The dogma of scientism prepares the wide embrace of pseudo-spirituality. For example, the secular belief that humans are a result of evolution dovetails with a major tenet of yoga—the belief that we live multiple lives through time and by practicing spiritual austerities, our consciousness will evolve to a higher state and eventually merge with the divine. When I was in high school and university, students were not imparted with the counterarguments against biological evolution. So by the time I got introduced to yoga, I was already indoctrinated into the belief of some kind of evolutionary ascension. Fortunately, these days, you can hear from scientists on various online platforms who can defend the arguments of creationists and debunk the idea that humans sprang from lower creatures. With evolutionism debunked, it’s easier to quash any idea of a spiritual evolution technique.
In these times of social division, there clearly is no evolution of consciousness. If anything, there has been a degradation of consciousness. Compared to pre-hippie America, we have more broken families, emotionally traumatized children, aborted babies, bizarre secular indoctrination, obesity (gluttony), social displays of narcissism, and whatever social contagion that aims to diminish our moral foundation. Having 34 million Americans doing yoga doesn’t help our collective ills. So the belief that yoga helps consciousness evolve is apparently false. What truly is needed to heal the national psyche is a return to Judeo-Christian values and practices.
If Catholics want to remind the culture that there’s a better alternative to yoga and the occult, then we must hone in on spiritual practices that make us the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and like a city set on a hill. There are some underutilized practices and teachings that we can cultivate that are far greater than anything that yoga can offer. Here are a few suggestions from this former 1990s yogi:
Deliverance Not Vibes
In the New Age and yoga world, it’s very cliché to hear the phrase “raise your vibration.” Doing this through some kind of occult or concentration technique is supposed to protect them from negative stimuli. But what if the “bad vibes” are coming from an evil presence that has no physical form? Human authority is not sufficient to resolve this. Only God can expel demonic evil. We must be under His authority to defeat evil spirits. As Jesus said to His disciples: “Behold, I have given you authority to walk on snakes and scorpions, and authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you” (Luke 10:19). But those who attempt deliverance without Christ’s authority end up getting overpowered (see Acts 19:13-16).
Reciting Luke 10:19 and Psalm 91 every day is a great routine to help you fend off spiritual attacks. God’s authority is present in His Word. You can learn more spiritual warfare basics from content by Derek Prince, Fr. Chad Ripperger, Fr. Vincent Lampert, and Fr. Daniel Reehil. It’s encouraging to see their popularity on YouTube.
Add Some Latin Flair
When people become more devotional in their yoga regimen, some implement the chanting of ancient mantras into their meditation practice. Often when Westerners are doing this, they’re singing to a god they have no clue about. Many of these mantras sound resonant and poetic, which makes the practice very appealing to the devotee.
Instead of invoking a pagan god, try chanting to the one, true God with the sacred language of the Church—Latin. The reason why this matters is because the inscription on the cross “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews” was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So when Christ died on the cross, those languages became infused with a supernatural grace. Exorcists have observed that praying in Latin adds something extra that makes demonic forces flee. Most people will notice that hearing Gregorian chant (usually in Latin with occasional Greek) instantly creates a sense of reverence.
If you want an easy introduction to the prayers of the Mass in sacred language, listen to Joseph Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis. The Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, and Benedictus are so epic, beautiful, and melodic that you’ll naturally start singing them.
Reconciliation Not Breathwork
Many yoga students are overly zealous about learning super-secret yoga breathing techniques. Adepts convince them that it’s the ultimate way to purify the body, mind, and soul. But in reality, whatever breathing technique you’re going to dedicate yourself to will not purify you of sin. Like deliverance, only the forgiveness of sin is under God’s authority. It’s only through the mercy of Christ that we can be saved from our fallen nature. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, to the end that we may serve sin no longer” (Romans 6:6).
One good confession has more grace than a lifetime of yoga breathing. If you want the mercy given to us on Calvary, hide no sin and benefit from the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is an essential part of the sacramental life. You will be in a state of grace, and you won’t defile the Eucharist when you receive Communion.
Onward to the Heavenly Banquet
Now that you have deliverance, powerful prayers, and forgiveness of sin, answer the call to the heavenly banquet. “To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, would serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days” (Luke 1:74-75).
During the Jewish Passover, the Israelites’ deliverance from occult Egypt is remembered. In the Catholic Mass, we celebrate the new Passover—the Lamb of God saving us from our fallen nature. You could say this celebration is the opposite of reenacting the Fall of Man. Instead of eating forbidden fruit, we eat at the Lord’s supper in communion with Him. And if that isn’t exhilarating enough, we are also receiving a preview of the triumphant marriage supper in heaven as described in the Book of Revelation. After seeing this glorious celebration, St. John describes: “And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God’” (19:9-10).
If Catholics cultivate a solid understanding of the significance of the new Passover, there would be fewer people leaving the Faith and seeking fulfillment in Eastern spirituality. Jews know about the sacredness of Passover. Imagine if the whole world found out that God liberates people from the kingdom of darkness at every new Passover celebration—every church on Sunday would be packed like they are on Christmas and Easter. “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
Condescension Before Ascension
In the plan of salvation, the Son of God condescended to our humanness. The plan was not for humans to ascend to heaven using occult methods. Those caught up in forbidden practices cannot even recognize the fruits of their labor as being awful. Let’s pray that they change course and find real peace.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem. / Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Editor’s Note: This article is part two of a two-part series examining the practice of yoga.
Photo by Conscious Design on Unsplash
