The advantage of yoga is twofold-- increased health and marriage of the spirit with the body. It is accomplished through the use of several elements, but mainly through the combination of Asanas, or postures, and breathing/meditation practices.

This raises lots of question in the Christian neighborhood. In my research for this short article, I was extremely stunned at the perspective of the Christian apologists, and their take on yoga and its practice. I have actually hesitated on composing this post due to the fact that of that perspective. Nevertheless, I feel that this concern and the position of the Christian community warrants reflection on the topic.

Yoga has a history going back over five thousand years, to the beginning of the civilization of male. Little is truly learnt about Yoga. it is thought to have come from Mehrgarh, a neolithic settlement in what is now Afghanistan. Scholars believe it has outgrown Stone Age Shamanism. In this early period of civilization's starts, Yoga was a community resource, due to the fact that of its efforts to figure out cosmic order through inner vision, and apply it to everyday living. In later years, yoga progressed into an inner dialogue through which the Yogis looked for to develop their own redemption and enlightenment.

Archaeological proof of the existence of Yoga first appeared in stone seals excavated from the Indus valley. It depicted figures in numerous Yogic Asanas, or postures, and formally put Yoga in the time period of around 3000 B.C. Of higher import, it likewise connected yoga to the terrific Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, a duration in time that was thought about modern and efficient.

From the Indus-Sarasvati civilization came the ancient texts known as the Vedas, the oldest scriptures in the world. The Vedas are a collection of hymns that praise a higher power and consists of the oldest documented history of Yoga teachings. The Vedas needed the professional to transcend human restrictions, and reach a higher spiritual airplane. In later years, texts known as the Brahmanas were written to describe the routines and the hymns of the Vedas. Following this came the Aranyakas texts, which described the practice of Yogis living in the privacy of the forest. This led to the beginning of India's medical tradition, called Ayurveda. All in love it all, Yoga changed into a practice of health, consistency of the spirit, and a way of life.

The Christian viewpoint is hence-- if one opens the mind to clearer thinking and inner vision, they open the spirit to demonic ownership. It is felt that Yoga practice borders on occultism, which opening one's mind and spirit to the advantage of yoga is both hazardous and against whatever Christianity preaches. Christians believe that studying yoga belongs to practicing Hinduism, and one can not separate the philosophy of Hinduism from their Christian beliefs, regardless of the health benefit of yoga.

As a practicing Buddhist, I take issue with this viewpoint. To me, this smacks of tunnel vision and narrowmindedness. A Christian is anticipated to open their heart and minds to Jesus, and to give in to the spirit of the Lord. They are anticipated to depend on blind faith, and to accept the word of God as the only fact in the world. A thinking individual would discover this hypocritical, for on the one hand Christians preach that Yoga needs to be avoided because opening the mind to clearer vision motivates the possibility of demonic ownership, yet on the other hand preaches that one need to open the mind and heart to accept Jesus into their lives. Opening one's heart and mind is precisely that-- whether it is to check out one's self, or to accept Jesus into their lives. If, as Christians preach, we are open to demonic possession if we look inside ourselves and open the mind to all the possibilities, how then can we safely open our hearts to the principle of Christianity? Is there a gatekeeper who makes this choice when we do so that determines what course we are to follow? I think not ...

For the record, I was raised in a Christian household. My father was the deacon of a little Baptist church in the farming neighborhood where we lived. My mother, who taught us kids to question whatever, moved from the Baptist neighborhood to the Assembly of God churches, and was ostracized by my daddy. I think that to her dying day, she resented my daddy for this narrowmindedness. Life refers option, and my mother thought that we are not required to run under the impression of blind faith, but to do what is ideal to us as an individual. And it is why I stroll the Noble 8 Folded Path. It is simply a matter of choice, and questioning everything in this universe.

I believe that the practice of yoga is a good thing. It supplies us with terrific health advantages, clearer vision, and consistency in our souls. And in this day and age, what else exists? Whether we be Christians, Muslims, or Buddhists, we must not disrespect the feelings and ideas of others, their rights to practice as they want, or attempt to press our views down other individuals's throats. To reside in consistency is exactly that ...