One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you.”
This is another story I really like. The Lord is always with us.
xo peace and love :]
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Star Thrower
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"
I like this story; It reminds me every person can make difference.
My prayer today is to encourage you to make a difference.
xoxo Peace and Love <3
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"
I like this story; It reminds me every person can make difference.
My prayer today is to encourage you to make a difference.
xoxo Peace and Love <3
Monday, October 25, 2010
I want to follow you
I was going to blog about my desire for God to break my heart. But then, just as I began my blog, I was talking to my friend Ben. We had just learned of each other's interest in blogging. After sharing my blog address, I asked for his blog address continuing on to say "I want to follow you."
Immediately, the thought came to mind of Jesus telling his disciples to follow him. I thought wow, how easy it was to say that to my friend Ben. Also, how easily I have said that to God.
But as I look back, I see how challenging it really is to follow Jesus. To follow Jesus is definitely easier said than done. Jesus has big shoes to fill (...or should I say sandal's, haha). It hurts a bit to think that sometimes I haven't really tried all that hard to follow Jesus; that I give up and give in to Satan and temptation too easily, too many times.
As much as I desire God to break my heart for what breaks his, I realize that I need to be more adamant in following Jesus. Before God can break our hearts, we need to spend time with God and get to know him like we do our friends, boy/girlfriends, and husbands and wives. It is in getting to know God that we will know what breaks his heart. Then, there will be that moment in which your heart breaks and not only can you no longer deny God, but you breathe only to aid that break in your heart for God and his people. And through this God will chisel away at us, molding and shaping us into who he wants us to be. But do not be discouraged to come before the Lord as you are, because though God see us for who we can be, he loves us as we are.
...well, I guess I did get to blog about God breaking my heart after all :)
Share the love and be at peace!
Immediately, the thought came to mind of Jesus telling his disciples to follow him. I thought wow, how easy it was to say that to my friend Ben. Also, how easily I have said that to God.
But as I look back, I see how challenging it really is to follow Jesus. To follow Jesus is definitely easier said than done. Jesus has big shoes to fill (...or should I say sandal's, haha). It hurts a bit to think that sometimes I haven't really tried all that hard to follow Jesus; that I give up and give in to Satan and temptation too easily, too many times.
As much as I desire God to break my heart for what breaks his, I realize that I need to be more adamant in following Jesus. Before God can break our hearts, we need to spend time with God and get to know him like we do our friends, boy/girlfriends, and husbands and wives. It is in getting to know God that we will know what breaks his heart. Then, there will be that moment in which your heart breaks and not only can you no longer deny God, but you breathe only to aid that break in your heart for God and his people. And through this God will chisel away at us, molding and shaping us into who he wants us to be. But do not be discouraged to come before the Lord as you are, because though God see us for who we can be, he loves us as we are.
...well, I guess I did get to blog about God breaking my heart after all :)
Share the love and be at peace!
Godly Men
"Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage." Theodore Roosevelt
I cannot even begin to tell what a blessing godly men are in this world. There is nothing I want more in a man than for him to truly be a man of God. I find it really saddening and heartbreaking to see how rare this quality has become in men today. Too many times in the past couple of weeks have I found myself in situations where I unfortunately crossed paths with men whom not only lack chivalry to the max, but whom behave like dastardly cads. And what makes this whole ordeal even worse is that there is nothing I can do but try to tolerate it. Quite frankly, I think this is a load of bull; I should not have to learn to tolerate men's unruly behavior. Men should be gentlemen, period.
Men, I encourage you, challenge you, ask you, and beg you to please be men of God, gentlemen who care for women and treat them with chivalry and courtesy.
Be at peace-
I cannot even begin to tell what a blessing godly men are in this world. There is nothing I want more in a man than for him to truly be a man of God. I find it really saddening and heartbreaking to see how rare this quality has become in men today. Too many times in the past couple of weeks have I found myself in situations where I unfortunately crossed paths with men whom not only lack chivalry to the max, but whom behave like dastardly cads. And what makes this whole ordeal even worse is that there is nothing I can do but try to tolerate it. Quite frankly, I think this is a load of bull; I should not have to learn to tolerate men's unruly behavior. Men should be gentlemen, period.
Men, I encourage you, challenge you, ask you, and beg you to please be men of God, gentlemen who care for women and treat them with chivalry and courtesy.
