Priest explains why yoga and new age are dangerous

[friardchips]

Is this woman doing yoga or just touching her toes? What makes it yoga?

What evil spirit is this woman inviting into her body?

http://www.fitness.com/exercises/uploaded/1247818357_sitting-touch-toes.jpg

Well, is that the smile of “chi he he” (martial arts stretch), “me he he”, or the unselfish “we he he”.

Seriously, I think that this is one of those cases where yoga practitioners are making fun of people who pay money. I could do that pose to stretch my back. If you think that it is a yoga pose then you and the yoga practitioners are attaching yoga to the posture, rather, than the posture being strongly affiliated with yoga specifically. However, if you were to do this as well as more yoga-affiliated postures then one would say it is all an expression of devil worship. As it is, I would have to enquire whether she be a we he he or a me he he to make a decision. But then, because she is having photographs taken of her half naked then I’d assume she’s a me he he, as surely no truly humble person would run to have their photo taken in that position and made public - seems a bit indulgent.

 

[friardchips]

It sounds to me then that you are saying one’s intention is the critial element to distinguish a “Yoga pose” form a nonyoga pose.

In number one and two, to claim a simple position is of yoga is ridiculous on the part of yoga practitioners. But if one associates yoga with very simple bodily positions in heart then these poses become evil. :bigyikes:

Number three: it is only through studying yoga that one is ever going to do a complex yoga pose or be inspired to do that pose unless the devil is at work in some other more mischievous way. If I accidently did a pose that was a complex yoga pose there would be other things to consider, such as: are demons on the ready as soon as they see a pose that for centuries has been used to express worship towards them and are they likely to attack when recognising it; when you accidently do that pose does it automatically sync with all other yoga people using it in more in-depth ways; does the ‘innocent’ orientation of our hearts and minds when accidently doing the complex yoga pose steer us away from the danger, if so, for how long; because this pose would be a recognised and accepted form of expressed worship to Satan would he try to build on your initial accident; would the pose having been used as a form of idol worship automatically incur demonic attacks because they have been attributed dark power to certain physical movements and expressions; why did one feel inspired to do this in the first place - out of idleness, out of being silly, or because it is a physical movement accidently made as a result of a series of happenings following some spiritual errors previously, or because one read about it?!

 

[friardchips]

Correction to one line in post: ‘…would the pose automatically incur demonic attacks because the pose is governed by a dark power due to an initial binding pact…’.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

It has put all eastern meditation in the same bracket as new age (occult).

This is simply a false statement. Can you provide a reference?

The Vatican warns about

1. 
   *]Believing that our own efforts bring our salvation;
   *]Striving to extingish our very self through some immersion in the indeterminate abyss;
   *]Making our feelings the sole criteria of spiritual progress;
   *]Thinking we can control God’s action by any technique or prayer.
   *]Believing one is God;
   
   It gives us questions to help discern:
   • Is God a being with whom we have a relationship or something to be used or a force to be harnessed?
   • Is there just one Jesus Christ, or are there thousands of Christs?
   • The human being: is there one universal being or are there many individuals?
   • Do we save ourselves or is salvation a free gift from God?
   • Do we invent truth or do we embrace it?
   • Prayer and meditation: are we talking to ourselves or to God?
   • Are we tempted to deny sin or do we accept that there is such a thing?
   • Are we encouraged to reject or accept suffering and death?
   • Is social commitment something shirked or positively sought after?
   • Is our future in the stars or do we help to construct it?
   ewtn.com/library/curia/pccpcida.htm
   
   ewtn.com/library/curia/cdfmed.htm
   
   I can respect your opinion but please do not present it as Church Teaching.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

In number one and two, to claim a simple position is of yoga is ridiculous on the part of yoga practitioners. But if one associates yoga with very simple bodily positions in heart then these poses become evil. :bigyikes:

Number three: it is only through studying yoga that one is ever going to do a complex yoga pose or be inspired to do that pose unless the devil is at work in some other more mischievous way. If I accidently did a pose that was a complex yoga pose there would be other things to consider, such as: are demons on the ready as soon as they see a pose that for centuries has been used to express worship towards them and are they likely to attack when recognising it; when you accidently do that pose does it automatically sync with all other yoga people using it in more in-depth ways; does the ‘innocent’ orientation of our hearts and minds when accidently doing the complex yoga pose steer us away from the danger, if so, for how long; because this pose would be a recognised and accepted form of expressed worship to Satan would he try to build on your initial accident; would the pose having been used as a form of idol worship automatically incur demonic attacks because they have been attributed dark power to certain physical movements and expressions; why did one feel inspired to do this in the first place - out of idleness, out of being silly, or because it is a physical movement accidently made as a result of a series of happenings following some spiritual errors previously, or because one read about it?!

