Ashtanga Yoga - Eight Fold Path of Discipline

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Anyone who understands the nature of prelest or spiritual deception will recognize in this description of “Christian Yoga” precisely the characteristics of those who have gone spiritually astray, whether into pagan religious experiences or sectarian “Christian” experiences. The same striving for “holy and divine feelings,” the same openness and willingness to be “seized” by a spirit, the same seeking not for God but for “spiritual consolations,” the same self-intoxication which is mistaken for a “state of grace,” the same incredible ease with which one becomes “contemplative” or “mystical,” the same “mystical revelations” and pseudospiritual states. These are the common characteristics of all who are in this particular state of spiritual deception. But the author of Christian Yoga, being a Benedictine monk, adds some particular “meditations” which reveal him as fully in the spirit of the Roman Catholic “meditation” of recent centuries, with its free play of fantasies on Christian themes. Thus for example, having meditated on a theme of the Christmas Eve mass, he begins to see the Child in the arms of His Mother: “I gaze; nothing more. Pictures, ideas (associations of ideas: Saviour-King-Light-Halo-Shepherd-Child-Light again) come one after the other, march past… All these pieces of a sacred puzzle taken together arouse one idea in me… a silent vision of the whole mystery of Christmas.” Anyone with the slightest knowledge of Orthodox spiritual discipline will see that this pitiable “Christian yogi” has fallen handily into a trap set by one of the lesser demons that lie in wait for the seeker of “spiritual experiences:” he has not even seen an “angel of light,” but has only given way to his own “religious fancies,” the product of a heart and mind totally unprepared for spiritual warfare and the deceptions of the demons. Such “meditation” is being practiced today in a number of Roman Catholic convents and monasteries.
The fact that the book concludes with an article by the French translator of the Philokalia, together with excerpts from the Philokalia, only reveals the abyss that separates these dilettantes from the true spirituality of Orthodoxy, which is totally inaccessible to the modern “wise men” who no longer understand its language. A sufficient indication of the author’s incompetence in understanding the Philokalia is the fact that he gives the name “prayer of the heart” (which in Orthodox tradition is the highest mental prayer, acquired by very few only after many years of ascetic struggle and being humbled by a true God-bearing Elder) to the easy trick of reciting syllables in rhythm with the heartbeat.

Fr Seraphim Rose
 
Specifically, the experience of “spiritual quietness” which is given by various kinds of meditation, whether without specific religious content (as is claimed by “TM,” some forms of Yoga and Zen, and the secular cults) or with pagan religious content (as in Hare Krishna, the “Divine Light Mission,” “31-10,” etc.), is an entrance to the “cosmic” spiritual realm where the deeper side of the human personality enters into contact with actual spiritual beings. These beings, in man’s fallen state, are first of all the demons or fallen spirits who are closest to man. Zen Buddhist meditators themselves, despite all their cautions about spiritual “experiences,” describe their encounters with these spirits (mixed with human fantasies), all the while emphasizing that they are not “clinging” to them.
orthodoxphotos.com/readings/future/christianity.shtml
 
Mickey said:
Ouch. This is terribly syncretist. So very sad.
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As a Roman Catholic, I am already a heretic without even a valid Baptism… I honestly wonder what’s the point in labeling me a syncretist… ?

🤷

Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable…
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy…
contemplate such things.
~St. Paul to the Philippians 4:8

Do you deny that St. Justin Martyr claimed Plato a Christian?
 
Mickey said:
There is no such creature. Syncretism is a heresy! :eek:
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Your perspective is of the same spirit that nearly wiped out the Catholic church in India.

When the Portuguese and Dominicans invaded India, they actually ordered the destruction of the Churches that St. Thomas the Apostle himself founded. Why? Because they were too oriental.

