Should Christians Practice Yoga ?

[Redbaron]

yo·ga
/ˈyōɡə/
https://www.google.com/search?q=how...UKEwjizfnG2cbsAhXYpJ4KHVAPB1EQ3eEDMAB6BAgKEAg

1. a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.
   "yoga classes"
   This definition from Oxford Languages. It notes origin in Hindu tradition, but says nothing about what it teaches theologically. It is a way of disciplining body and mind.
   Not sure where PG got hid definition in post # 38, but it sure seems to add a lot of bias and assumptions to what Yoga is.
   
   
   
   

 

[Pontifex Geronimo 13]

yo·ga
/ˈyōɡə/
how to pronounce yoga - Google Search

1. a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.
   "yoga classes"
   This definition from Oxford Languages. It notes origin in Hindu tradition, but says nothing about what it teaches theologically. It is a way of disciplining body and mind.
   Not sure where PG got hid definition in post # 38, but it sure seems to add a lot of bias and assumptions to what Yoga is.
   
   
   

I typed yoga def.

But yours specifies A Hindu spiritual disciple in the first line. So am sure if you hunt down that line, you will get the same results.

 

[Luce NDs]

Disciplining body-mind ... would that involving them working in par alle-L? Balanced light as travelling affect*Zion ...

 

[unsafe]

ninj ----you said ----I was really surprised to hear someone I thought I knew as a Christian express the view that emptying your mind or focusing just on your breath would invite satan into that void left by being in the present.

I say -----again there are 2 types of Christians there ninj -----but only one is a true Christ-ian the other is a false Christian -----Satan is always present and is the god of this world and already has access to all false Christians ----whether they empty their mind or focus on their breath it is not Satan gaining access --it is Satan ruling in their lives ------Satan has one job --keep people from God and His word -----and he does a great job of that for many -----

The true Christ-ian never has to empty their mind they are to focus and meditate on God and His word always -----nor does the True Christ-ian have to focus on their breath ----as when you focus on God and His word your breath will be always be as it should be ----and for the true Christ-ian Satan has no access except if the person gives him access through their lack of trust in God ----

 

[GeoFee]

So I am a prophet.

And you preach a different religion.

And capitalism is not a spiritual discipline. It is the best known to man system to feed and clothe and prosper the greatest amount of people.

Capitalism definition is - an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.

sounds pretty good to me.

I have taken this line of thought to a new thread - “Socialism or Capitalism”.

 

[Pontifex Geronimo 13]

Jesus made himself nothing in Philippians 2: 5-8

And Philippians 2:4 Paul says "we are to empty ourselves, looking not to our own interests, but to the interests of others""

"EMPTY YOURSELF that you may be filled. Learn not to love so that you may learn how to love. Draw back, so that you may be approached." St. Augustine Enarration on Psalm 30:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit. Mathew 5:3

Then there is the Jewish Doctrine of Tsimtsum (which Jesus would have been familiar with) that teaches that God withdraws Himself, into Himself, thereby allowing an empty premordial space, into that which is not God, can come into being.
Tsimtsum means concentration or contraction...or beyond being.

What Is Tsimtsum? - Presence Through Absence

If you were to create a world, the first thing you would need to master is tsimtsum. Tsimtsum is a way of being present in your absence. Get that one down, along with creating something out of nothing, and everything else is a piece of cake.

www.chabad.org

In Islam it is referred to as "Fana"

Fana (Sufism) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So all three Abrahamic traditions have a word and understanding for this.

Self emptying is challenging for those who consider themselves endowed with a superiority compared to others and even those who consider themselves equal. This is what it means to no longer be Jew or Greek, male or female....we will all have the same mind.

None of your scripture cited has anything to do with the discussion. Not sure if you chose some obscure translation?

to me it’s like I say “ I like mushroom soup” and your rebuttal is “some flea collars make dogs itchy.

If you think I’m wrong, try again.

 

[Waterfall]

None of your scripture cited has anything to do with the discussion. Not sure if you chose some obscure translation?

to me it’s like I say “ I like mushroom soup” and your rebuttal is “some flea collars make dogs itchy.

If you think I’m wrong, try again.

I think you're wrong.

 

[BetteTheRed]

I'm always amused by how many theoretically monotheists have so many other gods...

 

[Luce NDs]

I'm always amused by how many theoretically monotheists have so many other gods...

Thus mult etudes and poly tech! The entire thing branches off ... into a tree like icon of wisdom spreading ...

Alas some have fixed positions in the establishment as status quo ... they will not move albeit arguing emotional drives ...

May result in battyness ...

 

[Luce NDs]

ninj ----you said ----I was really surprised to hear someone I thought I knew as a Christian express the view that emptying your mind or focusing just on your breath would invite satan into that void left by being in the present.

