Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Yoga and Christianity




Yoga and Christianity 
By Brother Rolph Fernandes, Europe  Spring  2007
When I was about 25 years old and I was a novice in a Franciscan monastery. We had a monk who worked very hard, slept very little and was always so busy and one day I asked him “what is the secret of your health?”
“Yoga” he said “I practice Yoga”. I asked him to teach me and he lent me a book called “La Voie Du Silence” by Jean Dechanet ( a Benedictine monk) First Edition of this book, published in French, was in 1956.
I cannot speak to you about Yoga and Christianity without mentioning my gratitude to this French Catholic priest who, some 40 years ago gave not only me but many Christians a memorable introduction to Yoga. Up to today, his name is still known, his books are still in their libraries, in many a Catholic monastery and convent because of his rendering accessible the exercises and philosophy of Yoga to Christian contemplative minds.
Jean Dechanet said in the beginning of his book that he came across Yoga because for 20 years he searched ardently to create in himself a harmony between what he calls, the anima,(body) the animus(mind) and spiritus (soul). For him, it’s through the harmony of these three aspects of oneself that the Grace of Redemption flows. Yoga which calms the senses pacifies the soul and liberates in us certain intuitive and loving powers and can render incomparable services to Western society. He claimed too that Yoga, in helping us to become human, can make us true, full-filled, and dynamic Christians. In the preface to his book, (published on the Ist November 1957)  Jean says “I am not trying to Christianize a given practice of Yoga but rather to offer the incontestable advantages of Yogic discipline to Christians, to the Christian life and especially to those who are contemplatives. ……It is a path to go to God, only that, but all of that”.  “Established in Yoga, (Yogasthah kuru karmani) perform actions, having abandoned attachment, Arjuna, and having become indifferent to success or failure it is said that evenness of mind is Yoga.”   Definition by the Lord Krishna in the Bagavad Gita Chap 2, V 48 Again in verse 50 Lord Krishna says “He whose wisdom is established, casts off, here in this world, both good and evil actions; Therefore devote yourself to Yoga. Yoga is skill in action.”  And so, the Lord Krishna defines Yoga as 1) evenness of mind, and 2) skill in action
When I was learning about my Christian faith, I was taught some things which I could never forget; things that have always given me a meaning to life. In the little catechism, book of instructions it is said that we came into this earth for three reasons; to know, to love and to serve. Knowledge, Love and Service; these are the three main principles which I shall examine in the light of Yoga as they are known as Jyana, Karma and Bhakti Yoga.
The Lord Krishna as he teaches Arjuna explains how one obtains wisdom, knowledge and how the mind can become peaceful through meditation. “There is no wisdom in him, who is uncontrolled, and there is likewise no concentration in him who is uncontrolled and in him who does not concentrate, there is no peace. How can there be happiness for him who is not peaceful?”(v.66) In order to obtain knowledge of God, it requires a peaceful mind and the early monks of the Christian communities believed that a peaceful person is a dwelling place for God. The Book of Wisdom says that God seeks among people, a place of rest. After agitation has been left behind, silence of the lips and heart have no other purpose than to lead to this repose. This is the true meaning of Sabbath.
Jean Yves Le Loup in his book on Silence said, “Humanity has received a mission of being ever more intimate with the One who is Being Itself, to the point of union.”  This union the Christian author spoke of, this union with the Divine is the ultimate essence of Yoga.  “Those who are established in this wisdom, those who have abandoned the fruit born of action, and are freed from the bondage of rebirth, go to the place that is free from pain” There are no more rebirths! And so the lord Krishna speaks about knowledge and he also gives instructions as what to do, how to meditate to acquire this state and to where it leads.
Jnana Yoga is the way of knowledge, of wisdom. Fr Bede said “this is the knowledge of the Self, the Atman, the true Being. It is not a knowledge that can be acquired by reason, or by learning, or even through the scriptures. It is a knowledge which comes from above. The path to it is by metanoia, by returning to the source. There must be a radical detachment from the self, that is, from all selfish attachment in this world, the flesh and the ego…… This is a difficult crossing, the passage to the other shore. Unless the grain of wheat dies, it cannot bear fruit. (John 12, 24)He who will lose his life shall save it (Matthew 1625).
This is the great paradox behind all life. All methods of meditation are intended to lead to this point. The mind must die to itself, to its concepts, its reason. The surface mind must cease its activity, all thought must cease. Then in the silence, in the stillness, beyond thought, a deeper mind becomes known, the true Self begins to emerge. This is the Para-Bhraman, the Supreme Self, the light of the Word, shining in the heart. By this Light all is enlightened, by this everything is known. This is the end of the journey; beyond this it is impossible to go. For there the human passes into the divine, the temporal into the eternal, and the finite into the infinite. What words can describe this state? What thought penetrate it? It is the ultimate mystery.”
And Paul, in his teachings to the early Christian communities tried to emphasize the importance of this union through the inner experience. It is this experience which comes from the inner life; a life of prayer and grace. St Paul prays in his letter to the Ephesians (1 vs. 17) “I pray that the father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Him, so that with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His Power for us who believe, according to the working of His great power……and in  chap 3……I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breath and length, and height and depth, and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (1 Corinthians 2 vs10)
Concerning action, service, Karma Yoga, St Paul said 1 Cor, 10 vs. 31 “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God….just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many.” In V4 of chap 3, the Lord Krishna says, “Not by mere abstention from work is a man liberated from action; nor by mere renunciation does he attain to perfection. He who sits restraining his organs of action, but in his mind recalls the objects of sense,- that deluded man is truly to be called a hypocrite and in vs. 7 “But he who rules with his mind the senses, and without attachment, O Arjuna, applies his organs of action to work, he verily excels”.
In other words, it’s the interior disposition that really matters. We find the same teaching in the teaching of the Christ. In the Gospel of St Matthew chap. 6, Jesus even warns…”Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then, you have no reward from your father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues or in the streets, so that they may be praised by others….when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret...”
Many a time Jesus healed someone and he told them not to say who did so. As in the case of two blind men in St Matthew 9 v28 “When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” and they said to him, “Yes Lord”. Then he touched their eyes and said “According to your faith let it be done to you”. And their eyes were opened.

