Don't forget that there are many types of yoga. Hatha and laya yoga are probably what most people mean when they use the term, especially in the context that seems to be under discussion (or "fire") here. This is the yoga of physical exercises (`asanas,' or postures), and concerns itself largely with physical health.
Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion, as exemplified by Vaishnavas ("Hare Krishnas," followers of ISKCON). One might also say that large numbers of Christians essentially follow a bhakti approach, especially those who are rather zealous about their faith. This is simply my observation ... a parallel I have noticed. It applies to Islam, and other traditions as well, to a lesser extent.
To illustrate my point, here's a small portion of the Wikipedia article under `bhakti,' the section on Theory of divine grace:
A person's fate is reflected mainly in the tendencies that he has created for himself through committed actions. He has total free will to surrender to God or not. But if he surrenders to Him heart and soul, He promises that He will take care of his pure devotee. This is famously illustrated in one of Krishna's final statements to
Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita:
- "Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear". (Bhagavad Gita 18.66)
Now this seems quite familiar, if I recall my Sunday School lessons correctly! Even something about one of the Commandments?
But other yogas also exist. Patanjali's Raja Yoga, or `kingly yoga,' is largely that of *mental disciplines*. This is not about playing twister or seeing who can attain the full lotus position.
It is about the training of the mind ... something which the modern (public) schools seem to almost completely ignore, as if things will simply take care of themselves, magically somehow. Even the popular music screams "we don't need no education, we don't need no THOUGHT CONTROL."
But this is precisely what Raja Yoga sets out to provide: *thought control*. The difference might be that, even as Krishna asks of Arjuna in the bhakti approach, the `taming of the mind' is to be done voluntarily, and not imposed upon us from some kind of external authority.
Another traditional form of yoga is Karma Yoga, or the 'yoga of action.' At first glance, this might seem counter-intuitive. After all, isn't the idea in Eastern religions to *rid* oneself of karma??? Yes, that is true, but it is also understood that *every action* - and in fact, every thought and every feeling - automatically generates a certain degree of positive or negative karma. Prayer for example, of any type to any deity, would be considered as generating an overwhelmingly positive karma.
So the karma yogin simply goes about his or her daily business, seeking to generate as much positive karma (or merit) as possible, yet not for the sake of self alone. The altruistic nature of this yoga discipline is that one *simply does what is right for the sake of doing right, seeking no reward*. Again, this sounds remarkably like teachings I have learned from within Christianity, perhaps even dovetailing with the Golden Rule.
A newer form of yoga than these ancient traditions is sometimes called Agni Yoga, which literally means `yoga of fire,' but which is often termed `the Teaching of Living Ethics' by its followers. One can read about it on Wikipedia, and evaluate it for oneself. This is a modern approach, and certainly does not focus on the practices of Hatha Yoga, or even the excercises of Raja Yoga. Nor is it recommended for everyone willy-nilly.
Perhaps of greatest interest to me along the lines of the discussion you have invited, Blazn, is something a family member related to me the other day. At her church, she pointed out, Yoga is being offered as a class, open to anyone
regardless of belief and certainly regardless of interest in Eastern traditions. The focus is on improving one's health and well-being, on every level: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
This person is nearly 70 years old, and she was keen to point out that the Yoga is done sitting in a *chair*, so it is certainly not physically rigorous, though I do believe she said there is some stretching (postures, `asanas') involved. There is much more attention placed on relaxing, however, and also on learning to focus the mind and meditate.
I cannot fathom how any of this would be the least bit inharmonious to a sincere Christian ... certainly not to anyone seeking inner peace and spiritual upliftment. Perhaps these are not necessarily mutually inclusive?
Ah well, the class is optional - no one is *required* to attend. No one can force us to seek greater health on varoius levels, or to better ourselves. Like a healthy diet, this too is optional.
~Zag
