YOGA...ooer!

[agnes_therese]

I am sorry but that last paragraph makes no sense to me. Can you summarize it in one sentance please? And you are saying it is useless to study catechism to increase our faith?

Actually, the beginning of his post makes no sense, either. In essence, friardchips is saying (as usual) – “The Pope didn’t say what he actually said. He said what I want him to have said.”

It must take an awful lot of energy to twist up something that is so plainly obvious.

 

[cjforJesus]

I am sorry but that last paragraph makes no sense to me. Can you summarize it in one sentance please? And you are saying it is useless to study catechism to increase our faith?

What you and many other Christians practice in regards to stretching exercises is not really yoga. Yoga means “a yoking with God”.Exercise does not yoke one to God.

The purpose of all TRUE yoga is the awakening of an alleged occult force that is known to give psychic abilities as well as other “gifts”. I still have no idea what it truly is, and I doubt even those who have supposedly awakened it do. Gopi Krishna just called it an “evolutionary force” whatever that means.

Yoga is just a faddish cult in the west now.We should find a new name for it.How about… “Stretching!”

 

[cjforJesus]

I am sorry but that last paragraph makes no sense to me. Can you summarize it in one sentance please? And you are saying it is useless to study catechism to increase our faith?

What you and many other Christians practice in regards to stretching exercises is not really yoga. Yoga means “a yoking with God”.Exercise does not yoke one to God.

The purpose of all TRUE yoga is the awakening of an alleged occult force that is know to give psychic abilities as well as other “gifts”. I still have no idea what it truly is and I doubt even those who have supposedly awakened it do. Gopi Krishna just called it an “evolutionary force” whatever that means.

Yoga is just a faddish cult in the west now.We should find a new name for it.How about… “Stretching!”

 

[friardchips]

Actually, the beginning of his post makes no sense, either. In essence, friardchips is saying (as usual) – “The Pope didn’t say what he actually said. He said what I want him to have said.”

It must take an awful lot of energy to twist up something that is so plainly obvious.

If you can’t understand my reasoning then just ask.

And what is also easy to understand is ‘hijacking threads’. ‘Trolling’, I think they call it. And your remarks are starting to give this impression, even if you don’t mean it. I don’t appreciate it as it comes across as unChristian so if you have nothing constructive to add then feel free to unattach yourself from this thread, please. I am getting very tired of having to repeatedly say the same thing to you.

 

[friardchips]

It must take an awful lot of energy to twist up something that is so plainly obvious.

No, it takes a lot of energy having to take deep breaths, instead of venting annoyance, after experiencing your continually sulky retorts. :sad_yes:

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Yoga is just a faddish cult in the west now.We should find a new name for it.How about… “Stretching!”

Yes, at least around the scrupulous I’ll call it Therapeutic Stretching & Breathing even though it may look just like Hatha Yoga.

 

[friardchips]

Originally Posted by cjforJesus View Post
Yoga is just a faddish cult in the west now.We should find a new name for it.How about… “Stretching!”

Yes, at least around the scrupulous I’ll call it Therapeutic Stretching & Breathing even though it may look just like Hatha Yoga.

You’re very enthusiastic, Michael; I didn’t know cults were good to join?!

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Thanks for this. I’m not trying to wash over this whole document but one thing didn’t make sense to me: this paragraph maintains that he convincingly shows that Yoga does not flow from the very roots that the paragraph goes on to say they emerged from - ‘*the Indian National *Movement’ which probably incorporates 'Yoga Sutras or India’s medieval hatha yoga traditions’. The need to dig deeper, is what I expect.

At least it is a start!

The Yoga Sutras do not describe any postures or stretches. It merely mentions asanas. The medieval hatha yoga texts such as Pradipika do describe postures, for example:

"One foot is to be placed on the thigh of the opposite side; and so also the other foot on the opposite thigh. This is called Vîrâsana.

"Having caught the toes of the feet with both the hands and carried them to the ears by drawing the body like a bow, it becomes Dhanura âsana.

“Place the palms of both the hands on the ground, and place the navel on both the elbows and balancing thus, the body should be stretched backward like a stick. This is called Mayûra-âsana.”

