Priest explains why yoga and new age are dangerous

[Lost_Wanderer]

Lost,ALL hand gestures and positions in yoga are significant.

Just to prove my point, would you like me to post a picture of my hand in that gesture and show you the utter absence of ‘Luciferian energy’?

I just wanted to make one final point.The goal of all yoga is kundalini arousal.

Seeing as how my brother came back from a yoga class a couple days ago looking completely fine, I would rather take his word (and his normal state of sanity) over yours.

Because really, you sound like you’re raving.

 

[cjforJesus]

Just to prove my point, would you like me to post a picture of my hand in that gesture and show you the utter absence of ‘Luciferian energy’?

Seeing as how my brother came back from a yoga class a couple days ago looking completely fine, I would rather take his word (and his normal state of sanity) over yours.

Because really, you sound like you’re raving.

With the present diffusion of eastern methods of meditation in the Christian world and in ecclesial communities, we find ourselves faced with a pointed renewal of an attempt, which is not free from dangers and errors, to fuse Christian meditation with that which is non-Christian. Proposals in this direction are numerous and radical to a greater or lesser extent. Some use eastern methods solely as a psycho-physical preparation for a truly Christian contemplation; others go further and, using different techniques, try to generate spiritual experiences similar to those described in the writings of certain Catholic mystics.13 Still others do not hesitate to place that absolute without image or concepts, which is proper to Buddhist theory,14 on the same level as the majesty of God revealed in Christ, which towers above finite reality. To this end, they make use of a “negative theology,” which transcends every affirmation seeking to express what God is and denies that the things of this world can offer traces of the infinity of God. Thus they propose abandoning not only meditation on the salvific works accomplished in history by the God of the Old and New Covenant, but also the very idea of the One and Triune God, who is Love, in favor of an immersion "in the indeterminate abyss of the divinity."15 These and similar proposals to harmonize Christian meditation with eastern techniques need to have their contents and methods ever subjected to a thorough-going examination so as to avoid the danger of falling into syncretism

 

[christofirst]

With the present diffusion of eastern methods of meditation in the Christian world and in ecclesial communities, we find ourselves faced with a pointed renewal of an attempt, which is not free from dangers and errors, to fuse Christian meditation with that which is non-Christian. Proposals in this direction are numerous and radical to a greater or lesser extent. Some use eastern methods solely as a psycho-physical preparation for a truly Christian contemplation; others go further and, using different techniques, try to generate spiritual experiences similar to those described in the writings of certain Catholic mystics.13 Still others do not hesitate to place that absolute without image or concepts, which is proper to Buddhist theory,14 on the same level as the majesty of God revealed in Christ, which towers above finite reality. To this end, they make use of a “negative theology,” which transcends every affirmation seeking to express what God is and denies that the things of this world can offer traces of the infinity of God. Thus they propose abandoning not only meditation on the salvific works accomplished in history by the God of the Old and New Covenant, but also the very idea of the One and Triune God, who is Love, in favor of an immersion "in the indeterminate abyss of the divinity."15 These and similar proposals to harmonize Christian meditation with eastern techniques need to have their contents and methods ever subjected to a thorough-going examination so as to avoid the danger of falling into syncretism

So if a Catholic is cautious to avoid syncretism, which is not the same as diabolical possession, then the practice of yoga for the benefit of health is OK. Thanks.

 

[kozlosap]

With the present diffusion of eastern methods of meditation in the Christian world and in ecclesial communities, we find ourselves faced with a pointed renewal of an attempt, which is not free from dangers and errors, to fuse Christian meditation with that which is non-Christian. Proposals in this direction are numerous and radical to a greater or lesser extent. Some use eastern methods solely as a psycho-physical preparation for a truly Christian contemplation; others go further and, using different techniques, try to generate spiritual experiences similar to those described in the writings of certain Catholic mystics.13 Still others do not hesitate to place that absolute without image or concepts, which is proper to Buddhist theory,14 on the same level as the majesty of God revealed in Christ, which towers above finite reality. To this end, they make use of a “negative theology,” which transcends every affirmation seeking to express what God is and denies that the things of this world can offer traces of the infinity of God. Thus they propose abandoning not only meditation on the salvific works accomplished in history by the God of the Old and New Covenant, but also the very idea of the One and Triune God, who is Love, in favor of an immersion "in the indeterminate abyss of the divinity."15 These and similar proposals to harmonize Christian meditation with eastern techniques need to have their contents and methods ever subjected to a thorough-going examination so as to avoid the danger of falling into syncretism