Be at peace-
Sunday, October 24, 2010
To grow to learn to love to live: Trusting without blessing (by jessi)
I'm not sure if I really trust God. Is it ok to say that out loud? I mean I say that I do, and I feel like I do...but I dunno. I read this little excerpt on utmost.org this morning (devotional thing taken from Oswald Chamber's book "My Utmost for His Highest") and I think it's messed up my entire perspective on life.
To have simple, perfect trust in God - such a trust that we no longer want God's blessing, but only want God Himself.
That is the mark of a totally surrendered, loving, unselfish person. It is. When we can do that, we can love. We can love because we don't want anything in return. We can be goodness.
It's so funny that I am currently reading Job right now too. I mean this guy was totally devout. Totally trusted God. And then his home, his servants, his children and his health were taken from him. He no longer had any of the blessings of God. But God was still God. He is still the Creator of the universe. He is still the source of all things good and He, above all else, is holy and all deserving of praise. Even if we don't have breath in us to praise.
I'm really not sure if I could be like Job. Although, I hope I could be.
How are we going to get a life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that “is kind . . . is not provoked, [and] thinks no evil”? (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God— such a trust that we no longer want God’s blessings, but only want God Himself.I cannot imagine not wanting God's blessing, to be honest. I think that is part of what makes Him God to me, and that's a little scary. Because my whole point here in this little life of mine is to live a good life and to love people, but I need God to do that. Because He is the source of goodness and love. I at least know that much. But to only want Him? To want Him alone and none of the perks that come along with knowing Him? That's hard to swallow.
To have simple, perfect trust in God - such a trust that we no longer want God's blessing, but only want God Himself.
That is the mark of a totally surrendered, loving, unselfish person. It is. When we can do that, we can love. We can love because we don't want anything in return. We can be goodness.
It's so funny that I am currently reading Job right now too. I mean this guy was totally devout. Totally trusted God. And then his home, his servants, his children and his health were taken from him. He no longer had any of the blessings of God. But God was still God. He is still the Creator of the universe. He is still the source of all things good and He, above all else, is holy and all deserving of praise. Even if we don't have breath in us to praise.
I'm really not sure if I could be like Job. Although, I hope I could be.
I'll walk this way: Journey with poverty (3)
If I could beg you to take nothing else away from this weird blog on poverty, at least take these words from Dorothy Day,
I hope we all can start simply make decisions based on whether or not the products we are choosing to buy or consume is exploiting one of our brothers or sisters. Living in our individualistic culture does not help us think of how our actions affect each other. But oh, how they do. Truly, awareness is a gift and a miracle.
If you are so inspired to embrace and love your poverty but are perhaps afraid of the implications of that, maybe these words from Ms. Day will comfort you as well,
Precarity is essential to poverty. But don’t be afraid, though the son of man had nowhere to rest his head, every hair on it was known to the Father. I pray you get to know Lady Poverty more intimately and love her dearly. I pray you see the face of Jesus when you see poverty being experienced by another and also when someone is helping you in your own poverty. And I leave you to meditate on this truth,
Whatever we have beyond our need belongs to the poor.
“At least we can avoid being comfortable through the exploitation of others. And at least we can avoid physical wealth as the result of a war economy. There may be ever-improving standards of living in the United States, with every worker eventually owning his own home and driving his own car; but our whole modern economy is based on preparation for war, and this surely is one of the great arguments for poverty in our time.”
I hope we all can start simply make decisions based on whether or not the products we are choosing to buy or consume is exploiting one of our brothers or sisters. Living in our individualistic culture does not help us think of how our actions affect each other. But oh, how they do. Truly, awareness is a gift and a miracle.
If you are so inspired to embrace and love your poverty but are perhaps afraid of the implications of that, maybe these words from Ms. Day will comfort you as well,
“In a world enslavement through installment buying and mortgages, the only way to live in any true security is to live so close to the bottom that when you fall you do not have far to drop, you do not have much to lose.”
Precarity is essential to poverty. But don’t be afraid, though the son of man had nowhere to rest his head, every hair on it was known to the Father. I pray you get to know Lady Poverty more intimately and love her dearly. I pray you see the face of Jesus when you see poverty being experienced by another and also when someone is helping you in your own poverty. And I leave you to meditate on this truth,
Whatever we have beyond our need belongs to the poor.
“At least we can avoid being comfortable through the exploitation of others. And at least we can avoid physical wealth as the result of a war economy. There may be ever-improving standards of living in the United States, with every worker eventually owning his own home and driving his own car; but our whole modern economy is based on preparation for war, and this surely is one of the great arguments for poverty in our time.”
