D16 Discovering Spiritualism in Yoga

Eve was lured by the serpent to doubt God’s word to eat the forbidden fruit so as to “be as gods, knowing good and evil.” -Gen 3:5. Yoga is rooted in Hinduism, a religion that worships many gods.

16.1 The Invitation

“Yoga is now practiced by more than 200 million, according to the Hindustan Times (26-Jan-13) people worldwide, including over 100 million in its country of origin, India. ... In the U.S, the most recent study, conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, cites 37 million practitioners in 2016, up an astonishing 80% compared to 2012…By contrast, a 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that 9.5% of U.S. adults, or 21 million, used yoga as a complementary health approach.”  (https://ubercool.com/yoga-culture/ ) In recognition of its growing popularity, June 21 is declared “UN International Day of Yoga” (from 2015).

We only hear about the beneficial effects of Yoga, Meditation and Qi Gong. The public has little knowledge of the side effects of these practices and their religious roots. The individuals are not given accurate information which would enable him or her to make an informed choice before engaging in such practices. Practitioners who may not be aware of the dangers in Yoga may consider quitting in knowing that Yoga is rooted in Hinduism, a religion that worships many gods. This discovery trip, D16- Discovering Spiritualism in Yoga, is meant to explore the Spiritual dangers of Yoga which finds acceptance under the cloak “Christians Yoga” or as a modern exercise practice or even for therapeutic  benefits to relieve anxiety and stress. (D16 is an extension of D!5 - Modern Spiritualism in Martial Arts and in the entertainment Industry.)

CONTENTS

16.1 The Invitation; 16.1.1 D16 Discovery Overview;  16.1.2 Yoga in Spiritualism?; 16.1.2.1 Yoga as Exercise; 16.1.2.2 Aspects of Yoga; 16.2 Testimony of Mike Shreve; 16.2.1 Hatha Yoga; 16.2.2 Mike Shreve Spiritual Resume; 16.2.3 The Five Dangers in Yoga Practice; 16.2.4 Beware of “Christian Yoga”; 16.2.4.1 Low Impact Exercise Alternatives; 16.2.5 References; 16.3 The Testimony of William Fife; 16.3.1 The Roots of Yoga; 16.3.2 Popularity in the West; 16.3.3 One of the Lies Today; 16.3.3.1 The Original Lie Infection; 16.3.3.2 Karma & Reincarnation; 16.3.3.2.1 Pol Pot’s Karma Diliemma; 16.3.3.3 Personal Result of Yoga – Awakening Kundalini; 16.3.4 What Do You Do about It? 16.3.3.4.1 Choose either Shiva or Christ; 16.3.4 Reference.

16.1.1 D16 Discovery Overview

1. There are more Yoga practitioners outside of India (+100 million) now as Yoga has grown in popularity particularly in the mega cities of the world (+130 million) where the fast and stressful pace of life needed Yoga that packed exercise with therapeutic benefits to relieve anxiety and stress.  The public has little knowledge of the side effects of these practices and their religious roots.

2. The other hidden aspects of Yoga are revealed by the testimonies of two Caucasian practitioners, one a Yoga teacher and the other who practiced 4-6 hours a day. They have now completely got out of its spiritual deception trap by the discernment of the truth in God’s word.

Mike Strieve taught Kundalini Yoga at four universities in Florida. Several hundred students attended my classes. He studied personally under a guru named Yogi Bhajan and ran a yoga ashram (a commune where yoga devotees apply themselves more intensely to its practice). Each day was consumed with intense spiritual disciplines: from 3:30 in the morning until about 8:30 at night. He became a Christian in 1970 and runs his own ministry since.

Willian Fife started yoga at age 16, practiced every day for 1-2 hours, and at the age of 18 to some 4-6 hours of yoga daily. He was convinced that yoga enlightened his own spiritual intelligence and enhanced his physical fitness without in any way influenced by the spiritual or religious aspects of yoga.   

3. Yoga is rooted in Hinduism, a religion that worships many gods. It was the Lord Krishna (one of Hindu’s many millions of deities), in the Bhagavad Gita, who introduced the ritual of yoga as a way of achieving union with the universe, as a way of dying, as the only sure way of escaping the endless cycle of reincarnation and the laws of karma, thereby enabling someone to reach the Hindu idea of heaven. Reincarnation provides countless chances, in order to reach a heaven where my personality is then destroyed. This is a variant of Satan’s original lie in Eden. The truth is we have only one life to prepare our sinful character to be fit for heaven by faith in the righteousness of Christ. The majority of westerners do not associate yoga with religion or an approach to the Creator, simply because they are unfamiliar with the deeper levels of practice and the religious doctrine that forms its base. Most westerners relate to yoga only in its simplest form—the physical exercises (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama) that make up a practice called “Hatha Yoga.”