I don’t know what that last paragraph is all about but it sounds like you are talking about the context of a pose and that involves intention.

 

[friardchips]

This is simply a false statement. Can you provide a reference?

The Vatican warns about

1. 
   *]Believing that our own efforts bring our salvation;
   *]Striving to extingish our very self through some immersion in the indeterminate abyss;
   *]Making our feelings the sole criteria of spiritual progress;
   *]Thinking we can control God’s action by any technique or prayer.
   *]Believing one is God;

1. 
   Exactly. Particularly: 'Making our feelings the sole criteria of spiritual progress;’.
   • these poses are all about self-awareness and feeling good.

 

[friardchips]

I don’t know what that last paragraph is all about but it sounds like you are talking about the context of a pose and that involves intention.

Sorry. What I meant was that we all do things or say things. Grace helps us to do and say things which are loving. Sometimes we can do evil which are acts outside of grace - unloving. Sometimes we can do foolish things. Now these foolish things can come about because we intended to do something foolish but how deep does the intention go? Did I simply intend to make a random funny shape for a joke? Did I make the shape because I read about it in a book and wanted to see if it had any effects? Did I read about it once and I’m just making the shape to be silly for a laugh? Did I make the shape in order to practice a certain something? These are levels and reasons of intention - so, yes! But moving on from that: what experiences previous to me trying this pose for whatever reason, happened? Because sometimes we can be in a state of mortal sin and do silly things as a result of being stubborn to the offer of grace - this leads us into less favourable scenarios. Sometimes our inner conflict can cause a bit of chaos externally. So when we think, act, speak in ways that are unloving, although it is bad to be over-scrupulous, it is also not a great idea to not ‘work out our own salvation’ - in other words, it is best to discern what is good and what is less good, and what is not. If I am acting in accordance with God’s holy Will I am more likely to achieve holy things which bear fruit and not walk down paths that are detrimental to my spiritual wellbeing - less likely to act with foolhardiness.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Rituals actions have spiritual side effects. The intended goal of yoga, a false religion predating Hinduism is to unite with various false spirits and ask them to enter the body.

I don’t see how this answers the question at that you were asked. Let me repeat it with something else:



So are the hands belonging to a Shinto practitioner or a wannabe ninja?

The sign of the cross sends satan flying. It is our redemption paid for in Jesus Blood.

It has put all eastern meditation in the same bracket as new age (occult). It has said there are forms completely incompatible with Christianity.

My brother does yoga yet I have yet to see him ‘sent flying’ even with the many times the priest and the congregation cross themselves at mass. He’s pretty irreverent himself and would certainly validate a lot of your opposition to New Age practices.

But really, ‘sending him flying’? I’ve seen him laugh and snicker at priests more times than I can count.

 

[OurLadysServant]

I don’t see how this answers the question at that you were asked. Let me repeat it with something else:

http://th04.deviantart.net/fs11/200H/i/2006/245/c/e/Hand_Seal_part_III_by_Quacki.jpg

So are the hands belonging to a Shinto practitioner or a wannabe ninja?

My brother does yoga yet I have yet to see him ‘sent flying’ even with the many times the priest and the congregation cross themselves at mass. He’s pretty irreverent himself and would certainly validate a lot of your opposition to New Age practices.

But really, ‘sending him flying’? I’ve seen him laugh and snicker at priests more times than I can count.

I didn’t say people fly.
I was talking about how an action can be filled with spiritual side effects,
Such as that the sign of the cross can have the same as effect as a prayer

Yoga is a prayer to spirits to unite with you.

 

[OurLadysServant]

Quote:
Originally Posted by OurLadysServant
Rituals actions have spiritual side effects. The intended goal of yoga, a false religion predating Hinduism is to unite with various false spirits and ask them to enter the body.

I don’t see how this answers the question at that you were asked.

I was asked does a yoga pose invite spirits and I answered yes it does.

 

[OurLadysServant]

This is simply a false statement. Can you provide a reference?

