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| Meditation, Visualization & Yoga...for the Christian? |
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For millions of Americans, Yoga is a popular pastime. Like Meditation, Yoga Classes are offered by the YMCW, YWCA, on TV, in business seminars, at schools and in churches. The claim is that Yoga is not a religious practice and that members of any faith or background can benefit from it. More and more health professionals are now advocating Yoga as a safe and effective method for physical and mental health. Yoga works on the premise that most illnesses are caused by wrong posture, wrong diet, and wrong mental attitudes which are all under the control of the students themselves. In other words, Yoga can heal a person as a whole, or in a holistic way.
Yoga...innocent and harmless?
Many proponents of Yoga claim it is simply an excellent way to loosen muscles, keep fit and maintain health. Can Yoga be used harmlessly, without any harmful effects? Can the Christian simply focus their thoughts on God and Jesus while practicing these techniques that originate with demonic spirits, false gods and idols? Can we use an occult method contrary to the Bible to bring us closer to the God of the bible? In other words, can Yoga be separated from it's original purposes and philosophies and used by Christians for mental, emotional and spiritual benefits?? Let's look at it's core teachings.
Read the rest at:
http://temaa1p315.homestead.com/New_Age_Meditation.html
God bless you Saints!
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I am going to search the link later, as I was starting to do some Namaste Yoga exercises. I would just say Thank You, Jesus...when they recited their little mantras. I am not sure how I feel about it, or how God feels about it...so I'm definately going to view your link later tonight.
Blessings,
cathy-forgiven |
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Temaa |
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July 02, 2008 at 10:30am |
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| Let me know what you think and if you have any questions Cathy...stay blessed! |
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Thanks very much! After my grandson leaves tomorrow, I am going to search the link.
I've not been able to do this yet.
blessings,
cathy |
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Brenda |
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July 02, 2008 at 1:48pm |
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| Thanks for the link! It was very interesting to read and affirms my decision to not let my children participate in Yoga in the classroom. One mom wanted to teach it to the kids every Friday, and thankfully the teacher was a Christian and told me about it ahead of time, and said if I wanted she would let my kids go and do something else while the mom taught Yoga. |
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| I don't believe that God needs the devil's tools to help us get close to him. The whole concept of meditation is to achieve a higher level of consciousness leading to a state of utter bliss called Nirvana which is likened to a bright light. The problem is that this light is not Jesus but is actually lucifer. If we can use yoga to get closer to God then why not ouija boards or astrology or tarot cards. Don't people say that all roads lead to Christ? Lord rebuke the devil. All I need to do is meditate and chew on the word, and trust what God says about drawing close to him. I know his word says that if I draw close to him he will draw close to me. |
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The only thing I tried these exercises for was for how it helped me. I did not use this to get close to God. I do not 'meditate.' When I want to talk to the Lord, I just talk to Him.
I just want mychurch friends to know this. I never meditated with them, but I feel that going along with the movements while they were...was not good, and I have stopped doing the exercises.
I am still going to research the link.
It is no surprise how the enemy tries to make things look harmless, or how you try to make yourself believe that you will not get sucked in, if you talk to Jesus while others are reciting to other things, but it just does not work. Light cannot exist with darkness.
Love you guys,
cathy
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| I wish that there was a positive alternative to yoga that would just focus on the exercise, stretching & relaxing breathing exercises to increase our strength & flexibility & decrease stress. Someone should re-name the exercise side of it & make training videos so people who want to exercise like that can have an alternative. |
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| I read the link and understand what it's saying, but what about the person that only uses the stretches to help build body strength and flexibility? I read my bible daily, talk to God openly, and in most cases, out loud (and that's not just at home or in the car), but I also use the yoga stretches to strengthen my body. I've never been to a gym that focused on anything but deep breathing while posing. Good posture, correct breathing and better strength never hurt anyone. In fact, it's made it better. And personally, I've never meditated or tried to achieve "nirvana". I'm not trying to sound negative or put anyone down, I'm just saying, the poses can be done without meditation, mantras and what-not. I agree with Rachel. The name should be changed. Just MHO. |
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Rachel,
you spoke my thoughts! |
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Temaa |
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July 03, 2008 at 6:48pm |
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Sisters In Christ...the fact is, that although yoga exercises, stretches and breathing make you feel healthier, mentally and physically, they are not proven scientifically to be any better physically than proper diet, exercise, breathing and stretching. The added component of the spiritual, along with the yoga system adds to the whole mystique.
You can do just as well for yourself learning proper stretching, exercise, diet and breathing without Yoga. I didn't get my information from a bunch of Christians looking for Satan under every rock...I'm VERY enthusiastic about fitness and natural remedies for health...as I wrote in my lesson:
The true authorities and experts in Yoga warn of serious consequences in taking the practice of Yoga lightly. They cannot comprehend how we think we can possibly separate the practice from its inevitable spiritual goals and results. From the very basic beginner exercises to the most intense deep breathing, all are meant to condition the student for spiritual enlightenment. Many practitioners also begin to question their lives and spiritual beliefs, finally giving themselves over to occult new age beliefs that this methods are meant to validate and confirm. Here are some books straight from Yogas themselves. You can decide. God Bless you Saints!
