If, like me, you were raised in the Protestant Christian tradition, or a non-religious household or even another faith tradition, you may be surprised to learn that there is, in fact, a mystical branch of Christianity.
I found this through google search and I'm so glad I did! I am also a yoga teacher and I practice Reiki and read Tarot. All in search of and to further connection to God. I now have many Christian acquaintances and the subject of these practices being "demonic" comes up. Has this happened to you? How do you answer that?
Hi Olga! Thanks for the comment - and great question. Short answer is yes, I certainly have heard some Christians label yoga and energy practices such as Reiki demonic.
My longer answer is: Any spiritual practice from any tradition - if done without knowledge of its context or without the right intention - carries with it the potential for tapping into astral energies. Christian practices included. I have seen many charismatic pastors speak who I'm quite sure were channeling demonic energies (this is usually obvious with the message. God does not intend fear, exclusion or hate). This can be averted simply by setting the right intention and ensuring your uses of these practices - whatever they are, are done with integrity, governed by love - and being picky and discerning with your spiritual teachers. Some are governed by ego, rather than genuinely wanting to be of service.
More specifically regarding Yoga, people who say yoga is demonic really have no clue what yoga actually is. As a yoga teacher I'm sure you know that yoga isn't just asana - it's a whole spiritual system designed to bring the seeker towards 'union' with God (or Brahmin in the Hindhu tradition, which I understand as the same thing as God). This is really no different than the Christian mystical goal of 'Theosis'. Furthermore there are different yogic pathways - Karma yoga, Jhana yoga, Bhakti yoga etc. all emphasizing different pathways towards that union. Many yogis will say that Jesus practiced karma yoga (the pathway of service) as well as Bhakti yoga (the pathway of devotion). The issue starts to be with modern day non-integrous or naive teachers - who are teaching things like 'Kundalini activations' without proper training and completely divorced from their spiritual contexts. Or practicing complex breath practices and manipulating energies. Yoga is a lineage practice - which requires adequate training within a proper yogic tradition. That being said - I do believe that a basic Western hatha asana class is totally safe - as it's literally just moving your body in a way that helps the energy flow to prepare the body for meditation.
So much more I could say on this subject but I've already written half an essay! Perhaps I'll turn this into a substack post - as I've had a few people ask me about my thoughts on this subject! Let me know if that resonates or if you have some thoughts to share :)
I had a very similar journey! I thought a lot about going to Seminary or studying Psychology and Spirituality when I was in my 20s. But I met my husband and became a business owner and a landscape architect. Many many times have come up for me in my life where I think I got on the wrong train... But I accept my path and ask for the Divine for guidance to next steps. I just found you here on a Google search, looking for local lay people to have such discussions in my area of CA, without having to spend so much time and money at a school such as CIIS. I'm still looking for my intellectual and spiritual community.
Hey Leah! Thanks for your comment! It’s never too late to explore a new direction! I can relate, I spent about a decade in business, marketing and branding. I still coach business clients here and there amidst my transition process.
Hi there! The Merton text I referenced in this presentation is titled "A Course in Christian Mysticism". I have the Kindle version but I believe you can buy the paperback as well.
I found this through google search and I'm so glad I did! I am also a yoga teacher and I practice Reiki and read Tarot. All in search of and to further connection to God. I now have many Christian acquaintances and the subject of these practices being "demonic" comes up. Has this happened to you? How do you answer that?
Hi Olga! Thanks for the comment - and great question. Short answer is yes, I certainly have heard some Christians label yoga and energy practices such as Reiki demonic.
My longer answer is: Any spiritual practice from any tradition - if done without knowledge of its context or without the right intention - carries with it the potential for tapping into astral energies. Christian practices included. I have seen many charismatic pastors speak who I'm quite sure were channeling demonic energies (this is usually obvious with the message. God does not intend fear, exclusion or hate). This can be averted simply by setting the right intention and ensuring your uses of these practices - whatever they are, are done with integrity, governed by love - and being picky and discerning with your spiritual teachers. Some are governed by ego, rather than genuinely wanting to be of service.
More specifically regarding Yoga, people who say yoga is demonic really have no clue what yoga actually is. As a yoga teacher I'm sure you know that yoga isn't just asana - it's a whole spiritual system designed to bring the seeker towards 'union' with God (or Brahmin in the Hindhu tradition, which I understand as the same thing as God). This is really no different than the Christian mystical goal of 'Theosis'. Furthermore there are different yogic pathways - Karma yoga, Jhana yoga, Bhakti yoga etc. all emphasizing different pathways towards that union. Many yogis will say that Jesus practiced karma yoga (the pathway of service) as well as Bhakti yoga (the pathway of devotion). The issue starts to be with modern day non-integrous or naive teachers - who are teaching things like 'Kundalini activations' without proper training and completely divorced from their spiritual contexts. Or practicing complex breath practices and manipulating energies. Yoga is a lineage practice - which requires adequate training within a proper yogic tradition. That being said - I do believe that a basic Western hatha asana class is totally safe - as it's literally just moving your body in a way that helps the energy flow to prepare the body for meditation.
So much more I could say on this subject but I've already written half an essay! Perhaps I'll turn this into a substack post - as I've had a few people ask me about my thoughts on this subject! Let me know if that resonates or if you have some thoughts to share :)
I had a very similar journey! I thought a lot about going to Seminary or studying Psychology and Spirituality when I was in my 20s. But I met my husband and became a business owner and a landscape architect. Many many times have come up for me in my life where I think I got on the wrong train... But I accept my path and ask for the Divine for guidance to next steps. I just found you here on a Google search, looking for local lay people to have such discussions in my area of CA, without having to spend so much time and money at a school such as CIIS. I'm still looking for my intellectual and spiritual community.
Thank you for this great presentation.
Blessings!
Hey Leah! Thanks for your comment! It’s never too late to explore a new direction! I can relate, I spent about a decade in business, marketing and branding. I still coach business clients here and there amidst my transition process.
Where are you based?
where are you getting your Merton quotes. I have read most of Thomas Merton's work and I have never seen these. Thank you.
Hi there! The Merton text I referenced in this presentation is titled "A Course in Christian Mysticism". I have the Kindle version but I believe you can buy the paperback as well.