Heresy is the sin against the Holy Spirit of Understanding which encourages, by all and any means to bring others to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Mickey said:
Even the purely physical side of psychic disciplines like Yoga are dangerous, because they are derived from and dispose one towards the psychic attitudes and experiences which are the original purpose of Yoga practice.
orthodoxphotos.com/readings/future/christianity.shtml
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Dangerous only to those having weak or little faith in Our Savior Jesus Christ.

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. - Matt 8:26
 
chrisb said:
As a Roman Catholic, I am already a heretic without even a valid Baptism… I honestly wonder what’s the point in labeling me a syncretist… ?

🤷

Do you deny that St. Justin Martyr claimed Plato a Christian?
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Those darn syncretist church fathers! How dare they incorporate Greek philosophy into their thinking and even sermons!
 
Mickey said:
There is no such creature. Syncretism is a heresy! :eek:
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Mosaic of the Vatican grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica, on the ceiling of the tomb of the Julii (Pope Julius I). Representation of Christ as the sun-god Helios or Sol Invictus riding in his chariot. Dated to the 3rd century AD. See this reference

Were 3rd century popes also syncretists?
 
chrisb said:
My friend neither was Logos a Jewish term until it was used by St. John the Theologian…

Amen, Amin, and Aum are all from the same root word. When our Lord said “my yoke is easy…” he was saying “my yoga is easy…”
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Are they? Can I have a source for this please, preferably a website, however if it is a book you found this in so be it, I don’t mind doing a little leg work.
chrisb said:
Chakras are a doctrine of Raja Yoga and not Ashtanga-Vinyasa so the point is moot.
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Fair enough.
chrisb said:
Pranayama is simply breathing exercises not unlike those practiced by the Hesychasts of Mount Athos, who where Christain Monastics.
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It may be similar, there are many things which are similar which are contrary to the Christian faith. the concept of Chi stands as one example, many modern Chi kung practitioners have identified it as ‘‘air’’, doesn’t make it so.
chrisb said:
Define Nirvana… and we will know why you have trouble with this also.
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In the Hindu sense of the word, or how I see it? Actually it doesn’t matter, my point is not semantics, my point is that yoga, by which I do not mean ‘‘any form of prayer’’, I mean specifically the collection of meditative and physical techniques now commonly identified as yoga (any branch, any discipline) which originated amongst Hindu ascetics, commonly known today as yogis, is not a Christian prayer form, however much you may want it to be so.

Again, IF one can separate Hindu mythology from the exercise then this is great, I am no theologian but I would say continue, if not, then it is dangerous and the practitioner is fooling themself.

If one wishes to meditate upon the Divine Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, seated or moving, then I cannot see a problem with that. You seem to think that I am out to ‘‘get’’ Yoga. I am merely stating that the Church has given her answer to the issue. As Catholics we should obey.
 
codebilly said:
Your perspective is of the same spirit that nearly wiped out the Catholic church in India.

When the Portuguese and Dominicans invaded India, they actually ordered the destruction of the Churches that St. Thomas the Apostle himself founded. Why? Because they were too oriental.

Heresy is the sin against the Holy Spirit of Understanding which encourages, by all and any means to bring others to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
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They also oredered destruction of Hindu temples and started inquisition against the Hindus.
 
Mickey said:
I never said that “yoga is evil”. Please do not put words in my mouth. I am simply saying that it is not compatible with Catholicism or Orthodoxy. I have much experience with the subject but I do not intend to go into much detail on this forum–you can chalk it up to my opinion.

If you like yoga–by all means–knock yourself out. 😃
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Are the numerals and decimal system too incompatible with catholicism? Is that the reason why the RCC still uses roman numbering. Of course for money accounting it uses Hindu system.

There is a spiritual meaning to different numbers.
 
codebilly said:
** What is Catholic Yoga?**

He describes 3 principle Yogas. They are Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti, meaning Knowledge, Works, and Love/Devotion respectively.

Krsna tells Arjuna that Love is the highest path. These paths are in fact given in the Divine Life of Jesus Christ.