Here we go again. There are yoga classes held in Catholic Church halls around the USA. In the class I attended, the Rosary was recited during the class. I was unlucky enough to be searching through my Catholic stations on TuneIn and by accident ended up on Women of Grace. I was appalled at what I heard - that anything that is from other faith traditions such as Buddism or Hinduism is naturally evil and that we are just not strong enough to not allow their evil philosophy to occupy our minds and hearts. What bunk!

 

[agnes_therese]

“prepare yourselves to receive the gift”? The Holy Spirit was given to us at Baptism and at Confirmation the gifts and charisms are bestowed just as at Pentecost. Not all people utilize their gifts and talents given by the Holy Spirit,but nevertheless God is patient loving and merciful.

Preparing to receive the gifts involves much study before Confirmation and RCIA.

Preparing oneself to receive God’s gifts, including that of contemplation, does NOT end with Confirmation. It is a lifelong process.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

With the present diffusion of eastern methods of meditation in the Christian world and in ecclesial communities, we find ourselves faced with a pointed renewal of an attempt, which is not free from dangers and errors, to fuse Christian meditation with that which is non-Christian. Proposals in this direction are numerous and radical to a greater or lesser extent. Some use eastern methods solely as a psycho-physical preparation for a truly Christian contemplation; others go further and, using different techniques, try to generate spiritual experiences similar to those described in the writings of certain Catholic mystics.

From the same document (which I guess we are no longer siting)

Paragraph 28

That does not mean that genuine practices of meditation which come from the Christian East and from the great non-Christian religions, which prove attractive to the man of today who is divided and disoriented, cannot constitute a suitable means of helping the person who prays to come before God with an interior peace, even in the midst of external pressures.

What are some “genuine practices of meditation which come from the Christian East and from the great non-Christian religions,” that are “suitable means of helping the person who prays to come before God.”?

 

[Michael_Mayo]

This Kundalini concern is quite fascinating because I first heard about it in the 70’s reading Gopi Krishna’s experience. The link to pdf is provided.

Another important aspect of Yoga is that if Kundalini, which Gopi Krishna claims is at the heart of the discipline, is the energy responsible for spiritual experience and mystical states of consciousness, then two logical conclusions can be drawn: 1) all religious experience owes its origin to this source and 2) the systematized discipline of Yoga corroborates the basic beliefs of
religion which heretofore could only be accepted on faith. They are verifiable by personal experience. So, Yoga can provide a method that alleviates the discord and rivalry that exists between the adherents of the major faiths and also a foundation for the development of a more broadly-based scientific method that could reduce the long-standing conflict between science and religion.

Introduction page i …

light-weaver.com/vortex/pdfs/Kundalini.The.Secret.Of.Yoga.by.Gopi%20Krishna.pdf

What is lacking on this thread is an appreciation for myth, symbol and poetry accomplished in a culture other than our home Judeo-Christian, Euro-centric bias. God mad all of us. I have been practicing yoga, more or less, off and on, and not as much as could best benefit me, since 1976. It has been nothing but a blessing and the people I have meet through it have been wonderful. No heads spinning or projectile vomit, no fits of possession. If anything, and research supports this, yoga helps ease anxiety and depression. it is a healthy practice.

If one were to stop yoga out of fear of demons where does one draw the line? No more stretching in the morning? Before or after sporting event and exercise? After all, a toe touch is a toe touch. a twist is a twist.

Rather, I think God created us as temples of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are awesome and miraculous gifts we need to care for. No one really knows what its full potential is. The REAL danger is to lose focus and make the body and all it can do our aim. The irony is that in yoga as well as in our own Christian spirituality the warning is to ignore and think nothing of unusual experiences that may come as a byproduct of our spiritual development.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Given that someone already asked you to cite your source but not provided the link, I would say there’s only one crazy person in this conversation and it’s not me.

Oh, ME! ME! Call on ME! Can I be the one? If there already is one, I’m pleased to stand in the waiting. :whacky:

 

[cjforJesus]

So if a Catholic is cautious to avoid syncretism, which is not the same as diabolical possession, then the practice of yoga for the benefit of health is OK. Thanks.