Friday, October 22, 2010
I'll walk this way: Journey with poverty (2)
Sometimes I hate poverty. I wonder why in the hell I would have ever believed such a thing would be good or holy or rewarding or whatever it’s supposed to be. Because it’s not. It’s sucks, it’s awful and stupid and I hate it. Which, if you talk to someone who is really poor, they will most likely tell you the same. Dorothy Day makes a great distinction between inflicted poverty or destitution, and voluntary poverty. That no one should be inflicted with poverty but we all should choose it. Peter Maurin, founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, has a quirky little way of putting it in his Easy Essay called “Case for Utopia”:
This little poem is simple and true and idealistic. And really something I want to model my life after. But sometimes, even though I know it’s true and makes sense, I don’t like it. Because “trying to be the poorest” sometimes just looks like making all the things I take for granted in my life super complicated. Like, maybe i shouldn’t buy clothes from stores that aren’t second hand, maybe i shouldn’t buy clothes at all for awhile, maybe i should set a tight budget, maybe i should spend more money on others instead of myself, maybe I should find cheap housing even if it’s in a rough neighborhood, maybe I should make the effort to recycle, maybe i should work less so that i can have more time to help others, maybe i should grow my own food or dumpster dive to save money, maybe I can’t afford health care, maybe I should bike more even when I don’t feel like it to save gas, maybe I should use the library more, maybe I’ll never have an iPhone, maybe I don’t even need this computer, maybe I should never have a TV again, maybe I should apply for food stamps, maybe I should take shorter showers, maybe I shouldn’t buy packaged products, maybe i don’t need most of things i think I do and it goes on and on and on. And I will drive myself absolutely nuts contemplating every little thing I do.
But that’s not all folks! Just wait, then there’s the guilt trip! I get mad, sad, and frustrated because I can’t do things I would like to do because they don’t match up with my gosh darn ideology and then I take it out on other people by being all holier-than-thou to make myself feel better for choosing a life of suffering. Which, when I remember Jesus said that a life of suffering is what we Christians should look forward to, it sounds so nice and simple I would almost expect to find it on a Hallmark card. But no, the ins and outs of carrying my cross are not so pretty and poetic. Then I’m all, “what’s so bad about being a hypocrite again?”
Dorothy Day writes my thoughts perfectly; “Daily, hourly, to give up our own possessions and especially to subordinate our own impulses and wishes to others-these are hard, hard things; and I don’t think they ever get any easier. You can strip yourself, you can be stripped, but still you will reach out like an octopus to seek your own comfort, your untroubled time, your ease, your refreshment.”
But Spirit ever-so-gently reminds my octopus-self and short-term memory that this is a beautiful way life and totally worth it. I rest easy and read and re-read this meditation by Juniper, friend of Francis and Fool of God:
The world would be better off
if people tried to become better,
and people would become better
if they stopped trying to become better off.
For when everyone tries to become
Better off
Nobody is better off.
But when everyone tries to become better
Everybody is better off.
Everyone would be rich
If nobody tried to become richer,
And nobody would be poor
If everybody tried to be the poorest.
And everybody would be what he ought to be
If everybody tried to be
What he wants the other fellow to be.
This little poem is simple and true and idealistic. And really something I want to model my life after. But sometimes, even though I know it’s true and makes sense, I don’t like it. Because “trying to be the poorest” sometimes just looks like making all the things I take for granted in my life super complicated. Like, maybe i shouldn’t buy clothes from stores that aren’t second hand, maybe i shouldn’t buy clothes at all for awhile, maybe i should set a tight budget, maybe i should spend more money on others instead of myself, maybe I should find cheap housing even if it’s in a rough neighborhood, maybe I should make the effort to recycle, maybe i should work less so that i can have more time to help others, maybe i should grow my own food or dumpster dive to save money, maybe I can’t afford health care, maybe I should bike more even when I don’t feel like it to save gas, maybe I should use the library more, maybe I’ll never have an iPhone, maybe I don’t even need this computer, maybe I should never have a TV again, maybe I should apply for food stamps, maybe I should take shorter showers, maybe I shouldn’t buy packaged products, maybe i don’t need most of things i think I do and it goes on and on and on. And I will drive myself absolutely nuts contemplating every little thing I do.