Yoga Sutras Patanjali
Yoga and the Spiritual life Sri Chinmoy
The Yoga of Light Hans Ulrich Riecker
The Seven Schools of Yoga Ernest Wood
These are not Christians saying this...it is the Yoga masters themselves! The worst mistake people make is to ignore, redefine or mold truths to fit our own desires and notions. The Yoga Masters themselves say it is not possible to separate the two. Do we know better than them? If you still choose to practice it, do it eyes wide open. Do not be fooled into believing Yoga is harmless, and the only way, or the best way to good health.
Just be cautious and careful ladies...and God bless you! |
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Well, I will not try it again. I practiced the exercises for about one week, and then felt bad about it...but this has helped me to decide...seriously.
Thank you,
cathy |
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| I know where my heart is. Exercise of any sort is good for you. And if we're taking this subject THIS far, we should go to the fact that we shouldn't use computers, cell phones, modern technology because it can be used to distract us from our Lord and Savior. So where does that leave us? |
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Temaa |
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July 05, 2008 at 1:56pm |
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If you don't mind, let's unpack this a bit with respect and love...
I'm sorry Amanda but I fail to see the connection you make... "computers, cell phones, modern technology?" I don't see the analogy. Besides, none of these things has as its core a spiritual base...
it isn't about an issue that distracts from the Lord, in that case we couldn't wake up every morning.
Yoga is not a "modern technology", and I am not trying to take yoga away from you.enjoy it!
As I said, the choice is yours. Just don't say it has no spiritual significance. You CANNOT say this unless you know more than the actual expert yogis do. I can't say that. I wouldn't defend it or recommend it to others unless I'm prepared to tell the truth about it...that's all. We have freedom in Christ to do WHATEVER we want. I'm not taking that away in the least. Just do not be fooled or naive about it.
Where does that leave us? Your asking as if to say...why bother using discernment at all? If it feels good, seems to have benefits to health and wellness, why not do it. Scientology, LDS, Christian Science, the "Secret", Tantra, Astrology, and an endless list of new age practices have glowing testimonies...do you say, as long as you know where your heart is, go for it? Yoga offers us NOTHING we cannot get somewhere else.
This leaves us as wise servants using discernment so that we can be like Paul can say:
1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
and...
2 Corinthians 2:11
in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Like it or not, Yoga was created as a spiritual gateway...just cause America repackages it...arsenic and tylenol can come in the same white pill. If you have spiritually immunity, God bless you! I would just hesitate to recommend it or offer it to others who may or may not.
You might say..."eat the fish, spit out the bones". Ok...can newborns can do this? How about spiritual newborns?
If you don't think so, I would have to see what credentials you have that supercedes all the experts. Not trying to be difficult, but other than emotion, what is the basis for your objection? Unless I misunderstood, you haven't said it isn't what I wrote it is...you just say its good for you and harmless, and if we take this away, we run the risk of taking all our Christian liberties away. Is that correct?
If you want a more functional anaology to Yoga, try Transcendental Meditation, Accupuncture, Tantra, or Psychic Hotlines.
Let me know what you think. Be blessed!
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Notice where the evil comes from in the scriptures. (Within the individual mind)
To the immature believer, just about everything is a bit impure. But to the mature believer in Christ nothing in and of it's self is impure.
To doubt is sin. To not doubt (faith) all action is Righteousness. (Rom.14:23) Raise your children to control their minds (not their bodies) and you will have given them a strenght that will enable them to overcome all the religious mind control mechanisms of this world.
True sin is doubting who you are. (offspring and seed of your heavenly Father)
For Christ has come to set you free. Most religions come to bind you to the rules of their tribe.
Tit 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Kw |
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Temaa |
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July 05, 2008 at 2:57pm |
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Kw...I'm a bit unsure of the point you are making?
Are you saying Yoga is pure, and I'm immature for saying it isn't?
Help me understand...be blessed. |
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4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
With respect to all...it seems the verse from Titus may have been taken out of context.
We, as Christians, have the responsibility to search the scriptures to learn from The Spirit of The Lord what is right and what is wrong.
Freedom in Christ gives us the freedom to follow Christ, and to not do things that we were bound to before.
I also know that there is a verse...and I cannot find it at this point...where it states to do something that you know in your heart is wrong...is sin. I am not talking legalism here.
I spent years allowing myself to do certain things because I was free. But, as the Word says, shall we sin that grace may abound? God forbid!
If you feel that there is nothing wrong with Yoga, then by all means, do what your conscience says for you, is alright.
I do take offense at the comment above that states that one's conscience may be seared if they refrain from practicing something they do not believe in their heart is okay.
Neither do I judge a person for using yoga. Let God be the judge.
with respect,
cathy-forgiven |
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Another thought here:
"To doubt is sin. To not doubt (faith) all action is righteousness."
So, when you say "all action" are you saying that fornication, theft, lying, cheating...if done in faith, without doubt, is righteousness?
I am not trying to start an argument, just trying to understand what your thoughts are.
When Jesus saved me, I believe it was forever! On the other hand, I do not want to do anything that would offend Him. This is a lifelong growth for me.
If one is saved, then they will know the love of Christ, and He will finish in us what He started!
blessings,
cathy-forgiven |
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