The second great principle of the Bhagavad-Gita is the Yoga of bhakti, of devotion, of love for a personal God. “It is a total surrender of the intellect and will to the Infinite Transcendence. It is an experience of personal relationship; the intellect is illuminated by the eternal light and the will transfigured by Infinite Love. This is the experience of the mystics of all religions…to realize this relationship of knowledge and love in one’s self by total surrender to the divine love is the way of Bhakti. ” (Return To The Center: by Fr. Bede Griffiths, Chap 19. Pg.141-142)  In Chap.7 V 2 of the Gita, The Lord tells Arjuna…”To you I shall explain this knowledge, along with realization, which having been understood, nothing further remains to be known here in this world.” And in Verse 8...”I am the pure fragrance of the earth and the brilliance of the fire, the life in all beings, and the austerity in ascetics.” The Lord goes on to explain himself to Arjuna and Arjuna’s heart desires to know the Lord even more and so he asks in Vs 3 “Thus, as You have described Yourself O Supreme Lord, I desire to see Your Divine form, O Supreme Spirit.” And the sage Jnaneshwar puts it in these words.”O Lord, my mind is eager to see that unfathomable form of which I have heard. Now that You have dispelled my fear, if in Your love for me You were to ask what I wish, then I would say this is my greatest desire; that You should show me Your cosmic form. This is the deepest longing of my heart”
And so the Lord Krishna tells Arjuna in Chap X1 vs.  5 “Behold Arjuna, My forms a hundredfold, a thousandfold, various, Divine and of various colours and shapes.” These forms are infinite in shape and variety, and brilliant with light explains Jnaneshwar. V 12 says “If a thousand suns should rise all at once in the sky, such splendor would resemble the splendor of that great Being”. In fact, the spectacle is so dazzling that Arjuna cannot endure it and he trembles with fear, prostrates himself and begs Krishna to return to his human form..Vs 45 “show me that form O God in which You originally appeared. Have mercy on me, O Lord of Lords, dwelling in the universe...”  After taking back on his human form, Krishna explains to Arjuna that (vs. 54) “By undistracted devotion alone can I be known, and be truly seen in this form, and be entered into, Arjuna”. In the Gospel of St John 14 Vs 23…Jesus says.” If a man loves Me. He will keep My word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Gospel of Doubt

Those seeking to be established in God have one enormous hurdle...erasing doubt. In this eloquent article written by a Swami Khecaranatha we are encouraged to live in the world while established in God consciousness.  He gives us the simple technique to achieve the former.
  We may feel God's presence when time's are good but when challenges come do we still feel that presence?  We should try.  This is the sadhana, the practice that will bring us near to divinity. Read the article and feel behind the words.  From this very moment feel God's presence as silence and love.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti 

Click on me!
http://www.sacredspaceyogasanctuary.com/pdfs/Book%20of%20Doubt.pdf

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Mantra Yoga


Begin the video. Sit back in your chair or on the floor with your legs crossed and your spine straight. Imagine your body deeply relaxing and feel this.
Begin to chant along with deep focus and passion. Imagine the music arising from within.
I pray for your well being
May your spirit awaken through this great mantra!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The Solar Tradition