But that’s not all folks! Just wait, then there’s the guilt trip! I get mad, sad, and frustrated because I can’t do things I would like to do because they don’t match up with my gosh darn ideology and then I take it out on other people by being all holier-than-thou to make myself feel better for choosing a life of suffering. Which, when I remember Jesus said that a life of suffering is what we Christians should look forward to, it sounds so nice and simple I would almost expect to find it on a Hallmark card. But no, the ins and outs of carrying my cross are not so pretty and poetic. Then I’m all, “what’s so bad about being a hypocrite again?”
Dorothy Day writes my thoughts perfectly; “Daily, hourly, to give up our own possessions and especially to subordinate our own impulses and wishes to others-these are hard, hard things; and I don’t think they ever get any easier. You can strip yourself, you can be stripped, but still you will reach out like an octopus to seek your own comfort, your untroubled time, your ease, your refreshment.”
But Spirit ever-so-gently reminds my octopus-self and short-term memory that this is a beautiful way life and totally worth it. I rest easy and read and re-read this meditation by Juniper, friend of Francis and Fool of God:
“If I am truly poor, then I am dependent on others for everything, and I feel useless and worthless, and I realize deep within that everything is a gift from the Father. Then in this attitude of complete dependence, I become useful again, for then I am empty of selfishness and I am free to be God’s instrument instead of my own. In poverty I begin to value everything rightly again. I see how little really matters, and I see that only that which glorifies God is of value.And I love my poverty again.
I write these words in pain, Lady Poverty, for I have wept bitter tears because I was poor and had to beg from others, and I felt like a burden to people and to God…And I have grown weary of Christ’s words not to worry about the tomorrow. But In His grace I have surrendered to God’s sovereignty and providence, and it has made me free…
Lady Poverty, I love you. You, my Lady, take all the sting from being poor. In your embrace I am rich indeed, for I have someone to love. I have you. Perhaps, my Lady, that is why I keep submitting, surrendering my desire to control my life, my need to provide for the future. You have stolen my heart and made me happy, and your love makes up for all the pain that loving you involves…and we know it is all worthwhile because when we look into your eyes, we see Christ Himself.”
Thursday, October 21, 2010
When I Fall In Love / Unforgettable
After attending a fundraiser for a high school speech team earlier this evening, I decided to hang out at the mall and do some window shopping. It was nice. I had the opportunity for some "me time." It was also wonderful because I did plenty of looking and I even tried on a pair of jeans, yet I did not spend any money. It felt so good to go into a store and not spend money when it is not necessary. Whew! What a nice feeling.
I also ran into one of my room mates from sophomore year of college. I was almost in tears, once I returned to my car, after seeing her with her new husband b/c it was such a joy to see her so happy and glowing with God's lights and goodness. I can only pray to shine with God's light half as much as my dear friend was when I saw her tonight.
But what I really want to talk about is once I started my car and began on my way home two songs played on the Cd player in my car: When I Fall In Love and Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. They both got me to thinking. But first you should know I have this habit, when I listen to songs I tend to interpret them in a spiritual way. For example: The song According To You by Orianthi, when in the lyrics say "according to him I'm beautiful, incredible, he can't get me out of his head, according to him I'm funny, irresistible, everything he ever wanted," I think of the him being referred to is God. God thinks I am beautiful, incredible, etc.
Anyway- as I was listening to these songs my heart was kind of saddened, while at the same time filled with a kind of joy. When I listened to When I Fall In Love, I couldn't help but think of falling in love with God in such a way as to commit and submit to him completely and forever. Fact is, I am human and time after time I fall short [of God's glory]. Yet, God loves me so much that he continuously give me grace. I was just so saddened that as much I desire God and to follow in Christ's way of life that I give into temptation and listen to Satan's lies. Yet, still, God loves me and blesses me. Listening to this song tonight, my eyes gleamed with tears wondering to myself and asking God, "Why can't I fall in love with you, God? Can I fall in love with you, God? Like, really fall in love with you...and forever?"
Then, Unforgettable came on the stereo filling me with a joy. You see, I imagined the "someone" Nat King Cole was referring to who thinks he is so incredible and unforgettable is God. How wonderful is it to think that God never forgets us; we're always on his mind. To God, we are unforgettable and priceless masterpieces of his own hands. And it's incredible to think that He thinks we're unforgettable.
