NEW AGE: Catholic Faith and Yoga - Incompatible

by Catherine Marie Rhodes

Experts on cults and Catholic spirituality agree that yoga cannot be divided from its own spirituality. Ft Myers bishop bans classes at parish, Voice of the Faithful objects.

Part I – An Inspirational Story:

As a Catholic contributor, I never write for human respect. If that were my purpose, I would have already curtailed writing. Because my intent is to speak the truth, I never expect a pat on the back. But I maintain it pleases me to learn that my work does not always fall on deaf ears. Like most Christian writers I have encountered admirers and detractors. The positive feedback has been rewarding, but one specific incident is prominent amid the others.

One morning while checking my message machine, I heard a female voice announce, “I’m searching for the woman who writes for Catholic websites.” From her amiable tone, I sensed she was not a detractor and I returned her call.

When I phoned her, she introduced herself and will be referred to herein as “Mary.”  She indicated she had read some of my articles and wanted to ask a question about the “New Age” dilemmas prevalent in her hometown. Though Mary and I had just met, it was soon apparent our passions were considerably alike!

Next, Mary shared a very inspirational story with me. She had discovered that a nearby Catholic parish in Fort Myers, Florida, was offering Yoga classes in the Chapel that surrounded the main altar. Mary and a few friends including a relations manager from Relevant Radio, arrived at Pope John XXIII parish on the morning of February 5, 2007.

After arriving, Mary proceeded into the church and lightly sprinkled holy water and blessed salt in the church before the Yoga classes commenced. Then she entered the parking lot to distribute leaflets about Yoga, to approximately 25 women as they arrived for the classes. Mary reasoned the women probably did not understand the dangers inherent in Yoga and she wanted to offer guidance. While distributing the literature Mary was confronted by the Yoga teacher (the Deacon’s wife). The Yoga teacher told Mary, “I wish that you would leave Church property.” Mary in turn professed the same wish to the instructor.

A few minutes after the guru re-entered the church, Mary recited the Blessed St. Michael’s prayer and re-entered the church as well. She slowly opened the door to the Chapel and was horrified by what she witnessed. The Chapel was dark with the exception of a few dimly lit recessed lights. Mary thought, “I’ve never seen an aerobics class like this before near a consecrated altar.”

Mary noticed the women were dressed in leotards and slouched on their Yoga mats in a half circle, or crescent moon position. The teacher/guru was advising the participants to visualize “love and light.” Writers Note: The meditative phase of Yoga begins with fixing the mind on one object which may be anything whatsoever. Mary viewed signs that advertised Yoga products and Yoga classes and noticed a table adorned with a basket for donations.  

Mary also observed that much of the Yoga material was embellished with the Om Brahman symbols. As Mary began taking photos, the women seemed to snap out of their trances and became irate. After a few minutes of insults hurled at Mary, she closed the chapel door and left.  

As Mary headed to the church parking lot to depart, she learned that the guru and her followers had summoned the police. After Mary and her friends spoke to the substitute priest (the Pastor was not available), he communicated to the police that there was not a problem, and the police retreated.

According to a short article by the Yoga instructor, the regular Pastor/Administrator is a Yoga practitioner himself.  Upon his return, he continued to support the Yoga classes and had blinds installed for those who found the classes offensive. Hopefully, most of us understand that window blinds would not have prevented our Lord from seeing the sinfulness that transpired near His altar.

Though horribly distressing that these women had desecrated our Lord’s house with their occult practices, the story does have a wonderful conclusion.

Shortly after the incident, Mary gave Bishop Frank Dewane various articles and photos regarding the offensive Yoga classes. Though he has not explained his decision, he ordered the classes discontinued. The bishop and Mary deserve credit and praise for their courageous actions.

Mary’s account might remind you of a similar one.  I think most of us can recall how our Lord angrily threw the moneychangers out of His Father’s house. When necessary, our Lord acted with righteousness and did not hesitate to call unrepentant sinners –“hypocrites,” “sons of hell” and “broods of vipers.”  

New Age practices and beliefs have become rife and deeply embedded in Catholicism. The New Age Movement is really not new at all. Its evil is recorded in Genesis. The challenge for Catholics is to discern authentic spirituality and be willing to confront the New Age serpent-speak when we witness it. After all, speaking out really can make a difference!

