Yoga in school poses a problem for Christian mom

[Dor]

Originally Posted by Zagreus

Let's try another word: paranoid

Small enough for you? You know, simple words for ... ah well





"Some poor baby christian," my friend, has perhaps not considered Christ's words:

Be ye wise, as serpents ... and harmless, as doves.

Until you can learn to do as the latter, and realize that this is EXACTLY how most people practice Yoga (otherwise with a little of the wisdom of serpents thrown in) ... then PA-LEEEEEASE, get off the "we'll protect you young fledglings" trip.

Wanna talk serpent-wisdom? Confused yet? Ask that guy "who walks with you." Either he's already raised it, or I'd be careful about just who it is that has the hidden agenda.

Having fun?

Good enough, happy to amuse, happy to amuse.

self-righ·teous: convinced of one's own righteousness especially in contrast with the actions and beliefs of others : narrow-mindedly moralistic



EDIT: But please, in the interest of discussion, at least answer wil's question. (Thanks)

Meanwhile, for your edification (sorry 'bout the "big words" again), try reading Was Christ a Yogi, by Swami Abhedananda. Reading this doesn't mean you agree with a single word of it (I promise, Satan won't carry you away as expose yourself to this heresy ), especially with your buddy there walking with you.

However, it will likely add to your perspective, and understanding - of Yoga, of Hindu approaches to & understandings of Jesus & Christianity, as well as of Christ's own teachings & practices. Unless of course, you've already mastered all this stuff.

My this must be Andrew under a different name....here comes the same old we are enlightened you all are stupid attitudes. Thank you for proving points.

Also I will get back to you after I read it...because I will read it then test it against my handy dandy pocket bible.

[chakraman]

hello dor, this is only a couple of peoples view in a world of 6 billion. they may have hijacked it from its original meaning. why must you demonise anything not christian. are you saying that all hindus are evil? it comes from a country with a deep and rich religious culture. the 2 are bound to intertwine conceptually speaking, but in reality they're only stretching exercises. do you realise just how many billion of your fellow man you're jeering at with such statements, respectfully jase

[Zagreus]

The idea that one should abandon one's own Faith (be that Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, New Age, Wiccan, or what-have-you), and somehow fork over all that one regards as Sacred and Holy ... adopting instead, the teachiings of Hinduism ... is not what is up for discussion. That Hinduism may be the "Soul of Yoga," being as how the various Yoga Schools are all certainly of Eastern origin, and based on the Vedanta Philosophy ... is also not the issue.

The question is, if one practices a given form of Yoga, or adapts certain practices - such as the stretches or asanas of hatha yoga - does this mean he or she is neglecting the Christian Faith, tradition, practices, etc? Is there, in fact, a "hidden agenda?"

The article by Swami Abhedananda makes a very good cases, or I should even say demonstrates, that by the same standards HINDUs use to judge or determine whether a person is an accomplished Yogin, Christ Jesus fit the bill on ALL COUNTS. He was accomplished as a Hatha Yogin, a Bhakti Yogin, a Karma Yogin, and a Raja Yogin. I should also point out, that he was an early exponent of what is only gradually being given to Humanity at this point: Agni Yoga (the Teaching of Living Ethics). He was, and remains in fact, it's foremost exponent!

Nor was Christ Jesus the first, or most recent, to accomplish what he accomplished ... in terms of the Yoga disciplines, specifically, but also in terms of Spiritual accomplishment, more generally.

It is of greatest interest to me, personally, to discuss & celebrate Christ's unique accomplishments, and try to discern in what ways we may emulate these ... at least, or if only, on a smaller scale - although the man did say, "Greater things than this, YE shall do ... (for I go unto the Father)." And of course, we proceeded to cut his earthly life, and Mission, short. Just imagine what might have occurred, had Humanity accepted, rather than murdered the Savior.

In my last sentence, you may - if you like - see the kindred spirit of an aspiring follower of Christ, in your midst. Christ has always taught me (and us, if I recall correctly), to welcome those of other mindsets, of other spiritual disciplines, and even of other religious backgrounds altogether, to break bread with Him ... and although I dare say it is difficult sometimes to put our feet where He put His, this is still, imho, what I think we are all Called for.