In addition to God thinking we're unforgettable, I think he's pretty unforgettable too. I mean, how could it even be possible to forget God? He's everywhere! Seriously, everything that exists is because of all he created. It's amazing. And I find it pretty difficult to forget him. Especially when I see his gorgeous starry sky, a tree, beautiful sunrises & sunsets, cool animal creatures (butterflies, frogs/toads, etc.), and breath taking sites of nature.
God is totally unforgettable in my book! :)
I also ran into one of my room mates from sophomore year of college. I was almost in tears, once I returned to my car, after seeing her with her new husband b/c it was such a joy to see her so happy and glowing with God's lights and goodness. I can only pray to shine with God's light half as much as my dear friend was when I saw her tonight.
But what I really want to talk about is once I started my car and began on my way home two songs played on the Cd player in my car: When I Fall In Love and Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. They both got me to thinking. But first you should know I have this habit, when I listen to songs I tend to interpret them in a spiritual way. For example: The song According To You by Orianthi, when in the lyrics say "according to him I'm beautiful, incredible, he can't get me out of his head, according to him I'm funny, irresistible, everything he ever wanted," I think of the him being referred to is God. God thinks I am beautiful, incredible, etc.
Anyway- as I was listening to these songs my heart was kind of saddened, while at the same time filled with a kind of joy. When I listened to When I Fall In Love, I couldn't help but think of falling in love with God in such a way as to commit and submit to him completely and forever. Fact is, I am human and time after time I fall short [of God's glory]. Yet, God loves me so much that he continuously give me grace. I was just so saddened that as much I desire God and to follow in Christ's way of life that I give into temptation and listen to Satan's lies. Yet, still, God loves me and blesses me. Listening to this song tonight, my eyes gleamed with tears wondering to myself and asking God, "Why can't I fall in love with you, God? Can I fall in love with you, God? Like, really fall in love with you...and forever?"
Then, Unforgettable came on the stereo filling me with a joy. You see, I imagined the "someone" Nat King Cole was referring to who thinks he is so incredible and unforgettable is God. How wonderful is it to think that God never forgets us; we're always on his mind. To God, we are unforgettable and priceless masterpieces of his own hands. And it's incredible to think that He thinks we're unforgettable.
In addition to God thinking we're unforgettable, I think he's pretty unforgettable too. I mean, how could it even be possible to forget God? He's everywhere! Seriously, everything that exists is because of all he created. It's amazing. And I find it pretty difficult to forget him. Especially when I see his gorgeous starry sky, a tree, beautiful sunrises & sunsets, cool animal creatures (butterflies, frogs/toads, etc.), and breath taking sites of nature.
God is totally unforgettable in my book! :)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Yoga
Should a Christian do the Downward Dog?
This is not a trick question, but rather an issue raised by Baptist leader Albert Mohler that, like an egg beater, has whipped up the yoga community's usual calm into a peaked, frothy fluster. Then again, aren't we all a bit confused about this body-bending, mind-enhancing practice from the East?
In the name of clarity, here is an attempt to answer what yoga is—and what it isn't.
The word yoga... Yoga traditions go back thousands of years, and today have spawned more than 100 schools, according to the American Yoga Association. This is partly why any discussion about the practice is so complicated. "In Sanskrit, 'yoga' can mean anything from an astronomical conjunction to yoking an animal to going to war; it's what you put in front of the word—hatha, raja, tantric—that defines it," explains David White, PhD, professor of religious studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and editor of the forthcoming book,Yoga in Practice. "Not to say there is a pure hatha, raga, or tantric tradition—they were all mixed over the years in different ways by people in India, as well as the West, to attract followers." In other words, what's taught today in gyms, studios, and retreats around the country is inevitably a smoothie of traditions, usually featuring one ingredient—the physical poses—that was originally a very small part of the recipe.
Is yoga a religion? Categorically no, if you ask most teachers and devotees. "Simply put, yoga is not a religion," says Aadil Palkhivala, who grew up in Bombay and studied with B.K.S. Iyengar before founding Purna Yoga. "It's a process that helps you become physically stronger, more mentally alert, and more emotionally stable, so you can be a better Christian, Jew, Muslim, or whatever you care to be."