4. Hatha Yoga is based on a far eastern view of both the physical and spiritual aspects of a human being. These exercises are not just for physical well-being. They have been specifically created to supposedly 'open up the seven chakras ‘ or spiritual energy centers in the body. The first five are located along the spine. The sixth is the ‘third eye’ and the seventh is the crown chakra, located at the top of the head.  Each “chakra” is associated with a certain Hindu deity. These deities are all mythical beings, full of human-like frailties and faults. Adherents believe that something called “the kundalini” (the latent ‘serpent power’ supposedly coiled at the base of the spine) rises up through the chakras especially during deep meditation. This ‘awakening of the kundalini’ is considered essential in bringing a person to ‘God-consciousness.  It is also taught that a yoga practitioner can exit his body through the ‘chakras,’ especially the third eye or the crown chakra, and experience higher, spiritual realms. Hatha Yoga allegedly prepares one for these kinds of experiences. This is the insidious trap of Spiritualism that even in doubting God’s word we are inevitably submitting to the control of Satan leading all his captives to eventual eternal death.

5. When this serpent is awakened, it will then move up through the body, through the “chakras” (the so-called lifeforce centres) and once it reaches the “crown chakra” (or the top of the head) it will explode into the so called “thousand-petalled lotus“. This is when the danger really starts, and for many people from this point onwards it is almost impossible to return to any semblance of normality.

6. Willian Fife related he came very close to this stage after practicing yoga intensively (4-6 hours a day) for about a year. He began to be very depressed and nervous, but being unaware of the cause of this depression continued to use yoga as a way of filling his day. One day, whilst being deep in pranayama and meditation, something in his mind exploded, and his conscience turned white. Suddenly, there were beings dressed in white robes at his side telling him that they would guide him into a new life if he would only continue with his yoga. He decided to stop and was left in a sort of semi-aware state at that point (similar to the point one would reach just before or after the peak of an LSD trip). He resumed the next day and within minutes these spiritual beings were back, with the same advice. They were insistent that he listened to them. They were angry because he had consciously rejected them by stopping the day before. He stopped again, and never returned to it. But he was always aware that these spirit-beings were angry with him, and had no peace at all from then on. Only in drunken oblivion or drugs could he find any peace. Thousands of others have experienced very similar things while practicing yoga. Many have become insane, or indeed been driven to suicide.

7. William was fortunate in being set free from the evil spirits when he met a Christian and started going to Christian meetings. On the second meeting he was offered the opportunity to really find and experience God. He received the Holy Spirit within seconds through the laying on of hands, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.  As soon as he had received this freely given gift from God, a real peace came; the voices and pressures left, and joy and realisation came almost instantly. The blackness that had followed him around (the “rent in the fabric of this reality”) was also gone.

8. “Christian Yoga” is an oxymoron where we have well intentioned fitness teachers (often real believers) who do praise and worship, quote Scripture and never meditate using far eastern methods. But there is the overflow of Hindu terminology and the reasoning behind some of the poses (like the lotus posture with the fingers curled in a circle that represents the word “OM”. It is inevitable for the student to be influenced by the teacher and a “certified” yoga teacher must spend a certain number of hours studying Vedic philosophy and the teachings of certain “yoga masters” from the east. Thus, it is almost impossible to separate the physical from the spiritual root of yoga practice.

Discovering Spiritualism in Yoga

16.1.2 Yoga in Spiritualism?

Yoga is a branch of Spiritualism that is widely publicized as exercise at a higher level than moving the limbs. This extra beneficial aspect of Yoga is first pointed out before unravelling the hidden dangers that is now known from practitioners that have travelling down that path and by God’s grace have  seen the light to relate them to us.

16.1.2.1 Yoga as Exercise

Yoga to the uninitiated is known as exercise and this is so described in Wikipedia-  “Yoga as exercise is a modern exercise practice influenced by hatha yoga. It involves holding stretches as a kind of low-impact physical exercise, and is often used for therapeutic purposes.[1] Yoga in this sense often occurs in a class and may involve meditation, imagery, breath work and music.”  Many readers may be satisfied that Yoga is an exercise and would not further check up on Hatha Yoga.

Then there is the YouTube clip,.( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJbRpHZr_d0 )- “Yoga For Anxiety and Stress”:  Awaken The Force! Move from the darkness into the light! Yoga has your back! In this practice video, Adriene guides you through breath and body practices that serve you when you feel bad. Learn breathing techniques and spinal work that will assist you in moments of stress. Find release, create space and process yo' stuff. Bookmark this video. Yoga to the rescue! Enjoy. To go deeper visit www.yogawithadriene.com (Such free offer is very tempting in giving Yoga a favourable image. )

Consider the following advertisement in the internet :

https://www.yogascience.sg/ Restorative Yoga Classes-Yoga Health and Wellness Studio in the CBD

Yoga Science is a brand new professional yoga and fitness studio offering a variety of fitness and wellness classes including hatha, vinyasa and prenatal yoga, pilates & meditation.

We do small classes because we believe that it will give you ample care and attention from our instructor. Our teachers are passionate and dedicated and we offer quiet, peaceful place where you are welcome regardless your age, experience, religion or flexibility. With classes 7 days a week, there's always something for everyone. Yoga helps with chakra balance and to relieve the stress of hectic life schedules. Our intention is to inspire breathing, movement and health within our community.

In the dim light of superficial reading about Yoga we will be acting as Eve did in accepting the good in the evil  and to start doubting the truth in God’s word.