It's just that Christ calls us each, in our own (or HIS own) Way ... and John 10:16 speaks to this.

In Christ,

~Zagreus, Andrew, Taijasi ... whatever you like

(And if I come off sounding like "I am enlightened, you are in error," then you already know - by my attitude - that I am not. Actions often speak louder than words, so in the least, I should speak less, and do more. Does this mean that those who seek to Witness in Christ's Name - whatever their chosen denomination or path - should abandon their calling, until they are perfect? Certainly not. Do not ask this, then, of your Brother, who is equally imperfect, whatever path I choose to walk. I believe that there is but One Christ, Who walks with us all. And He has His Masters, who likewise bring Love and Light to the world ... and They their disciples, who also do so as best they are able. All serve the One Purpose, whether or not this is immediately clear. In John 10:16, it shines for me, like the Sun. )

[Seeker_of_truth]

63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

(King James Bible, Psalms)

77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

(King James Bible, Psalms)

119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

(King James Bible, Psalms)

Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in wisdom,
and that reasoneth of holy things by his understanding.

(Deuterocanonical Apocrypha, Sirach)

[Dor]

Originally Posted by chakraman

hello dor, this is only a couple of peoples view in a world of 6 billion. they may have hijacked it from its original meaning. why must you demonise anything not christian. are you saying that all hindus are evil? it comes from a country with a deep and rich religious culture. the 2 are bound to intertwine conceptually speaking, but in reality they're only stretching exercises. do you realise just how many billion of your fellow man you're jeering at with such statements, respectfully jase

Doubt it is only a couple of peoples view.
I did not demonize it. I did not say Hindus were evil(did not imply they were evil).

In reality it is not just streatching excersises...look at just the name.
Look at all the yoga classes, centers, books, websites it is not just a stretching exercise.

I did not imply anyone was evil just that it was not christian.

But the whole meaning of the post. It should not be taught in school.

[Dor]

Originally Posted by Zagreus

The question is, if one practices a given form of Yoga, or adapts certain practices - such as the stretches or asanas of hatha yoga - does this mean he or she is neglecting the Christian Faith, tradition, practices, etc? Is there, in fact, a "hidden agenda?"

Actually the question started as should it be in schools and no it shouldnt no religions can be taught in schools now remember.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Dor

Actually the question started as should it be in schools and no it shouldnt no religions can be taught in schools now remember.

Good point.

[Zagreus]

Originally Posted by Dor

Actually the question started as should it be in schools and no it shouldnt no religions can be taught in schools now remember.

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Good point.

Yep. There's two ways to see this. One brings to mind a parent, supervising her children at play. They begin to squabble over who gets to play with the toy. Or maybe it's snack time, and they're asked to share the peanut butter & jelly, but everyone wants to hog it.

Guess what happens? No more play time, and snack time's over!
Pity the kids just can't seem to get along these days.

But then, you could always just say, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

What a shame that we aren't yet capable of standing on the same ground, and each accepting that the world is full of spiritual, pious people!

Even if those who shine the Light, and show the Way, are yet technically a minority, I think we should consider that the breaking point ... the Triumph of Light over dark, may be closer than we realize.

A good movie that looks at this possibility, from a frame of reference that embraces poetry, religion, physics, spirituality, astronomy, and even politics ... is Mindwalk. It doesn't have much to do with Yoga, but it does address the idea that we need a better, more wholistic worldview - in light of so much that has changed in the world, even in the past few centuries alone.

