Is yoga demonic or no?

[Chantal25]

It is of no use. Someone will complain about unapproved apparitions in your post. Some people won’t listen until they get bitten. People seem to act as if the devil is a moron or does not deceive the world–maybe does not exist, really, so why fear? Somehow taking up something that is considered spiritual by native people will not matter.

I understand and i also understand the posts from anyone who supports yoga because i could have written them myself not that so long ago. My renewed faith in the Catholic church only happened last fall. I used to be a very loyal Catholic but i wasn’t committed as i am to go to church which made me vulnerable and got caught myself in the new age modality thinking that i was still a catholic.

When you are caught up in new age, it is like you are under hypnoses and you are correct because nothing i say, will get at them, but i am hoping beside with prayer that i will put enough seed of doubt that they will start to question everything.

Prayer, prayer and prayer is what helped me to realize that i was on the wrong path.

Thank you for your kindness, God bless you, please pray!

 

[Chantal25]

God bless you all…

Dear Jesus, Mary and Joseph please bless and protect all those who seek to condemn and divide; either knowingly or unknowingly. May they grow in faith, hope and charity and become holier and holier with the passing of each new day. May they see God in all things He has created and seek first to understand. May they be enlightened by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (839-848), the Church’s teachings in the form of the true and righteous documents of the Second Vatican Council and the writings of Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI in the book Principles of Catholic Theology … Although we are weak and imperfect, may we all constantly seek to live the commandment of Jesus…to love one another as he has loved us. Amen

Love your prayer, please read my post 472 regarding religious people that you say practice yoga.

Blessings and love!

 

[Chantal25]

Titus 1:15
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

We see in others what is in us. I used to love catching myself judging because i knew it cames from me.

You aren’t reading my post right, i am not condemning anyone, but i cannot stay apart and watching someone about to hurt themselves without at least speaking up. I understand what it is to be caught up in new age and seeing everything pink and perfect.

Today, something came to me while i was praying. When we seek luxury, ways to feel good etc…, we simply miss God and it is a way to create an artificial heaven when we do those things. In truth, Jesus came here to show us the way to be simply with God for ever when we are done here on earth. He cares so much about everyone of us. You are loved sweet heart, very deeply.

God bless you!

 

[cheezey]

I agree. And I also think that a high percentage of the mostly women in the class are doing it for the health and exercise benefits only.

It’s important to note that when words and/or concepts are incorporated into other cultures, they often lose their original meaning. How many westerners practicing “yoga” have heard of the above? The percentages are probably in the single digits.

As stated another way above…

I have practiced yoga many times in my life. I have found that during those times I had clarity, courage, a heightened awareness, and focus. The meditations were helpful in teaching me to surrender to God, to surrender to what is. Of course, my instructor was Catholic.

I love how at the end of every class we would say, “Namaste” which means, “I honor the light within you.” Jesus says that He is the “Light of the world,” and that statement always brought me to be more aware of His presence in each one of us. :newidea:

God bless you all…

Dear Jesus, Mary and Joseph please bless and protect all those who seek to condemn and divide; either knowingly or unknowingly. May they grow in faith, hope and charity and become holier and holier with the passing of each new day. May they see God in all things He has created and seek first to understand. May they be enlightened by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (839-848), the Church’s teachings in the form of the true and righteous documents of the Second Vatican Council and the writings of Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI in the book Principles of Catholic Theology … Although we are weak and imperfect, may we all constantly seek to live the commandment of Jesus…to love one another as he has loved us. Amen

May I print to pray this just as it is??

 

[godisgood77]

As stated another way above…





May I print to pray this just as it is??

Absolutely…

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

I understand and i also understand the posts from anyone who supports yoga because i could have written them myself not that so long ago.

I first incorporated stretches from yoga in my routine approximately 33 years ago. I also practice Chinese martial arts for my primary training, and include various other arts via various seminars and other events I go to.

My renewed faith in the Catholic church only happened last fall. I used to be a very loyal Catholic but i wasn’t committed as i am to go to church which made me vulnerable and got caught myself in the new age modality thinking that i was still a catholic.

My coming back to faith has been over the past several years, thanks to my wife.

When you are caught up in new age, it is like you are under hypnoses and you are correct because nothing i say, will get at them, but i am hoping beside with prayer that i will put enough seed of doubt that they will start to question everything.

