YOGA AND MEDITATION

Yoga is a way of life that pursues wholeness in every realm – physical, psychological, spiritual and social. It involves physical exercises in which the practitioner assumes certain poses, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, a yogic diet and meditation. The goal of yoga is to achieve awareness of one’s true self by experiencing ultimate spiritual union.

Yoga’s roots in Hindu philosophy can be traced back to the Vedas. Over the centuries yoga has existed in numerous forms with wideranging emphases. Some are heavily philosophical, while other branches, like hatha yoga, place less emphasis on the philosophy of yoga and more on physical well-being.

The practice of yoga offers physiological, psychological and biochemical benefits. However, yoga’s claim to effect personal and even social transformation is flawed in that it looks to the self as the source of transformation and ignores the work of the Spirit of God in human lives. But while Christians cannot see yoga as a way of life, we can benefit from the emphasis on physical health in hatha yoga.

(Note that this must be done under supervision as improper practice of yoga can cause injuries.)

Meditation is often associated with yoga. Meditative techniques include sitting in a particular position, focusing on or chanting a mantra, concentration on the inner self, breathing techniques and emptying one’s mind. As with yoga, there are many schools of meditation ranging from Transcendental Meditation to Osho, Vipassana, Sahaja and Zen meditation. It is sometimes believed that meditating in a particular environment, such as close to a pyramid or a magnetic vortex enhances the benefits of any form of meditation.

Common to most techniques is the belief that the inner being is divine. It is regarded as the source of all good and the seat of transformation.

Meditation has been shown to have desirable effects on mental health when it comes to handling stress, increasing mental calmness, reducing anxiety and enhancing memory. However, while mental relaxation and introspection – looking within – are helpful, the fact that the standard for evaluating the self is the self can be selfdefeating.

Moreover, there is a problem for Christians when meditation is perceived as the source of spiritual well-being. Also, most forms of meditation stress disengagement from the world, which runs counter to the biblical injunction to be salt and light to transform ourselves and society.

The question then arises whether Christians should engage in meditation and what form it should take. One option to be considered is Lectio Divina, an ancient monastic form of prayer. It involves quietening the self, reading the Scriptures aloud to hear the voice of God, meditating by studying and reflecting on biblical texts, and praying the Scriptures and contemplation. It allows people to rest in and experience the presence of God – the source of true transformation. This experience may be followed by a centring prayer and by deliberate action in the world. This form of meditation has long been practised both individually and in community, highlighting the communal dimension of faith. Unlike many other forms of meditation, it drives people to encounter God so as to experience change.

Salome Simeon