“Some questions we ask today would simply baffle our ancestors,” notes theologian Albert Mohler. Once such question is whether Christians should practice yoga:
When Christians ask whether believers should practice yoga, they are asking a question that betrays the strangeness of our current cultural moment — a time in which yoga seems almost mainstream in America.
[. . .]
To a remarkable degree, the growing acceptance of yoga points to the retreat of biblical Christianity in the culture. Yoga begins and ends with an understanding of the body that is, to say the very least, at odds with the Christian understanding. Christians are not called to empty the mind or to see the human body as a means of connecting to and coming to know the divine. Believers are called to meditate upon the Word of God — an external Word that comes to us by divine revelation — not to meditate by means of incomprehensible syllables.
Nevertheless, a significant number of American Christians either experiment with yoga or become adherents of some yoga discipline. Most seem unaware that yoga cannot be neatly separated into physical and spiritual dimensions. The physical is the spiritual in yoga, and the exercises and disciplines of yoga are meant to connect with the divine.
September 21st, 2010 | 9:24 am
One might well reflect on Thomas Merton’s comments in his book “Inner Experience”, on some of the Eastern Traditions. In it he states “The Eastern traditions have the advantage of disposing man more naturally for contemplation”. In a sense, some of these traditions free us from the distractions that are so prevalent, especially today.
I would very carefully read Merton’s book, where he discusses these traditions, and their links to Christian contemplation.
I can’t state the exact quote, but somewhere I remember the comment that Christian contemplation, bridges the end point of the Eastern traditions, that brings us closer to God.
September 21st, 2010 | 11:13 am
I’m not sure I can full agree with Albert Mohler. While yoga can certainly open the door for non-Christian elements to invade the spiritual lives of Christians, it is not necessarily so. American Christians have a long history of “sanitizing” heathen symbols and religious practices–think of the Christmas tree, the feast and festival tradition, or wedding rings. Christians have a habit of making pagan practices or symbols into holy rituals or objects.
I’m also not sure that Mohler appreciates yoga as it is truly practiced on the ground–many Christians simply meditate on scripture or pray to Jesus when they’re asked to empty their minds. Granted, by doing so, Christians are subverting the spiritual intent of yoga, but at the same time it is hard to see how this marriage between yoga physicality and Christian spirituality is harmful. It just sounds like Christians being Christians–remaking old traditions in the image of Christ.
September 21st, 2010 | 11:24 am
I have great respect for Dr. Mohler, but he is working under the assumption that all “yoga” classes, DVDs, etc. are full of meditation and emptying of oneself. That is simply not the case. I am concerned about the meditative aspects of yoga and unfortunately have some friends who have gone full-tilt in that direction. On the other hand, I have run across many folks for whom doing “yoga” is little more than a series of stretching positions that leads to great flexibility, joint/muscle strength, etc.
Lastly, how does talk about the appropriateness of this activity without falling into the trap of making a list of acceptable Christian behavior?
September 21st, 2010 | 11:27 am
This is hilarious, coming from someone who belongs to a tradition that has systematically destroyed historic liturgical practice and all the bodily orientation that goes along with it. The physical is spiritual in Christianity, just apparently not his watered-down version of it. It is self-contradictory to ascribe a real physical-spiritual connection in Yoga and yet deny it in Christianity.
September 21st, 2010 | 12:33 pm
It seems to me that, as MRS indicates, Dr. Mohler’s argument doesn’t really deal with the phenomenon of American, secularized yoga as it is actually practiced.
Unless one presupposes that the physical-spiritual doctrines asserted by traditional yoga are in fact true — which I assume Dr. Mohler and most Christians would not — then I can’t see why one couldn’t imagine the physical practices of yoga being separated off from its spiritual teachings.
September 21st, 2010 | 11:14 pm
Dr. Mohler seems to be unaware that Christianity “cannot be neatly separated into physical and spiritual dimensions.” Christianity insists that our bodies and spirits are connected, in fact in a more substantial way than Hinduism. Hinduism believes in reincarnation- that the spirit might leave this body and enter into another. This notion is alien to Christianity which insists on such a strong body-soul connection that we believe our ultimate destiny is resurrection. My spirit cannot fully be me in any other place than in my body. God did not create a body and put a soul into it, but rather, he created a man (body and soul) and breathed life into it. [cf. Gen 2:7]
Christianity has never been at its best when it lapses into dualism. If anything, yoga is an even more appropriate spiritual practice in Christianity than in some of the Eastern religions.