Part II - Why Yoga is Incompatible with Christianity:

What is Yoga? The word Yoga means union. The goal of Yoga is to unite one’s temporary self with the infinite Brahman. Brahman is not a personal God but a spiritual substance which is one with the cosmos and nature.

Fr. James Manjackal, a Catholic priest who was raised in a traditional Catholic family in India, states: “Yoga is not an elaborate system of physical exercises, it is a spiritual discipline purporting to lead the soul to Samadhi, the state in which the natural and divine become one. It is interesting to note that postures and breathing exercises often considered to be the whole of Yoga in the West are steps three and four towards union with Brahman.”

In a recent phone conversation with Fr. Paul E. Demarais, he stated that “there is no safe level of Yoga practice.” Fr. Demarais is Diocesan Director of the Cult and Occult Awareness Network in Providence, Rhode Island.

The late Fr. John Hardon SJ also affirmed that Yoga is not compatible with Catholicism. “Inner Hinduism or Yoga professes pantheism which denies that there is only one Infinite Being who created the world out of nothing. This pantheistic Hinduism says that followers will have brief tastes of heaven between successive rebirths on Earth.”

Dr. John Ankerberg states in his article Innocent Yoga? “Regardless of the school or spiritual tradition, Yoga practice tends to alter a person’s consciousness in an occult direction. Even when Yoga is practiced innocently, it can eventually produce occult transformation.”

There are those who claim there is nothing wrong with practicing Yoga for exercise purposes only, but even the teachers of Hindu have stated that the philosophy and the practice of Yoga are inseparable. From Johanna Michaelsen’s book “Like Lambs to the Slaughter” (pp 93-95) she states, “You cannot separate the exercises from the philosophy… The movements themselves become a form of meditation.”

Denial about the New Age is a common obstacle. (2 Tim. 4:3) “For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and insatiable curiosity.”

As Christians, we cannot straddle the fence. Sadly, many ask themselves, “How close can I get to the fire without getting burned?” The answer: There is no such thing as Christian Yoga.  

About the Author:Catherine Marie Rhodes is the pseudonym of a member of the Catholic Media Coalition and a contributor to Spero News.

This article is reproduced from the website - Spero News

Our Lady of the Rosary, the only Catholic church in Chang Su, becomes a festival of evangelisation

Su Zhou, China, Nov.01,2007 (CINS/Fides) - Thousands participated in the consecration of the renovated Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Yan Gang, Chang Shu city diocese of Su Zhou province of Jiang Su, presided by the Bishop on 13 October with dozens of priests from neighbouring dioceses. The only church in Chang Shu soon to mark its 150th anniversary has a new image, marked with missionary spirit. Today the parish has 15,000 faithful.

Our Lady of the Rosary parish dates to 1853 and was moved a few times until 1861 when it settled where it is now. Chang Shu is well known to Catholics. In 1664 there were 10,000 Catholics It is the birthplace of famous painter Wu Yu Shan born in 1632 and baptised Simon Xavier in 1676, he entered the Jesuit seminary in Macao in 1682. Ordained a priest by China's first Dominican Bishop Gregorio Luo Wen Zao, he evangelised fisherfolk and peasants. He died in 1718.

Jesuit Cardinal Ignatius Gong Pin Mei was the first Bishop of Su Zhou diocese in 1949. But the area was evangelised in the time of Jesuit missionary Fr Matteo Ricci, who visited the town in 1598. Today there are 60,000 Catholics, 17 priests, 12 parishes, 19 places of worship. 

Court hears Catholic schoolboys filmed sex attack

Sydney, Australia, Nov.01,2007 (CINS/Cathnews) - Two Catholic School boys faced court yesterday accused of sexually assaulting a young teenage girl and filming the attack on a mobile phone.

Parramatta Children’s Court heard the 15-year-old students from Marist College Pagewood allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl who had passed out drunk in a golf-course after leaving a party.

One of the boys then returned to the party to show off footage of the attack he had filmed on his mobile, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Police allege the girl was lured to the park by the two boys who pulled her to the ground before she lost consciousness.

The court heard that when the girl woke up, her clothing was removed and one of the accused boys was laying next to her allegedly sexually assaulting her, while his friend was filming.

