Christianity and Yoga:  A Series of Studies – Asanas

The asanas or postures constitute the next limb of Yoga and this is the most well known limb of Yoga.

Yoga Sutra 2.46 The posture should be steady and comfortable.
2.47 In effortless relaxation, dwell mentally on the Endless with utter attention.
2.48 From that there is no disturbance from the dualities.

While it is seemingly the most innocuous limb, it is the hardest one to actually scriptually integrate into a Christian lifestyle or framework.  In fact, at one point Paul tells Timothy that physical exercise is of little profit:

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 4:8

That being said, I personally believe that our physical bodies, especially relating to our mastery of them, embody our greatest tests.  They provide one of our best changes to prove that we have the power within ourselves to overcome, to subdue our bodies without direct instruction from God, other than that we not poison ourselves.  What a simple test and yet how complex!  Ignore the physical body and prove that I can't be trusted to care for what I have.  Yet, if I spend too much time and effort keeping in shape and I run the risk of falling prey to my own vanity and pride.  This is where the brilliance of the asanas truly shines. There is no competition (and those who would degrade Yoga by making it into a mere sport should be ashamed).  There is only the constant bending of the body to the will of the mind until one's consciousness fills the body entirely and body and mind truly become one soul, unified in purpose and action.

Namasté

Christianity and Yoga:  A Series of Studies – Pranayama

Pranayama, the control of one's energy or breath, is the fourth limb of Yoga.

Yoga Sutra 2.49 When that exists, control of incoming and outgoing energies is next.
2.50 It may be external, internal, or midway, regulated by time, place, or number, and of brief or long duration.
2.51 Energy-control which goes beyond the sphere of external and internal is the fourth level- the vital.
2.52 In this way, that which covers the light is destroyed.
2.53 Thus the mind becomes fit for concentration.

As with the asanas, it is somewhat difficult to show a direct scriptural basis for the practice.  However, the Bible clearly supports the concept that the breath is a source of power and energy and that this power or energy originates with God.

7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:7

22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life . . . .
Genesis 7:22

Simple passages and yet I have a strong feeling that they mean more than simply that Adam started breathing or that all land life breathed air.  These speak more to a power of life that fills us via our breath.  This concept has held my attention since I first read Genesis more than 20 years ago and my study of Yoga has only served to reinforce the concept that breath as a power of life means much more than simple breathing.  I also find it singular that both verses highlight that the breath of life was in their nostrils and that pranayama also stresses breathing through the nostrils.

Namasté

Christianity and Yoga:  A Series of Studies – Pratyahara

With Pratyahara – control or mastery of one's senses, Yoga turns inwards yet again.

Yoga Sutra 2.54 When the mind maintains awareness, yet does not mingle with the senses, nor the senses with sense impressions, then self-awareness blossoms.
2.55 In this way comes mastery over the senses.

The intent is to still oneself and observe one's own reactions without actually becoming entangled in them.  This detachment from our senses creates a powerful reserve of stillness or quiet within oneself.  This reserve allows the yogi to ask an all important question:  Is this really the right way to react to this or is this merely a gut reaction?  It is the quiet calmness that pratyahara produces that is a hallmark of many eastern religions.  Obviously, this is something that is entirely foreign to Christianity and it is something that is definitely foreign to our modern rushing society.  But is pratyahara really that foreign to Christianity?

26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:26

This single passage is quite clear that the best way to wait for the salvation of the Lord is quietly.  It does not, however, require nor command that we be quiet.

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
1Thessalonians 4:11

In this letter to the Thessalonian church Paul instructs them to study to be quiet.  This implies that there is more to being quiet than just not making noise.

2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
Psalms 131:2

This verse indicates that learning to quiet oneself is part of the path of growing up.  Rather than speaking of adulthood, I believe this actually refers to one's progress in the ways of God and that quietness is a trait of one who is weaned and ready to learn.

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalms 46:10

Here we discover what can be learned through being still or quiet.

15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
Isaiah 30:15

17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
Isaiah 32:17,18

Isaiah writes that in quietness we will find strength and that the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance for ever.

Finally, Elijah was instructed by a still small voice while in the cave:

9 ¶ And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
1 Kings 19:9-13

How can any of us hope to hear something described as still and small if we ourselves are not quiet?  Let us then, as Paul instructed, study to be quiet.

Namasté

Christianity and Yoga:  A Series of Studies – Dharana

Dharana is the sixth limb of Yoga and is generally known as concentration.  Before looking for any scriptual backing, it would be best to explain what Dharana is:

Yoga Sutra 3.1 One-pointedness is steadfastness of the mind.

Dharana is the ability to focus on one object to the exclusion of everything else.  Have you ever been so focused on a book, television show or movie that the rest of the world seems to vanish?  Dharana is that same kind of focus but it is focused on a single object and it is voluntary instead of unintentional.  The object itself is not important, only the ability to focus, to concentrate, is important.  Some use a candle flame, others a favorite image or even a word or sound will do.  Many confuse Dharana with Dhyana or meditation, while they are related they are not the same.  Dharana is simply, hah!, taming our thoughts so we can focus on a single thought where Dhyana takes this one step further as will be shown later.

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Proverbs 23:7

Our thoughts define who we are; if we have no control of our thoughts then we have no control of ourselves.

28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs 25:28

This reinforces the previous verse by pointing out that lack of control over our thoughts or spirit leaves us vulnerable like a city that is broken down and withouth walls.

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:5

Paul is speaking of a spiritual warfare where the enemy is to be found in our own minds and that victory is to be found by bringing every thought to focus on Christ.

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3

God will keep us in perfect peace if we keep our thoughts focused on Him because we will trust Him.

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew 22:37

Finally, we are commanded to serve God with all our minds.  How can we hope to accomplish this if we can't keep our focus?

Namasté

Christianity and Yoga:  A Series of Studies – Dhyana

Yoga Sutra 3.2 Unbroken continuation of that mental ability [Dharana] is meditation.

In Dharana, the yogi learns to focus or concentrate on a single object.  Dhyana, meditation, takes the yogi one step further to comprehending or completely understanding the object.  The process is the same as Dharana, concentrating on a single object but in Dharana the intent is to exclude distraction by concentrating where in Dhyana the intent is to understand or comprehend the object through concentration.  Meditation is nothing new to the Christian world though many may not realize it:

63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
Genesis 24:63

Clearly, meditation was practiced since the times of the Patriarchs but how similar are biblical meditation and Dhyana?  For this it is best to turn to the Psalms of David:

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalms 1:2

1 GIVE ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
Psalms 5:1

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalms 19:14

6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Psalms 63:6

12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
Psalms 77:12

34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Psalms 104:34

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Psalms 119:15

97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:97-104

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.Psalms 143:5

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
1 Timothy 4:13-15

David tells us when to meditate (day and night).  That we should make sure our meditation is acceptable to the Lord.  He also tells us on what we should meditate:  The precepts of God, the works of the Lord, the testimonies or scriptures of the Lord and all the doings of the Lord.  Paul adds that we should meditate on the doctrine of God.  The effect of meditation is understanding and wisdom just as Patañjali says we can expect:
Yoga Sutras 3.5 By mastery comes wisdom.

Namasté