16.1.2.2 Aspects of Yoga ( http://www.spiritual-research-network.com/dangers-of-yoga.html )

Some of the other aspects of Yoga (apart from exercise) on the dangers of Yoga are outlined in the following passages available from the internet:

1. From Like Lambs to the Slaughter: "Can We Separate the Exercise From the Philosophy?

"There is a common misconception in the West that hatha-yoga, one of about ten forms of Yoga that supposedly leads to self-realization, is merely a neutral form of exercise, a soothing and effective alternative for those who abhor jogging and calisthenics ...

"[However], Hatha-yoga is 'one of the six recognized systems of orthodox Hinduism' and is at its roots religious and mystical. It is also one of the most difficult and potentially dangerous [spiritually] forms of Yoga. "The term hatha is derived from the verb hath, which means 'to oppress.'... What the practice of hatha-yoga is designed to do is suppress the flow of psychic energies through these channels ["symbolic, or psychic, passages on either side of the spinal column"], thereby forcing the 'serpent power' or the kundalini force to rise through the central psychic channel in the spine (the sushumna) and up through the chakras, the supposed psychic centers of human personality and power. Westerners mistakenly believe that one can practice hatha-yoga apart from the philosophical and religious beliefs that undergrid it. This is an absolutely false belief. ...

"You cannot separate the exercises from the philosophy. ... 'The movements themselves become a form of meditation.' The continued practice of the exercises will, whether you ... intend it or not, eventually influence you toward an Eastern/mystical perspective. That is what it is meant to do! ... There is, by definition, no such thing as 'neutral' Yoga" —Johanna Michaelsen, Like Lambs to the Slaughter, pp. 93-95).

2. From YOGA Today's lifestyle for health:

"The practice of Yoga is pagan at best, and occult at worst. Its teachings emanate from the Eastern religions, all of which teach that self is God, only we just don't realize it until we do the techniques. 'The goal of Yoga is self-realization-to look deeply within to what ought to be the temple of the one true God and to discover the alleged true Self or higher Self to be God. Nothing could be more religious than that, yet with straight faces, all of the Yogis insist that practicing Yoga does not change anyone's religious beliefs.'" — Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries

3. From YOGA: Posture to Apostasy:

Can Yogic Practices Be Integrated With The Christian Faith?

East and West, The Two Shall Never Meet.

"Christianity cannot be integrated with yoga and remain Christian. To think otherwise imperils the Christian truth and faith. As the managing editor of 'Hinduism Today,' Sannyasin Arumugaswami, remarks, 'Hinduism is the soul of yoga 'based as it is on Hindu Scripture and developed by Hindu sages. Yoga opens up new and more refined states of mind, and to understand them one needs to believe in and understand the Hindu way of looking at God. . . . A Christian trying to adapt these practices will likely disrupt their own Christian beliefs'.' East is east, and west is west, and if Christianity is to remain Christian, 'the twain' should never be married."—Pastor Larry DeBruyn, Guarding His Flock Ministries

16.2 Testimony of Mike Shreve

This is a copy of “FIVE MAIN REASONS WHY I NO LONGER PRACTICE HATHA YOGA!” by Mike Shreve with some minor comments for emphasis enclosed within parenthesis.(  The Dangers of “Christians Yoga ?”   – Mike Shreve (PDF)

16.2.1 Hatha Yoga

There is a major trend in our eclectic western society that is gaining momentum. It involves a departure from our Judeo-Christian roots (quite often because people have become disenchanted with a powerless expression of Christianity) and a turn toward new age and far eastern concepts and practices that many hoped will improve the health of their bodies, minds and souls. One of the chief indicators of this trend is the rise of interest in yoga. The word “yoga” means yoke or union. It speaks of being yoked with God or in union with God. The majority of westerners do not associate yoga with religion or an approach to the Creator, simply because they are unfamiliar with the deeper levels of practice and the religious doctrine that forms its base. Most westerners relate to yoga only in its simplest form—the physical exercises (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama) that make up a practice called “Hatha Yoga.”

This type of yoga, on the surface, appears to be nothing more than a highly developed, low impact exercise regimen. What could be wrong with stretching, twisting, bending, breathing, sweating it out and getting the body in shape, regardless of the method used? Absolutely nothing—if that’s all there was to it. However, there are some definite negatives that are almost always, to one degree or another, attached to a yoga experience. Usually, this makes it, not only unwise, but ill-advised for Christians to participate. Before I elucidate on this, let me first share my spiritual resume—something that I believe qualifies me as an authority on this subject.

16.2.2 Mike Shreve Spiritual Resume

Before my conversion to Christianity in the fall of 1970, I taught Kundalini Yoga at four universities in Florida. Several hundred students attended my classes. I studied personally under a guru named Yogi Bhajan and ran a yoga ashram (a commune where yoga devotees apply themselves more intensely to its practice). Each day was consumed with intense spiritual disciplines: from 3:30 in the morning until about 8:30 at night. In my classes, I incorporated many Hatha Yoga exercises, as well as other meditation and

mantra techniques aimed at experiencing higher supernatural realms. Kundalini Yoga claims to be an amalgamation of many types of yoga, including Hatha. I was very devoted to the practice of yoga until I had an amazing encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. This pivotal experience revealed to me the vast difference between the biblical approach to God and any methodology offered in far eastern religions. Since then, I have never practiced Hatha or any other kind of yoga.

