Hinduism

[gringo300]

I've been doing some research on Hinduism.

From what I've read, the term "Yoga" has two different meanings within the context of Hinduism. One is basically a sect (I've seen the term "school" used) of Hinduism. The other is a set of postures, positions, etc. used by that sect/school. Confused? So am I.

From what I understand, the Yoga that a lot of people practice is simply used as an exercise to improve flexibility, etc. and isn't intended as a religious practice, Hindu or otherwise.

I've read that many Balinese practice some form of Hinduism, thus it isn't really accurate to say it is an Indian religion. It may have specifically Indian FORMS though.

I wouldn't get very far with Yoga as an exercise right now. My flexibility is HORRIBLE.

[Theophilus]

I'm much more comfortable with yoGURT. I can eat it while in many postions, regardless of my own flexibility. In fact, my preferred position for yogurt ingestion is "Fat man slouching".

[gringo300]

I've seen people say things like "Christians shouldn't practice Yoga.".

In this context, people are referring to the set of postures and positions called Yoga, not the sect/school of Hinduism called Yoga.

I can see this from more than one perspective: A lot of the people practicing Yoga as an exercise aren't doing it for any kind of religious purposes. On the other hand, Hindus of the sect or school of Hinduism called Yoga, practice the postures and positions called Yoga as part of the sect or school of Hinduism called Yoga, and... well, I don't exactly know what to think on this subject.

[diffangle]

Each position is a pose to the different Hindu deites.

[Dani H]

Each position is a pose to the different Hindu deites.

Which do not exist.

Like the idols meat was offered to.

Not saying do yoga or don't do yoga. Let everyone be convinced in their own minds.

[quiet dove]

I've seen people say things like "Christians shouldn't practice Yoga.".

In this context, people are referring to the set of postures and positions called Yoga, not the sect/school of Hinduism called Yoga.

I can see this from more than one perspective: A lot of the people practicing Yoga as an exercise aren't doing it for any kind of religious purposes. On the other hand, Hindus of the sect or school of Hinduism called Yoga, practice the postures and positions called Yoga as part of the sect or school of Hinduism called Yoga, and... well, I don't exactly know what to think on this subject.

It is both?

And just because someone does not practice it for religious reasons, makes it no less religious. It is what it is regardless. There are a lot of "practices" that are "religious" but they are put forth in terminology and reasoning that are not, but descriptive terminology, and reasoning, do not change what something is or isn't. Many of these practices, introduced in their true colors were rejected in the West, however, revampted in a Western friendly terminology and reasoning has made them main stream in business, medicine, science, and Christianity.

You can pluck and apple of a tree and eat it, cook it in a pie, make applesauce out of it...it is still an apple

I am no expert on it, but have read around some and personally would choose another route to exercise and flexability. If I remember correctly, the yoga positions are supposed to open up the chakras, which is directly spiritual, though as I said, if often put forth in scientific or physical terminology. Chanting is directly spiritual....the whole emptying or silencing the mind in order to achieve the desired goal of stress relief makes it no less Easter Mysticism and is not something that one who has given their life to Christ should not dare to play with.

imho



There is plenty of information out there on the net to do research on it all.

[Reynolds357]

Which do not exist.

Like the idols meat was offered to.

Not saying do yoga or don't do yoga. Let everyone be convinced in their own minds.

Dani, by that logic we can all worship idols; afterall, they do not really exist.

[Reynolds357]

Each position is a pose to the different Hindu deites.

Yes sir. I consider it to be idol worship.

[Dani H]

Dani, by that logic we can all worship idols; afterall, they do not really exist.

Why would you worship something that you don't believe exists?

That doesn't make any sense to me, sorry. Worship has to have a valid object that is believed to be real.

[quiet dove]

Yoga positions along with breathing exercises have the goal of opening up the chakras. Promoted here in the West under the guise of "health"...However, any honest yoga practitioner would tell you it comes as a whole and effects not only the physical body, but the mind and the soul. And the goal is to enlightenment of the whole person...not just a matter of physical exercise and flexibility. It is indeed a spiritual "practice".

----Chakra: seven energy centers that are parallel in the spine; yoga positions are to get the chakras in balance. Chanting goes with them all with meanings behind the "mantra" such as: (1)"I have", (2)meaning sweetness, (3)"I can", (4)"I love", (5)meaning purification, (6)"I see, and finally, the 7th meaning "thousand fold" with a verb meaning of "I know" ....it is to bring about "thought/knowledge and understanding leading to a state of bliss


-----Mantra

From Wikepedia
is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation" (cf. spiritual transformation).^[2] Its use and type varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra.^[3]

In Hinduism the mantra is chanted as a prayer, or even incantation. The purpose of this repetition is to clear/empty the mind and thus leave the person(their mind) "open" and cleared out for reaching/finding their inner higher self/being.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mantra
mantra [ˈmæntrə ˈmʌn-]n1. (Non-Christian Religions / Hinduism) Hinduism any of those parts of the Vedic literature which consist of the metrical psalms of praise
2. (Non-Christian Religions / Hinduism) (Non-Christian Religions / Buddhism) Hinduism Buddhism any sacred word or syllable used as an object of concentration and embodying some aspect of spiritual power

The greeting "namaste" literally means: "bow me you", or "I bow to you" It is of the belief that there is the "Divine" in everyone.