I think what Singleton accomplishes is raising awareness that these asanass were reintroduced and popularized by the introduction of Danish Gymnastics through the YMCA in India. Danish Gymnastic postures and movements were then migled with hatha Yoga, organized and made popular in India, Europe and eventually America.

The point is that there is nothing intrinsically evil, satanic, Hindu nor unchristian about any of these postures. It is superstitious to believe there is. The concurrent and independent discovery of the health benefits of postures in Scandinavia proves that the physical aspects can be separated from intentions and philosophy.

 

[friardchips]

The Yoga Sutras do not describe any postures or stretches. It merely mentions asanas. The medieval hatha yoga texts such as Pradipika do describe postures, for example:

"One foot is to be placed on the thigh of the opposite side; and so also the other foot on the opposite thigh. This is called Vîrâsana.

"Having caught the toes of the feet with both the hands and carried them to the ears by drawing the body like a bow, it becomes Dhanura âsana.

“Place the palms of both the hands on the ground, and place the navel on both the elbows and balancing thus, the body should be stretched backward like a stick. This is called Mayûra-âsana.”

I think what Singleton accomplishes is raising awareness that these asanass were reintroduced and popularized by the introduction of Danish Gymnastics through the YMCA in India. Danish Gymnastic postures and movements were then migled with hatha Yoga, organized and made popular in India, Europe and eventually America.

The point is that there is nothing intrinsically evil, satanic, Hindu nor unchristian about any of these postures. It is superstitious to believe there is. The concurrent and independent discovery of the health benefits of postures in Scandinavia proves that the physical aspects can be separated from intentions and philosophy.

I don’t know why they came about. For all we know, they could have been dances in worship of some spiritual unknown.

Now what is interesting as a subject comparison is what Our Lady said to an ancient civilisation that used to butcher their own as a sacrifice for worship. Our Lady of Guadaloupe said that they didn’t need to do this because her Son had already sacrificed Himself, so she understood their religion was worshipping towards our Creator.

But this is different for people who are Christians already. All these other practices are unnecessary forms of ancient or at least very old ritual.

The fact that the article is attempting to separate makes no sense because the roots are the same otherwise the Western form of Yoga would not be called Yoga.

You know, if Our Lady was to appear to those in the West and say exactly what we need to do, then maybe Yoga practioners and their groupees might convert over to Christianity, but…oh wait, yes of course, Our Lady already HAS appeared to us in the West and advised us how to pray. Lourdes and Fatima. And in Guadaloupe her face is raceless to show that everyone can if they so choose identify with her and listen.

Why don’t Yoga-ooers do some other form of exercise: because…they want to do Yoga specifically, no matter what; they don’t want to do any other healthy form of exercise instead and this is because of the possible non-Christian spiritual element that is up for offer with Yoga. In its roots.

Which is why the Pope said what he said.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

I don’t know why they came about. For all we know, they could have been dances in worship of some spiritual unknown.

For all we know? You want to argue based on what you do not know?

Why would the intentions of others necessarily taint otherwise healthy practices?

For all we know the Holy Spirit inspired many people to exercises for health of body, mind and spirit.

Do you have an objection to doing the same exercises and postures but calling it something else?

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Did you know that bells were used in ancient non-christian rituals long before they were used in Christian worship?

"With the introduction of Buddhism into China after the Qin Dynasty, ancient bells gradually became important musical instruments for Buddhism. As the saying goes, “There are bells at every temple. Without bells, there would be no temples.”

So they originated in non-christian roots.

china.org.cn/english/features/FbiCh/78687.htm

 

[friardchips]

Did you know that bells were used in ancient non-christian rituals long before they were used in Christian worship?

All things came to be through our Creator so all things find their way back, to Christian worship: incense, worry beads, bells, prayers, spiritualism, songs, music, the sun, sea and sky etc…etc…

"With the introduction of Buddhism into China after the Qin Dynasty, ancient bells gradually became important musical instruments for Buddhism. As the saying goes, “There are bells at every temple. Without bells, there would be no temples.”
So they originated in non-christian roots.

Yes, but now we have Christianity, so everything finds its rightful place in the worship of our Creator from whom we have our teachings, via the Catholic Church.

