Rather, I'm asking if it is possible to appropriate the movements and the breathing into a Christian lifestyle, using the Christian God as the center? I honestly don't see how doing so could be more harmful than giving a child an Easter basket.

Sun, 2010-06-06 15:02 — Dan

Hi Ashley, While I am not

Hi Ashley,

While I am not Joseph and didn't write his post, I have had extensive conversations with him about this topic. I have also spent a great deal of time researching Yoga over the years. I would like to respond to your post in a conversational style [henceforth I will cut and paste your comments and interact with them]

ASHLEY: I'm still a bit confused over how bending and stretching one's body will destroy a person's faith in Christ. I don't think anyone is going to become Hindu solely through the movements of their body.

DAN: I don't believe that Yoga is *merely* stretching and bending. Rather it is a set of asanas [poses] that are designed to align the chakras. The argument would need to be made that something *merely* physical has no effect at all on the incorporeal mind and vice versa. However as you know Christianity is replete with examples of physical acts that have spiritual implications [i.e. washing one's feet, communion, the crucifixion, etc.] Additionally you are still left with the necessity of making the argument that yoga is *merely* physical.

ASHLEY: As for Yoga comparing the energy in one's body to a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, that is a description, the equivalent of my pointing to a dancer and saying, "The way she is moving her arms reminds me of a serpent moving across the ground." The serpent in the garden was evil. Snakes are a part of God's creation, and comparing something to a snake does not automatically make it evil.

DAN: This misses the point of the intent of yoga. Yoga [which in Sanskrit means: to yoke] is a yoking together with the universal spirit. AUM is the sound made while in the Lotus position. AUM is the sound that is made by the universal energy that according to Hinduism is the ultimate source of universal consciousness. While you are correct that comparing something to a snake does not automatically make it evil, you must take this in the context in which it is communicated. In other words, Khundalini is not simply a harmless analogical descriptor, rather it is indicative of the inherently religious nature of yoga. Furthermore the word "yoga" has come to be synonymous only with Hatha yoga however there are many yogas.

ASHLEY:Do you have any personal stories of people you know losing their faith in Christ solely because of practicing Yoga? Yoga can produce good health, stress relief, mental and physical relaxation...those all seem like positive fruits to me. What specific negative fruits have you seen manifested from Christians participating in the pop variety of Yoga, where the specifics of its Hindu roots are not emphasized? God throughout the Bible makes it clear that he is more concerned with what is in the heart then with appearances.

DAN: First, I am not asserting that people have *lost* their faith in Christ solely because of practicing yoga. I don't believe you can lose faith as our faith is it is a gift from God. You can however provoke God to jealousy and invoke his displeasure. You are making a pragmatic argument for yoga; since it seems to produce good health, relaxation, stress relief it must be good for us. The difficulty with this line of reasoning is that it opens up two possiblities. 1) Our God did not reveal to us yoga; therefore our God is more akin to the Platonic demiurge who does not have all knowledge. This is because if what you are asserting is true then God has either ommitted something beneficial to our bodies and minds that has all of the *fruits* you ennumerated (one could also argue that God is no longer good as he is withholding something beneficial from us) or 2) Truth can be found in other religions. In this case you are only a hair's breadth from pluralism.

Finally, in the interest of time I would say that the same argument could be made for a prohibition against Easter and Christmas as well. The Reformers found these pagan celebrations to be an abomination. I think Christians would do well to examine these celebrations in light of their roots.

Sun, 2010-06-06 21:21 — Joseph Bayly

You said, "I'm still a bit

You said, "I'm still a bit confused over how bending and stretching one's body will destroy a person's faith in Christ."

Many Christians today are also confused about how men "praying, lifting up holy hands" (1 Timothy 2:8) could have any spiritual benefit to us. Also, we don't understand why we should "kneel before the LORD our Maker" (Psalm 95:6). Yet it is clear that our physical bodies and our actions in our bodies are tied to our hearts in a way we don't want to admit.

You said, "As for Yoga comparing the energy in one's body to a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, that is a description,"

Not according to Hindus.

"The object of the practice of Kundalini Yoga is to awaken the serpent, Sakti. When she is ready to unfold, she ascends through the spinal chakras to unite above the crown of the head with Siva, the Pure Consciousness pervading the whole universe." "Kundalini energy always exists within one all the time. Kundalini is an inherent form of dormant energy that exists within the body since times immemorial and is only required to be released. It has always been lying dormant within the human body. From one manifestation of life to another as a human being... this coiled Serpentine energy exists waiting to be awakened!"

You said, "attempting to find God within yourself by clearing your mind"

I'm curious if you think this is something that Christians are supposed to do.

You ask "Do you have any personal stories of people you know losing their faith in Christ solely because of practicing Yoga?"

No. But I do have a number of personal stories of people losing their faith simply by reading and listening to Rob Bell.

