I was saddened to read in the Jan. 28 edition of a Christian pastor practicing yoga. I am writing because many Christians do not understand that yoga involves more than just getting in to certain body positions and that it is not the health-boosting practice that it is purported to be.
Yoga is a Hindu discipline. According to Wikipedia, “Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with belief spanning monotheism, polytheism, panenthesim, pantheism, monism, and atheism, and its concept of God is complex and depends upon each individual and the tradition and philosophy followed.”
The word yoga means “union.” Yoga’s purpose is to achieve enlightenment, to unite one’s self with Brahman, to unite with one’s higher self, to discover one’s self divinity, or to unite with the universal soul, depending upon which tradition one follows. Obviously, this is incompatible with Christianity.
Many think yoga is not sinful if one merely practices the physical exercises. But many Hindu gurus and long-time practioners of yoga assert that its physical aspects are intrinsically linked to its spiritual aspects. The two cannot be separated. The yoga positions are postures that in themselves have a spiritual purpose. There are eight steps of yoga that lead from “ignorance” to “enlightenment.” The common yoga that many Westerners practice, which are bodily postures and breathing exercises, are actually steps three and four of this process.
My point is that to participate in a discipline that is distinctly Hindu and is designed for Hindu worship is to participate in Hindu religion, whether one wants to or not. This is idolatry. I realize that many Christians have acted in ignorance, so I just want to “enlighten” those who do not know. Please, brothers and sisters, stay away from practicing yoga!
Mark Davis, Monterey, Va.