Excerpt from Surya Namaskar-Yoga Publications Trust

 

The Solar Tradition

          The origins of surya namaskar date far back to the earliest epochs of history, when human beings first became aware of a spiritual power within themselves that is also reflected in the material universe.  This awareness is the foundation of yoga. Surya Namaskrar , meaning 'salutations to the sun', can be seen as  a form of worship of the sun, and all that it represents on the micro and macrocosmic levels.  In the yogic terms this indicates that surya namaskar awakens the solar aspects of the individual's nature and releases this vital energy for the development of higher awareness.  This can be realized by the practice of surya namaskar each morning, as well as being a fine way to pay tribute to the course of creation and life, thereby carrying on the solar tradition.

 

Sun Worship in the Vedic tradition

            Adoration and worship of the sun was one of man's first and most natural forms of inner expression.  Most of the ancient traditions included some form of sun worship, incorporating various solar symbols and deities, but nowhere have these traditions been as well preserved as they are in the Vedic culture.  In fact, sun worship is still practiced as a daily ritual in many parts of India today.

            In ancient India the great avatar Rama became the king of the solar race in the epic Ramayana.  The roots of the present Hindu culture lie in the ancient Vedic scriptures, which contain numerous slokas referring to the sun.  The Rig Veda itself has many such references, a few of which are given here:

 

         Aloft this all-wise shining God,

         His beams of light are bearing now

        That everyone the Sun may see.

 

        Thou goest across the sky's broad place

        Meeting the days with rays, O Sun,

        And watching generations pass.

 

       The steeds are seven that at thy carriage

       Bear up the God whose hair is flame,

       O shining God , O Sun far seen.

 

Excerpt 2

     

      We meditate in the adorable glory

      of the radiant sun.

      May he inspire our intelligence.

 

 

The suryoupanishad (scripture pertaining to the sun)  states that people who worship the sun as Brahman (pure consciousness) become powerful, active, intelligent and acquire long life.  The sun is personified as brilliant like gold, having four arms, seated on a red lotus and riding in a chariot drawn by four horses. He sets in motion the wheels of time, and from him emerge the five physical elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether, as well as the five senses. 

 

Modern Observations

     With the passing of the old cultures and religions, sun worship has lost its significance. Science has become a separate development often replacing religion as the foundation of our beliefs.  However, science is now revealing some new and vital information on the sun's activities, which gives us a new understanding of our relationship with the centre of the planetary system.

    The sun's surface periodically erupts into huge flares which extend thousands of miles into space and, to us on the earth, appear as 'spots' on its surface.  These sunspots have been observed to undergo various cycles of increasing and decreasing activity, the main cycle of which is approximately eleven years.  Correlations have shown that periods of increased sunspot activity correspond with terrestrial phenomena.  There is evidence that wars, revolutions, and migrations often correspond to periods of intense sunspot activity.

                American Foundation for the Study of Cycles has found over 1,300 phenomena related to sunspot cycles.  These include the increase frequency of auroras, comets, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, meteor showers, changes in germ cell maturation, electrical potential of trees, fashion, voting trends, fluctuations in stock market prices, increase in the incidence of high blood pressure and diabetes, and many other seemingly unrelated events.  This is not surprising when we visualize the immense power of the sun and its radiations, or realize that the earth is constantly being baked in a solar wind.  The sun is an integral part of life on earth. 

                Surya namaskar takes on a new dimension when we become aware of the effects of the sun on our lives and we can then understand how important it was to our ancestors.  At the same time, by awakening our own inherent solar forces though this integrated practice, we can attune ourselves to the cosmic nature and revitalize our lives.

 