Practiced by Hindu or you...it's the same thing..regardless of the chant...it's the same thing. You cannot dress up paganism in lovely Christian terminology and it become Christian...it's that simple. "New Age" = "Ancient Wisdom"; Pagan = pagan...regardless of the intent or reasoning. Calling it Christian with pretty Biblical terminology does not change it to Christian nor make it any less Hindu, Buddhist, or pagan. Taking a pagan practice as a means towards finding, reaching, communicating with God, is not the means by which God has instructed us. Pagan practice is pagan practice....calling it Christian and using Biblical/Christian terminology does not change it to Christian or make it any less attempting to reach God through "strange fire".

You can call it whatever you want and do it for any reason you choose...you can even make your mantra and chant "Jesus is God" over and over again...but it is still an "Ancient" practice

...if it quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck...it's a duck.....

[Ceegen]

I've seen people say things like "Christians shouldn't practice Yoga.".

In this context, people are referring to the set of postures and positions called Yoga, not the sect/school of Hinduism called Yoga.

I can see this from more than one perspective: A lot of the people practicing Yoga as an exercise aren't doing it for any kind of religious purposes. On the other hand, Hindus of the sect or school of Hinduism called Yoga, practice the postures and positions called Yoga as part of the sect or school of Hinduism called Yoga, and... well, I don't exactly know what to think on this subject.

If you're just stretching, it's no more idol worship than doing any other form of exercise. It is idol worship if you're doing it specifically for the purpose of paying homage to these Hindu gods. It has to do with intent, rather than simply performing an action. Jesus agrees, when he said "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28 - KJV)

[gringo300]

I'm kind of confused about the definition of the West/Occident.

What I know is that the word "Occident" means "West".

Thus, the adjective "Occidental" means "Western" and the noun "Occidental" means "Westerner".

Beyond that, I'm rather confused.

[A Seeker]

If you're just stretching, it's no more idol worship than doing any other form of exercise. It is idol worship if you're doing it specifically for the purpose of paying homage to these Hindu gods. It has to do with intent, rather than simply performing an action. Jesus agrees, when he said "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28 - KJV)

What he said.

One cannot accidentally worship a hindu God. God knows what is in our hearts.

For Eg. This



Is a yoga pose. Its also the position I sleep in just before my wife elbows me in the ribs. Unless I'm doing it with the intention of homage to hindu Gods, Its not.

I mean we drink wine as part of one of our rituals. That doesn'nt mean anyone who chugs a chiraz gets brownie points with jesus!

[A Seeker]

Also a yoga pose.


not a yoga pose.


Then again, maybe it is! Wonder if the guy know he was paying homage to the hindu God?

On reflection, when I was a student, we used to call this





"worshipping the porcelain God".

Was that Idolatry? Or was the kneeling position actually an act of worship (its the same position used by the Christian religion in worship).

Or was it merely expediency That kneeling is a postion used in worship and happens to also be the most comfortable way to vomit in the same way as Yoga is used in worship but also happens to be an effective way to stretch and improve core stability.

[quiet dove]

I guess my question would be, why would a believer and worshiper of Jesus Christ even want to remotely do anything thing that even imitated/resembled the worship of, or practices of pagan religions? These practices are advocated for a number of health reasons, and that includes the spiritual aspect...spiritual and physical cannot be separated no matter how much we want to believe they can. What I do in the flesh effects my spiritual walk, and where I am in my relationship with Christ effects my fleshly behavior.

All of this business is advocated by medicine, business, education...has secular, and it is anything but. We are to find our peace, strength, understanding, knowledge only in Christ ...led by the Holy Spirit and thus walking in the Spirit. There is no other path, means, practice, or gate of knowledge that is acceptable to God and that God will honor. We either seek according to His will by obedient Means, or what we find with our seeking will not be from God, no matter how nice, strengthening, peaceful, pretty, encouraging, or knowledgeable it makes us feel.

I think folks are kidding themselves if they belief that religious/spiritual pagan practices can be dressed up in acceptable terminology and thus then become non-pagan. Pagan practices lead to pagan gods....


Mat 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.