Is Yoga incompatible with Catholicism?

[Michie]

Is Yoga incompatible with Catholicism?





The venerable Catholic priest of blessed memory, Fr. John Hardon, S.J., says it is, and he explains why: [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]

Yoga is incompatible with Catholicism because the best known practice of Hindu spirituality is Yoga. “Inner” Hinduism professes pantheism, which denies that there is only one infinite Being who created the world out of nothing. This pantheistic Hinduism says to the multitude of uncultured believers who follow the ways of the gods that they will receive the reward of the gods. They will have brief tastes of heaven between successive rebirths on earth. But they will never be delivered from the “wheel of existence” with its illusory lives and deaths until they realize that only “God” exists and all else is illusion (Maya). To achieve this liberation the principal way is by means of concentration and self control (yoga).
Indian spirituality is perhaps best known by the practice of yoga, derived from the root yuj to unite or yoke, which in context means union with the Absolute.

Numerous stages are distinguished in the upward progress toward the supreme end of identification: by means of knowledge with the deity; the practice of moral virtues and observance of ethical rules; bodily postures; control of internal and external senses; concentration of memory and meditation–finally terminating in total absorption (samadhi), “when the seer stands in his own nature" . . . (continue reading)
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[JimR-OCDS]

Unfortunately, Fr. Hardon is speaking of Yoga with a broad brush and by doing so, misinforms those reading the article.

Not all forms of Yoga are the same and Yoga exercise for most, is different from Yoga meditation and spirituality.

In fact, most Yoga exercise as done here in the United States, is merely exercise and has no spiritual connection, unless the participant desires to make one. A Christian can link the exercise to
Christian meditation, if he so desires.

That being said, Yoga exercise is very healthy and beneficial.


Jim

 

[MKJ]

To follow up on what Jim said, this sounds to me like saying we can't use elements of Greek philosophy in our theological discourse, or we shouldn't celebrate Halloween (Christmas, Easter...) because it has some pagan roots.

 

[anawim]

I use Yoga for stretching.

I would never use it for meditation. That's what I have the rosary for.

 

[Winter]

I use Yoga for stretching.

I would never use it for meditation. That's what I have the rosary for.

Good response! Same here.

 

[Davidnic]

I love fr. Hardon. I think he should be a saint. But he is wrong here and I agree with Jim.

I know many who do Yoga in a non-spiritual way for health benefits. Myself included time to time and my wife everyday.

It is not at odds with Catholicism. Now, in the 60's and 70's when it was tied fully to new age and old Hindu beliefs I can see his point. But it is just not that way now.

 

[Gwendolyn]

I would like to exercise with yoga stretches, but unfortunately all of the studios I investigated here in town link it with spirituality, so I can't exercise without the Hindu component. Some studios even had idols in them and they were part of the "yogic experience". I walked out of there and never went back.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I would like to exercise with yoga stretches, but unfortunately all of the studios I investigated here in town link it with spirituality, so I can't exercise without the Hindu component. Some studios even had idols in them and they were part of the "yogic experience". I walked out of there and never went back.

I learned through videos. I have the Yoga Zone, Power Yoga workout.

Jim

 

[Colin]

Unfortunately, Fr. Hardon is speaking of Yoga with a broad brush and by doing so, misinforms those reading the article.

Not all forms of Yoga are the same and Yoga exercise for most, is different from Yoga meditation and spirituality.

In fact, most Yoga exercise as done here in the United States, is merely exercise and has no spiritual connection, unless the participant desires to make one. A Christian can link the exercise to
Christian meditation, if he so desires.

That being said, Yoga exercise is very healthy and beneficial.


Jim

Well said . I fully agree .

 

[anawim]

I bought this book: Holy Yoga Books | Holy Yoga - Connect With Christ | Christian Yoga

 

[Rhamiel]

lol to play devils advocate (or angels advocate in this case??)
I see nothing wrong with Yoga as a form of physical health or even as a way to meditate
buuuuut
many people who are not very familiar with the Catholic faith or who are drawn to the false religions of the east should stay away from Yoga, even as just a way to stretch, it can lead people into focusing too much on eastern religions

 

[MoNiCa4316]

I'm going to offer a bit of a different view...

