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

This raises many question in the Christian community. In my research for this short article, I was extremely surprised at the perspective of the Christian apologists, and their take on yoga and its practice. I have actually been reluctant on composing this post since of that perspective. Nevertheless, I feel that this concern and the position of the Christian neighborhood warrants reflection on the subject.

Yoga has a history dating back over five thousand years, to the start of the civilization of male. Little is actually learnt about Yoga. it is believed to have actually come from Mehrgarh, a neolithic settlement in what is now Afghanistan. Scholars believe it has grown out of Stone Age Shamanism. In this early period of civilization's beginnings, Yoga was a neighborhood resource, since of its attempts to determine visit homepage cosmic order through inner vision, and apply it to day-to-day living. In later years, yoga developed into an inner discussion through which the Yogis sought to establish their own salvation and knowledge.

Historical 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 officially put Yoga in the time period of around 3000 B.C. Of higher import, it likewise linked yoga to the terrific Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, a period in time that was considered modern-day and efficient.

From the Indus-Sarasvati civilization came the ancient texts known as the Vedas, the earliest scriptures on the planet. The Vedas are a collection of hymns that applaud a greater power and contains the oldest taped history of Yoga teachings. The Vedas required the professional to transcend human limitations, and reach a greater spiritual aircraft. In later years, texts known as the Brahmanas were composed to discuss the routines and the hymns of the Vedas. Following this came the Aranyakas texts, which detailed the practice of Yogis residing in the privacy of the forest. This led to the beginning of India's medical tradition, called Ayurveda. All in all, Yoga changed into a practice of health, harmony of the spirit, and a lifestyle.

The Christian viewpoint is therefore-- if one opens the mind to clearer thinking and inner vision, they open the spirit to demonic belongings. It is felt that Yoga practice verge on occultism, and that opening one's mind and spirit to the benefit of yoga is both dangerous and against everything Christianity preaches. Christians believe that studying yoga belongs to practicing Hinduism, and one can not separate the philosophy of Hinduism from their Christian beliefs, no matter the health benefit of yoga.

As a practicing Buddhist, I take issue with this viewpoint. To me, this resembles one-track mind and narrowmindedness. A Christian is anticipated to open their heart and minds to Jesus, and to succumb 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 person would find 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 possession, yet on the other hand preaches that a person must open the mind and heart to accept Jesus into their lives. Opening one's heart and mind is exactly that-- whether it is to look into 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 identifies what course we are to follow? I think not ...

For the record, I was raised in a Christian family. My dad was the deacon of a small Baptist church in the farming community where we lived. My mom, who taught us kids to question whatever, moved from the Baptist community to the Assembly of God churches, and was ostracized by my father. I believe that to her passing away day, she resented my dad for this narrowmindedness. Life refers choice, and my mother thought that we are not needed to operate under the illusion of blind faith, however to do what is right to us as an individual. And it is why I walk the Noble 8 Folded Course. It is merely a matter of option, and questioning everything in this universe.

I believe that the practice of yoga is a good idea. It offers us with excellent health advantages, clearer vision, and consistency in our souls. And in this day and age, what else is there? Whether we be Christians, Muslims, or Buddhists, we should not disrespect the sensations and thoughts of others, their rights to practice as they want, or try to push our views down other individuals's throats. To reside in harmony is exactly that ...