Digging far back into the roots of yoga, however, scholars and historians hedge, noting that the ancient texts are quite difficult to understand. "My answer is that it can be" a religion, says Stefanie Syman, author of The Subtle Body: The story of yoga in America, the new book that prompted Mohler's call for Christians to abstain. "As a spiritual technology, yoga has been attached to Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, so it hasn't been affiliated with a single religion—that's true. But it developed to liberate the soul in this life, and how that was described and what theology was associated with it varies somewhat dramatically within the yoga traditions." White, who has read the original texts in Sanskrit, and is the author of Sinister Yogis, agrees with Syman. "Certain yoga schools do speak of 'god,' though not in the way that we do. The Sanskrit word used simply means master and not necessarily Master of the Universe; it could apply to a human. But there was never a church or gospel of yoga. It's a very tricky question."
So is it un-Christian to do yoga? There is no one answer, but some Christian yoga practitioners definitely make the opposite case. "Our practice combines Biblically-based meditation with yoga," says Lisa Abbott, a spokesperson for Yawheh Yoga. "Each class opens with a prayer and introduces a selected portion of scripture that students focus on throughout." Developed five years ago, Yawheh Yoga has certified nearly 100 teachers, including Abbott, who points out that the Bible (Joshua 1.8), instructs believers to meditate on His word. "We feel," she says, "that we're fulfilling a Biblical mandate to help Christians grow in their faith by meditating on His scripture."
Yoga is about who can do the nuttiest pretzel pose. Not quite. "Traditionally the poses are actually a very small part of what you're expected to do as a spiritual aspirant following the path of yoga," says Syman. The breathing and meditative aspects are much more important.
Is the body a vehicle for reaching consciousness with the divine? Mohler objected to this aspect of yoga, but is it true? Possibly, if you go way back into the traditions. What's more accurate, however, is yoga's use of the physical poses to help prepare the mind for meditation, scholars say. As Palkhivala puts it, the physical practice, rather than trying to macrame your limbs, is intended to free the body of knots, "When you have aches and pains, it's hard to focus the mind. And if you don't take care of your body where are you going to live?"
Does yoga assume we can find divinity within ourselves? Many practitioners do believe in the idea that you can radically transform your consciousness and experience the divine, says Syman. It's as if your own boundaries dissolve and you become connected with a larger spirituality. "That's quite different from the Christian idea of a separate god or one you're waiting to meet."
What about chanting weird Sanskrit phrases you don't understand? You could say the same for listening to Gregorian chants or repeating Hebrew prayers when you don't speak the language. Mantra yoga, says Syman, is one of the techniques developed to aid in concentration. "We use the word 'namaste' which means 'I bow to you,'" says Palkhivala, "which is an act of humility. We also use the Gayatri mantra, which simply invokes light, as in, illuminate my consciousness."
Is the American version truly yoga?
Face it, few of us have the time or savings to sit for hours and practice yoga as it was meant to be done. And if some purists compare the modern distillation as the Cheez Whiz of a glorious tradition, plenty of studies show that it improves health, from boosting mood to aiding weight loss to helping breast cancer patients recover.
"Much to the dismay of many," says David Romanelli, "I started Yoga and Chocolate, Yoga and Wine, and Yoga for Foodies. But I always make the case that the world is a better place with more people doing any kind of yoga. And I'd actually like to invite Albert Mohler just to try a yoga class. I bet he'd love it."
What do you think? Should Christians practice yoga?
.....I personally believe it's totally okay for Christians to practice yoga. I am Christian and I practice yoga; in fact, I attend a Christian university where yoga classes are offered. I think it's a great way to spend time with God. It is written in the Psalms to "be still and know that I am God," and yoga allows me to do so. It's also a nice way to relax, destress, and calm oneself (mind & soul), while also stretching the body (our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit which also need care).
This is not a trick question, but rather an issue raised by Baptist leader Albert Mohler that, like an egg beater, has whipped up the yoga community's usual calm into a peaked, frothy fluster. Then again, aren't we all a bit confused about this body-bending, mind-enhancing practice from the East?
In the name of clarity, here is an attempt to answer what yoga is—and what it isn't.
The word yoga... Yoga traditions go back thousands of years, and today have spawned more than 100 schools, according to the American Yoga Association. This is partly why any discussion about the practice is so complicated. "In Sanskrit, 'yoga' can mean anything from an astronomical conjunction to yoking an animal to going to war; it's what you put in front of the word—hatha, raja, tantric—that defines it," explains David White, PhD, professor of religious studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and editor of the forthcoming book,Yoga in Practice. "Not to say there is a pure hatha, raga, or tantric tradition—they were all mixed over the years in different ways by people in India, as well as the West, to attract followers." In other words, what's taught today in gyms, studios, and retreats around the country is inevitably a smoothie of traditions, usually featuring one ingredient—the physical poses—that was originally a very small part of the recipe.
