YOGA: RELAXATION OR OCCULT?
By Jack Sin June 27, 1999 [Unless otherwise cited, parts of this report have been excerpted and/or adapted from Examining & Exposing Cultic & Occultic Movements, Jack Sin, “Should a Christian Practise Yoga?” April 2000, pp. 79-84.]
[Also at http://www.maranatha-bpc.com/MESSENGER/MM-99-06-27.htm SHOULD A CHRISTIAN PRACTISE YOGA? with slightly different content** and the following Introduction: Today, Singaporeans are confronted with alternative forms of medicine and non-traditional exercises and meditation techniques. We need to know the background and philosophy of these popular techniques before we embark to do them. We need to be watchful, discerning, and to search and discover the teachings of Holy Scriptures concerning these contemporary phenomena. First, we need to understand what are their basic principles and practices. We shall consider yoga, a popular form of meditation and exercise here.] **see further down
Yoga is from the Sankrit word Yug, meaning "union" (with the Divine, your higher "SELF").
Yoga is a path for transcending the ordinary mind (who you think you are) in order to merge with your "higher SELF" or "God SELF." Yoga means "to yoke" -- to yoke with Brahman (i.e., the "Infinite," the "Universal Spirit," the impersonal force that the Hindus call "God") via the realization of an altered state of consciousness, thereby theoretically releasing oneself from the bondage of endless reincarnation. Yoga comes out of the Hindu Vedas. It can be traced back to Patanjali, who was a religious leader. Shiva, one of Hinduism's three most powerful gods, was known as "The Destroyer" -- he's called Yogi Swara or the "Lord of Yoga."
Consider the following portion of an article from a secular newspaper:
"It is estimated that there are 10,000 yoga teachers in the United States, who teach between 4 and 5 million students a week. Yoga is a program that involves conscious stretching, deliberate movements, controlled breathing and relaxation exercises. Its purpose is to develop strength, flexibility, balance, body alignment, body awareness, muscular balance, calmness and controlled breathing. Yoga originated from a school of thought in the Hindu religion, which suggests that postures can isolate the soul from the body and the mind.
"In the Western world, yoga is used mainly as a form of exercise. Yoga comes from the original Sanskrit word, 'joga,' which means 'to join.' Yoga means to join body, mind and breath; to get them to work together in harmony [This is a lie!]. It's very gentle, slow and meditative; but it requires concentration. Yoga instructors say they have received a handful of complaints from people who believe yoga is intertwined with mysticism and the occult.
[We] acknowledge that yoga does indeed come from a portion of India's Hindu religion, but [our] classes deal mainly with the physical aspects of yoga, and do not in any way coerce people to become involved in Eastern religion" [another lie]. (Source: The Bloomington Herald-Times, 1991.)
Sadly, even professing Christians have bought into this lie. Every Yoga teacher is, in effect, a Hindu or Buddhist missionary, even though "he or she may wear a cross, insist that Jesus was a great Yogi, and protest that Yoga is not a religion, but science. This is the most blatant of lies. Yet it has been so widely proclaimed and believed that in America's public schools, beginning in kindergarten and in almost every other area of society today, Yoga and other forms of Hindu-Buddhist occultism are taught and accepted as science. In contrast, Christianity has been thrown out of the schools and is being crowded out of every other area of life in the 'broad-minded' move to replace religion with the New Age 'science'!" (Source: Peace, Prosperity, and the Coming Holocaust, p. 147.)
Yoga is clearly a New Age concept [link: http://www.rapidnet.com/, click: New Age concept] that is deeply religious and pantheistic in its origin. It is widely practiced and supported by New Age proponents. The New Age movement denies the reality of sin and total depravity, and believes that man is generally good and is divine. They teach that there is a god within us, and we are to harness that and develop it through meditation and other metaphysical techniques. They teach that the only thing people need is enlightenment regarding their divinity. They believe that through reincarnation man is reunited with God. They believe in karma, which is a debt one owes because of his previous life. They also believe and teach the evolution of man as opposed to the Creation that is taught in the Bible. Yoga is also associated with imagery, visualization, hypnosis, mind magic, chanting of mantra, positive thinking, and Silva mind techniques, which are not only unbiblical, but are potentially dangerous. When practiced by professing believers, it allows a certain external spiritual influence in our lives, which is inconsistent with, and disallowed (2 Cor. 6:14-18), in the teachings of the Holy Scriptures (2 Cor. 4:4).