Many people are insecure in their faith and get caught up in other things. However, many people are not. If people want to use yoga, martial arts, or anything else to lead them away from their faith, they will…the yoga, or anything else, is simply an excuse for the person that really doesn’t believe in the first place. For all these people that are reputedly lead away from their faith, there are 10x that many that are not. In fact, the last martial arts seminar I went to was taught by a hardcore Christian grandmaster that sounds like a Baptist preacher when he teaches.

I started questioning things long ago, and it had nothing to do with any of this. The Truth reveals itself. I people don’t want to see it, then they won’t.

 

[cheezey]

I started questioning things long ago, and it had nothing to do with any of this. The Truth reveals itself. If people don’t want to see it, then they won’t.

 

[Chantal25]

Warrior Monk,

You seem like a wonderful soul. Thank you for your kindness for replying to me, you are clearly trying hard to be respectful and I took notice.

I didn’t get ride of everything at first about New Age, just the obvious, then i had to truly try harder to question for the remaining. My desire that i have in me, is to do God’s will and change my life entirely so i am only devoted to him (Clearly long way to go but as said, i have hope and faith). This desire, lead me to be cautious and question even more. I recently ditched something else that i wasn’t sure it was wrong, but it was. I asked in prayer, and the answer was given to me afterward. I had so much work to do but again, i know i am not alone now, truly not.

I wasn’t insecure with my faith, i was solid. Nobody could ever make me change religions (Technically, i never did, but i simply stop practicing). It was little seeds that were planted in me and when they were ready, the weeds grew years after. The last drop that made me stop believing in the Catholic church (not the teaching about Jesus and Mother Mary or the sacraments), was about the scandal that happened regarding the children. I had all the weed’s seed that made me questioning the bible. With this scandal, the seeds grew into weeds. Before the scandal, i was Reiki Master, doing Angel Reading, i was still going to church occasionally but i always prayed minimum twice a day and even during the day. I wasn’t much into Yoga but i did it anyway because it was highly recommended. I had many clients from different profession, faith and even many Catholic people. I am telling you, i never thought that i was doing anything wrong when this is only about love. Today, without a doubt, i know that i was on the wrong path, and if i would have died, i would have died with many mortal sins (didn’t know they were). Clearly, i was on this nice beautiful field that Sister Faustina was talking about, now i want to get on this narrow path period.

Those bad seeds, you can get them from books, new age modality, from people, etc…

When i listed on my post those questions, about if you go to church all the time, confession, prayer, etc…, it was only because i knew, that you cannot be protected unless you do so and you can be vulnerable. This hypnoses effect that i am talking about, is real. Prayer is what dismantle that for me.

I highly recommend to you that you don’t stop there, meaning now that you are back to church, you constantly need to evaluate and question anything else. Like, i mentioned, i have nothing against doing exercise etc… and doing deep breath to help (medically proven to release physical stress), but it is the teaching or any idea about new age those bad seeds that you need to be vigilant.

Just be careful and please pray always Mother Mary and ask to be shown your wrong doing. I keep finding stuff in my life always. They don’t reveal to me everything at once, it is a little lair at the time.

This is wonderful that you are back with your faith.

Blessings to you and your family!

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Today, without a doubt, i know that i was on the wrong path, and if i would have died, i would have died with many mortal sins (didn’t know they were).

In order for a sin to be mortal, it must meet three conditions:

1. 
   *]Mortal sin is a sin of grave matter
   *]Mortal sin is committed with full knowledge of the sinner
   *]Mortal sin is committed with deliberate consent of the sinner
   
   This means that mortal sins cannot be done “accidentally.” A person who commits a mortal sin is one who knows that their sin is wrong, but still deliberately commits the sin anyway. This means that mortal sins are “premeditated” by the sinner and thus are truly a rejection of God’s law and love.

 

[Chantal25]

In order for a sin to be mortal, it must meet three conditions:

1. 
   *]Mortal sin is a sin of grave matter
   *]Mortal sin is committed with full knowledge of the sinner
   *]Mortal sin is committed with deliberate consent of the sinner
   
   This means that mortal sins cannot be done “accidentally.” A person who commits a mortal sin is one who knows that their sin is wrong, but still deliberately commits the sin anyway. This means that mortal sins are “premeditated” by the sinner and thus are truly a rejection of God’s law and love.

1. 
   Perhaps, i should say, i knew it wasn’t approve by the Catholic church but i didn’t believe they were sin. I also would confess to God directly and ask for forgiveness and including mortal sin. I believe in the sacrament of confession but i also decided that it wasn’t a necessity. Do you see how mess up i was?
   
