The benefit of yoga is twofold - increased health and unification of the spirit with the body. It is accomplished through the use of many different 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 article, I was very surprised at the viewpoint of the Christian apologists, and their take on yoga and its practice. I have hesitated on writing this article because of that viewpoint. However, I feel that this question and the stance of the Christian community warrants reflection on the subject.
Yoga has a history dating back over five thousand years, to the beginning of the civilization of man. Little is really known about Yoga. it is believed to have originated in 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 community resource, because of its attempts to determine cosmic order through inner vision, and apply it to daily living. In later years, yoga evolved into an inner dialogue through which the Yogis sought to develop their own salvation and enlightenment.
Archaeological evidence of the existence of Yoga first appeared in stone seals excavated from the Indus valley. It depicted figures in many Yogic Asanas, or postures, and officially put Yoga in the time period of approximately 3000 B.C. Of greater import, it also linked yoga to the great Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, a period in time that was considered modern and efficient.
From the Indus-Sarasvati civilization came the ancient texts known as the Vedas, the oldest scriptures in the world. The Vedas are a collection of hymns that praise a higher power and contains the oldest recorded history of Yoga teachings. The Vedas required the practitioner to transcend human limitations, and reach a higher spiritual plane. In later years, texts known as the Brahmanas were written to explain the rituals and the hymns of the Vedas. Following this came the Aranyakas texts, which outlined the practice of Yogis living in the seclusion of the forest. This led to the beginning of India’s medical tradition, known as Ayurveda. All in all, Yoga transformed into a practice of health, harmony of the spirit, and a way of life.
The Christian viewpoint is thus - if one opens the mind to clearer thinking and inner vision, they open the spirit to demonic possession. It is felt that Yoga practice borders 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 is akin to practicing Hinduism, and one cannot separate the philosophy of Hinduism from their Christian beliefs, regardless of the health benefit of yoga.
As a practicing Buddhist, I take issue with this viewpoint. To me, this smacks of tunnel vision and narrowmindedness. A Christian is expected to open their heart and minds to Jesus, and to give in to the spirit of the Lord. They are expected to rely on blind faith, and to accept the word of God as the only truth in the world. A thinking person would find this hypocritical, for on the one hand Christians preach that Yoga must be avoided because opening the mind to clearer vision encourages the possibility of demonic possession, yet on the other hand preaches that one 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 concept of Christianity? Is there a gatekeeper who makes this decision when we do so that determines what path we are to follow? I think not…
For the record, I was raised in a Christian household. My father was the deacon of a small Baptist church in the farming community where we lived. My mother, who taught us children to question everything, moved from the Baptist community to the Assembly of God churches, and was ostracized by my father. I think that to her dying day, she resented my father for this narrowmindedness. Life is a matter of choice, and my mother believed that we are not required to operate 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 simply a matter of choice, and questioning everything in this universe.
I believe that the practice of yoga is a good thing. It provides 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 wish, or try to push our views down other people’s throats. To live in harmony is exactly that…
To find out more about the benefit of yoga, visit my website at http://www.benefitofyoga.blogspot.com.
Alden Smith is a published and award winning author who’s website http://www.benefitofyoga.blogspot.com informs and educates the person wanting to learn more about yoga and its practice. Visit his site to stay informed on the exciting world of yoga.
Showing posts with label Age Shamanism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Age Shamanism. Show all posts
February 26, 2009
February 23, 2009
Tracing the History of Yoga
The history of Yoga has a lot to do with the present times. Yoga started some 5000
years ago when human civilization has only begun. Scholars have believed that Yoga
was originated out of Stone Age ?Shamanism?.
This is because there were some cultural similarities between Mehrgarh which was a
Neolithic settlement and the Modern Hinduism. The shamanistic culture of Mergarh
was in fact influenced by Hindu ideals, symbols and rituals of the present. The
ancient shamanism and early Yoga had so much similarity for the reason both
wanted to go beyond the human condition.
Shamanism?s primary goal was to heal the members who were in their society and at
the same time act as the religious mediators.
Archaic Yoga also had the same purpose as they were community oriented and they
aimed to determine the enormous order through senses and inner vision which then
can be applied to our daily lives.
As time went on, Yoga has progressed and has regarded the inmost experience.
Yogis then have focused on how to improve the individual enlightenment, recovery
and salvation.
Yoga?s evidences were first tracked in the archeological evidence which was found in
stone seals exhumed from the Indus valley. Yoga postures were traced and seen fro
the figures which were illustrated in the stone seals. the artifacts were placed on
History books circa 3000 B.C., which was linked to the great Indus-Sarasvati
Civilization which was known to be the largest civilization that exist in the ancient
world. The Indus-Sarasvati, being a maritime society, exported goods all over Africa
and the Middle East. They build up sewage systems and put up geometrical brick
roads and constructed multistory buildings.