I have not seen Tuesdays with Morrie, or read that book. But if you like The Five People You Meet in Heaven, or other stuff by Mitch Albom, you'll probably enjoy the film Mindwalk.

cheers,

~Zag

[chakraman]

Originally Posted by Dor

Actually the question started as should it be in schools and no it shouldnt no religions can be taught in schools now remember.

the first post in the thread is a statement not a question. discussions need to be allowed to move and breath.

more than a few probably merge yoga and spirituallity; seeing as health is part of a religious life this is bound to happen. which is why it will mix with christianity.

when you say its not christian it certainly feels derogatory; if it is not harmful/evil then why not allow it.

this is an interesting clip, if you will take a minute dor. its an indian chap talking about the travesty of indian guru/teachers coming to europe and the states and propagating transcendental meditation and the like. do this and that and you will have some marvellous experience etc which is obviously nonsense;

Krishnamurti with Chogyam Trungpa Rimpoche - Google Video

you have reacted understandably to the hoo ha and floss that surrounds these practises. i would say dont put up barriers to it or begin with conclusions or be put off by the hippy slant etc, but look into the matter and see if you can discern truth or worth in "some" of it.

i wonder if you put tai chi in the same boat?

the benefit to tai chi and yoga lies in the fact that they are implosive exercising as opposed to explosive. by this i mean that most forms of western exercise are explosive; i.e. they concentrate on muscular exertion sending energy outwards away from the organs, bones and tendons ; which is why so many sportsmen are always injured. however yoga and tai chi seek to build inner energy. they do this by working with the glands, organs, muscles and tendons allowing them to work together. so the energy is sent inward ; it is a much more balanced form of fitness leading to high level of health. in case anyones interested, a full learn tai chi download by a very respected teacher;

Tai Chi Bagua Qigong

perhaps steiners eurythmy would be more amenable to some christians or pilates. the impotant thing here is that we need a balanced form of implosive exercise to keep fit and healthy to enable us and our children to cope better with the stresses of living; because lets face for all the western medicine etc we're dropping like flies. we may live longer but are we postponing death or prolonging life. i'm not saying explosive mucular exertion is bad just that it needs to be balanced by its opposite. the need for these execise styles is apparent and will grow. i hope i've brought some balance to the discussion dor rather than my earlier mocking posts which only served to push us further apart, jase

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by chakraman

the first post in the thread is a statement not a question. discussions need to be allowed to move and breath.

more than a few probably merge yoga and spirituallity; seeing as health is part of a religious life this is bound to happen. which is why it will mix with christianity.

when you say its not christian it certainly feels derogatory; if it is not harmful/evil then why not allow it.

this is an interesting clip, if you will take a minute dor. its an indian chap talking about the travesty of indian guru/teachers coming to europe and the states and propagating transcendental meditation and the like. do this and that and you will have some marvellous experience etc which is obviously nonsense;

Krishnamurti with Chogyam Trungpa Rimpoche - Google Video

you have reacted understandably to the hoo ha and floss that surrounds these practises. i would say dont put up barriers to it or begin with conclusions or be put off by the hippy slant etc, but look into the matter and see if you can discern truth or worth in "some" of it.

i wonder if you put tai chi in the same boat?

the benefit to tai chi and yoga lies in the fact that they are implosive exercising as opposed to explosive. by this i mean that most forms of western exercise are explosive; i.e. they concentrate on muscular exertion sending energy outwards away from the organs, bones and tendons ; which is why so many sportsmen are always injured. however yoga and tai chi seek to build inner energy. they do this by working with the glands, organs, muscles and tendons allowing them to work together. so the energy is sent inward ; it is a much more balanced form of fitness leading to high level of health. in case anyones interested, a full learn tai chi download by a very respected teacher;

Tai Chi Bagua Qigong

perhaps steiners eurythmy would be more amenable to some christians or pilates. the impotant thing here is that we need a balanced form of implosive exercise to keep fit and healthy to enable us and our children to cope better with the stresses of living; because lets face for all the western medicine etc we're dropping like flies. we may live longer but are we postponing death or prolonging life. i'm not saying explosive mucular exertion is bad just that it needs to be balanced by its opposite. the need for these execise styles is apparent and will grow. i hope i've brought some balance to the discussion dor rather than my earlier mocking posts which only served to push us further apart, jase

That is probably one of the more reasonable explanations of things, as well as invite to look at the physical good such "excercises" can bring. Mine for example, is not Tai Chi persee, but Aikido disciplines for centering the body. Though my mind is ever on the teachings of Christ. Indeed they go hand in hand in this case. There is however, a time for energy to be exerted as opposed to inverted. (to everything there is a season and a purpose, under heaven).

v/r

Joshua