 

[agnes_therese]

Why don’t Yoga-ooers do some other form of exercise: because…they want to do Yoga specifically, no matter what; they don’t want to do any other healthy form of exercise instead

Once again, you are just flat-out, blatantly wrong. A lot of us who do yoga also do other exercise. Walking, running, weights . . .

and this is because of the possible non-Christian spiritual element that is up for offer with Yoga. In its roots.

Wrong again. We do yoga because it works for us.

Which is why the Pope said what he said.

Yes, the Pope said what he said. Not what you, in your infinite wisdom, want him to have said.

Strike three.

 

[friardchips]

For all we know? You want to argue based on what you do not know?

Hence, my point about authority and lack of it when tracing roots which are hard to specify.

Why would the intentions of others necessarily taint otherwise healthy practices?

True. If one thing was used for something before how does it carry on. But if that is true reasoning then I guess you can rule out original sin. An expression can be cursed or tainted. I do think that if it were true that Yoga in the West is not related to Yoga in Hindu worship or any form of non-Christian form of worship in India at all, then it would be called something else.

For all we know the Holy Spirit inspired many people to exercises for health of body, mind and spirit.

Not sure about this comment. The Holy Spirit I would suggest is more concerned with outward love towards others and us getting to Heaven rather than us attending beauty parlours and mirror gazing for one’s own reflection. Not comfortable with attempting to attribute unknowns to the Holy Spirit. We are meant to magnify our Creator, not our own self.

Do you have an objection to doing the same exercises and postures but calling it something else?

If there were other forms of exercise that might be similar to Yoga but were not attributed to Yoga and certainly not called Yoga then I would feel reassured. Heck, might even do some myself. And there are other forms of exercise similar to Yoga without being Yoga.

If all Hindus and Buddhists were to suddenly announce their belief in Our Lord and profess faith in His Birth, Death and Resurrection, and Yoga had been reported to have helped them reach this understanding, then I’d be all for this practice. But as of yet, I don’t think this has happened. And these religions have been quite a long time in existence, or so I understand. It is not as if they haven’t had the opportunity.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

All things came to be through our Creator so all things find their way back, to Christian worship: incense, worry beads, bells, prayers, spiritualism, songs, music, the sun, sea and sky etc…etc…

Yes, but now we have Christianity, so everything finds its rightful place in the worship of our Creator from whom we have our teachings, via the Catholic Church.

So why not yoga stretches?

 

[Michael_Mayo]

If all Hindus and Buddhists were to suddenly announce their belief in Our Lord and profess faith in His Birth, Death and Resurrection, and Yoga had been reported to have helped them reach this understanding, then I’d be all for this practice. But as of yet, I don’t think this has happened. And these religions have been quite a long time in existence, or so I understand. It is not as if they haven’t had the opportunity.

Why would it have to be “all”?

My own rebirth in Christ came while I was practicing Yoga and meditation which is why I am hear speaking for it.

 

[friardchips]

Once again, you are just flat-out, blatantly wrong. A lot of us who do yoga also do other exercise. Walking, running, weights . . .

Wrong again. We do yoga because it works for us.

Yes, the Pope said what he said. Not what you, in your infinite wisdom, want him to have said.

Strike three.

:crying:

 

[friardchips]

Why would it have to be “all”?

My own rebirth in Christ came while I was practicing Yoga and meditation which is why I am hear speaking for it.

How do you know it wasn’t just because of the prayers you said while doing Yoga?!

IOW, how do you know that it wasn’t through prayer alone, rather than the practice of Yoga, that you experienced your rebirth? (Thanks for sharing that btw…).

 

[friardchips]

So why not yoga stretches?

Certainly, this is the strongest argument. That things find their way back to their rightful place - in worship of our Creator who Christians recognise specifically. But in that case, why hasn’t the Vatican blessed it? Why has the Pope said not to seek those answers with that practice? Why are people all over the world still not recognising our Creator after having practiced Yoga? Which is why I asked whether it might have been faith in prayer alone through which you found your answers and amazing rebirth!

 

[friardchips]

My own rebirth in Christ.

Finishing here for now with what you said earlier (above); what an amazing few words to end a day with! Awesome!

Sincerely, thanks for posting this, Michael!