September 22nd, 2010 | 9:14 am
Like above comment @ Nathan ; seems for Christains who are to be aware of the very great significance of the body in worship – Church thus grants ‘indulgences ‘ or forgiveness of debts , for a closer relationship , with our Lord and others by actions such as the putting on of the sign of The cross, that lets the enemy know too who we belong to !
Being able to do such devotions as the ( 14)Stations of The Cross ,even at home , a devotion that originated with The Mother of our Lord herself , with its rising and prostrations , letting in the loving power of The Spirit that sustained our Lord , in His Passion , thus again driving out enemy powers that await to bring on fear , despair , prideful urge for overcontrol from lack of trust in a loving Father , are these not the best means to use our precious time , like the wise virgins with the lamps lit …and how our such ations can have spiritual impact on others too – again a truth The Church lovingly brings to heart , through the granting of indulgences ..
As to yoga , unsure if there is not too much unknowns in it ..having heard of persons who practice it even in ways considered nonreligious yet having found themselves having become more selfabosrbed etc :
September 22nd, 2010 | 5:17 pm
My experience with yoga is that it comes with too much religious accretion. The stretching routines have helped me battle some of my running injuries. But I wish that the yoga studio weren’t decorated with images of Hindu gods and that the focal point of the room we do our yoga exercises in weren’t an altar. It’s what the yoga instructors call it.
And I wish they didn’t instruct us to bow to it at the end of the session. I don’t. Still, as I sit there not bowing to it and surrounded by a group of people who are bowing to it, I feel that this is somehow not quite right. The instructors and friends of mine who know from yoga try to spin the altar and the bowing to it as broad expressions of a vague will to be nice in some nonsectarian way.
So, if the particular statues of the particular Hindu gods on the altar aren’t essential to the ceremony, and they’re only symbols of gentle lovingkindness or whatever, can we substitute a Christian icon or statue and bow to that? You can imagine the reaction to that question.
September 22nd, 2010 | 5:29 pm
Mohler obviously does not understand yoga. See my reflections on this at:
Christians and yoga
October 1st, 2010 | 9:07 am
“Christians are not called to empty the mind”
If Christianity is only about the word of the Bible then here are a couple of quotes that show that immersing yourself in words of the Bible alone are not what the Bible teaches.
“Be still and know me” – Does this not signify letting go of unnecessary thought to better be humble – selfless and in communion with God.
Also, if the Bible is the exact Word of God, how come it’s been changed so many times. I know this is a very direct thing to say, and I know some won’t agree with that point fully, but I think it’s important to read the translations done by a human with a sense of direct communion with God to help discern the true meaning.
This communion doesn’t come from just reading, it comes from being free of a sense of pride and self.
“Thou shalt not worship idols” – Words are as much idols as are images, they are a frame of reference and limited in what they can do. To attach too much to words is to forget about getting a direct experience of God.
I could quote further but it’s all in there for the keen eye. Even the prophet Daniel, who was said to be praised by God, was said to have meditated.
Yoga is a way to strengthen the body to help stabilise the mind. To help boost concentration. Why shouldn’t one look after the body, it doesn’t mean one must grow attached to it in the process of taking care of it. To put the body 1st over spiritual development and serving all beings is a mistake yes, one we won’t overcome until we realise our true nature. Sacrificing health doesn’t prevent attachment to it.
I’m sure all realised saints throughout history, didn’t abuse their bodies unnecessarily.
October 1st, 2010 | 10:16 am
The physical and spiritual aspects of yoga cannot be seperated. Even when a person only practices the yoga poses without any meditation, he expresses Hindu meaning whether he knows it or not. To empty one’s mind is definitely not something that God what us to do. God’s word, the Bible doesn’t talk about that at all.
You can read more about that in my new book “Bowing to Yoga?” It is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com
October 7th, 2010 | 9:36 am
“Word of God — an external Word that comes to us by divine revelation”
The devine revelation that has been rewritten by the winners of wars for centuries? That devine revelation?
I submit to you all, you can not read a single word of God and be just as devout as any preacher, any man of God. The ability to think for ourselves, make up our own minds about things is not the pathway to the devil. Since when is opening our minds to the possibilities of the world deemed wrong? (fundamentalism duh) Once you begin to take those steps religion becomes dangerous.
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”-Mahatma Ghandi
As far as I know practicing Yoga has never killed anyone, I cannot say the same for Christianity.
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