Over the past thirty-seven years of ministry I have often been asked if it is acceptable for a Christian to practice Hatha Yoga. Though there may be rare exceptions to the rule, I usually respond in the negative. When I do, those enquiring are often surprised by my reaction. But the love of God, the love of truth and the love of people all compel me to assume this posture. I believe this is an issue that we will face more and more as our culture evolves under pervasive, syncretistic influences.2

16.2.3 The Five Dangers in Yoga Practice (The Five Reasons))

There are five primary reasons I advise Christians not to practice yoga. I categorize them as: (1) Spiritual Roots; (2) Spiritual Perspective; (3) Spiritual Transfer; (4) Spiritual Intrigue, and; (5) Spiritual Endorsement. Let’s visit each of these points in greater detail:

(1) Spiritual Roots—Hatha Yoga is based on a far eastern view of both the physical and spiritual aspects of a human being. Be assured, these exercises are not just for physical well-being. They have been specifically created to supposedly 'open up the chakras.' According to yogic lore, there are seven chakras or spiritual energy centers in the body. The first five are located along the spine. The sixth is the ‘third eye’ and the seventh is the crown chakra, located at the top of the head. Adherents believe that something called “the kundalini” (the latent ‘serpent power’ supposedly coiled at the base of the spine) rises up through the chakras especially during deep meditation. This ‘awakening of the kundalini’ is considered essential in bringing a person to ‘God-consciousness.’ It is also important to note that each “chakra” is associated with a certain Hindu deity. These deities are all mythical beings, full of human-like frailties and faults.

Practitioners may have no knowledge of these things, but ignorance does not sanctify or purify the system from its attachment to spiritual falsehood. Those who believe in the one true God—if they are faithful to their belief system—cannot involve themselves in anything that accepts the worship of false deities. It may seem like too strong of a statement, but to do so smacks of idolatry and blasphemy. (This is the insidious trap of Spiritualism that even in doubting God’s word we are inevitably submitting to the control of Satan leading all his captives to eventual eternal death.)

(a) Out-of-body Experiences in Yogic Meditation

It is also taught that a yoga practitioner can exit his body through the ‘chakras,’ especially the third eye or the crown chakra, and experience higher, spiritual realms. Hatha Yoga allegedly prepares one for these kinds of experiences. No promises like this are attached to aerobics, isometrics, weight lifting, jogging or other methods of exercising. If these out-of-body experiences were legitimate, leading a person to a real relationship with God, there would be no problem. However, I discovered the opposite to be true. Without a doubt, during those out-of-body experiences I had during long periods of yogic meditation, I was actually overtaken by demonic beings that granted me false experiences of the supernatural world. Upon receiving Jesus as Lord of my life, I was delivered from these spirits.

(b) Higher State of Consciousness

In traditional Hindu teaching, Hatha Yoga is the third stage in Patanjali’s eight-stage plan toward enlightenment (Samadhi).1 The first two stages are Yama (restraint) and Niyama (observance, devotion). In a book titled The Book of the Vedas, Timeless Wisdom from Indian Tradition, we find the following description:

The word Hatha is an amalgam of “sun” (ha) and the word “moon” (tha), and symbolizes the positive (sun) and negative (moon) currents in the body. The balancing of the two is seen as the means to harmonizing and mastering these currents so that “vital force” (prana) can be controlled. In so doing, the mind will be cleared and the path open to experiencing higher states of consciousness.2 (This is the counterfeit by Satan (the creature doing away with its creator) in relying on the self to tap on his version (illusion) of the god within each of us on the premise we are all created as immortal beings (Satan’s first lie to Eve (Gen 3:4-5))

According to the Bible, the presence of God can only be accessed through the soul being washed in the blood of Jesus and a person being “born again.” This regenerative experience definitely leads one to a ‘higher state of consciousness’ (a conscious awareness of the reality of God)( the experience of the presence of God in our lives, recognizing f His loving watch-care over us), but it is totally different than anything offered through eastern religions. Biblical salvation is not the result of some “serpent power” traveling up through the spine from within; it is the result of the power of the Holy Spirit entering INTO a repentant person from WITHOUT. The contrast of these two approaches to spirituality actually reveals two very different views of God in His relationship with creation (Pantheism versus Theism).

(2) Spiritual Perspective— Most yoga advocates embrace a pantheistic view of the universe and its relationship to God. In Pantheism (an idea which dominates Hinduism), the universe is an emanation of God. Because God veils Himself in the appearance of physical matter, it is taught that there is a spark of divine nature within everything and everyone. So to find God, you look within. In Theism (the biblical perspective) God exists apart from physical creation and approaches man from without. In Pantheism God is an impersonal, cosmic energy. In Theism, He is a personal God. These two views cannot co-exist in one belief system.

(a) Invoking Serpent Power

The “serpent power” unleashed in meditation is not the power of the Holy Spirit, nor is it merely the latent power of the soul. It is a power even gurus admit can be very destructive to the yoga practitioner. So where does this power come from that can potentially be so dangerous? It should help the inquisitive reader to see that there is absolutely NO account of anyone in the Bible being harmed by being filled with the true Holy Spirit (symbolized by a dove—a harmless creature). But there are accounts of insanity or dark, occultic powers being the byproduct of an encounter with this power likened to a serpent (a venomous and dangerous creature which can be quite harmful). Belief in this power is at the ‘root’ of the yogic system of thought.