   Anyway, i am rediscovering the Catholic Church and i have great gratitude for Jean Paul II for all the work he has done to put so much more information easier access.
   
   Pope Benedict VI is such a holy man too, anyway, we are in good hand now, all we need is to listen and do what we are supposed to do as a Catholic. I pray for another great Pope
   
   Blessings!

 

[Michael_Mayo]

This may be helpful:

The Church distinguishes between physical postures and the philosophy or religion underlying them (cf: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, On Christian Meditation). The adoption of a particular physical posture, even if originating in a religious or philosophical system foreign to Christianity, is permissible provided the posture is severable from the religion or philosophy that first motivated it. Its use then becomes possible in Christian freedom (cf. 1 Cor. 8), and indeed the Church has “baptized” even pagan practices that were not intrinsically linked to paganism.

The question of yoga, therefore, becomes “to what extent can yoga postures be independent of non-Christian religious motivation, as well as any intention to manipulate forces or energies described within a non-Christian worldview?” This is the same question which arises with respect to Reiki healing practices, which also depend on a non-Christian, indeed an occult, worldview.

If it is a matter, therefore, of simply using yoga positions for relaxation in preparation for Christian mediation, while not embracing to any degree the philosophy or explanation behind the posture, their use is theoretically possible.

However, many Christians who are former practitioners of yoga argue that it is not possible, that the dangers of the occult remain, especially by efforts to manipulate internal forces in order to achieve a particular physical state. That, while natural causation is claimed, in fact achieving the result depends on the existence of the very forces which the non-Christian philosophy teaches. Separating the philosophy from the posture makes possible the posture’s Christian use, but removes any value of it over any other physical posture. On the other hand, retaining the posture and seeking its purpose necessarily adopts a non-Christian worldview, opening the individual to spiritual forces, as opposed to simply material ones, who are opposed to their salvation.

While the question of yoga has not been definitely answered by the Magisterium, Christians who are considering its use, or the use of any practice derived from non-Christian philosophies or religions, should be familiar with two documents: the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s On Some Aspects of Christian Meditation, and thePontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue’s Jesus Christ, The Bearer of the Water of Life. They should then scrupulously apply the principle of the necessity for the complete separation of a practice from any religious or philosophical system which is contrary to Catholic teaching or the practice of the faith.

ewtn.com/expert/answers/yoga.htm

 

[Michael_Mayo]

This also:

•Many practices have been shifted from or shared with pagan religions and made holy: the Rosary (using strings of beads to count prayers was Hindu and Buddhist long before the 13th century when Mary taught us to use it), fasting, meditation, ritual sacrifice (for Old Testament Jews), holidays and traditions like a Christmas tree and countless others that we’ve commandeered and made holy. Just because a pagan does it does not automatically make a practice or movement intrinsically evil; why can’t a Christian simply focus on God while doing yoga?

kitchenstewardship.com/2011/03/25/can-catholics-do-yoga/

 

[Chantal25]

If it is a matter, therefore, of simply using yoga positions for relaxation in preparation for Christian mediation, while not embracing to any degree the philosophy or explanation behind the posture, their use is theoretically possible.

This is what i am trying to warm, i have nothing against the exercise but you must be vigilant and ensure that they teacher isn’t involved in New Age, which is also unlikely. There is an Asian teacher, where this is only about technical and he is safe in my opinion but many are involved in new age. There are postures that have been beneficial.

What is New Age? It isn’t 100% false, and this is the tricky part, everything seems perfectly fine and safe but there are those little seeds that can get at you without for you to realize it. This built up over time.

Anyway, i like the article and i agree with it. Since i am a former new age practitioner, i want nothing to do with New Age. Just the fact that Yoga implies ascension, enlightenment (back door that Jesus talk about), is enough for me of not wanted to do anything with it ever because i would feel that i betrayal God again.

This article do admit that their is danger if you don’t separate the physical exercise and philosophy, so if i would need the exercise for me, i would just get a dvd and do my own at home. There are dvd that don’t mix up new age and you need someone that is familiar with new age to discern for you because everything seem pink and great, unless you taste it before.

All the best!

p.s. Unless you are a former New Age practitioner, it would be very difficult for someone to discern. This article warn to get familiar with several document first and book.