I say -----again there are 2 types of Christians there ninj -----but only one is a true Christ-ian the other is a false Christian -----Satan is always present and is the god of this world and already has access to all false Christians ----whether they empty their mind or focus on their breath it is not Satan gaining access --it is Satan ruling in their lives ------Satan has one job --keep people from God and His word -----and he does a great job of that for many -----

The true Christ-ian never has to empty their mind they are to focus and meditate on God and His word always -----nor does the True Christ-ian have to focus on their breath ----as when you focus on God and His word your breath will be always be as it should be ----and for the true Christ-ian Satan has no access except if the person gives him access through their lack of trust in God ----

Thus disposing of the baptism and de wash as means of learning about catching up with God's wisdom ... sapiens? Did you know that saponification was a process with fatty acid theory? It does not wash with some fixations .... islands in the stream as autonomous as 2 nebular clouds ... one black one white!

One has to observe the myth from a backed off position ... far out mediums? Red-liners ... dah visible lines are there ...

 

[Pavlos Maros]

Thing is, it originated in Hindu and Buddhist religious practices and I think even people doing it just for exercise should still be aware of and mindful of that. Same with something like mindfulness meditation.

Shaolin kung fu, Aikido, Tai chi chuan, etc. Included.

 

[Luce NDs]

To submit to Just a Closer Walk ... would one have to get out there further into the unknown ideals?

It may be a measure of maturation ... perhaps adult*aeration ... meeting Aaron's Brethren as seminal rub! Thus the exercise ...

Does go against the harder status quo ... quo be'n what? Perhaps romanticised ... so that no questions may be asked of the cæsure ... as related to Tzars, etc. They binge a lot at the expense of WE folk ... without a sense of "what" gives!

 

[unsafe]

From Got Questions ---their view ---

Question: "Is it right for a Christian to be involved in martial arts?"

Answer: One of the early founders of modern martial arts, Gichin Funakoshi, said, “The mind and technique become one in true karate.” Development of martial arts such as judo, kung fu, hapkido, and aikido were steeped in the spiritual traditions of their native countries. This makes sense, given that many of those martial arts sought to merge spiritual and physical exercises with the goal of strengthening both. Also, systems meant to develop combat skill naturally sought a means to govern when to use violence. As a result, the initial practice of those martial arts often included training in Buddhism or Zen philosophy.

However, that is not how most martial arts are taught or practiced today. At least in the Western world, martial arts such as tae kwon do, jujitsu, capoeira, or judo are defined as systems of physical technique. Training in martial arts, as practiced by most schools, is entirely focused on refining athletic skills. Spiritual training beyond generic ideas such as discipline and respect is all but absent from most modern dojos. Still, schools and instructors will vary. The spiritual components, if any, offered in a martial arts training program ought to be carefully understood before a Christian becomes involved.

The Bible says the mind and heart are “desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). In the Scriptures, the heart and mind are often considered to be the same thing. Since our hearts and our minds are wicked, we are not able to think clearly about our spiritual situation. Any martial arts instructor who claims a person can “polish” one’s own spirit through his program is teaching falsehood. We are in need of a Savior to clean our hearts and develop within us a new spirit. Titus 1:15 gives us insight into the mind of the unbeliever: “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.”

Martial arts schools that are spiritually “neutral”—that is, most of them—probably don’t present any particular threat to a Christian’s faith. The same cannot be said of the rare martial arts school that openly incorporates non-Christian spirituality into its training regimen. We are not to conform our thinking to the world’s way of thinking but “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2; cf. Ephesians 4:23). We should train our minds in how to serve the Lord and then please Him in all that we do.

The philosophies contained in Buddhism, as well as most religions of the world, were developed by flawed men with defiled minds. They do not offer advice suitable for anyone to follow. Therefore, it’s important for Christians to ensure that whatever physical training they receive is not tied to spiritual error.

The physical side of martial arts is a good form of exercise, and it can be extremely useful for self-defense. Many Christians participate in martial arts, and some instructors even incorporate Christian spiritual ideas into their training. A spiritually neutral or Christian-flavored martial arts experience is most likely something a believer can participate in with a clear conscience.

It is dangerous to allow the mind to be influenced by the philosophies associated with the origins of karate and other forms of martial arts. Training that carries overtones of a false religion should be avoided. Some martial arts, such as jujitsu or kenpo, are effectively neutral in terms of spiritual content. Others, such as aikido, can be more difficult to separate from non-biblical spiritual practices. Therefore, it is wise for the Christian to use caution before participating in this kind of activity.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Well, that's confusing.

Yoga, associated with Hinduism, even if it makes only exercise claims, is not okay.

Martial arts, associated with Buddhism, if they make only exercise/self-defense claims, is okay.

Inconsistent advice from the Mistress of Right; say it isn't so!

 

[Mendalla]

Martial arts, associated with Buddhism, if they make only exercise/self-defense claims, is okay.

Some of the Chinese ones predate Buddhism and became associated with it after it arrived but that just means they are associated with Taoism for the most part when not associated with Buddhism.

 

[Luce NDs]

Well, that's confusing.

Yoga, associated with Hinduism, even if it makes only exercise claims, is not okay.

Martial arts, associated with Buddhism, if they make only exercise/self-defense claims, is okay.

Inconsistent advice from the Mistress of Right; say it isn't so!

Thus we can exercise our alternate opposition to the rule (roue) that may have vast exceptions ...