If we are going to live free from deception, we must inspect the ‘root’ of Hatha Yoga practice, and not be merely concerned with the ‘fruit’ of a body that gets in better shape. We should remind ourselves that one of the commandments warns in no uncertain terms:

I am the LORD your God…you shall have no other gods before Me.(Exodus 20:2-3) ( This testimony of Mike’s conversion to Christianity is the best evidence of the reality of the supremacy of the one true God , our Creator who made us in His image and give us the freedom of choice) 

(3) Spiritual Transfer—Though I was unaware of it at the time, when I studied yoga, I came under the influence of a counterfeit, spiritual power that was not the true power of God. This passed to me from the guru under whom I studied. (This ‘consciousness raising transference’ is something most devotees fervently seek after. When it is transferred directly from the spiritual teacher, it is called Shaktipat).

There are many sweet, gracious, kind and compassionate people studying yoga who would never purposefully seek to come under the influence of dark, deceptive, demonic powers. Most are genuinely seeking for truth and for Ultimate Reality. Some are seeking for no more than just to shape up their bodies. Because of this, in some cases, it is possible to go to a Hatha Yoga class and never be introduced to any kind of false spiritual ‘power’: if all the participants are only into the physical aspect or if all participants are Christian believers with a pure doctrinal stance.

However, if the teacher of the class is involved in the philosophy behind the entire yogic system, there will be a subliminal spiritual transference from the teacher to the student that is likely not the true Spirit of God and can be very misleading. Those who are weak in their Christian faith can have their belief-system eroded over a period of time and end up being drawn into the far eastern mystical point of view, to the detriment of their own soul. It should be mentioned that in order to be a “certified” yoga teacher, by the standards in place in that industry, a teacher must spend a certain number of hours studying Vedic philosophy and the teachings of certain “yoga masters” from the east. Do you want that influencing you? (Thus, it is almost impossible to separate the physical from the spiritual root of yoga practice.)

(4) Spiritual Intrigue—Even if the Hatha Yoga class atmosphere is relatively harmless, there is normally an arousal of curiosity on the part of those involved to learn more about the whole system of thought. I recently visited a Hatha Yoga Center in California, as I often do, in order to share the Gospel. There I met a teacher, a gracious young man who claimed to be a Christian. However, all around the studio were magazines, books and videos that presented the far eastern worldview (which is non-biblical in many ways). There were also Buddha statues and pictures of Hindu deities. Almost any person attending classes at this studio would inevitably be drawn to look at these books, magazines and tapes and become intrigued about other deeper aspects of yoga. So, as is often the case, Hatha Yoga becomes the ‘bait’ to carry people into a vast belief system that involves much more than physical exercise. When curious seekers begin exploring these ideas, they are usually carried far away from the power and purity of the simple Gospel of Christ.

(5) Spiritual Endorsement—Just suppose everything is relatively benign in a yoga class, that no one promotes far eastern philosophy, that all the teachers are Christians, and even Christian music is played, etc. Is there still a negative? Yes, there is! If a Christian goes to classes (that may have NO spiritual emphasis whatsoever), still, a signal is going out to others that could easily be misinterpreted. Those who see Bible believers participating in Hatha Yoga classes could easily construe it to be an endorsement for the whole system of thought (unless a clear, definitive line is drawn, especially by those teaching the classes).

This issue is very similar to Paul’s admonition to early Christians not to eat meat offered to idols. He said that the idol didn’t really exist and certainly the people needed food, so eating it would be all right. However, weak Christians or non-believers might interpret such an act as an endorsement of idolatrous practices. (Read all of 1 Corinthians 8.) For this reason, Paul asserted, “I will never eat meat again,” lest he become a stumbling block to any spiritually weak person. It makes sense that our final conclusion should be just as strong with regard to the practice of yoga.

16.2.4 Beware of “Christian Yoga”-

Well, Michael thinks he know what might be going through your mind at this point. “Guess it’s time to break out the old jogging shoes. Treadmill and racket ball court, here we come!” Well, not necessarily so.

He has a number of friends who have developed yoga alternatives, who feel that the idea of “Christian yoga” is an oxymoron. In all fairness, He knows fitness teachers who claim to have “Christian Yoga” classes. They do praise and worship, quote Scripture and never meditate using far eastern methods. They are often real believers, sincerely committed to the truth. However, he is still very uncomfortable with the overflow of Hindu terminology and the reasoning behind some of the poses (like the lotus posture with the fingers curled in a circle that represents the word “OM”). According to

Hindus, this was the sacred syllable that accompanied creation and meditating on it can usher a person toward “enlightenment” or “samadhi”. Why even associate yourself with false concepts like this?

16.2.4.1 Low Impact Exercise Alternatives

Check out the following websites and I believe you will conclude that exercise can be low impact, yet free from any false mystical entrapments.

