Priest explains why yoga and new age are dangerous

[Waverideryogi]

There is no harm that can come to one from the moderate practice of yoga especially the physical form which doesn’t necessitate the adoption of any kind of belief system or indoctrination to enjoy. There are higher forms of Yoga, however, than the physical forms, and some of these, like the meditative forms, are probably what some Christians are a little fearful of. As both a long term practitioner of Yogic meditation and a teacher of it I can tell you that once again the moderate and sensible practice of these techniques can be very beneficial, but, like with anything we want to use our common sense. Too much of a good thing can become a bad thing, including eating too much ice cream. There are some forms of Yoga and Meditation that are extremely powerful and should only be done under the loving direction and care of one who has mastered that system. Electricity is a wonderful thing, too. It powers our homes and makes our lives comfortable. However, if you decide to pick up a live wire that has fallen down from a broken telephone pole, it’s probably not going to feel that good. Some might even be tempted to say that electricity is evil, but is that really the case or is it just a judgement based on a lack of understanding of what electricity is and what it can do?

Yoga means union, but what kind of union are we talking about here? Basically, it is the union of yourself with your Self which some would say is the union that was broken with the Fall of man. This is sometimes called the “Divine Union.” If Yoga helps with that, then how could it be considered anything but good? Remember when Moses spoke with God in the form of the burning bush? He asked, “Who shall I say has sent me?” The reply from the Lord was. “I am that I AM. Tell them ‘I AM’ has sent me.” If you know anything about eastern philosophy and Yoga you will know that the concept of God as the “I AM” is fundamental to them and not just an exclusive discovery of Moses, the Jews or the Bible. The “I AM” is the subtle subjective part of human life. It is the “breath of God” within us and is the essence of life. In the language of today it is often referred to as Consciousness. God is the “I AM” within us. Yogic meditation leads one into the direct experience of that “I AM (ness).” To me this is the fulfillment of the direct teaching of Jesus as expressed by him when he said, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” At least this is my experience. Others my take issue with it and that’s ok. I’m not trying to convince anyone. I only offer this as a point for consideration. In my humble opinion,Yoga, by whatever name we choose to call it, is what Jesus taught.

 

[cjforJesus]

There is no harm that can come to one from the moderate practice of yoga especially the physical form which doesn’t necessitate the adoption of any kind of belief system or indoctrination to enjoy. There are higher forms of Yoga, however, than the physical forms, and some of these, like the meditative forms, are probably what some Christians are a little fearful of. As both a long term practitioner of Yogic meditation and a teacher of it I can tell you that once again the moderate and sensible practice of these techniques can be very beneficial, but, like with anything we want to use our common sense. Too much of a good thing can become a bad thing, including eating too much ice cream. There are some forms of Yoga and Meditation that are extremely powerful and should only be done under the loving direction and care of one who has mastered that system. Electricity is a wonderful thing, too. It powers our homes and makes our lives comfortable. However, if you decide to pick up a live wire that has fallen down from a broken telephone pole, it’s probably not going to feel that good. Some might even be tempted to say that electricity is evil, but is that really the case or is it just a judgement based on a lack of understanding of what electricity is and what it can do?

Yoga means union, but what kind of union are we talking about here? Basically, it is the union of yourself with your Self which some would say is the union that was broken with the Fall of man. This is sometimes called the “Divine Union.” If Yoga helps with that, then how could it be considered anything but good? Remember when Moses spoke with God in the form of the burning bush? He asked, “Who shall I say has sent me?” The reply from the Lord was. “I am that I AM. Tell them ‘I AM’ has sent me.” If you know anything about eastern philosophy and Yoga you will know that the concept of God as the “I AM” is fundamental to them and not just an exclusive discovery of Moses, the Jews or the Bible. The “I AM” is the subtle subjective part of human life. It is the “breath of God” within us and is the essence of life. In the language of today it is often referred to as Consciousness. God is the “I AM” within us. Yogic meditation leads one into the direct experience of that “I AM (ness).” To me this is the fulfillment of the direct teaching of Jesus as expressed by him when he said, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” At least this is my experience. Others my take issue with it and that’s ok. I’m not trying to convince anyone. I only offer this as a point for consideration. In my humble opinion,Yoga, by whatever name we choose to call it, is what Jesus taught.

I don’t think that is even remotely true as Jesus taught love of God and love of neighbor.Yoga is entirely self centered and also an attempt to yoke oneself with a god through breathing and exercise. It does not require any self sacrifice or even kindness but simply release an unknown energy that allegedly lives in our lower backs.

