Many describe Yoga as a form of self-meditation and relaxation. The number of locations offering courses in Yoga are increasing at a rapid rate. Yet very few people understand what Yoga is about and what the courses really teach.
Yoga is the Hindu spiritual teachings and techniques related to the attainment of self-realization and union with the supreme reality. When one translates the teachings into plain language, the following becomes clear. The supreme reality they teach to seek union with is BRAHMAN. In Hinduism, this is the eternal and ineffable truth that transcends all boundaries. Brahman is considered the Absolute. It is more than God, more than Spirit, totally beyond definition. Thus, the teaching of Yoga is not union with God. Yoga teaches that God is not supreme, but the reality of Brahman is above even God. To understand this idea better, one needs to know more about the Hindu spiritual traditions.
There are several concepts which when put together form the Hindu tradition. The first is the law that links people to the universe. This belief is that present actions are followed by consequences in another life. The circumstances of one's present life are consequences of Karma from a former life. Thus a good Karma is central to the process of spiritual growth from life to life.
The second concept is the Maya. The term is often used to describe the belief that things are not what they appear to be. It is a vital aspect of the process and moving from one life to another is necessary if spiritual evolution is to occur.
Nirvana is the final stage. Here one's being and the self merge with Brahman, thereby extinguishing one's individual nature. The mystic who obtains Nirvana lacks further need to be reborn in the cycle of rebirths. Thus the Hindies base their beliefs on reincarnation or transmigration. (Note: the difference between reincarnation and transmigration is that in the former upon death the rebirth of the soul is limited to a human body. In transmigration the soul may enter any animal depending on the Karma.) Thus Hinduism is a religion based on rebirths which finally bring one to a supreme being. From the information available, Yoga was established to shorten the evolution to the union with the Brahman, or absolute. They claim that since people tend to confuse feelings with "spirit," a means has to be found to overcome these sensory limitations. Yoga is said to be a means of training to see things as they are, rather then as they seem.
To accomplish the goals of Yoga, heavy meditation is required. Through this meditation, they hope to move their consciousness toward transcendence in Samadhi (seeing the self in all things, and all things in the self). Thus by use of the meditation, they hope to raise their conscious level and brought closer to the union with Brahman. This they hope to do through bypassing many incarnations (rebirths).
In summary then Yoga, is a Hindu philosophy, which removes God from His position of almighty and places Brahman over God. Similar to most other occultic teachings and Satan's first lie, it supports the promise of evolution to becoming equal with God. It further supports Satan's second lie in following the theory of transmigration (or reincarnation). Most of the physical actions and movements are a result of meditation of the type that empties the mind. This is the same meditation we find in most occultic teachings.
It also should be noted that the average Western Yoga student is unaware that Lord Krishna, in the Baghavad Gita, introduced Yoga as a sure way to the Hindu heaven, or Shiva. The Destroyer (one of the most powerful and feared of Hindu deities) is addressed as Yogehwara or Lord of Yoga. Nor does the Yoga instructor mention the many warnings contained in ancient Yoga texts that even the so called physical Yoga (Hatha Yoga) is a dangerous tool. Interestingly Marilyn Ferguson in her Brain/Mind/Bulletin 2, admits that it is common for people involved in Yoga, meditation, and other spiritual disciplines to develop "bad trips" as a normal by product. Other literature fully supports the number of cases of "bad trips."
Christians believe in resurrection not reincarnation. Notice that even the Hindus have a problem with their theory of Karma and are using Yoga in an attempt to reduce the number of incarnations. Christians seek union with God that in no way makes one equal with Him. Finally, there are large differences between the Christian meditation and that taught in Yoga. Christians meditate on the word of God, rather than trying to blank out the mind. Psalms 119:99 states, "I have more understanding than all my teachers; for thy (the Messiah's) testimonies are my meditations." Psalms 104:34 says. "My meditation on Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord." Thus we can clearly see the Scriptures teach us to use our time of meditation on God and not blank or open our minds for the demons.
Most people are unaware of what Yoga is all about. They think it is only harmless exercise. It is built on occultic ideas. The Scriptures teach in 1 Corinthians 10:21, "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of the devils; Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and the table of the devil's."
Even the Hindies are not satisfied with their beliefs in transmigration (reincarnation). They developed the idea of Yoga in hopes of shortening the number of incarnations they face. By accepting Christ, we are promised to die once and then have eternal life with Him.
REFERENCES
1. Brain/Mind/Bulletin, July 12, 1982, page 3.