WholyFit with Laura Monica— www.wholyfit.org

Praise Moves with Laurette Willis— www.praisemoves.com

Doxa Soma (Praise with the Body) with Angela Carlson— www.doxasoma.com

Check what these Christian Fitness Instructors have to offer. Instead of walking on “thin ice” and not being sure of where you stand, build your life on the sure foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

16.2.5 References:

1 Patanjali was the writer of the Yoga Sutras, a categorization of yogic thought arranged in four volumes.

The first three were apparently written, some say, around the 2nd century BC and have become the foundation for most yogic teaching since. Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian (Hindu) thought.

2 Virender Kumar Arya, The Book of the Vedas, Timeless Wisdom from Indian Tradition (Hauppauge, New York, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 2003) p. 76 (emphasis by author of this article)

16.3 The Testimony of William Fife

(This is a copy of the article “The Spiritual Dangers of Yoga” by William Fife (Scotland)-  his testimony to show that yoga is a spiritual deception.) (The Spiritual Dangers of Yoga – William Fife, Scotland (PDF))

If you think that you can use yoga only for physical training and not be affected by its spiritual side, you are wrong. You are wrong if you believe the many websites and teachers in the West who declare that yoga is just a harmless physical exercise.

The Bible warns of such spiritual seduction: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 TIMOTHY 4:1).

Speaking from my own experience, I am convinced that yoga is one of the seducing doctrines God expressly warns about in the above scripture. I started yoga at age 16, and practiced every day for 1-2 hours. It seemed to strengthen my body and improve my flexibility. At the age of 18, I dived into it (I was at that time unemployed) and did some 4-6 hours of yoga daily. I was convinced that yoga enlightened my own spiritual intelligence and enhanced my physical fitness. I would have vehemently denied that there is anything religious in yoga or that I was in any way influenced by the spiritual or religious aspects of yoga. The following is why I think differently today.

16.3.1 The Roots of Yoga

Let us take a small look at the roots of the yoga tree – and also have a smell at some of its fruit – for well did Christ say in MATTHEW 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.”

It was the Lord Krishna (one of Hindu’s many millions of deities), in the Bhagavad Gita, who introduced the ritual of yoga as a way of achieving union with the universe. The Sanskrit word yoga actually means “union” or “yoking“, aiming at bringing about the union of the human spirit with the spirit of the universe. But what is more deeply meant is a separation from the physical illusion of life. (Yoga  qualifies as one of the seducing doctrines God expressly warns about…)

A great part of Hindu teaching is that this world and all we see, is nothing more than an illusion.

Ironically, while yoga in the west is, more often than not, promoted as a way to achieve health and a better way of living; in the east, where it originated, it is more openly understood to be a way of dying.

In Hindu and Buddhist writings yoga is described as the only sure way of escaping the endless cycle of reincarnation and the laws of karma, thereby enabling someone to reach the Hindu idea of heaven (named “moksha“) – or in the terminology of Buddhist teachings, to return to the buddhistic void (named “Sunyata“) – where the idea of it being a way of dying reaches its finality.

Moksha is by most Hindu schools understood to mean the state “which is beyond being”, while “Sunyata” means simply emptiness. Both of these accomplishments have, as their finality, the destruction of the self.

In other words, the physical exercises and positions (“asanas”), along with the breathing techniques(“pranayama”), and meditation (“dhyana”) were originally developed for VERY spiritual and religious reasons. The Bhagavad Gita testifies of it in over 50 verses, and certainly it would be difficult not to classify the Bhagavad Gita as a guide to Hindu religion.1

16.3.2 Popularity in the West

Although yoga has been known to the West since before Christ, and has been practiced in the East for almost 3000 years, it really only took off in the West in a significant way around the same time of the explosion of the drug culture in the 60’s, and the growth of certain types of music. ( Note the control of the mind in the softening of the mind through hallucinatory drugs and syncopathic beat and rhythmn and Rock music are some of Satan’s highly effective weapons.)

Many people involved with psychedelic drugs were (and are still today) attracted to any experience that offered an expansion of conscience, or a change of perceived reality.

It was due to this changing Western (drug) culture that many Hindu missionaries (among other spiritual leaders peddling new religions) slowly began to realise that through the new psychedelic experiences, the West was now entertaining a transcendental experience, or non-physical reality that it had previously been unaware of—or more likely, had simply chosen to ignore. Mind expansion, or altered states of conscience and a search for spirituality, without the constraints of religion were suddenly all the rage, and anything that offered a new experience was sought after with great interest. Very few questions were asked as to the source of these new highs and experiences.

Thus the West was gradually introduced to an ancient Eastern religion through the medium of yoga.

16.3.3 One of the Lies Today

One branch or path of yoga is called Hatha Yoga and this is probably what most people in the West associate with the word “yoga” – believing it is being practised only for mental and physical health.2

Some of the positions in yoga are not quite as harmless as they may appear, but are obviously of occult origin, as in the “cobra”, which is usually followed by “greeting the sun” – and taking the pose of the “mountain”. These are all positions which are designed to welcome Hindu gods.

