Yoga and meditation classes

[Guest]

Are attending yoga and meditation classes frowned upon by the church? I've gone to both and in both the teacher talks some spiritual words and it seems more in line with Buddhism than Mormonism so are Mormons allowed to participate in yoga and meditation classes or is it frowned upon because they are more alternate spirituality? I find peace in them. I'm just curious about things like hollistic healing, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation and the church's stance on them. I find they are good, yet they focus on finding Nirvana, not the Celestial Kingdom.

Edited December 1, 2016 by Zarahemla

[Guest MormonGator]

I find peace in mediation and yoga too. 

Remember that yoga in America is absolutely nothing like traditional Hindu Yoga. I highly doubt that you, Zarahelma are trying to achieve Moksha or offering sacrifices to Ganesh or Vishnu-which would be anti-Christian. I think you are like me, trying to do it to relax, which is perfectly fine. 

Edited December 1, 2016 by MormonGator

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, MormonGator said:

I find peace in mediation and yoga too. 

Remember that yoga in America is absolutely nothing like traditional Hindu Yoga. I highly doubt that you, Zarahelma are trying to achieve Moksha or offering sacrifices to Ganesh or Vishnu-which would be anti-Christian. I think you are like me, trying to do it to relax, which is perfectly fine. 

Ya, I do it to relax and not achieve Moksha, but find inner peace and deal with my depression and anxiety.

[Guest MormonGator]

Just now, Zarahemla said:

Ya, I do it to relax and not achieve Moksha, but find inner peace and deal with my depression and anxiety.

I think some Christians need to take a deep breath. I've had several ask "How can you take Karate!? Isn't that spiritual?!!?!" Um, no. Not everything that is unfamiliar is automatically in some way anti-Christian. 

[Guest]

Just now, MormonGator said:

I think some Christians need to take a deep breath. I've had several ask "How can you take Karate!? Isn't that spiritual?!!?!" Um, no. Not everything that is unfamiliar is automatically in some way anti-Christian. 

I did Kenpo karate and loved it growing up. I just love to find ways to relax besides the scriptures. I love listening to peaceful music. Right now I'm listening to music by Enigma. I find peace also in nature and through meditation, yoga, and the most peaceful music and seeing my massage therapist monthly.

[Guest MormonGator]

3 minutes ago, Zarahemla said:

I did Kenpo karate and loved it growing up. I just love to find ways to relax besides the scriptures. I love listening to peaceful music. Right now I'm listening to music by Enigma. I find peace also in nature and through meditation, yoga, and the most peaceful music and seeing my massage therapist monthly.

I'm glad it works for you bro, even though I question your music taste. I know @mirkwood is a big fan of Enigma though. 

 

(playing, playing!) 

Edited December 1, 2016 by MormonGator

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, MormonGator said:

I'm glad it works for you bro, even though I question your music taste. I know @mirkwood is a big fan of Enigma though. 

 

(playing, playing!) 

Well the main song I like from Enigma is Dream of the Dolphin. Take a lesson and judge if you like it. It's only 2 minutes long and watch the peaceful video too.

 

[Jane_Doe]

2 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

Are attending yoga and meditation classes frowned upon by the church?

Nope.  I enjoy both.

2 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

 I've gone to both and in both the teacher talks some spiritual words and it seems more in line with Buddhism than Mormonism so are Mormons allowed to participate in yoga and meditation classes or is it frowned upon because they are more alternate spirituality? I find peace in them. 

All religions have some elements of truth in them, including Buddhism.  You can greatly learn to benefit from mediation, which in turn aides in prayer & spirituality.  The scriptures speak highly on mediating.  

2 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

I find peace in them. I'm just curious about things like hollistic healing, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation and the church's stance on them. I find they are good, yet they focus on finding Nirvana, not the Celestial Kingdom.

Again, they have some aspects of Truth in them.  The key is to not take in the bad with the Good, and keep taking in the Good full-force with scripture reading, prayers, church, etc.

[Guest MormonGator]

24 minutes ago, Jane_Doe said:

Nope.  I enjoy both.

All religions have some elements of truth in them, including Buddhism.  You can greatly learn to benefit from mediation, which in turn aides in prayer & spirituality.  The scriptures speak highly on mediating.  

Again, they have some aspects of Truth in them.  The key is to not take in the bad with the Good, and keep taking in the Good full-force with scripture reading, prayers, church, etc.

Perfectly said. 

[Sunday21]

Church blessings sometimes consul members to do yoga.

Edited December 2, 2016 by Sunday21

[mirkwood]

4 hours ago, MormonGator said:

 Not everything that is unfamiliar is automatically in some way anti-Christian. 