Now where are the Yogas, or Margas described in the Gospels and New Testament?
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Xianity has only the last of them. It is not favorable to knowledge and good deeeds.
 
Yoga or no Yoga, are there any issues with the Yamas, which can be followed as stsnd alone practice.

They are NOT yoga, but a preparation for it.
 
rcscwc said:
Xianity has only the last of them. It is not favorable to knowledge and good deeeds.
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Jnana yoga entered Christianity primarily via the Greeks.

Karma yoga is part of the Judaic heritage of Christianity.
 
rcscwc said:
Are the numerals and decimal system too incompatible with catholicism? Is that the reason why the RCC still uses roman numbering. Of course for money accounting it uses Hindu system.

There is a spiritual meaning to different numbers.
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Before you ride you horse of pride too high, there is more evidence that Hinduism is an amalgamation of a variety of religions including Christianity. In fact, a very strong case can be made that Hinduism is a Gnosis Judeo Christian thought.

I don’t fully support that perspective but you should understand that many do. And in addition, Hinduism makes preposterous claims that Bhagavad Gita is 5000 years old or 10,000 years old, but do not have a single shred of archeological evidence that is that old.

If you are a Hindu and a yoga practitioner, then come forth with some knowledge of your faith rather than enter this place tearing down the perspectives of others.

You can start by explaining the Purusha Sukta Hymn of the Rg Veda and provide your perspective on the identity of Prajapathi mentioned in the Purusha Sukta Hymn.

You can start by watching Sadhu Chellapa here:

“God Himself becomes redeemer of sinners by sacrificing His Body” … and Prajapathi takes the form of a real human body and offers himself for the remission of sin.
 
rcscwc said:
Xianity has only the last of them. It is not favorable to knowledge and good deeeds.
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Hinduism came from the bible?

http://www.saragrahi.org/Images/NaraHari 1.jpg
*On the right is a nara Hari rupa from silpa shastra for comparison. Their jewish and vaishnava names aryeh and haryeh are even related. They are both associated with the wrathful form of the lord Eli / Hari as time. One is the “lion of judah” and the other is the lion of the yadus, the wrathful form of Hari / Eli as YHVH Tzaboath in exodus! In exodus (in the Christian bible and Jewish scriptures), the wrathful form of Eli (Hari) as Yahu Tzabaoth, the lion of Judah, intervenes between the forces of the pharaoh and the mixed multitude of devotees leaving egypt. Like Sri Krishna’s wrathful form in the gita, he is remembered in the western traditions as the lord of time, devouring the worlds! One of nara Hari’s names is kalah! In the gita, Sri Krishna says “kalo smi.” “time i am, destroyer of the worlds.” the lion headed form of Eli / Hari as time (search art history references for “leontocephalos time,” chronus, saturnus, zervan, apadamek, etc.) Was worshiped throughout the ancient world. *
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— see
 
codebilly said:
Before you ride you horse of pride too high, there is more evidence that Hinduism is an amalgamation of a variety of religions including Christianity. In fact, a very strong case can be made that Hinduism is a Gnosis Judeo Christian thought.
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Really? Hinduism a redacted Judeo Christian tought? Maybe time travel has been invented, and some christians travelled back to 5000 years BP to influence Hindu thoughts.
I don’t fully support that perspective but you should understand that many do.
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You must be one of the realistic ones.
If you are a Hindu and a yoga practitioner, then come forth with some knowledge of your faith rather than enter this place tearing down the perspectives of others.
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That is what OP is about. Any issues with the rules?
You can start by explaining the Purusha Sukta Hymn of the Rg Veda and provide your perspective on the identity of Prajapathi mentioned in the Purusha Sukta Hymn.
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Tathastu [So be it, but in a separate thread].
“God Himself becomes redeemer of sinners by sacrificing His Body” … and Prajapathi takes the form of a real human body and offers himself for the remission of sin.
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So, Prajapathy is the Original Redeemer, others took after Him. Remember, Rig Veda is older than the biblical creation.
 
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