Is it sinful to learn Hindu/yoga religion to bring my wife to Catholicism

[Alyosha1984]

I have recently become convinced of the truth of Catholicism and am in RCIA (sort of, COVID has disrupted things).

My wife is skeptical of Catholicism and Christianity in general. I have slowly opened her eyes to learn about the actual religion and actual Bible. This has involved a difficult process of disabusing her of the lies and obfuscations taught about our religion. As I am sure everyone on this forum is well aware, TV, school, and movies portray Christians as a bunch of holier-than-thou homophobic racist uneducated redneck hicks. Convincing her that everything she’s been taught about Christianity is a lie has been challenging, to put it lightly.

We have a “deal”, where I read her some scripture and commentary each night, and she reads me some Sutras.

She has asked me to join her in a guided meditation. I’m reluctant because I know it will be vapid (she told me it was vapid – all modern “new-age” meditation stuff is), but also because I am worried that participating in such an exercise counts as a sin.

So my question – is it sinful for me to learn about my wife’s Hinda/yoga learnings and even participate in a “guided meditation”, if she allows me to show her more of the Light?

What if, as part of our deal, I convince her to join me in some Catholic prayers in return for meditating?

I’m interested in views on the sinfulness of this.

Also would welcome any words of support or insight into the task of opening my wife’s mind. It is simply amazing the level of anti-Christian animus which exists today in our culture, especially since it is coupled with such gross ignorance. (People preach “tolerance”, then condemn the Holy Bible unequivocally without ever having read a single word of the text…) This is a difficult task and any shared experiences would be most welcome.

Thanks,

 

[TK421]

It’s okay and/or spiritually beneficial to learn about a different culture or religion. I spent some time learning about Islam in the past from the horse’s mouth (rather than learning about it through a Christian or somebody else) and it was a positive experience.

I dont know what exact meditation she has in mind so I can’t answer that part.

Peace.

 

[Neithan]

The Syro-Malabar Catholic church has inculturated some Hindu customs; so it seems alright in principle. There is a wealth of wisdom in Indian philosophy; there is also a lot of superstition and some discernment is necessary. Invoking spirits is something to be wary about.

 

[Theo520]

Saying the rosary is a form of meditation

 

[Swiftdove]

I cant say for sure on whether it’s a sin or not, I’d ask a priest about the details. .
I wouldn’t sit and chant some false gods name in meditation or yoga, which happens sometimes.
Also I’ve heard from a priest that certain meditation, I think transcendental BUT I may be wrong, could leave a person wide open to evil spirits.
I was very involved in new age stuff before I found the church, and I wouldn’t dabble in it at all these days, because it would be a near occasion of sin for me.
I still like to do certain stretches and strengthening balances that I learned in yoga. But I dont go to the classes or practice anything spiritual along with it.
I hope it goes well for you and your wife. Your prayers for her are powerful. May she merit grace from your prayers.

 

[Buks]

Sorry, but I can’t get past the point that your wife would want you to practice something she considers vapid. Perhaps I misunderstood.

 

[toddy]

Do not sit at Buddha image or bow any deity, any thing! or recipe their prayers against Christianity, invite demons. Can learn yoga outdoor.

They had brain wash that Jesus was a human, not son of God, and Jesus was just like their god of Shiva. So maybe only miracle of Holy Queen or Jesus can convert her.

 

[John_Martin]

People are converted by wanting to participate with Jesus, with Catholics. They see Jesus, see us, from an “outsider” position; they see something good, so good they want to be in on it.
Be a happy Catholic; study the catechism so you know all the church knows.
We are a unique People sojourning on the earth, and people will desire to join with us just by seeing our uniqueness, from the outside wanting to come in with us.
One day she will say, “Could I be one of you?”

 

[Sean59]

Do not engage in any yoga/meditations or anything new age. This behavior is very sinful (assuming you understand what you are doing) and can open the portal for evil spirits. I understand how difficult this can be, especially in your situation. However, it is imperative that you dissuade your wife from this behavior at all costs. Try to set a good example and lead her towards Christ.

 

[tomo_pomo]

If she asks you to participate in meditation then you can ask her to participate in prayer. Like Rosary. Let’s see what she says on that

 

[Athanasiy]

I remember in my youth when 1 or 2 chapters from Bhagavad-Gita, impressed me very much.
I knew those words about love and rejoicing in Divine presence are in the New Testament too, but in other words.
So some parts of truth in other religious experience are just reminder and reinforcing the Gospels truth.

 

[Erikaspirit16]

There is truth in all religions. More in some…I think Hinduism has a lot of insights. If it were me, I would find the correspondences between Hinduism and Christianity. There are many. A good place to start is the symbol on the Indian flag that represents dharma.

As an historical footnote, Jesuits found a lot of similarities too. They wanted to preach in a more traditional Hindu way, dressing as Brahmins, etc. The Pope said no. Too bad, because odds are India would be a Christian country today. There are about 30 million Catholics in India. Remember that Christianity supposedly came there with St. Thomas in the 1st century. Christianity is just an “Indian” as other relgiions.

 

[Athanasiy]

Islam competes there too.
Islam conquered the land which now is called Pakistan, but many Hindu people have much respect to cows, and opposing killing and eating the animals.

 

[Bluebright]

No I would not. Meditation which is not Christian ie filling the mind with God, generally entails emptying the mind and this can be a way of letting demons in. You do not have to know you are doing this to be doing it. If a person is in a state of mortal sin the risk is very high its only God’s grace that prevents this at any time. You may be fine but you may not, I wouldn’t risk this since demons playing around in your life and the life of your family is the last thing you need when trying to encourage your wife into the church. Tell her you prefer a different sort of meditation.

Though it is perfectly fine to learn about other religions it is not fine to practice them. Also a word of caution when learning about other religions. If as you say you are new to yours it may be wise to learn about yours rather than another one or you may become confused, like you wouldn’t learn two languages at the same time. The best way we teach others is to be a disciple ourselves -simply follow Christ. In other words live the life of Christ and let others just see how we are by our love… you don’t necessarily have to do more than that. God bless you.

 

[Athanasiy]

I reminded the Apostle Paul - …for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about."
People grew up by worship the religion of their ancestors.
For many the ancestrous religion is very sacred.
Apostol Paul was quite eloquent in rethorics, and what he needed is to direct to the right knowledge about the correct moral and natural attributes of Divine Supreme Being.