 

[Chantal25]

This also:

•Many practices have been shifted from or shared with pagan religions and made holy: the Rosary (using strings of beads to count prayers was Hindu and Buddhist long before the 13th century when Mary taught us to use it), fasting, meditation, ritual sacrifice (for Old Testament Jews), holidays and traditions like a Christmas tree and countless others that we’ve commandeered and made holy. Just because a pagan does it does not automatically make a practice or movement intrinsically evil; why can’t a Christian simply focus on God while doing yoga?

kitchenstewardship.com/2011/03/25/can-catholics-do-yoga/

yes, i don’t disagree with this. Many things are positive and nothing wrong again this is the bate. The same if you go to a different church, they are nice, love each other, it is all about love, the can support you and help you, but truly, doesn’t this make it ok?

I was Catholic and many Catholics came to see me because they felt safe. Everything was about love, forgiveness, self empowerment etc… what is wrong with this? Nothing from a human perspective but wrong path.

My only point is to be vigilant and cautious. Knowing better, i won’t dare under estimate the power of new age over you. There are rules from the bible that today i understand they were to protect you.

I would never dare picked any spiritual book unless it was the bible, curiosity won it and it then began. I think that S- - - - is like a professional fisherman he knows how to deceive, he will get you without for you to realize it. He doesn’t want human to go to heaven and want all of us to be dam for eternity.

All the best

 

[Chantal25]

why can’t a Christian simply focus on God while doing yoga?

Perhaps, you can pray and simply ask God!

Personally, i feel this is like you try to separate your garden from peppermint. Peppermint will manage to grow else where, because of the way the roots develop. You need to do more then a separation, you need to isolate the peppermint. You cannot isolate yoga from the spiritual teaching if your teacher is new age or if you aren’t careful. If the teacher is Catholic, it means nothing because, as i was, i was also Catholic and New age involved. If you have a garden, if you aren’t vigilant, weeds can take over, you need to keep working on it.

Maybe you can separate both, but you will need to pray more then usual, and be very vigilant. If i would need the exercise for health purpose, i would simply do the exercise on my own without a teacher. Get informed about New Age. Even though, that i am informed about New Age, i no longer under estimate these teachings.

All the best!

 

[LilyM]

This is what i am trying to warm, i have nothing against the exercise but you must be vigilant and ensure that they teacher isn’t involved in New Age, which is also unlikely. There is an Asian teacher, where this is only about technical and he is safe in my opinion but many are involved in new age. There are postures that have been beneficial.

What is New Age? It isn’t 100% false, and this is the tricky part, everything seems perfectly fine and safe but there are those little seeds that can get at you without for you to realize it. This built up over time.

Anyway, i like the article and i agree with it. Since i am a former new age practitioner, i want nothing to do with New Age. Just the fact that Yoga implies ascension, enlightenment (back door that Jesus talk about), is enough for me of not wanted to do anything with it ever because i would feel that i betrayal God again.

This article do admit that their is danger if you don’t separate the physical exercise and philosophy, so if i would need the exercise for me, i would just get a dvd and do my own at home. There are dvd that don’t mix up new age and you need someone that is familiar with new age to discern for you because everything seem pink and great, unless you taste it before.

All the best!

p.s. Unless you are a former New Age practitioner, it would be very difficult for someone to discern. This article warn to get familiar with several document first and book.

I see your point, Chantal, truly I do. It is natural and laudable for a recovering alcoholic to warn others about he dangers of drink.

You do, however, come across as one of the type of former alcoholics who starts loudly insisting that alcohol is evil in and of itself, and that basically all drinking to any degree is highly suspicious if not downright evil.

Truth is the vast majority of people in this world are perfectly capable of drinking moderately and responsibly, with not the slightest ill effect and even with benefit to themselves (alcohol in moderation can promote good heart health for example).

And it is not reasonable for the ex addict who was not capable to dictate to the majority who are not and never will be problem drinkers.

I’m sure you can see where my logic is leading

 

[Chantal25]

Dear Lily, it is true that i don’t under estimate anything related to New Age, but it is strange that you compared my past experience as an alcoholic. I wasn’t addicted, i was under a spell, completely delusional. So many are experiencing this in other ways. For me, my intention was to help the world and help others to over come their depression, low self esteem, negative emotions etc… , help people to be happy and inspire them to be kind to mother earth, the animals and most of all with each other.

Once i realized that God didn’t approve of this, i without hesitation i got ride of this. To become a Reiki Master, i spent thousands of dollars and without hesitation, i ditched that and destroyed all of my certificate because i love God. Someone who is addicted about a substance, unless a grace is granted by God, typically, it will take them quite of bit of them to get a grip of themselves.