You are welcome. As I have mulled over this more I think as long as you avoid the doctrine of reincarnation, kundalini, and the chakra aspect then it may be ok regarding it as stretching.

I still believe the kundalini or serpent power supposed coiled THREE and one half times is a deception.If you notice some icons of Mary she is CRUSHING the head of the serpent not embracing it or allowing it to control her. Her obedience was always to God. A serpent power that controls people and makes them make weird noises and do strange movements is disturbing.

My older sister is involved with this spirituality and one time I came to visit her she just randomly started making these strange movements with her hands and body! This was right in the middle of a discussion of what we were going to make for dinner! She also has entities sort of attached to her and she does something called astral travel. None of it seems holy at all and I can find no references of any saints or Popes advocating it.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

http://blog.zoodles.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/meditating3-256x300.jpg

Oh yeah. She’s seething with Luciferian energies.

Yes. That is very astute. The little girl is getting ready to do a Rosary, and is meditating on the sorrowful mystery of the Agony in the Garden. Here she is imagining how He maintained perfect serenity even while troubled to His core over the impending sorrowful mysteries.

While she sits like this, she thinks what it would be like to say with perfect desire to obey, “Father, not my will but Yours.” Then she thinks of how the Blessed Mother said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” Like a handmaid, Jesus came as a servant to all, a servant to sinful man.

Then she will change her posture with each mystery, until she reaches the fifth one. She spends five minutes on each mystery, in preparation to do the Rosary.

Or she’s a new age victim on her way to hell. I’m just going by my own projections of love and life onto this picture of this beautiful little girl whose soul I cannot judge no matter who has convinced her of what. Look at her apparent serenity; is that deceit, or is she bearing Fruit of the Spirit? By what fruit shall she be known? Is she a peacemaker? What is better – making peace, or proselytizing?

 

[christofirst]

This Kundalini concern is quite fascinating because I first heard about it in the 70’s reading Gopi Krishna’s experience. The link to pdf is provided.

Another important aspect of Yoga is that if Kundalini, which Gopi Krishna claims is at the heart of the discipline, is the energy responsible for spiritual experience and mystical states of consciousness, then two logical conclusions can be drawn: 1) all religious experience owes its origin to this source and 2) the systematized discipline of Yoga corroborates the basic beliefs of
religion which heretofore could only be accepted on faith. They are verifiable by personal experience. So, Yoga can provide a method that alleviates the discord and rivalry that exists between the adherents of the major faiths and also a foundation for the development of a more broadly-based scientific method that could reduce the long-standing conflict between science and religion.

Introduction page i …

light-weaver.com/vortex/pdfs/Kundalini.The.Secret.Of.Yoga.by.Gopi%20Krishna.pdf

What is lacking on this thread is an appreciation for myth, symbol and poetry accomplished in a culture other than our home Judeo-Christian, Euro-centric bias. God mad all of us. I have been practicing yoga, more or less, off and on, and not as much as could best benefit me, since 1976. It has been nothing but a blessing and the people I have meet through it have been wonderful. No heads spinning or projectile vomit, no fits of possession. If anything, and research supports this, yoga helps ease anxiety and depression. it is a healthy practice.

If one were to stop yoga out of fear of demons where does one draw the line? No more stretching in the morning? Before or after sporting event and exercise? After all, a toe touch is a toe touch. a twist is a twist.

Rather, I think God created us as temples of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are awesome and miraculous gifts we need to care for. No one really knows what its full potential is. The REAL danger is to lose focus and make the body and all it can do our aim. The irony is that in yoga as well as in our own Christian spirituality the warning is to ignore and think nothing of unusual experiences that may come as a byproduct of our spiritual development.

Thank you for this. And not to derail, but I think it is wonderful that you were able to meet Bede Griffiths. Much to consider here, and so I shall.

 

[cjforJesus]

Yes. That is very astute. The little girl is getting ready to do a Rosary, and is meditating on the sorrowful mystery of the Agony in the Garden. Here she is imagining how He maintained perfect serenity even while troubled to His core over the impending sorrowful mysteries.

