The dividends of yoga is twofold - increased health and unification of the shade with the remains. It is accomplished through the use of some unalike aspects , but chiefly through the combination of Asanas , or postures , and breathing/meditation practices.

This raises some beg in the Christian community. In my inquest for this article , I was very surprised at the viewpoint of the Christian apologists , and their take on yoga and its usage. I possess hesitated on writing this article because of that viewpoint. However , I feel that this beg and the stance of the Christian community warrants reflection on the subject field.

Yoga has a history dating back over five thousand years , to the beginning of the civilization of man. Little is genuinely known about Yoga. it is believed to possess originated in Mehrgarh , a neolithic settlement in what is now Afghanistan. Scholars believe it has grown out of Stone Age Shamanism. In this aboriginal period of civilization's beginnings , Yoga was a community resource , because of its efforts to determine cosmic instruct through inner fantasy , and use it to daily living. In latter years , yoga evolved into an inner dialogue through which the Yogis sought to develop their possess salvation and enlightenment.

Archaeological proof of the existence of Yoga initial appeared in stone seals excavated from the Indus valley. It depicted figures in some Yogic Asanas , or postures , and officially put Yoga in the time period of about 3000 B.C. Of greater signification , it similarly affiliated yoga to the massive Indus-Sarasvati Civilization , a period in time that was considered modern and efficacious.

From the Indus-Sarasvati civilization came the antique texts known as the Vedas , the oldest scriptures in the world. The Vedas are a collection of hymns that praise a higher potency and contains the oldest recorded history of Yoga teachings. The Vedas required the practitioner to exceed human limitations , and reach a higher spiritual even. In latter years , texts known as the Brahmanas were written to expound the rituals and the hymns of the Vedas. Following this came the Aranyakas texts , which outlined the usage 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 usage of health , harmony of the shade , and a way of life.

The Christian viewpoint is therefore - if one opens the mind to clearer thinking and inner fantasy , they open the shade to fiendish possession. It is felt that Yoga usage borders on occultism , and that eyelet one's mind and shade to the dividends of yoga is both dangerous and against everything Christianity preaches. Christians believe that studying yoga is akin to practicing Hinduism , and one cannot disunite the philosophy of Hinduism from their Christian beliefs , regardless of the health dividends of yoga.

As a practicing Buddhist , I take issue with this viewpoint. To me , this smacks of tunnel fantasy and narrowmindedness. A Christian is expected to open their heart and minds to Jesus , and to give in to the shade of the Lord. They are expected to rely on blind faith , and to accept the word of God as the apparently veracity in the world. A thinking person would find this hypocritical , for on the one hand Christians harp that Yoga must be avoided because eyelet the mind to clearer fantasy encourages the possibility of fiendish 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 - if it is to see into one's self , or to accept Jesus into their lives. If , as Christians harp , we are open to fiendish possession if we see inside ourselves and open the mind to all the possibilities , how then may we safely open our hearts to the concept of Christianity? Is there a gatekeeper who makes this decision when we accomplish conventionally that determines what path we are to follow? I believe 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 beg everything , moved from the Baptist community to the Assembly of God churches , and was ostracized by my father. I believe 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 allusion of blind faith , but to accomplish what is right to us as an individual. And it is why I trudge the Noble 8 Folded Path. It is apparently a matter of choice , and questioning everything in this universe.

I believe that the usage of yoga is a good object. It supplies us with massive health benefits , clearer fantasy , 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 usage as they wish , or attempt to thrust our views down other people's throats.