*Whew* that Florida Gators fandom isn't going to send you to hell.

[An Investigator]

My husband is a Buddhist but we raise the kids Lds.   I have found my husbands religion to be very useful to me sometimes.   His whole attitude of living in the now really helps me when I'm having abit of a panic and he can give some really good advice.    He also teaches a secular meditation class which I have attended.     Buddhists if they practice right practically follow the wow (my husband drinks tea), believe in progression and being the best you, you can be, obay the law of chastity and believe everyone has great worth as only humans can achieve enlightenment.    I think if you are enjoying meditation and yoga keep going, you will really benefit from it.   

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

11 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

Ya, I do it to relax and not achieve Moksha, but find inner peace and deal with my depression and anxiety.

Meditation was a huge help to me in dealing with anxiety, depression and for me it's the best thing for PTSD.  

[Guest]

14 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

I've gone to both and in both the teacher talks some spiritual words and it seems more in line with Buddhism than Mormonism ... yet they focus on finding Nirvana, not the Celestial Kingdom.

Normally, I'd answer your question "No, there's no problem with it.  People need to get a grip."  But the above comments make me raise an eyebrow.

If it is simply teaching you stretching and meditation, no problem.  Once they start teaching the spiritual aspects of it, it begins to get religious.  This in and of itself still isn't enough to cause alarm -- so, no I'm not saying you should drop it because of this alone.

Inasmuch as you seem to be in a more religious setting than health setting, be sure to check yourself in these sessions.  Treat it as if you're going to another church with a friend.  There's nothing wrong with attending a church with your friend.  But if you go there so much that you're accepting it as truth more than your own faith, then you really have to ask yourself what you believe in more.

That said, I have noticed that with virtually any faith, there are parallels with the Restored Gospel.  Often times, when I make such connections, some people tell me I'm looking in the wrong place for truth.  I don't necessarily agree.  I believe that there are times it is good to look at the same object from a different perspective.  But I try to make sure it is indeed the same object.  It's the difference between the Blind Men and The Elephant vs. conflating God with Satan or man.

[Backroads]

I had an institute teacher who often spoke of what he called "religious envy". He was not afraid to admire the good in other faiths.

 

[Guest MormonGator]

6 minutes ago, Backroads said:

I had an institute teacher who often spoke of what he called "religious envy". He was not afraid to admire the good in other faiths.

 

Growing up in a heavy Catholic environment in the 90's everything that wasn't Catholic was considered "wrong", "creepy" or taboo. It was actually kind of obnoxious. 

Edited December 7, 2016 by MormonGator

[Guest MormonGator]

@Backroads- I collect statues of Hindu gods and I've had Christians flip over this. 

[Guest]

10 hours ago, Backroads said:

I had an institute teacher who often spoke of what he called "religious envy". He was not afraid to admire the good in other faiths.

This is more commonly known as "Holy Envy".  I have holy envy for orthodox faiths over the practice of Lent.  I think that's pretty admirable.

I also have holy envy for devout Muslims who pray so often every day

I have holy envy for Evangelical Christians who keep God in their daily conversations.

Edited December 7, 2016 by Guest

[zil]

10 hours ago, MormonGator said:

I've had Christians flip over this. 

Is this on YouTube somewhere so the rest of us can see it?

[Guest]

11 hours ago, MormonGator said:

@Backroads- I collect statues of Hindu gods and I've had Christians flip over this. 

That would depend on which statues.  I've seen some of those "statutes" and some are (a-hem) inappropriate for household decoration regardless of what they represented.

[Traveler]

I would like to use an analogy – A hammer is not of itself good or evil only in what it is used for or viewed as tool to accomplish a task.  Becoming aware of, using a hammer and thinking of becoming one with a hammer as one uses a hammer is not so bad or unusual – until one starts to think that everything else is a nail.

 

The Traveler

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Traveler said:

I would like to use an analogy – A hammer is not of itself good or evil only in what it is used for or viewed as tool to accomplish a task.  Becoming aware of, using a hammer and thinking of becoming one with a hammer as one uses a hammer is not so bad or unusual – until one starts to think that everything else is a nail.

 

The Traveler

I actually understood that one.  It's pretty good.

[Guest]

Listening to Native American flute music with rain sounds in the background is a great way for anybody to relax.

[Samuel Bradshaw]

If you're feeling uncomfortable or unsure, it's possible the Spirit is trying to tell you something. Only you can judge, with the Spirit, whether the particular classes you're attending are helpful or harmful to your spiritual progress. If you feel uncomfortable, don't shrug it off.