When Jesus said “I AM” he was revealing His identity as the second person of the Blessed Trinity.When eastern practitioners refer to “I am” they are merely equating themselves with being God.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

The words “yoke” and “yoga” are of similar origin.

When Jesus says, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” that was similar to saying “my yoga is easy and my burden light.”

The “yoga” of Christ is the kind of “mind and body language” you adopt when you learn to walk beside Him, doing work with Him. Like a dance, when we attach ourselves to Christ’s “body language” by allowing our mortal minds and bodies to become “yoked” to Him, we learn to walk in His ways.

 

[cjforJesus]

The words “yoke” and “yoga” are of similar origin.

When Jesus says, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” that was similar to saying “my yoga is easy and my burden light.”

The “yoga” of Christ is the kind of “mind and body language” you adopt when you learn to walk beside Him, doing work with Him. Like a dance, when we attach ourselves to Christ’s “body language” by allowing our mortal minds and bodies to become “yoked” to Him, we learn to walk in His ways.

Walking with Jesus and putting on the mind of Christ does not require complicated exercise and breathing techniques. It requires obedience in following Him and the Church He established. No Christian Church I know of requires or promotes particular postures to supposedly yoke yourself with God.It requires obedience, self sacrifice, and above all love of God and neighbor.

We could argue this all day but no matter how much one does yoga or studies philosophy or even reads the Catechism that will not benefit him if he does not have the love for God and neighbor. That does not require anything but faith.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Walking with Jesus and putting on the mind of Christ does not require complicated exercise and breathing techniques. It requires obedience in following Him and the Church He established. No Christian Church I know of requires or promotes particular postures to supposedly yoke yourself with God.It requires obedience, self sacrifice, and above all love of God and neighbor.

Ok. I don’t recall asserting anything to the contrary.

We could argue this all day but no matter how much one does yoga or studies philosophy or even reads the Catechism that will not benefit him if he does not have the love for God and neighbor. That does not require anything but faith.

Precisely.

Not head knowledge; that’s just there to hopefully help us and not hinder us.

None of it does any good without love of God and neighboer.

MS

 

[cjforJesus]

Ok. I don’t recall asserting anything to the contrary.

Precisely.

Not head knowledge; that’s just there to hopefully help us and not hinder us.

None of it does any good without love of God and neighboer.

MS

The spirit which is associated with kundalini is that old serpent in the garden which from the beginning has lied and told man that he does not need God.This serpent seeks to lead people away from God and instead look for a mystical experience and to become god themselves. Hundreds of people are having 'mystical experiences involving supposed angelic beings and some say they are channeling aliens/They all spout the same lie that we do not need God because WE are God.They use that same reference (I AM). Same old lie that the serpent told Eve.

 

[cjforJesus]

The words “yoke” and “yoga” are of similar origin.

When Jesus says, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” that was similar to saying “my yoga is easy and my burden light.”

The “yoga” of Christ is the kind of “mind and body language” you adopt when you learn to walk beside Him, doing work with Him. Like a dance, when we attach ourselves to Christ’s “body language” by allowing our mortal minds and bodies to become “yoked” to Him, we learn to walk in His ways.

The unique perspective of Siddha Mahayoga is that because kundalini is an INTELLIGENT force it will, upon awakening, naturally direct the practice of the student. All that is required is that the student completely SURRENDER to this force. As a result of kundalini’s unfoldment spontaneous purifying movements, called kriyas will occur.

In Florida Healing Revival the receiver is asked to surrender to the “power of the Holy Spirit” and to receive the good work “purifying kriyas” without questioning. So this is exactly the same initial condition that is required for the awakening of kundalini.

Kundalini is Shakti,Shakti is Kali,Kali is Isis,Isis is Lucifer Lucifer is satan the original fallen angel that wanted to BE God. An intelligent energy that posses people and causes them to to its will is NOT holy.The Holy Spirit does no posses in that sense but proposes what is the right course and allows us free will.We must always remain sober and vigilant because satan roams about like a voracious beast seeking to lead people away from God.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

So you are saying that Satan dwells sleeping within us?

 

[cjforJesus]

So you are saying that Satan dwells sleeping within us?

There is nothing that lies at the base of our spine sleeping,Michael. To attribute all mystical experiences to some obscure snake power living in us is absurd.