While she sits like this, she thinks what it would be like to say with perfect desire to obey, “Father, not my will but Yours.” Then she thinks of how the Blessed Mother said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” Like a handmaid, Jesus came as a servant to all, a servant to sinful man.

Then she will change her posture with each mystery, until she reaches the fifth one. She spends five minutes on each mystery, in preparation to do the Rosary.

Or she’s a new age victim on her way to hell. I’m just going by my own projections of love and life onto this picture of this beautiful little girl whose soul I cannot judge no matter who has convinced her of what. Look at her apparent serenity; is that deceit, or is she bearing Fruit of the Spirit? By what fruit shall she be known? Is she a peacemaker? What is better – making peace, or proselytizing?

Mystical.Jesus did not maintain perfect serenity in the mystery of the AGONY in the garden.He was sweating blood.When he came to the disciples and saw them asleep he lamented that they could not stay awake one hour with Him. I know people who actually cry when reciting these mysteries of God’s love for us and how he took human flesh to redeem His own creation.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Still others do not hesitate to place that absolute without image or concepts, which is proper to Buddhist theory, on the same level as the majesty of God revealed in Christ, which towers above finite reality. To this end, they make use of a “negative theology,” which transcends every affirmation seeking to express what God is and denies that the things of this world can offer traces of the infinity of God.

This is a needless mouthful at best and at worst, serves only to make horrible assumptions about people who practice yoga strictly for posture and flexibility’s sake. And yes, that includes the meditation aspect (which if you still think is dangerous could only mean that sleeping itself puts you at a far more vulnerable state).

A serpent power that controls people and makes them make weird noises and do strange movements is disturbing.

But that’s hardly conventional yoga anymore. It sounds more like Dhalsim on crack.

What is better – making peace, or proselytizing?

I’d rather just have a clear head. After a long day of doing this to myself, the only thing I’m really doing is cooling off the large organic processor in my skull.

So if a Catholic is cautious to avoid syncretism, which is not the same as diabolical possession, then the practice of yoga for the benefit of health is OK. Thanks.

All right! End of thread! (Please?)

 

[cjforJesus]

This is a needless mouthful at best and at worst, serves only to make horrible assumptions about people who practice yoga strictly for posture and flexibility’s sake. And yes, that includes the meditation aspect (which if you still think is dangerous could only mean that sleeping itself puts you at a far more vulnerable state).

But that’s hardly conventional yoga anymore. It sounds more like Dhalsim on crack.

I’d rather just have a clear head. After a long day of doing this to myself, the only thing I’m really doing is cooling off the large organic processor in my skull.

All right! End of thread! (Please?)

Thanks for the interesting chat,Lost Wanderer. You have made some valid points but my being cautious and concerned with things I have read does not make me crazy either. The picture was funny though haha.

 

[cjforJesus]

This Kundalini concern is quite fascinating because I first heard about it in the 70’s reading Gopi Krishna’s experience. The link to pdf is provided.

Another important aspect of Yoga is that if Kundalini, which Gopi Krishna claims is at the heart of the discipline, is the energy responsible for spiritual experience and mystical states of consciousness, then two logical conclusions can be drawn: 1) all religious experience owes its origin to this source and 2) the systematized discipline of Yoga corroborates the basic beliefs of
religion which heretofore could only be accepted on faith. They are verifiable by personal experience. So, Yoga can provide a method that alleviates the discord and rivalry that exists between the adherents of the major faiths and also a foundation for the development of a more broadly-based scientific method that could reduce the long-standing conflict between science and religion.

Introduction page i …

light-weaver.com/vortex/pdfs/Kundalini.The.Secret.Of.Yoga.by.Gopi%20Krishna.pdf

What is lacking on this thread is an appreciation for myth, symbol and poetry accomplished in a culture other than our home Judeo-Christian, Euro-centric bias. God mad all of us. I have been practicing yoga, more or less, off and on, and not as much as could best benefit me, since 1976. It has been nothing but a blessing and the people I have meet through it have been wonderful. No heads spinning or projectile vomit, no fits of possession. If anything, and research supports this, yoga helps ease anxiety and depression. it is a healthy practice.

If one were to stop yoga out of fear of demons where does one draw the line? No more stretching in the morning? Before or after sporting event and exercise? After all, a toe touch is a toe touch. a twist is a twist.