Friday, May 18, 2012

Choosing a New Mantra

When I leave a little room for my habitual thinking to take over fear and worry are the dominant thoughts.  Just as there are default settings in a computer there is also one with in each of us.  Mine happens create a heavy load on my shoulders.  That's no fun! There is no joy in this setting.  What to do?  I've tried the method of observing my thoughts but I found no relief in such a practice. Fear and worry are a sticky substance.  Thankfully we all posses will power which can remove the most stickiest of substances. Developing my will power has been a monumental task.  Such little self confidence I've had! As I come to terms with this, new insights have emerged.  I am beginning to see that positive thinking is a key element for my spiritual awakening.  When I draw my attention to my body and observe my surroundings I am able feel my way towards gratitude.  When I am walking in nature I often practice gratitude for its beauty.  When I am at work I express my gratitude for the great team work and acknowledge the invisible cord which connects us all. When I am trying to overcome a bad habbit I am grateful for the possibility of change. Let me share some first hand experience.
Yesterday I was taking a walk through the neighborhood.  The tall trees, chirping birds, and radiant colors kept me engaged in the moment.  This walk can be a such a centering experience, but there are times when my mind is in default mode.  "Oh no, I am not sure what to say to him about my concerns...How am I going to make enough money....it's going to be difficult to expand my yoga attendance," I say to myself.  This dialogue goes around and around in my head and I've accepted this fear based thinking for so many years. Wait a sec!  Do I have to think this way? Can I make the choice to think otherwise? As this question came to mind it became very clear that I can change my default setting by actively engaging in my thinking process.   
I began a new mantra.  "I choose confidence, I choose confidence, I choose confidence." I began to visualize success in all the things I cared about.  My spirit for life began to blossom. In the midst of this experience my lower tendencies crept in saying, " It is going to be very difficult to achieve your goals."  I responded back with my mantra.  With a firm understanding I counteracted the negative thoughts with an inner force which drove them away. I want to emphasise 'firm understanding' because there has been times in the past when I consciously practiced positive thinking but it was a time of planting seeds. At that time I was reminded by others to remain positive but this time the reminder came from within. How different it feels! How much more invigorating when philosophy meets experience. 

                                         Om Shanti Shanti Shanti        Om Peace Peace Peace

 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Achieving Stability in Yoga


There you are.  You have established yourself in the yoga posture. The stretch is deep and the alignment is precise. You have come a long way in your physical ability of mastering the pose.  As your teacher pushes you further in the forward bend you pull and struggle to reach some desired position.  For a moment there is a mental orgasm, a feeling you have achieved something special.  Like all good things they pass, having you yearning for more.  Your desires start to haunt you by demanding that same feeling from last week.  After years of practice you go on playing to the tune of your desires. You begin to feel helpless and unsuccessful in accomplishing a feeling of union.  Depression kicks in and you are about ready to quite the yogic path.  You decide today is your last class.
With all hope for achievement given up you naturally drop your desires. The teacher tells you to stay present with the sensations of the body and the breath.  As you do so the body feels heavy and firm against the mat. As the breath moves in and out you feel an energy field within and without your body.  You feel the entire body is made of energy; it expands with the in breath and contracts with the out breath.  From Shavasana (corpse pose) you gracefully move into your asanas (posture). As you come into the forward bend your head rest against your knees as it has many times before. The teacher begins to push your back as he has many times before.  A voice inside says "surrender." Agreeing, you keep you body relaxed and begin to go deeper than ever before. Still it doesn't matter to you.  You've put you attention on the breath. The sensations of your body come into your field of awareness but you don't give importance.  Your not sure where the body starts and ends.  It is a feeling of energy and space.  This expereince deepens with each passing posture. When you come out of final relaxation thoughts have no grip on you. They still arise but pass like a distant cloud in the sky.  As you walk to your car nothing feels more important. As you move you right hand to open the door nothing feels more important. As you hold the steering wheel and push down on the accelerator nothing feels more important. This experience of doing one thing at a time brings joy to yourheart. The load of desire has lifted. 
As the time passes and your attachment to the world thickens but you are not worried. You understand that the experiences are separate from the experiencer, that a desireless life filled with positive healthy actions is a life of abundance and satisfaction.



 
                                      Om Shanti Shanti Shanti              Om Peace Peace Peace

Friday, April 6, 2012

Inspiring Thoughts and Prayers for the Day

        
 Excerpt from the "Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers"
                               By Swami Paramananda

Salient Thought
Great things are near, but we must have certain unfoldment to be able to partake of them.

Lines to memorize
The resonance of They voice aroused me who was slumbering in idle dreams.  My waking was only for a a moment, But Thou hast wrought a strange miracle within my soul.
Now even in sleep I find something in me always awake and watching. That which Though hast roused in me can sleep no more.

Lesson
Nature holds for us a rich treasure. She has great lessons for us; but we must have spiritual vision to perceive what She offers.  We take layer after layer off and things unfold themselves; this is the real secret of revelation. When it comes, man realizes he has a mighty spiritual heritage, that he has the power of Divinity within him. But no one can force this realization on us, we must acquire it ourselves.

Prayer

O Thou who dwellest in my heart!
Help me to withdraw my mind from all
     Mundane glamour
And make it so clear and calm,
That is will reflect the Spirit of Truth.
Awaken me from the sleep of ignorance
    and delusion,
And grant me understanding of my divine
    nature.
.