Some say that the coccygeal body,which lies at the base of the spine,is connected to the pineal gland and is what causes the physical manifestations by way of hormonal secretions and such,but there is no such proof and as far as I know the pineal glands function is to keep people asleep.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

There is nothing that lies at the base of our spine sleeping,Michael. To attribute all mystical experiences to some obscure snake power living in us is absurd.

Some say that the coccygeal body,which lies at the base of the spine,is connected to the pineal gland and is what causes the physical manifestations by way of hormonal secretions and such,but there is no such proof and as far as I know the pineal glands function is to keep people asleep.

Why then do you associate this “force” with Satan?

 

[cjforJesus]

Why then do you associate this “force” with Satan?

some spiritual persons, as we said, convince themselves that the curiosity
to know of certain things is good, because God sometimes answers these
petitions. They think this conduct is good and pleasing…Yet the truth is
that, regardless of God’s reply, such behavior is neither good nor pleasing
to God. Rather, He is displeased; not only displeased but frequently angered
and deeply offended…The reason lies in the illicitness of transcending the
natural boundaries God has established for the governing of rational
creatures…A desire to transcend them, hence, is unlawful, and to desire to
investigate and arrive at knowledge in a supernatural way is to go beyond the
natural limits…" (St. John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mt. Carmel, bk.2,
ch.21, par. 1)

 

[mikekle]

It saddens me to be reading so many people who have been duped into thinking yoga is harmless exercise, this just proves how powerful the enemy is in our world, he has managed to fool alot of people with this alone, just imagine what else they can be fooled about too…that is really scary to think about.

But then again, Jesus did warn that many people would be fooled, even the elect among us, so I guess it should not be a surprise to any of us, just sad we cant throw a wrench into it somehow.

 

[corefaith]

For those of you who want to do more research, the Vatican Website and other church files state that the following practices and organisations are New Age/Occult practices and are therefore banned by the Catholic Church.

Enneagram, Reiki, Yoga, Rebirth, Biofeedback, Sensory Isolation, Holotropic breathing, hypnosis, mantras, fasting, sleep deprivation and transcendental meditation, Reincarnation, Channelling, Psychics, Mediums, Ascended Masters, Nature Spirits, Higher Self, Crystals, Feng-shui, Geomancy, Gaia, Human Potential Movement, Shamanism, Paganism, Druid, Wicca, Freemasonry, Neopaganism, Spiritualism, witchcraft.

Better check your sources. For example, fasting is not banned by the Church, nor are biofeedback and hypnosis which have real medical uses. Seems like there is a lot of unecessary fear of such things on this site.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

some spiritual persons, as we said, convince themselves that the curiosity
to know of certain things is good, because God sometimes answers these
petitions. They think this conduct is good and pleasing…Yet the truth is
that, regardless of God’s reply, such behavior is neither good nor pleasing
to God. Rather, He is displeased; not only displeased but frequently angered
and deeply offended…The reason lies in the illicitness of transcending the
natural boundaries God has established for the governing of rational
creatures…A desire to transcend them, hence, is unlawful, and to desire to
investigate and arrive at knowledge in a supernatural way is to go beyond the
natural limits…" (St. John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mt. Carmel, bk.2,
ch.21, par. 1)

I always appreciate St John but I don’t see how this warning about “striving to know certain things by supernatural methods” applies to stretches any more than weight lifting or running. The warning deals with seeking revelation and visions rather than Christ himself. And that is also true of anything that distracts us from Christ including superstition, money, sports, food, etc.

 

[cjforJesus]

I always appreciate St John but I don’t see how this warning about “striving to know certain things by supernatural methods” applies to stretches any more than weight lifting or running. The warning deals with seeking revelation and visions rather than Christ himself. And that is also true of anything that distracts us from Christ including superstition, money, sports, food, etc.

And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? [17] Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. [18] He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. [19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [20] The young man saith to him: All these I have kept from my youth, what is yet wanting to me?

[21] Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me. [22] And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad: for he had great possessions. [23] Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [24] And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. [25] And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered very much, saying: Who then can be saved?

[26] And Jesus beholding, said to them: With men this is impossible: but with God all things are possible. [27] Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? [28] And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’ s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting. [30] And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first.

There is nothing in Jesus words that suggests the pursuit of a yoking with God.There is nothing here to imply that ecstatic experiences should be desired either.

