Love, Light, Listening, Learning, Letting Go.... These are some of the things I get from Yoga. (plus the L theme is fun) The article in the paper over the weekend has me thinking. As we all know, things are pretty cruddly for me personally right now. But I got to thinking about 'the journey' and what yoga offers me in this situation. I am a 'spiritual' person. I believe in God. I believe in life ever-after. What that means, I have no idea. I believe in being the best me I can be because it is the 'right' way to live. Not because I'd have to 'pay the piper,' after, if I didn't. I am as kind, caring and loving as I can be because it feels good - it's what is inside me. Again, not because I'd be damned to Hell if I didn't.
At times in my life (like now) I need perspective. I need to feel the goodness in the Universe. I need to know I am not alone. I get all of this from yoga. I get a community who loves me. I get the feeling my struggles are similar to what other people go through. I share whatever wisdom I've gained in life and others share theirs. I get laughter in sad times. I get to be present... in the right here, right now... where things don't look so bleak. Where I can say - I can do this one day at a time. I will make it no matter what else happens.
I support all people. All colors, all religions. I accept all behavior - well, not hatred. I understand we are human. I would never turn anyone away from a class... I'd welcome them because I want more people to feel the way I feel.
In the end, anything that offers love to others, acceptace, self love, honesty, happiness, perspective, forgiveness, happiness....
these are things I want for me and for my community. Everyone. I would seriously be so honored and welcome Pastor Mark with a full open heart and full of love to class. I just wish he'd come.
JL: Thank you, thank you, thank you for your loving heart. Thank you for not defending yoga by maligning Christianity and Christians. There does not need to be a dichotomy there. Many of us practice both!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see the pastor come to yoga, too! Did you contact anyone at the church?
Just for some more understanding: Mark Driscoll is part of the resurging Calvinist breed of Christianity. (The latest issue of the Economist has a story on the rise of Calvinist theology in the U.S.)
Just as there are varying breeds of yoga, there are varying philosophies among Christians.
To illustrate my last point, two videos, two "Mars Hill" churches, in two different states, and two totally different approaches:
ReplyDeletehttp://skepticmystic.blogspot.com/2010/10/two-mars-hills.html
(The first video is Mark Driscoll's comments on yoga. The second video is Pastor Rob Bell summarizing his views on the light. My church in Queen Anne is doing a video series by Rob Bell now!)