If you want to learn to stretch or breath properly, why Yoga as opposed to any other number of things that don't claim to be religious?

Mon, 2010-06-07 07:23 — Scott Tibbs

>> Isn't every form of

>> Isn't every form of exercise a reflection of the idols
>> (or true God) of the creator of that form? Aren't track
>> events just a reflection of the Greek god Mercury

The point is the same as coffee. Running was around long before anyone fabricated a "god" of running. When children race, are they worshiping a pagan "god" of speed? No. They're running. That's it.

Yet we live in a society where many Christians find it acceptable for a "church" to honor the Dalai Lama as a spiritual leader (not merely as a head of state) when he visits Bloomington. Lack of discernment over Yoga shouldn't be a surprise.

Mon, 2010-06-07 13:07 — JK

Mercury is Roman, by the way.

Mercury is Roman, by the way. Hermes is Greek. (In a somewhat unrelated note, it's ironic that Greek/Roman mythology/paganism is a staple of Christian schooling curriculum.)

Do we have a similar wariness of the Olympics Games which originated as a tribute to Zeus? The modern Olympic torch is lit by women playing priestesses to a pagan Greek goddess Hestia, at the place where Hera's temple stood in ancient times. The Olympic medals are all imprinted with the likeness of Nike, a Greek goddess (demon?) of victory. Also, the FIFA World Cup trophy is a 18-karat gold likeness of Nike. Even if it were not a worship of these gods of antiquity, it is a denial that the living and true God is the giver of victory.

Does the voluntary participation in the Olympic Games or the World Cup--as a competitor or as a spectator--constitute "fellowship with demons"?

Would it be less subtle if it were a golden calf or a Hindu god instead of Nike?

Mon, 2010-06-07 13:15 — JK

Another clarifying point. We

Another clarifying point. We seem to distinguish between pop Greek paganism (aka mythology) and real Greek paganism.

Mon, 2010-06-07 16:02 — Chris A.

Why are some Christians

Why are some Christians surprised that a revelation of sin in a particular area also reveals sin in a host of other areas? Have we lost the Biblical view of the depravity of our own souls, apart from the saving work of the Triune God?

"Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5

"For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me." Psalm 51:3

I would like to think that, when presented with a Biblical case for the sinfullness of yoga, that we would not have such pride that we assume that yoga cannot be sinful merely because it it cuts too closely to other conduct in our lives (celebtration of Christmas, Easter, Halloween, watching the Olympic games, World Cup, etc.), but would have a humble and contrite heart and think that maybe, just maybe, our own sinfullness has blinded us to much in our walk that IS an affront to God.

Isn't it better to reevaluate our celebration of Christmas, in light of God's holiness and character, than assume that yoga is righteous merely because we celebrate Christmas, which has similar pagan trappings but must be okay because we celebrate it?

"God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

Tue, 2010-09-07 12:52 — Tabitha

While I am tuning in to this

While I am tuning in to this lengthy discussion a little late I do have a few things to say. As an artist and a mother, I am always looking for things to recommend to our son to encourage his artistic development. What does this have to do with Yoga? I never give a book to my son unless I read it. I became interested in Jeanne Carbonetti's books on "The Yoga of Drawing," "The Toa of Watercolor." Her artistic work is beautiful, but if you want to understand precisely the problem - then consider her discription of the garden of eden - in the book "The Yoga of Drawing" Nothing could be so far from the story put down in Genesis as that. I found I could not continue reading the book.
I practice some of the excercises, only because I have a deterioring disc in my spine and my doctor recommended certain excercises to help eliviate the pain I suffer every day.
Years ago I took yoga classes, but after a discussion with my sister-in-law I gave it up. I am writing a book on Wisdom, and as I was going through my manuscript in revisions, I was faced with a sudden awareness that I needed to be careful of what I read and study, particularly because I am presently reading another book on the subject on the healing qualities of Yoga. There is an objective approach and a subjective approach. Objectivity can be part of an academic study of these religions, and subjectivity can or might lead to either a personal embrace or a compromise of one's faith. Alot depends on how you see things and how well grounded in the Scriptures you are. I think you should stay away from things you do not fully understand. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." The major issue is not one of loosing faith, the issue that stands out is that you may find yourself compromising your faith. And I can tell you from personal experience that it is a dangerous position to be in. (Sought of like Samson going into the Philistine camp, he lost his spiritual strengh.) I could probably say a great more on this subject, but then I'd be writing another essay. Things are not always as they seem.
I did my mission thesis on the Islamic faith when in Bible School. Be careful.
I think Sharon Jaynes's book for women "I'm not good enough" puts forth the truth - discern what is truth and what is false. Measure absoutely everything by the Word of God and make sure you pray about everything you want to do or study.

Tue, 2010-09-07 12:52 — Tabitha

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