Yoga: Front & Centering

Recently two Yogi’s have been featured in the mainstream media.

What’s interesting about both of them is that they are both praised for their achievements in the West and their ability to instruct and pass on their knowledge.

B. K. S. Iyengar is crediting with bringing Yoga to the world and was influential in brining it to the west.  [1] He is being featured in the news because of his recent passing.

You can read some of his quotes here.  Many of Iyengar’s views are not compatible with Christianity.

Another individual, Paramahansa Yogananda was also influential in the West.  Though he died some time ago, many of his ideas live on through his books.  A documentary has recently been made about his life.  See the trailer here. Many famous people were influenced by this man including Steve Jobs, co founder of Apple Inc.

Here is a quote from Yoganada

“The ancient rishis discovered these laws of sound alliance between nature and man. Because nature is an objectification of Aum, the Primal Sound or Vibratory Word, man can obtain control over all natural manifestations through the use of certain mantras or chants.”

― Paramahansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi

While many of his other quotes would seem Christian, the philosophies he taught were a mix of some of the teaching of Jesus and other Hindu Yogi’s.

Yet the Bible is clear, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  And there is no other individual mentioned with Him to be a co-teacher of truth, all others are excluded.

Many things started to change in America in the 60’s.  Is it a historical coincidence that with the introduction of mind altering drugs and the powerful influences of music that new teachers started appearing on the scene?  With an upset political climate, new views on human sexuality, and interracial tensions, there was a perfect opportunity to ask the questions from the east, “Did God really say….?”

It’s not the 60’s anymore, but the same things that existed in society then are prevalent in society now and media is a powerful way to bring attention to these teachers who appeared on the scene once before.  With a world in turmoil and pain, people are looking for answers. Where will they turn? To Jesus and the Bible or to another?

[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/21/world/asia/bks-iyengar-who-helped-bring-yoga-to-west-dies-at-95.html?rref=health&module=Ribbon&version=context

To learn more about the spiritual roots of yoga & the martial arts, check out our latest documentary: The Dragon Revealed

 

The Dragon Revealed

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