In February, we began our study of the original yoga knowledge, and building a bridge to our JudeoChristian traditions. The 196 yoga sutras, or little lessons, were compiled some 500-800 years before Christ. You can find many translations and interpretations on the Internet for free if you'd like to follow along. Sanskrit is hard to translate into English. However, I enjoy these two translations as the commentators often set the lessons in a Christian context. Here are my picks for the best two:

 

This sutra above speaks of a state of perfect union with God, freed from any outside stimuli or internal distractions. Dr. Ravindra uses a quotation from Plotinus saying that this is like a "flight from the alone to the Alone." The word "seed " in the above refers to the beginnings of something that could take you away, such as the seeds of desire. Yesterday we talked about how thoughts from the past can sometimes grab at us when we sit in prayer and meditation. Ravindra says this lesson doesn't mean we must forget the past, but rise above its conditioning upon our present selves as we approach God.

I can't hear the word "seed" in a spiritual context without thinking of this beautiful chapter in I John. I hope you take the time to read it in its entirety today. The whole purpose of meditation is to get out of the way to allow God's seed (biologic and botanic) to take root in our minds and hearts.

For prayer and meditation to be effective, we must tackle the most difficult of human challenges, to lay down our ego as a sacrifice before God's altar. How tough is that--to rid ourselves of all our human "packaging" we've worked a lifetime to accumulate! Most of us have invented an elaborate mythology about ourselves--we are especially strong or brave or intelligent or capable in certain ways. Or, conversely, we are hopelessly clumsy or fat or incompetent. At the feet of God, we are all equal, and all God's children as today's chapter reminds us. "²⁴Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us." I hope you make room for the Spirit today!

Cobra is a great pose to tone the muscles of the lower back. Pushing up and down with "Cobra pushups" can build muscle in the upper arms, shoulders and rotator cuff muscles. Watch your arm position! Keep the fingers spread wide and the elbows tucked into the body, rather than splaying the elbows wide as you go up and down--to protect those delicate rotators!

 

 

For instructions on this pose, click here (photo and instructions courtesy of Yoga Journal).

 

If you'd like a more structured way to practice yoga, try the new Redeeming Yoga Workbook and Journal, now available for sale on-line. It contains an 8-week program of meditations, health tips, Bible study, plus room for journaling. Click here to order now!