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"Christian Yoga" - Fr. Seraphim Rose

"Christian Yoga" - Fr. Seraphim Rose

FromOrthodox Wisdom


"Christian Yoga" - Fr. Seraphim Rose

FromOrthodox Wisdom

ratings:
Length:
11 minutes
Released:
Jan 10, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Fr. Seraphim Rose examines the phenomena of “Christian Yoga,” which in his day (1970s) was gaining popularity and acceptance, and offers a sober warning to all, especially Orthodox Christians.
From “Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future”, Fr. Seraphim writes:
“The essence of Yoga is not the discipline itself, but the meditation which is its end. The author (French Benedictine monk, J. M. Dechanet) is correct when he writes: ‘The aims of Hindu Yoga are spiritual. It is tantamount to treason to forget this and retain only the purely physical side of this ancient discipline, to see in it no more than a means towards bodily health or beauty’ (p. 54). To this it should be added that the person who uses Yoga only for physical well-being is already disposing himself towards certain spiritual attitudes and even experiences of which he is undoubtedly unaware…”
“Anyone who understands the nature of prelest or spiritual deception will recognize in this description of ‘Christian Yoga’ precisely the characteristics of those who have gone spiritually astray, whether into pagan religious experiences or sectarian ‘Christian’ experiences. The same striving for ‘holy and divine feelings,’ the same openness and willingness to be ‘seized’ by a spirit, the same seeking not for God but for ‘spiritual consolations,’ the same self-intoxication which is mistaken for a ‘state of grace,’ the same incredible ease with which one becomes ‘contemplative’ or ‘mystical,’ the same ‘mystical revelations’ and pseudo-spiritual states. These are the common characteristics of all who are in this particular state of spiritual deception.”
“Even the purely physical sides of psychic disciplines like Yoga are dangerous, because they are derived from and dispose one towards the psychic attitudes and experiences which are the original purpose of Yoga practice.”
-Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future, p. 38-42, 68-69. 
Buy the book here: https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/orf.htm

For more on Yoga from an Orthodox perspective:
Hidden Fire: Orthodox Perspectives on Yoga (article): https://orthochristian.com/80417.html
Yoga: An Orthodox Christian Examination by Fr. Peter Heers: https://youtu.be/SLHuvdMIg8k
Elder Paisios on Yoga and Hinduism: https://youtu.be/ICQzcZ7pS3w
YOGA IS NOT GYMNASTICS-KLAUS KENNETH (An account of a very experienced former Yogi who lived in India and became and Orthodox Christian): https://youtu.be/wfSF2ftcpfw

Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

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Released:
Jan 10, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Readings of the Writings and Lives of Orthodox Christian Saints. These recordings are free to download and share. All I ask is that you do so respectfully and reference this channel. You can also contact me, Timothy Honeycutt, at: orthodoxwisdom1@gmail.com Glory to Jesus Christ!