[** From the Piscean to the Aquarian Age
We are living in a supercharged era, a time of upliftment for all humanity, a time of joining heaven and earth, a time of experiencing the higher self while living in the human body. The vibrational frequency of the planet has accelerated to the frequency of the Heart Centre. To respond to this new reality we must learn to play a whole new game with a new set of rules. As we cross the threshold of the Aquarian Age, we are being challenged to leave behind the dualistic pain and struggle of the Piscean Age. We are faced with two choices—(1) make the giant leap of faith to synchronise with the vibrations of love and realise our best hopes and dreams, and (2) cling to the worst aspects of the past: narrow mind sets that keep us focused on limitations, win/lose, competitiveness, zero/sum games, manipulation and control that breed feeling of superiority, inferiority, unworthiness, anger and fear.
The Aquarian Age opens up the possibility of building a sense of community among all men and women. Real victory will come from win/win solutions that benefit all concerned. The new ways of being include going with the flow, living in integrity, sharing and caring, and honouring the laws of attraction and manifestation. The transition to the twenty-first century challenges us to live by the higher universal laws of this elevated reality. The way to succeed is to drop the past, take the leap of faith and begin to live our lives as we have always wanted to but were unable to, because we were controlled by fear and shame. A new kind of religion or spirituality is surfacing. In the past, religious teachers and prophets shared their experiences of God with the masses. In the Aquarian Age, everyone can experience God directly, without intermediaries. It is now possible for all those willing to devote themselves to their individual spiritual path to achieve self-mastery and conscious connection with their soul.
We are challenged to see ourselves as responsible, both individually and collectively for our present circumstances, looking inward for causes as well as solutions. As our awareness increases we will realise that we can no longer be able to blame catastrophe, illness, or “bad luck” on parents, genes, government, society or God. As we take responsibility for our individual and collectives, we will recognise ourselves as co-creators with God. As we do so, we will recognise the importance of mastering our telephonic projections, subconscious feelings and habitual thought patterns to materialise the life we desire. As we make our lives “living masterpieces,” we will be at choice to create heaven on earth.] **see also end of VIII.2
The practice of Yoga is pagan at best, and occultic at worse. Its teachings emanate from the Eastern religions, all of which teach that self is God, only we just don't realize it:
"The goal of Yoga is 'self-realization' - to look deeply within what ought to be the temple of the one true God and there to discover the alleged 'true Self' or 'higher Self' and declare self to be God. Nothing could be more religious than that, yet with straight faces all of the Yogis insist that practicing Yoga will not change anyone's religious beliefs. This is the religion of Antichrist; and for the first time in history it is being widely practiced throughout the Western world as Trans-cendental Meditation and other forms of Yoga." (Source: The Seduction of Christianity, p. 54.)
Yoga calls itself science. "By calling itself science, Yoga (which is the very heart of Hinduism) has within the last [30] years become an integral part of Western society, where it is taught in nearly every YMCA or YWCA, in clubs, in public schools, in industry, and in many churches. Dressed in Western clothes, Yoga has gained acceptance in medicine, psychology, education, and religion under such euphemisms as 'centering,' 'relaxation therapy,' ‘self-hypnosis,’ [link: http://www.rapidnet.com/, click: 'self-hypnosis,'] and 'creative visualization’ [click: visualization]. Yoga is designed to lead to the 'realization' of one's true 'godhood' through an inward meditative journey that finally locates the ultimate source of everything within the human psyche." (Source: The Seduction of Christianity, p. 110.) Hatha-yoga is a popular form of Yoga practiced today by those looking for a form of relaxation and non-strenuous exercise. Johanna Michaelsen*, however, correctly discerns:
"There is a common misconception in the West that hatha-yoga, one of about ten forms of Yoga that supposedly leads to self-realization, is merely a neutral form of exercise, a soothing and effective alternative for those who abhor jogging and calisthenics ... [However], Hatha-yoga is 'one of the six recognized systems of orthodox Hinduism' and is at its roots religious and mystical. It is also one of the most difficult and potentially [spiritually] dangerous forms of Yoga.
"The term hatha is derived from the verb hath, which means 'to oppress.'... What the practice of hatha-yoga is designed to do is suppress the flow of psychic energies through these channels ["symbolic, or psychic passages on either side of the spinal column"], thereby forcing the 'serpent power' or the kundalini force to rise through the central psychic channel in the spine (the sushumna) and up through the chakras, the supposed psychic centers of human personality and power. Westerners mistakenly believe that one can practice hatha-yoga apart from the philosophical and religious beliefs that undergird it. This is an absolutely false belief. ... You cannot separate the exercises from the philosophy. ... 'The movements themselves become a form of meditation.' The continued practice of the exercises will, whether you ... intend it or not, eventually influence you toward an Eastern/mystical perspective. That is what it is meant to do! ... There is, by definition, no such thing as 'neutral' Yoga" (Like Lambs to the Slaughter, pp. 93-95). *see VIII 3.