Yoga in the sense of just stretching is not really yoga.It is stretching.The purpose of all trueyoga is the awakening of an alleged force or power that is dormant.This force is called kundalini or serpent powerThis force when supposedly activated seeks to manipulate and control the individual and mold it into its own likeness.

I prefer to follow Jesus words , obey the commandments and follow Him.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Yoga in the sense of just stretching is not really yoga.It is stretching.The purpose of all trueyoga is the awakening of an alleged force or power that is dormant.This force is called kundalini or serpent powerThis force when supposedly activated seeks to manipulate and control the individual and mold it into its own likeness.

This is the crux of all these pages of debate. We who do yoga have been saying that it is entirely possible as a good and faithful Catholic Christians to benefit from the stretches and postures (which you here indicate “is not really yoga”) without seeking this alleged dormant force.

Are we agreed if we simply call them flexibility stretches rather than “Yoga stretches”?

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

This is the crux of all these pages of debate. We who do yoga have been saying that it is entirely possible as a good and faithful Catholic Christians to benefit from the stretches and postures (which you here indicate “is not really yoga”) without seeking this alleged dormant force.

Are we agreed if we simply call them flexibility stretches rather than “Yoga stretches”?

Maybe we could say they are “reminiscent” of yoga stretches. If everything is just “reminiscent” then no actual claims are being made as to whether or not it is actually connected in any salient way. It can become completely subjective so anybody is free to fear anything, no matter how irrational – and since “hey I didn’t say it was actually that thing you are askeered of” then I’m off the hook for the emotional challenges of those who freak out over symbolic trifles. And they are free to continue to freak out and see monsters in every pattern. Nothing really means anything, and everybody wins. Those who do not fear things that some of us consider “silly” or at best “unproductive” ideas to fear and emote over, keep our peace. Those who crave fear, will find a bottomless reservoir of subject matter to feed it, even in the seemingly innocuous details of what some would consider just “plain old” day-to-day living.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Maybe we could say they are “reminiscent” of yoga stretches. If everything is just “reminiscent” then no actual claims are being made as to whether or not it is actually connected in any salient way. It can become completely subjective so anybody is free to fear anything, no matter how irrational – and since “hey I didn’t say it was actually that thing you are askeered of” then I’m off the hook for the emotional challenges of those who freak out over symbolic trifles. And they are free to continue to freak out and see monsters in every pattern. Nothing really means anything, and everybody wins. Those who do not fear things that some of us consider “silly” or at best “unproductive” ideas to fear and emote over, keep our peace. Those who crave fear, will find a bottomless reservoir of subject matter to feed it, even in the seemingly innocuous details of what some would consider just “plain old” day-to-day living.

Well all this time I thought thier fear was that these stretches somehow in and of themsleves, regardless of intention, trigger some putative forces. Some have states so, others not. To me that seems superstitious.

 

[cjforJesus]

Maybe we could say they are “reminiscent” of yoga stretches. If everything is just “reminiscent” then no actual claims are being made as to whether or not it is actually connected in any salient way. It can become completely subjective so anybody is free to fear anything, no matter how irrational – and since “hey I didn’t say it was actually that thing you are askeered of” then I’m off the hook for the emotional challenges of those who freak out over symbolic trifles. And they are free to continue to freak out and see monsters in every pattern. Nothing really means anything, and everybody wins. Those who do not fear things that some of us consider “silly” or at best “unproductive” ideas to fear and emote over, keep our peace. Those who crave fear, will find a bottomless reservoir of subject matter to feed it, even in the seemingly innocuous details of what some would consider just “plain old” day-to-day living.

HeyMystical,he was addressing me! where did you come from?

Yeah,you can just say you are stretching and ignore the finger thingy and I will be fine with that. but I will not allow any hidden snakes causing you to ignite and catch fire.No spontaneous human combustion on my watch,if you please.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Well all this time I thought thier fear was that these stretches somehow in and of themsleves, regardless of intention, trigger some putative forces. Some have states so, others not. To me that seems superstitious.

Yeah, seems like that to me, too.

HeyMystical,he was addressing me! where did you come from?

Yeah,you can just say you are stretching and ignore the finger thingy and I will be fine with that. but I will not allow any hidden snakes causing you to ignite and catch fire.No spontaneous human combustion on my watch,if you please.

Yeah, I just totally butted in because I feel like I should have an opinion from time to time and this thread fell victim. Sorry.

As far as the hidden snakes and fires and stuff, I’m glad to avoid them as well.