bikram yoga

The benefit of yoga is twofold - increased health and unification of the spirit with the body. It is accomplished through the use of many different aspects
but mainly through the combination of Asanas
or postures
and breathing/meditation practices.

This raises many question in the Christian community. In my research for this article
I was very surprised at the viewpoint of the Christian apologists
and their take on yoga and its practice. I have hesitated on writing this article because of that viewpoint. However
I feel that this question and the stance of the Christian community warrants reflection on the subject.

Yoga has a history dating back over five thousand years
to the beginning of the civilization of man. Little is really known about Yoga. it is believed to have originated in Mehrgarh
a neolithic settlement in what is now Afghanistan. Scholars believe it has grown out of Stone Age Shamanism. In this early period of civilization's beginnings
Yoga was a community resource
because of its attempts to determine cosmic order through inner vision
and apply it to daily living. In later years
yoga evolved into an inner dialogue through which the Yogis sought to develop their own salvation and enlightenment.

Archaeological evidence of the existence of Yoga first appeared in stone seals excavated from the Indus valley. It depicted figures in many Yogic Asanas
or postures
and officially put Yoga in the time period of approximately 3000 B.C. Of greater import
it also linked yoga to the great Indus-Sarasvati Civilization
a period in time that was considered modern and efficient.

From the Indus-Sarasvati civilization came the ancient texts known as the Vedas
the oldest scriptures in the world. The Vedas are a collection of hymns that praise a higher power and contains the oldest recorded history of Yoga teachings. The Vedas required the practitioner to transcend human limitations
and reach a higher spiritual plane. In later years
texts known as the Brahmanas were written to explain the rituals and the hymns of the Vedas. Following this came the Aranyakas texts
which outlined the practice of Yogis living in the seclusion of the forest. This led to the beginning of India's medical tradition
known as Ayurveda. All in all
Yoga transformed into a practice of health
harmony of the spirit
and a way of life.

The Christian viewpoint is thus - if one opens the mind to clearer thinking and inner vision
they open the spirit to demonic possession. It is felt that Yoga practice borders on occultism
and that opening one's mind and spirit to the benefit of yoga is both dangerous and against everything Christianity preaches. Christians believe that studying yoga is akin to practicing Hinduism
and one cannot separate the philosophy of Hinduism from their Christian beliefs
regardless of the health benefit of yoga.

As a practicing Buddhist
I take issue with this viewpoint. To me
this smacks of tunnel vision and narrowmindedness. A Christian is expected to open their heart and minds to Jesus
and to give in to the spirit of the Lord. They are expected to rely on blind faith
and to accept the word of God as the only truth in the world. A thinking person would find this hypocritical
for on the one hand Christians preach that Yoga must be avoided because opening the mind to clearer vision encourages the possibility of demonic possession
yet on the other hand preaches that one must open the mind and heart to accept Jesus into their lives. Opening one's heart and mind is exactly 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 safely open our hearts to the concept of Christianity? Is there a gatekeeper who makes this decision 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 father was the deacon of a small Baptist church in the farming community where we lived. My mother
who taught us children to question everything
moved from the Baptist community to the Assembly of God churches
and was ostracized by my father. I think that to her dying day
she resented my father for this narrowmindedness. Life is a matter of choice
and my mother believed that we are not required to operate under the illusion of blind faith
but to do what is right to us as an individual. And it is why I walk the Noble 8 Folded Path. It is simply a matter of choice
and questioning everything in this universe.

I believe that the practice of yoga is a good thing. It provides us with great health benefits
clearer vision
and harmony in our souls. And in this day and age
what else is there? Whether we be Christians
Muslims
or Buddhists
we must not disrespect the feelings and thoughts 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...

To find out more about the benefit of yoga
visit my website at http://www.benefitofyoga.blogspot.com.