But i can see the similarity of the fear, the one that recover, doesn’t under estimate the power of alcohol. Many people are alcoholic to a certain level and they don’t even realize it and they think they are in control, if they don’t watch out, their need for alcohol can increase. Most people with this problem, has something physical, which will lead to severe addiction. If someone needs their drink every Friday as an example, it is a form of alcoholism (Not from my own opinion but from a seminar that i participated when i was teenager). I don’t drink and i can live without, how many would be able not to have a drink of alcohol ever? Our pride, may tell us that we are above addiction or we are too good for getting caught up, but truly, pride is a weakness.

The goal for us, beside being a great Catholic and producing good fruits, is to love God more then the earthly thing.

All the best!

p.s. Some day, we all going to die and many of us, would have wished to have put God as a priority, our time is now.

 

[Lisa1967]

I used to do it but don’t anymore. I wouldn’t call it demonic. It is Hindu in origin. At the classes I went to we were told by the teacher to chant Hindu mantras and bow and say Namaste.

 

[Chantal25]

Oh i did that too. Hindu worship many gods and goddess. One of the goddess, if you want to ask for something, you need to make an offering of blood, (Creepy, isn’t it), this wasn’t my cup of tea. When i was in the new age, i always knew they were dark entities and i always believe that S… exist. So many in New Age, don’t even believe in dark stuff or that S…or even Hell exist. I would always set the intention to be protect by God, the Holy Spirit and the angel of love. Do you see why, i didn’t think i was working for S-----. His ultimate goal, is that you don’t believe that God exist or hell or demon, then, if this doesn’t work, is to destroy your faith in the Catholic Church, etc… He knows we need the blessed sacrament and especially Mother Mary to pray for us.

New age, is like walking in a field with mine, you can step on it.

Anyway, love and blessings!

 

[LilyM]

Dear Lily, it is true that i don’t under estimate anything related to New Age, but it is strange that you compared my past experience as an alcoholic. I wasn’t addicted, i was under a spell, completely delusional. So many are experiencing this in other ways. For me, my intention was to help the world and help others to over come their depression, low self esteem, negative emotions etc… , help people to be happy and inspire them to be kind to mother earth, the animals and most of all with each other.

Once i realized that God didn’t approve of this, i without hesitation i got ride of this. To become a Reiki Master, i spent thousands of dollars and without hesitation, i ditched that and destroyed all of my certificate because i love God. Someone who is addicted about a substance, unless a grace is granted by God, typically, it will take them quite of bit of them to get a grip of themselves.

But i can see the similarity of the fear, the one that recover, doesn’t under estimate the power of alcohol. Many people are alcoholic to a certain level and they don’t even realize it and they think they are in control, if they don’t watch out, their need for alcohol can increase. Most people with this problem, has something physical, which will lead to severe addiction. If someone needs their drink every Friday as an example, it is a form of alcoholism (Not from my own opinion but from a seminar that i participated when i was teenager). I don’t drink and i can live without, how many would be able not to have a drink of alcohol ever? Our pride, may tell us that we are above addiction or we are too good for getting caught up, but truly, pride is a weakness.

The goal for us, beside being a great Catholic and producing good fruits, is to love God more then the earthly thing.

All the best!

p.s. Some day, we all going to die and many of us, would have wished to have put God as a priority, our time is now.

Chantal, you’re exactly proving my point about demonising things.

Yes, some are dependent on alcohol and do not realise it. But the fact is the vast majority of people who drink do NOT ‘need’ even that one drink on a Friday nor are tgey dependent in any other way on alcohol.

I know a lot of people who drink more than I do. Some of them give it up for Lent or Advent each year or to on lengthy fasts from alcohol for other reasons at other times - and you know what? I have never observed even the slightest sign of dependence in them. No indication that they miss their drink, no rushing back to the bottle at Easter or Christmas. Nothing of the kind. They drink but are not by any definition of the word alcoholic, since there is neither physical harm or psychological craving associated with their use of alcohol.

Maybe you do not know such people? Maybe everyone you know who drinks is a drunk? If so I am sorry for you and them, but your experience is not representative…

Of course people who give lectures to teenagers are going to tell them otherwise - their business and livelihood is usually in the treatment of addiction so they are exposed to the worst of it, and so pessimistic and overly quick to see it everywhere. A bit like Joseph McCarthy and his communist ‘reds under the bed’.

Put it this way - why would Christ make so much wine for the guests at Cana, who had alreay been drinking, why would He command that wine be used as part of the Eucharistic celebration, if addiction and misuse are so common? If it were so, at best He would be imprudent, at worst it would be inciting sin, and Our Lord is incapable of either.