The Vatican warns about

1. 
   *]Believing that our own efforts bring our salvation; (yoga)
   *]Striving to extingish our very self through some immersion in the indeterminate abyss; (yoga)
   *]Making our feelings the sole criteria of spiritual progress; (yoga)
   *]Thinking we can control God’s action by any technique or prayer. (Yoga)
   *]Believing one is God; (yoga mantra)
   
   It gives us questions to help discern:
   • Is God a being with whom we have a relationship or something to be used or a force to be harnessed (yoga techniques)?
   • Is there just one Jesus Christ, or are there thousands of Christs?
   • The human being: is there one universal being or are there many individuals? (In yoga spirituality there is no Christ, there are spirits invited like the occult invited spirits, all things are god rather than One God in everything, these are yoga mantras, his can a catholic say these?)
   • Do we save ourselves (yoga technique) or is salvation a free gift from God?
   • Do we invent truth (yoga mantras) or do we embrace it?
   • Prayer and meditation: are we talking to ourselves or to God? (In yoga false spirits)
   • Are we tempted to deny sin or do we accept that there is such a thing? (In yoga spirituality there is no sin)
   • Are we encouraged to reject or accept suffering and death? (In yoga spirituality one is called to escape both)
   • Is social commitment something shirked or positively sought after?
   • Is our future in the stars or do we help to construct it?
   ewtn.com/library/curia/pccpcida.htm
   
   ewtn.com/library/curia/cdfmed.htm
   
   I can respect your opinion but please do not present it as Church Teaching.

1. 
   Look at the other practices mentioned in the article. It mentions yoga, new age, and Transcedental meditation. The last two are occult. Why is the occult being mentioned alongside this? It is a warning
   
   All of those warnings above of the church apply to yoga
   It’s completely unchristian and invites false spirits.
   
   How can a christian invite false spirits to ‘yoke’ with him in a religion that predates Hinduism?
   The whole false religion is designed to advance further and further in unity with these false spirits. Much of the mantras are heresy to the catholc faith, such as 'everything is god (or a god), ‘I am the Universal Being.’
   
   Whether yoga was man inspired or satan inspired, it invites possession, that’s the whole purpose of the words and actions. It’s a false religious path not an exercise -that’s what it was created for

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I didn’t say people fly.
I was talking about how an action can be filled with spiritual side effects,
Such as that the sign of the cross can have the same as effect as a prayer

Yoga is a prayer to spirits to unite with you.

Firstly, you said the sign of the cross reportedly makes demonic spirits flee. No such thing happens to my brother, who practices yoga.

Secondly, you were asked if there evil spirits entering into people engaged in a particular pose. You are not answering that question at all. Instead, you are only asserting a premise you have yet to prove.

I’ll ask you again. Where are these evil spirits? You claim that certain actions have spiritual side effects. I am performing a hand seal right now but feel nothing but the soundness of my own mind and body. I stretch up like this on occasion whenever I got to the bathroom. Still nothing.

 

[OurLadysServant]

Firstly, you said the sign of the cross reportedly makes demonic spirits flee. No such thing happens to my brother, who practices yoga.

Secondly, you were asked if there evil spirits entering into people engaged in a particular pose. You are not answering that question at all. Instead, you are only asserting a premise you have yet to prove.

I’ll ask you again. Where are these evil spirits? You claim that certain actions have spiritual side effects. I am performing a hand seal right now but feel nothing but the soundness of my own mind and body. I stretch up like this on occasion whenever I got to the bathroom. Still nothing.

The church teaches the Sign of the Cross puts the devil spiritually to flight. It does not say you wi see him running.
It does not say you will experience instant demonic deliverance from it. Why are there formal exorcisms (and there the sign of the cross is used much with the prayers)

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

The church teaches the Sign of the Cross puts the devil spiritually to flight. It does not say you wi see him running.
It does not say you will experience instant demonic deliverance from it. Why are there formal exorcisms (and there the sign of the cross is used much with the prayers)

So I’m supposed to believe, at face value, that a bunch of unseen ‘demons’ are running away from my brother’s body every time someone crosses himself/herself?

And what happened to my second question? Are you suggesting that me, my brother, and God knows how many people are possessed or demonically oppressed instead of simply no longer agreeing with what a certain religion teaches?

Is everything we do subject to the will of these invisible entities and even the very act of shaping your hands is enough to open ourselves to their influence?

Are you suggesting that I’m incapable of thinking for myself and that my stretching, hand movements, and certain ‘new age’ practices have really just infested me with Satan’s minions?

 

[friardchips]

So I’m supposed to believe, at face value, that a bunch of unseen ‘demons’ are running away from my brother’s body every time someone crosses himself/herself?