The Vedas are known as the oldest scripture in the world, which were the ancient
texts brought by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization. It was a compilation of hymns that
commends a high power which included the oldest recorded teachings in Yoga.
They have considered this the divine revelation. The intelligence of the Vedas was
known as the Pre-classical Yoga or the Vedic. This was described by the ritualistic
ceremonies that the Yoga practitioners have been required in order to go beyond
the limitations of the mind.
The history of yoga would not have been completed in the classical stage of yoga.
After the time and turn of the millennium, yoga and its spread in different forms
have come up with the need for standardization. This is important so that the
people will be aware with it and it can be applied by them. Due to this, during the
second century, C.E., Patanjali has composed and collected seminal text which was
the Yoga-Sutra which had defined the Classical Yoga.
At the age of Postclassical Yoga in the enormous history of Yoga, it gave rise to
some productive literature which has included the Tantra and the Hatha which is
famously known nowadays. These were taught in schools for Yoga and practiced by
many. Therefore, post classical Yoga is described to the adaptation of our present
state. It is the time when yoga has evolved greatly and introduced to people. It has
then been applied in the United States in the 1800?s.
Now in the recent decades, yoga has greatly and swiftly evolved. Swami Sivananda
was one of the prominent gurus ever to master yoga. He has served as a doctor and
he has generously opened up schools in Europe and America.
Now as we move on with the yoga practices that we have today, it is much helpful
and easier to understand if we looked back on the history of yoga.
? Copyright Melvin Chua, All Rights Reserved.
Melvin has dozens more related articles and tips on doing yoga at his site: doing yoga, check them
out today!
years ago when human civilization has only begun. Scholars have believed that Yoga
was originated out of Stone Age ?Shamanism?.
This is because there were some cultural similarities between Mehrgarh which was a
Neolithic settlement and the Modern Hinduism. The shamanistic culture of Mergarh
was in fact influenced by Hindu ideals, symbols and rituals of the present. The
ancient shamanism and early Yoga had so much similarity for the reason both
wanted to go beyond the human condition.
Shamanism?s primary goal was to heal the members who were in their society and at
the same time act as the religious mediators.
Archaic Yoga also had the same purpose as they were community oriented and they
aimed to determine the enormous order through senses and inner vision which then
can be applied to our daily lives.
As time went on, Yoga has progressed and has regarded the inmost experience.
Yogis then have focused on how to improve the individual enlightenment, recovery
and salvation.
Yoga?s evidences were first tracked in the archeological evidence which was found in
stone seals exhumed from the Indus valley. Yoga postures were traced and seen fro
the figures which were illustrated in the stone seals. the artifacts were placed on
History books circa 3000 B.C., which was linked to the great Indus-Sarasvati
Civilization which was known to be the largest civilization that exist in the ancient
world. The Indus-Sarasvati, being a maritime society, exported goods all over Africa
and the Middle East. They build up sewage systems and put up geometrical brick
roads and constructed multistory buildings.
The Vedas are known as the oldest scripture in the world, which were the ancient
texts brought by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization. It was a compilation of hymns that
commends a high power which included the oldest recorded teachings in Yoga.
They have considered this the divine revelation. The intelligence of the Vedas was
known as the Pre-classical Yoga or the Vedic. This was described by the ritualistic
ceremonies that the Yoga practitioners have been required in order to go beyond
the limitations of the mind.
The history of yoga would not have been completed in the classical stage of yoga.
After the time and turn of the millennium, yoga and its spread in different forms
have come up with the need for standardization. This is important so that the
people will be aware with it and it can be applied by them. Due to this, during the
second century, C.E., Patanjali has composed and collected seminal text which was
the Yoga-Sutra which had defined the Classical Yoga.
At the age of Postclassical Yoga in the enormous history of Yoga, it gave rise to
some productive literature which has included the Tantra and the Hatha which is
famously known nowadays. These were taught in schools for Yoga and practiced by
many. Therefore, post classical Yoga is described to the adaptation of our present
state. It is the time when yoga has evolved greatly and introduced to people. It has
then been applied in the United States in the 1800?s.
Now in the recent decades, yoga has greatly and swiftly evolved. Swami Sivananda
was one of the prominent gurus ever to master yoga. He has served as a doctor and
he has generously opened up schools in Europe and America.
Now as we move on with the yoga practices that we have today, it is much helpful
and easier to understand if we looked back on the history of yoga.
? Copyright Melvin Chua, All Rights Reserved.
Melvin has dozens more related articles and tips on doing yoga at his site: doing yoga, check them
out today!
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