The Encyclopedia Britannica defines the Sanskrit word 'yoga'
(meaning union or yoking) as one of six orthodox systems of Indian
philosophy. The practitioner of yoga seeks to yoke himself to God
through a complex, ancient science of self-purification and
development. Yoga's basic text is the Yoga-sutras by Patanjali (c.
2nd century B.C.), a sublime treatise on the science of yoga and
the ascent of the soul. Through the practice of yoga, one attempts
to free oneself from the bondage of karma, or the law of cause and
effect which burdens the soul with the effects of sin and keeps it
tied to a cycle of rebirth. The purpose of liberation is to return
to a once-possessed state of original purity, consciousness and
identification with the Supreme Self or, as others believe, to
union with the Transcendent God.
Yoga is not a Christian practice, because it causes us to deny the
need for a Saviour. To believe in Yoga, is to believe in
reincarnation and karma, which are not Christian teachings!
In addition, Yoga preaches escapism, that we should escape from
this 'world of illusions'. No! As Christians we believe that our
world, while fallen, has now become the beginnings of the kingdom
of God. Our calling is not to escape the world but surrender to it
fully with compassion and mercy. As importantly, by our embrace of
the cross and its ever present redemptive action through the
Sacrament of Reconciliation and the living sacrifice of the Mass,
we are no longer bound to the slavery of sin and have become heirs
to the mysteries of sanctifying grace and Heaven.
Should we trust in God or a yoga master? Let decide carefully.