In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika it mentions the following in chapter one:

“Salutations to Shiva, who taught the science of Hatha Yoga. It is the aspirant’s stairway to the heights of Raja Yoga… Yogi Svatmarama … explains the science of hatha for one reason.” – Raja Yoga

So here we see clearly that Hatha Yoga was specifically designed to lead the practitioner onto Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga, however, is chiefly concerned with the cultivation of the mind through meditation. (This exercise is designed to guide the mind into meditation by the emptying of the mind, a subject that will be covered in another discovery session.)

Shiva is also known as the Destroyer (of evil) or Yogeshwara (Lord of Yogis). Shiva’s consort is Devi, or Kali, the goddess of death.

Therefore, the idea that Hatha Yoga is “purely physical” is very much once again a distortion of the truth (in other words, an outright lie) and indeed begs the question “Why the cover up or confusion?”

“Ouija boards, Tarot cards, Astrology signs and symbols may all seem harmless to some, but like yoga, they have an idea attached “

Of course, it could be asked whether something purely physical can have any spiritual implications. One needs only look at such practices as Ouija boards, Tarot cards, Astrology signs and symbols may all seem harmless to some, but like yoga, they have an idea attached to them that is the problem.

16.3.3.1 The Original Lie Infection

A further example that shows how something physical can have spiritual implications is to be found in the account of the Garden of Eden. For in Genesis chapter 3 we have an introduction to the enemy of God and mankind, making the suggestion to Adam’s wife, Eve, that by doing something purely physical (i.e. eating from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) she would not only receive a mighty spiritual blessing, but would indeed live forever, and become as a god.

The real result of this action was Adam and Eve being cast out from Eden and the Fall of Man. Ever since then, man has been trying to sneak back into paradise by jumping over the hedge as it were (using drugs and mysticism).

16.3.3.2 Karma & Reincarnation

Yoga was specifically designed as a way to escape the constant and never-ending deaths and rebirths of

reincarnation – (“…the fire of yoga burns all Karmas“, Kundalini Yoga, by Sri Swami Sivananda).

There is much discussion amongst the various Hindu branches concerning karma itself. It is variously claimed that it is not so strict, that it does not always come to pass in this life, it may not come to pass for a few lives, and some consider Karma to be a very just law, as it demands equal in repayment (very much a black eye for a black eye). In any case, as a “law” it is very impersonal, and knows no pity neither does it accept any extenuating circumstances.

If it is a law that demands equal in repayment, then the following sequence of events must occur:

If I steal from someone – I will have something stolen from me, in this life or a next. This means that someone else will have to take the role of thief (#2). Which means that thief #2 will have something stolen from him, in this life or a next. This means that someone else will have to take the role of thief (#3)….And so the wheel turns continually.

Does one remember what one did wrong? Believers in reincarnation will respond with “in the sub-conscience” but how may I change if it is locked away in my sub-conscience? How can I learn from it?

Reincarnation, which was designed to help us work off bad karma, can be upwards or downwards – meaning I could be reborn as an animal or even a vegetable (of course, the various branches of Hindu disagree on this also).

Basically I am being given countless chances, in order to reach a heaven where my personality is then destroyed.

16.3.3.2.1 Pol Pot’s Karma Diliemma

To further investigate this, we shall take an example of such a person as Pol Pot (leader of the Cambodian communist movement known as the Khmer Rouge) – responsible for the deaths of 1.7 to 2.5 million persons.

In order to work off his bad karma, he would have to participate in a minimum of – let’s say a conservative 1.5 million – reincarnations (that’s ignoring the tortured victims whose lives he also destroyed).

The idea of karma however goes so far that some believers will not help people – as you may inadvertently be helping someone who is in trouble due to bad karma, and who is supposed to be working it off – and so by helping them you actually take away their chance to work it off.

This all stands of course in total opposition to the Word of God – as stated in HEBREWS 9:27 – And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Is it not a strange situation that in India, where the teaching of karma and reincarnation has been alive for longer than anywhere else in the world, that the economic progress there only breeds social injustice and that poverty, starvation and terrible suffering just continue to increase?

16.3.3.3 Personal Result of Yoga – Awakening Kundalini

It may be true that the asanas (positions) and even perhaps the pranayama (breathing) can have health benefits, but the ultimate goal in yoga is something much more sinister. Very few Western yoga teachers actually touch upon this aspect of yoga – but according to the ancient texts, it is indeed the main aim – the asanas and the pranayama really intend to produce the awakening of what is known as “kundalini power“, which is taught as being a snake coiled around the base of the spine.

When this serpent is awakened, it will then move up through the body, through the “chakras” (the so-called lifeforce centres) and once it reaches the “crown chakra” (or the top of the head) it will explode into the so called “thousand-petalled lotus“.

This is when the danger really starts, and for many people from this point onwards it is almost impossible to return to any semblance of normality. The ancient texts actually include a warning about this, but most Western teachers are either ignorant of it, being too aware of the vast revenues that yoga can bring in, or are indeed themselves deceived and are willingly leading people down a very dangerous path.

Swiss occultist Carl Jung, in his book “The Collected Works of CG Jung” – termed it “a deliberately induced psychotic state“. Now, in most societies, deliberately inducing a psychotic state in oneself would lead to varioussections of the Mental Health Act being quoted whilst having oneself bundled into a white van by some policeofficers.