And what happened to my second question? Are you suggesting that me, my brother, and God knows how many people are possessed or demonically oppressed instead of simply no longer agreeing with what a certain religion teaches?

Is everything we do subject to the will of these invisible entities and even the very act of shaping your hands is enough to open ourselves to their influence?

All of these consequences are possibilities for each and every person when dabbling in the rituals of New Age cults. You obviously haven’t read all the posts and links in this thread.

Try and keep the questions objective.

Are you suggesting that I’m incapable of thinking for myself and that my stretching, hand movements, and certain ‘new age’ practices have really just infested me with Satan’s minions?

It is for people to act according to Truth. New Age beliefs are not in accordance with Christianity. Although people might mean well that are following this cult, it is idol worship, and leave people open to intensified inner spiritual warfare.

We cannot serve two masters.

 

[hemantM]

Speaking from my own experience, I am convinced that yoga is one of the seducing doctrines God expressly warns about in the above scripture. I started yoga at age 16, and practiced every day for 1-2 hours. It seemed to strengthen my body and improve my flexibility. At the age of 18, I dived into it (I was at that time unemployed) and did some 4-6 hours of yoga daily. I was convinced that yoga enlightened my own spiritual intelligence and enhanced my physical fitness. I would have vehemently denied that there is anything religious in yoga or that I was in any way influenced by the spiritual or religious aspects of yoga. The following is why I think differently today.

 

[agnes_therese]

But stetches do not have to be consecrated to false spirits just as not all fasting is in honor of a New Age deity.
. . .
But as I said, if it bothers you don’t do it. But please do not try to convince others that the Church has banned it, because it has not.

That seems to be too much common sense for this discussion, Michael.

 

[agnes_therese]

Exactly. Particularly: 'Making our feelings the sole criteria of spiritual progress;’.

• these poses are all about self-awareness and feeling good.

No, these poses (as practiced by most American practitioners) are NOT about “spiritual progress.” You’re still deliberately trying to confuse the issue.

And really, ANY exercise is, in part, about “feeling good.” That would be a ridiculous excuse not to exercise.

 

[agnes_therese]

Just from the few photos on the site, I see yoga poses. So those of you who claim that the poses themselves are dangerous, be warned!

This looks like a good Catholic program that incorporates stretches, exercises, and toning:

pietrafitness.com/

They even have a FAQ and disclaimer about it not being a “Catholic yoga”

pietrafitness.com/p-f-not-yoga/

 

[friardchips]

No, these poses (as practiced by most American practitioners) are NOT about “spiritual progress.” You’re still deliberately trying to confuse the issue.

By this statement you are declaring what, that some things should be ‘outside of God’? That we should seek to escape God? Isn’t the Christian supposed to offer up everything everyday to God in order to glorify God?

And really, ANY exercise is, in part, about “feeling good.” That would be a ridiculous excuse not to exercise.

I know someone who put people on training programs because some of them needed rehabilitation or physical exercise to strengthen their backs etc…So the feeling aspect is directly applied to health in many cases. Preservation of life. Some people do exercise because they are fat and this weakens their heart and ability to move around. The other point is that this person was able to put people on all sorts of health programs - food and exercise - without introducing them to yoga. GO FIGURE!!

No one is suggesting that ‘feeling good’ is something bad in itself, or course not, it is okay to look at the sea and feel enjoyment or to enjoy one’s job, but to do things in God makes it an offering and spiritually beneficial as opposed to leaving Him out of the picture, and so for the self only. So I might look at the sea and not gain any comfort, but if I pray and look at the sea, I might gain a sense of reassurance and peace. When people are doing yoga moves they are, without being aware, trying to serve two masters - the self, with God in the background. So the argument might be: “no, it is in the intention”, but if that is the case and there are alternative forms of exercise unconnected with yoga, then why is the Christian choosing yoga over neutral positions not connected with false gods? Simple to answer: to feel good and for the self to be elevated. It is well known in Christianity, but for some reason is being forgotten, that the way to perfection is to “decrease that the Lord might increase”. God “besieges us from all sides”, as the psalms read, the divinely inspired writer communicating to us, and to God in praise, and God to us, that it is through acceptance of our daily state that we allow God to work in us and transform us, rather than relying on ourselves that we might be enhanced. Because faith is truly about acknowledging that God is the doctor of life who heals in ways we cannot see immediately. St. Paul said: “For when I am weak, then I am strong”.