3pm fly to Kuching. Tomorrow fr Kuching fly to KK. Friday fly back to KL. I will be flying......
Had BBQ at my hometown Sunday nite with all the kids. At the end I have a chance to bbq my own make Johor 'otak-otak'.
God loves me! I supposed to start a Yoga class with my colleague last Thursday. A week before the date, I started to call up to the intructor and arranged for the class. Everything is well settled except we need to pay in advance RM120 on the first lessons. So, I get myself prepared for this Yoga class. On Sunday morning, as usual we went to church, when pastor was preaching, he talked about the book of revelation, the 7 churches lah, their good and bad lah, a lot...... Suddenly he said: " Let me quoted you an example, Yoga, a lot of christian thought that it is a physical exercise, but it actually originated with a anti-christian philosophy. It also leaves one open to your enemy. I didn't tell anyone that I'm going for a Yoga class except How Wei. Oh, oh, cannot go liao! But I still have not make up my mind whether want to quit or not! I have promised my colleague already, and they need 10 person in a class, if not the instructor will not open a class for us! The next morning, I talked to one of my christian colleague who is joining the class also. She said why not I also checked with my pastor, at least we have second opinion. Then her pastor reply her with an article. After reading the article, 3 of us decided not to join any Yoga class anymore. My poor other colleague, they have to pay extra RM30 each person in order to start the class smoothly. Sorry ya! I'm not purposely did that lah!
Attached herewith the article.
Question: "What is the Christian view of yoga?"
Answer: For many Christians in the West who don't understand the history behind it, yoga is simply a means of physical exercise, and strengthening and improving flexibility of the muscles. However, the philosophy behind yoga is much more than physically improving oneself. It is an ancient practice derived from India, believed to be the path to spiritual growth and enlightenment.
The word "yoga" means "union," and the goal is to unite one's transitory (temporary) self with the infinite Brahman, the Hindu concept of "God." This "God" is not a literal being, but is an impersonal spiritual substance that is one with nature and the cosmos. This view is called "pantheism," the belief that everything is God, and that reality consists only of the universe and nature. Because everything is God, the yoga philosophy makes no distinction between man and God.
Hatha yoga is the aspect of yoga which focuses on the physical body through special postures, breathing exercises, and concentration or meditation. It is a means to prepare the body for the spiritual exercises, with less obstacles, in order to achieve enlightenment. The practice of yoga is based on the belief that man and God are one. It is little more than self-worship disguised as a high level of spirituality.
The question becomes, is it possible for a Christian to isolate the physical aspects of yoga as simply a method of exercise, without incorporating the spirituality or philosophy behind it? I don't believe so. Yoga originated with a blatantly anti-Christian philosophy, and that philosophy has not changed. It teaches one to focus on oneself instead of on the one true God. It encourages its participants to seek the answers to life's difficult questions within their own conscience instead of in the Word of God. It also leaves one open to deception from God's enemy, who searches for victims that he can turn away from God (1Peter 5:8).
Whatever we do should be done for God's glory (1Corinthians 10:31), and we would be wise to heed the words of the apostle Paul: "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8, NLT).