I myself came very close to this stage. After I practiced yoga intensively (4-6 hours a day) for about a year, I began to be very depressed and nervous, but as I was unaware of the cause of this depression, I continued to use yoga as a way of filling my day.

One day, whilst being deep in pranayama and meditation, something in my mind exploded, and my conscience turned white. Suddenly, there were beings dressed in white robes at my side (in the corner of my eye only, in my peripheral vision), telling me that they would guide me into a new life if I would only continue with my yoga.

I did not like that too much, and did not understand what was happening; neither had any of the books I had been reading mentioned anything about this manifestation, so I stopped. I was left in a sort of semi-aware state at that point (similar to the point one would reach just before or after the peak of an LSD trip), and I was also very much aware of what I could only describe as a rent in the fabric of this reality.

I went back into my asanas / pranayama the next day again, and within minutes these spiritual beings were back, with the same advice. They were insistent that I listen to them. There was a palpable anger now also given off by them, as I had consciously rejected them by stopping the day before.

I stopped again, and never returned to it. But I was always aware that these spirit-beings were angry with me, and I had no peace at all from then on. Only in drunken oblivion or drugs could I find any peace.

16.3.3.4 What Do You Do about It?

Things may not have become as bad as that for you, but be aware anyway – if you practice yoga, you practice Hinduism; and the more you do it, the more you open yourself up to the spiritual side of it. Thousands of others have experienced very similar things while practising yoga. Not all have been as fortunate as I in being set free from this – many have become insane, or indeed been driven to suicide.3

It was at the point in my life when things really got out of control that I met a Christian and I started going to Christian meetings (more for the very decent food than anything else). On the second meeting I was offered the opportunity to really find and experience God.

I received the Holy Spirit within seconds through the laying on of hands, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.  As soon as I had received this freely given gift from God, a real peace came; the voices and pressures left, and joy and realisation came almost instantly. The blackness that had followed me around (the “rent in the fabric of this reality”) was also gone.

My life has changed drastically since then. Instead of constantly focusing on myself I try to focus on other people. Instead of trying to find self-fulfillment through yoga, I found true peace. Yoga is a very selfish way of life, yet it doesn’t produce the results hoped for. Instead it is a lie and brings only destruction. How true are Christ’s words in MATTHEW 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

So many try to “save their lives” (fill the void in their lives) through all sorts of things, including yoga, but the void will never be filled – they will end up losing their eternal soul.

We live only once, and while here in this life, we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ as presented in the Bible. When we die, we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad – 2 CORINTHIANS 5:10. Those who were born-again through receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and by full submersion baptism, and who have given their lives in following Christ, may enter the eternal paradise of the soul where only love, joy and peace abide, in personal fellowship with Jesus Christ. The sinner and rebel against God will be removed from His presence after this judgment, and placed into a place of eternal torment.

16.3.3.4.1 Choose either Shiva or Christ

You have to make a choice: Do you want to follow Shiva (who taught the “science” of Hatha Yoga) who is also named the Destroyer – or Christ, who came to heal and save, and who has proved by His life, death and resurrection that He is Lord and that He loves us without us having done anything to deserve it.

Yoga is not just a harmless physical exercise, it opens the door to demonic control. On which side do you ultimately want to stand? The devil’s or Christ’s? The consequences are more serious than you might realise.

JOHN 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

And how is this abundant life given by Jesus Christ?

JOHN 3:5 – Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

16.3.4 References

1. One need only read the writing of E.A Wilder-Smith (The Cause and Cure of the Drug Epidemic and The Drug Users) or Charles T. Tart, 'The End of Materialism - How Evidence of the Paranormal is Bringing Science and Spirit Together or Altered States of Consciousness' to more clearly understand this relationship.

That the drug culture explosion in the 60's was very much a carefully controlled operation is not generally known. This statement itself may be the topic for hours of discussion and may unfortunately belong to the genre of "conspiracy theory" - however, most people who have any sort of interest in these topics are aware of the LSD experiments carried out by certain US Government agencies - starting in the 1950's with Project MKULTRA. (The Search for the Manchurian Candidate: The CIA and Mind Control, by John Marks, and also Acid Dreams: The Complete Social History of LSD: The CIA, the Sixties, and Beyond, by Martin A. Lee)

2. Hatha Yoga basically describes any of the physical practices of yoga. Yoga has eight limbs, only one of which, asana, involves doing yoga poses. When you do lyengar, this is hatha yoga; when you do ashtanga, this is hatha yoga also. Therefore, “Hatha yoga” can be used interchangeably with simply “yoga”.

3. Watch for example the film “Gods of the New Age” which includes testimonies of yoga teachers who describe in detail that which I described above.

(Article by brother William Fife (Scotland). William Downs, Newburgh, Scotland, Wednesday, April 21, 2010)

(Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoxs8ixsmrk (28:22) -Yoga and the Occult: Ex Witch Tells All  by The Other Side of Darkness-Published on Dec 13, 2016.  Testimony of Beth, ex-witch and new ager, who came out of satanic ritual abuse in the Mormon church. Beth shares her experiences with yoga, how it affected her life, and how it was used in satanic ritual abuse.)

Posted April 13, 2017 – TSC at singtsc@yahoo.com

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