Other types or brands of Yoga:
(a) Laya Yoga: Path of Universal Body -- In Laya Yoga, the Macrocosm (the Universe) is directly networked with the Microcosm (the human body). There are five centres (chakras, or "wheels") along the spine and one between the eyebrows that directly corresponds with some aspect of creation. These chakras are linked through an etheric channel along the spine. A primordial creative energy (kundalini) lies dormant at the base of the spine in the root chakra. The Laya Yogi (someone who practices Laya Yoga), through meditation and Asanas (posture exercises), will coax this kundalini energy into traveling up the channel through each chakra until it reaches its point of origin at the top of the skull. At that point, the yogi will have merged with the source of creation. If the yogi then chooses to reverse the process, the kundalini energy will travel back down the channel recharging each centre with an increased amount of Prana (life force energy). The result is that the yogi will then have more understanding of, and control over, all aspects of creation each time this process is done.
(b) Karma Yoga: Path of Selfless Action -- Action performed for the purpose of satisfying a desire has the effect of generating new desires that require additional actions. Addiction to pleasure (in any form) is a good example of this. Once the desire is satisfied, it generates more desire, which then needs to be satisfied ad infinitum. In Karma Yoga, one seeks to end this cycle by not being attached to the outcome of anything he does. Actions are thus performed based on what seems appropriate in a given situation. The person performing the action has no concern about whether the end result is "good" or "bad." Since the actions are not performed for self-gratification, the person is free of them. As a result of not being attached to the outcome, a person can become completely involved in whatever he is doing. In this way, yogis seek to end the eternal cycle of death and rebirth.
(c) Jnana Yoga: Path of Transcendental Knowledge -- This type of yoga is geared toward those who have an intellectual curiosity, who like to reason and analyze. The ordinary mind can never know Ultimately and Absolutely. Therefore, the goal is for the ordinary mind to realize that and, thereby, get out of the way. In effect, one uses the ordinary mind to transcend the ordinary mind. Gradually the ordinary mind reveals its true nature to itself.
In the "Who am I?" inquiry, as taught by the great Indian guru Ramana Maharshi, the mind's false identities are discounted one by one until it is exhausted. Once the mind has exhausted all its answers, then the higher Self may emerge.
(d) Bhakti Yoga: Path of Devotion -- Bhakti Yoga is considered the simplest of the Yogas. Bhakti is a practice of self-surrender for the purpose of eventually identifying with the source of love, or the higher Self. It is not unlike devotion and service associated with religion in the West. The yogi selects a Saint, Guru, or another figure to direct his devotional love. Every act in daily life is done to serve the beloved one. Visualizations and mantras are also part of Bhatki Yoga practice. The goal is to visualize the beloved one all the time. At first one may have a picture or representation to look at as the visualization skill is developed. A sound is repeated at the same time as the visualization. Although there are many words that can be selected, the sound of "GM" (A-U-M) is one anyone can use. This practice is especially suitable for people with intense emotional natures. Key words are: worship, devotion, self-surrender, visualization, and mantra.
(e) Raja Yoga: Path of Stillness -- In Raja Yoga, the goal is to quiet the mind through meditation where the attention is fixed on an object, mantra, or concept. Whenever the mind wanders, it is brought back to whatever is the object of concentration. In time, the mind will cease wandering and become completely still. A state of focused, uninterrupted concentration will occur. From this state, the yogi will eventually merge with the higher SELF.
(f) Kriya Yoga: Babaji's Kriya Yoga is a scientific art of perfect God Truth union and Self-Realization. The great Master of India, Babaji Nagarag, revived it as a synthesis of ancient teachings of the 18 Siddha tradition. Kriya Yoga claims to bring about an integrated transformation of the individual in all five planes of existence: physical, vital, mental, intellectual, and spiritual. It includes a series of 144 techniques or, "Kriyas," grouped into five phases, or branches.
