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The advantage of yoga is twofold-- increased health and marriage of the spirit with the body. It is achieved through making use of various aspects, but primarily through the mix of Asanas, or postures, and breathing/meditation practices.

This raises numerous question in the Christian neighborhood. In my research study for this post, I was extremely surprised at the viewpoint of the Christian apologists, and their take on yoga and its practice. I have actually thought twice on writing this short article since of that perspective. However, I feel that this concern and the position of news the Christian community warrants reflection on the topic.

Yoga has a history going back over 5 thousand years, to the beginning of the civilization of male. Little is actually learnt about Yoga. it is believed to have come from Mehrgarh, a neolithic settlement in what is now Afghanistan. Scholars think it has outgrown Stone Age Shamanism. In this early period of civilization's beginnings, Yoga was a neighborhood resource, because of its attempts to figure out cosmic order through inner vision, and apply it to daily living. In later years, yoga evolved into an inner discussion through which the Yogis sought to establish their own salvation and knowledge.

Archaeological evidence of the existence of Yoga initially appeared in stone seals excavated from the Indus valley. It illustrated figures in numerous Yogic Asanas, or postures, and formally put Yoga in the time duration of approximately 3000 B.C. Of greater import, it likewise connected yoga to the excellent Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, a period in time that was considered modern and efficient.

From the Indus-Sarasvati civilization came the ancient texts called the Vedas, the oldest scriptures worldwide. The Vedas are a collection of hymns that praise a higher power and includes the earliest documented history of Yoga mentors. The Vedas required the professional to transcend human restrictions, and reach a greater 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 residing in the privacy of the forest. This caused the start of India's medical tradition, called Ayurveda. All in all, Yoga changed into a practice of health, harmony of the spirit, and a way of living.

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, and that opening one's mind and spirit to the advantage of yoga is both dangerous and versus whatever Christianity preaches. Christians think that studying yoga belongs to practicing Hinduism, and one can not separate the approach of Hinduism from their Christian beliefs, regardless of the health advantage of yoga.

As a practicing Buddhist, I disagree with this perspective. 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 count on blind faith, and to accept the word of God as the only truth in the world. A believing individual would find this hypocritical, for on the one hand Christians preach that Yoga should be avoided since opening the mind to clearer vision motivates the possibility of demonic ownership, yet on the other hand preaches that a person need to 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 ownership if we look inside ourselves and open the mind to all the possibilities, how then can we securely open our hearts to the principle of Christianity? Is there a gatekeeper who makes this decision when we do so that identifies what path we are to follow? I think not ...

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

I think that the practice of yoga is a good idea. It supplies us with great health benefits, clearer vision, and harmony in our souls. And in this day and age, what else is there? Whether we be Christians, Muslims, or Buddhists, we must not disrespect the feelings and thoughts of others, their rights to practice as they want, or try to push our views down other people's throats. To reside in harmony is precisely that ...