Is yoga a religion? Categorically no, if you ask most teachers and devotees. "Simply put, yoga is not a religion," says Aadil Palkhivala, who grew up in Bombay and studied with B.K.S. Iyengar before founding Purna Yoga. "It's a process that helps you become physically stronger, more mentally alert, and more emotionally stable, so you can be a better Christian, Jew, Muslim, or whatever you care to be."
Digging far back into the roots of yoga, however, scholars and historians hedge, noting that the ancient texts are quite difficult to understand. "My answer is that it can be" a religion, says Stefanie Syman, author of The Subtle Body: The story of yoga in America, the new book that prompted Mohler's call for Christians to abstain. "As a spiritual technology, yoga has been attached to Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, so it hasn't been affiliated with a single religion—that's true. But it developed to liberate the soul in this life, and how that was described and what theology was associated with it varies somewhat dramatically within the yoga traditions." White, who has read the original texts in Sanskrit, and is the author of Sinister Yogis, agrees with Syman. "Certain yoga schools do speak of 'god,' though not in the way that we do. The Sanskrit word used simply means master and not necessarily Master of the Universe; it could apply to a human. But there was never a church or gospel of yoga. It's a very tricky question."
So is it un-Christian to do yoga? There is no one answer, but some Christian yoga practitioners definitely make the opposite case. "Our practice combines Biblically-based meditation with yoga," says Lisa Abbott, a spokesperson for Yawheh Yoga. "Each class opens with a prayer and introduces a selected portion of scripture that students focus on throughout." Developed five years ago, Yawheh Yoga has certified nearly 100 teachers, including Abbott, who points out that the Bible (Joshua 1.8), instructs believers to meditate on His word. "We feel," she says, "that we're fulfilling a Biblical mandate to help Christians grow in their faith by meditating on His scripture."
Yoga is about who can do the nuttiest pretzel pose. Not quite. "Traditionally the poses are actually a very small part of what you're expected to do as a spiritual aspirant following the path of yoga," says Syman. The breathing and meditative aspects are much more important.
Is the body a vehicle for reaching consciousness with the divine? Mohler objected to this aspect of yoga, but is it true? Possibly, if you go way back into the traditions. What's more accurate, however, is yoga's use of the physical poses to help prepare the mind for meditation, scholars say. As Palkhivala puts it, the physical practice, rather than trying to macrame your limbs, is intended to free the body of knots, "When you have aches and pains, it's hard to focus the mind. And if you don't take care of your body where are you going to live?"
Does yoga assume we can find divinity within ourselves? Many practitioners do believe in the idea that you can radically transform your consciousness and experience the divine, says Syman. It's as if your own boundaries dissolve and you become connected with a larger spirituality. "That's quite different from the Christian idea of a separate god or one you're waiting to meet."
What about chanting weird Sanskrit phrases you don't understand? You could say the same for listening to Gregorian chants or repeating Hebrew prayers when you don't speak the language. Mantra yoga, says Syman, is one of the techniques developed to aid in concentration. "We use the word 'namaste' which means 'I bow to you,'" says Palkhivala, "which is an act of humility. We also use the Gayatri mantra, which simply invokes light, as in, illuminate my consciousness."
Is the American version truly yoga?
Face it, few of us have the time or savings to sit for hours and practice yoga as it was meant to be done. And if some purists compare the modern distillation as the Cheez Whiz of a glorious tradition, plenty of studies show that it improves health, from boosting mood to aiding weight loss to helping breast cancer patients recover.
"Much to the dismay of many," says David Romanelli, "I started Yoga and Chocolate, Yoga and Wine, and Yoga for Foodies. But I always make the case that the world is a better place with more people doing any kind of yoga. And I'd actually like to invite Albert Mohler just to try a yoga class. I bet he'd love it."
What do you think? Should Christians practice yoga?
.....I personally believe it's totally okay for Christians to practice yoga. I am Christian and I practice yoga; in fact, I attend a Christian university where yoga classes are offered. I think it's a great way to spend time with God. It is written in the Psalms to "be still and know that I am God," and yoga allows me to do so. It's also a nice way to relax, destress, and calm oneself (mind & soul), while also stretching the body (our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit which also need care).
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