1. Kriya Hatha Yoga: including "Asanas," physical postures of relaxation, "bandahs," muscular locks, and "mudras," gestures, all of which bring about greater health, peace, and the awakening of the principal energy centres, the "chakras." Babaji has selected a particularly effective series of 18 postures, which are taught in stages and in pairs. One cares for the physical body, not for its own sake, but as a vehicle or temple of the Divine (religious, not just an exercise).
2. Kriya Kundalini Pranayama: the "potential" technique, is a powerful breathing exercise to awaken powerful latent energy and circulate it through the seven principal chakras between the base of the spine and crown of the head. It awakens their corresponding psychological states and makes one a dynamo on all five planes of existence.
3. Kriya Dhyana Yoga: meditation, the scientific art of mastering the mind: to cleanse the subconscious;
develop concentration, mental clarity, and vision; to awaken the intuitive and creative faculties; and bring about the breathless state of communion with God, "samadhi" (not the God of the Bible).
4. Kriya Mantra Yoga: the mental repetition of subtle sounds to awaken the intuition, the intellect, and the chakras; the mantra becomes a substitute for the "I" centred chatter and facilitates the accumulation of great amounts of energy. The mantra is supposed to cleanse habitual subconscious tendencies (it is a religious repetitive chant).
5. Kriya Bhakti Yoga: devotional activities and service to awaken pure Divine universal love and spiritual bliss; it includes chanting and singing, ceremonies, pilgrimages, and worship.
So if someone's interested in physical exercises that are designed to help one's body, he should not take Yoga, which is designed for death, and teaches how to reach this state of consciousness (see note) where one gets a better reincarnation. Even the physical positions in Yoga come right out of the Hindu scriptures, and are designed to put one into this state of consciousness where you imagine that you're God. Therefore, Christians who think they think they're getting relaxation and/or exercise, are really getting Hinduism! They think they're getting science, but they're getting religion. It's mislabeled and it's dangerous! (Source: a 1988 John Ankerberg Show program, "The New Age in Society.") John Weldon and Clifford Wilson wrote in Occult Shock and Psychic Forces that Yoga is really pure occultism.
Hans-Ulrich Rieker, in his book The Yoga of Light, also warns that misunderstanding the true nature of Yoga can mean "death or insanity." Another little known fact is that virtually every major guru in India has issued warnings similar to these; i.e., deep-breathing techniques such as the ones taught in Yoga are a time-honored method for entering altered states of consciousness and for developing so-called psychic power.
Note: Yoga is one of the basic means of reaching this altered state of consciousness. And the altered state is the doorway to the occult. Sir John Eccles, Nobel Prize Winner for his research on the brain, said the brain is "a machine that a ghost can operate." In a normal state of consciousness, one's own spirit ticks off the neurons in his brain and operates his body. We are spirits connected with a body. But in an altered state, reached under drugs, Yoga, hypnosis [click: hypnosis], etc., this passive but alert state, the connection between the spirit and the brain, is loosened. That allows another spirit to interpose itself, to begin to tick off the neurons in the brain, and create an entire universe of illusion. You've then opened yourself up.
It's called sorcery. People are literally teaching themselves how to be demonized, all in the name of developing one's full potential.
[** Comment on Yoga
Yoga is clearly a New Age concept that is Hinduistic and pantheistic in its origin. It is widely practised and supported by New Age proponents. The New Age movement denies the reality of sin and total depravity, and believes that man is generally good and is divine. They teach that there is a God within us, and we are to harness that and develop it through meditation and other metaphysical techniques. They teach that the only thing people need is enlightenment regarding their divinity. They believed that through reincarnation man is reunited with God. They believe in karma which is a debt one owes because of their previous lives. They also believe and teach the evolution of man as opposed to Creation taught in the Bible. Yoga is also associated with imagery, visualisation, hypnosis, mind magic, chanting of mantra, positive thinking and Alpha mind techniques, which are not only unbiblical but dangerous when practised by believers because it allows the evil one a stronghold on our lives (2 Cor 4:4).
We are not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices in deception and counterfeit practices that has allured and seduced many gullible and credulous minds (1 Tim 6:20; 1 Thess 5:21). Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, to prove and test all things . . . not anything that appear to be good is actually so in the sight of God. There is a sad lack of discernment these last days of great delusion before the return of Christ. Yoga is more than a harmless exercise. It has spiritual connotations as well.
We need to ask the Lord for discernment and wisdom to keep ourselves fortified and protected from these diabolical New Age influences that disguise themselves as harmless meditation or stress relieving exercises. Be vigilant, and to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Stay clear of these questionable practices and warn others also who are involved in it.]
No comments:
Post a Comment