I don't think that yoga is compatible with Catholicism. Even if you just use it for exercise, the positions come from depictions of their gods/goddesses..

a friend of mine gave me a book about the spiritual journey of a man who explored various religions. I believe he's now a monk in Mount Athos.. he's Greek Orthodox. But before his conversion to Christianity, he was really involved in yoga and Hinduism and other such religions. The book describes many of his experiences - actually he describes them himself... and what happened to him, is that he actually got possessed by a demon. He was later delivered through the prayers of an elder at the Greek monastery. But at one point, the demon actually forced his body into one of the 'yoga' positions... reading that book really changed how I see yoga. I used to think maybe it's alright for exercise, but I think the exercises are so closely linked with the spirituality, that it's best to just stay away from it.

I agree with Fr Hardon......

 

[Rhamiel]

I'm going to offer a bit of a different view...

I don't think that yoga is compatible with Catholicism. Even if you just use it for exercise, the positions come from depictions of their gods/goddesses..

a friend of mine gave me a book about the spiritual journey of a man who explored various religions. I believe he's now a monk in Mount Athos.. he's Greek Orthodox. But before his conversion to Christianity, he was really involved in yoga and Hinduism and other such religions. The book describes many of his experiences - actually he describes them himself... and what happened to him, is that he actually got possessed by a demon. He was later delivered through the prayers of an elder at the Greek monastery. But at one point, the demon actually forced his body into one of the 'yoga' positions... reading that book really changed how I see yoga. I used to think maybe it's alright for exercise, but I think the exercises are so closely linked with the spirituality, that it's best to just stay away from it.

I agree with Fr Hardon......

what is the name of the book? does it talk about Freemasons too? a friend of mine mentioned a book that souds kinda like the one you read but i never got the name

 

[MoNiCa4316]

what is the name of the book? does it talk about Freemasons too? a friend of mine mentioned a book that souds kinda like the one you read but i never got the name

No, I don't think there's anything about freemasons... but I haven't read the whole book yet.

It's called "the Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios by Dionysios Farasiotis and Philip Navarro"

 

[Fantine]

If a yoga class was called "stretching and relaxation" no one would bat an eye.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

If a yoga class was called "stretching and relaxation" no one would bat an eye.

yoga ins't just stretching and relaxation... it's based on eastern spirituality.

 

[Lady Bug]

I'm going to offer a bit of a different view...

I don't think that yoga is compatible with Catholicism. Even if you just use it for exercise, the positions come from depictions of their gods/goddesses..

a friend of mine gave me a book about the spiritual journey of a man who explored various religions. I believe he's now a monk in Mount Athos.. he's Greek Orthodox. But before his conversion to Christianity, he was really involved in yoga and Hinduism and other such religions. The book describes many of his experiences - actually he describes them himself... and what happened to him, is that he actually got possessed by a demon. He was later delivered through the prayers of an elder at the Greek monastery. But at one point, the demon actually forced his body into one of the 'yoga' positions... reading that book really changed how I see yoga. I used to think maybe it's alright for exercise, but I think the exercises are so closely linked with the spirituality, that it's best to just stay away from it.

I agree with Fr Hardon......

I agree; why not just use Catholic ways of meditating? If the Catholic faith is the complete deposit of faith and isn't missing anything, surely we can find something within that faith that will help us meditate.

 

[Fantine]

Is there a Catholic way of exercising?

What exactly would be the Catholic equivalent of yoga in terms of developing flexibility, breath control, and fitness?

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Just regular exercise... running, roller skating, biking, going to the gym, stretching, etc.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

I have noticed through my own observations, that a lot of the people involved in Yoga (Meaning instructors) are also into other new age practices, ie: Reiki

I would say talk to a few of them. I am very probing when I talk in person, I ask a lot of questions.