Rather, I think God created us as temples of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are awesome and miraculous gifts we need to care for. No one really knows what its full potential is. The REAL danger is to lose focus and make the body and all it can do our aim. The irony is that in yoga as well as in our own Christian spirituality the warning is to ignore and think nothing of unusual experiences that may come as a byproduct of our spiritual development.

If you really believe that kundalini is responsible for all mystical experiences then you could not have failed to pick up on the irony in the Priests contention that all parishes should have life in the Spirit seminars which promote a religious experience called baptism of Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Mystical.Jesus did not maintain perfect serenity in the mystery of the AGONY in the garden.He was sweating blood.When he came to the disciples and saw them asleep he lamented that they could not stay awake one hour with Him. I know people who actually cry when reciting these mysteries of God’s love for us and how he took human flesh to redeem His own creation.

 

[cjforJesus]

Baphomet gained new fame with the 19th century mystic Eliphas Lévi, who drew the now infamous image that is often taken for the modern Christian version of Satan. However, Lévi did not believe that Baphomet was in any way equal to this Devil, saying this icon “cannot be confounded with fabulous images of Satan.” Further, he says “But the adorers of [Baphomet] do not consider…that it is a representation of the devil; on the contrary, for them it is that of the god Pan, the god of our modern schools of philosophy…the god of the primitive Gnostic schools” (Levi, 1995, p. 308).

According to Levi, Baphomet was symbolic of what he called the Great Magical Agent, which can be defined as the universal life-force. This Astral Light is also the force that adepts use in magical operations. Common analogies are the Hindu Kundalini and the First Matter of alchemy.

In Transcendal Magic, Lévi explains the symbolism of his famous drawing:
"Moreover, the sign of occultism is made with both hands, pointing upward to the white moon of Chesed, and downward to the

 

[cjforJesus]

So I am pretty certain now that Gopi Krishna was wrong in that kundalini is not the source of mystical experiences.There are two sources God or satan. Luciferians and Satanists as well as wiccans also tap into this supposed power and some use it in ritual magic. God is the One who raises someone to contemplation and it has nothing to do with asanas mudras or breathing. Mudras are said to be seals or signs and I am not sure what the mudras of the baphomet mean but assuredly they are not Christian. The little girl in the yoga pose is using a hand sign which is supposed to activate a part of her brain.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Mystical.Jesus did not maintain perfect serenity in the mystery of the AGONY in the garden.He was sweating blood.When he came to the disciples and saw them asleep he lamented that they could not stay awake one hour with Him. I know people who actually cry when reciting these mysteries of God’s love for us and how he took human flesh to redeem His own creation.

I don’t think Kundalini is spiritual at all. More like endorphins or simply a proper alignment of physiology.

Who does no one answer my question:

That does not mean that genuine practices of meditation which come from the Christian East and from the great non-Christian religions, which prove attractive to the man of today who is divided and disoriented, cannot constitute a suitable means of helping the person who prays to come before God with an interior peace, even in the midst of external pressures.

What are some “genuine practices of meditation which come from the Christian East and from the great non-Christian religions,” that are “suitable means of helping the person who prays to come before God.”?

 

[Michael_Mayo]

So I am pretty certain now that Gopi Krishna was wrong in that kundalini is not the source of mystical experiences.There are two sources God or satan. Luciferians and Satanists as well as wiccans also tap into this supposed power and some use it in ritual magic. God is the One who raises someone to contemplation and it has nothing to do with asanas mudras or breathing. Mudras are said to be seals or signs and I am not sure what the mudras of the baphomet mean but assuredly they are not Christian. The little girl in the yoga pose is using a hand sign which is supposed to activate a part of her brain.

I am pretty sure not everything is so black and white, God or Satan.

I don’t think Kundalini is spiritual at all. More like endorphins or simply a proper alignment of physiology.

Who does no one answer my question:

That does not mean that genuine practices of meditation which come from the Christian East and from the great non-Christian religions, which prove attractive to the man of today who is divided and disoriented, cannot constitute a suitable means of helping the person who prays to come before God with an interior peace, even in the midst of external pressures.

What are some “genuine practices of meditation which come from the Christian East and from the great non-Christian religions,” that are “suitable means of helping the person who prays to come before God.”?