One of the boys pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual assault in company and aggravated sexual intercourse with a person under 14.

The other boy, who allegedly filmed the incident, faced the same charges with the additional charge of disseminate/produce child pornography. He did not enter a plea.

Both boys were granted strict conditional bail and, because they can not avoid seeing each other at school, were ordered not to meet each other outside school.

Magistrate Terence Murphy ordered the boys to abide by a curfew, report to police twice a week and not contact or approach the girl or her school.

The matter has been adjourned to Bidura Children's Court next month.

Catholic Church in Mexico discourages Halloween celebrations

The Archdiocese of Mexico stated in a letter that it sees the celebration of Halloween as, "worshipping a culture of death that is the product of a mix of pagan customs. The worst thing is that this celebration has been identified with neo-pagans, Satanism and occult worship."

As an alternative, the archdiocese recommended that parents not allow their children to go trick-or-treating, but instead attend costume parties where they can dress as Biblical figures. The article also urged that these events be held on All Saints’ Day, November 1st.

Catholics in Srilanka called to take stand on killings, forego christmas celebrations

Colombo, Srilanka, Oct.31,2007 (CINS/UCAN) -- Some priests are calling on Catholics to boycott Christmas celebrations in Sri Lanka unless the war and related killings and disappearances end.

"Stop all the Christmas celebrations. No Christmas cards, no lights, no decorations, no new clothes. Nothing. We can do that, can't we?" Father M. Selvaratnam asked during a meeting at the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) on Oct. 26 in Colombo.

In the past the government has sponsored Christmas light displays along streets in the capital to acknowledge the Christian holiday.

Father Selvaratnam, who heads the Jaffna Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was addressing more than 75 clergy, Religious and laypeople who gathered to commemorate the death of Father Nicholapillai Packiaranjith.

The late priest, who belonged to the Mannar diocese clergy and was also known as Father Ranjith, was killed on Sept. 26 while he was taking relief supplies to refugees in camps and orphanages. A Claymore mine explosion destroyed his vehicle and killed him on the spot in Kalvilan, a Tamil rebel-controlled village 50 kilometers east of Mannar, 230 kilometers north of Colombo.

CSR, Christian Alliance for Social Action and the Law and Society Trust of Sri Lanka organized the commemoration in the capital.

Ruki Fernando, from the Law and Society Trust, pointed out that Father Packiaranjith is the fourth religious leader who was killed or has gone missing since August 2006, and the 58th humanitarian worker who has been killed or disappeared in that same period.

Father Noel Dias, vice judicial vicar of Colombo archdiocese, told the gathering: "Let all priests, Religious and parishioners from the parish level write to our bishops, calling for objective action and an end to big celebrations for Christmas." He pointed out that the bishops' conference "is silent at this time."

Speaking with UCA News, Franciscan Sister Placida Lihinikaduwe said Catholics must "campaign differently" and "some stern action must be taken by the Church."

Oblate Father Rohan Silva, CSR director, shared first-hand experience of life in the embattled north when told the gathering how he and some priests from the south visited Jaffna peninsula, the island's northern tip.

"I waited for three hours to cross the road into Jaffna. It was a criminal waste of time due to roadblocks. I witnessed the sufferings of the people in the north, where a night curfew has been in place for a year. Abduction and killings are daily occurrences," Father Silva said. "I saw the military rule. Guns were turned against the priests. Religious leaders and places of worship are under constant attack."

Ethnic Tamil rebels fighting since 1983 for a Tamil homeland in the north and east of the island made Jaffna city, 390 kilometers by road from Colombo, their home base until government troops took control of it in late 1995. It is an embattled outpost, however, and heavy fighting has resumed around it with the de facto collapse of a 2002 cease-fire. Government forces have closed the only land route linking the peninsula with the mainland, and essential supplies are scarce or nonexistent.

More than 65,000 people have been killed and more than 1 million displaced due to the war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam Tamil and the Sinhalese-led government, which Tamils have long claimed discriminates against them. In addition to military clashes, killings, abductions and disappearances are reported almost daily.

"Twenty five years! Enough is enough. Please stop this war," pleaded Father Selvaratnam, an ethnic Tamil. "We want nothing. We are not asking for rights or anything. We just want to be left alone."

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