Not surprising. We all know that part of the Christians 'Great Commission' is to one day proselytize all of you "evil pantheists". And the only reason India, the nation with the world's largest Hindu population, has not been utterly destroyed again (since Britain proclaimed her its 'Crown Jewel') is because she cooperates with western governments and allows her population to be exploited by our international corporations (I well remember calling some Microsoft number for help with me computer and the 'technician' was in India somewhere, a job that should have stayed here in the U.S.).

Anyway. India will be alright as long as she militarily does western bidding, and always continues to 'freely'-trade with us as well; but if need be, do not think for a minute that Hindus cannot be demonized just as ferociously as Muslims.

Robertson's (and many likeminded American fundamentalists) 'Judeo-Christianly' attitude, as you well know, can quickly become violently dangerous to 'the other'.

Peace

The Rev. Robertson needs to stretch his mind a bit...as do his viewers who are afraid to think and explore for themselves.

Mallika,
You are something else!
Todd

Hilarious... but not surprising.

It's the old "separate the physical from the spiritual" paradigm that Pat and many in the west have been conditioned into.

On a sadder note, the way the question is phrased shows how many Christians today have severely limited their sources of information. They only read certain books, watch certain TV channels, and so on. Thus, the questioner's only knowledge of yoga is that is supposedly has evil origins - probably something the questioner got from another fundy website of TV show.

While it may be true that most of us have our fave TV stations, shows, websites, etc...in most people's case it is to seek out a good source of new information, while in the Fundamentalist Christian world, the purpose is expressly to block out most of the world's information sources and indoctrinate oneself with only one worldview.

And that's a problem when that world view necessitates the destruction of two-thirds of the planet in a super-violent apocalypse.

Not all Christians are Fundies, of course, but Pat;s target audience is.

Hilarious; Mallika - thanks for posting this!

Actually I'm a bit impressed that Robertson mentioned "higher consciousness" and an "ever-present God" - he knows more about yoga and non-duality than I gave fundamentalist Christians credit for!

Hi Mallika
sorry this video did not play on my computer.
i got some high faluting message that basically said this format was too hig faluting for us in the backward nations such as India which is originally the land of yoga and all that jazz
can you repost?
thank you

Hi Mallika
sorry this video did not play on my computer.
i got some high faluting message that basically said this format was too high faluting for us in the backward nations such as India which is originally the land of yoga and all that jazz
can you repost?
thank you

With all due respect to Millika and everyone here, This seems like the other side of the coin.
Judging Pat Robertson and christians, is no different than him judging yoga or the Hindu religion. I get the same feeling.

I was involved in the fundamentalist christian church when I was young. I was convinced I was on the right path and that Jesus was the answer.

If we are to ever reach world peace, I believe we need to accept and respect everyone's belief system with the same respect as our own.

Sometimes I get the feeling that eastern or Indian belief systems are the end all. That yoga and meditation are the cure for all suffering. That once everyone believes in these ideas then the world will live in peace. This is the same energy I get from other fundamentalists.

Pat Robertson has as much right to spread his belief system as Deepak. They are both charismatic personalities talking about and promoting their belief system. As long as people look to others to answer their questions and find truth then these charismatic people will have followers. And these followers will justify their leaders beliefs.

I respect the path to enlightenment through meditation and yoga, I'm sure it is quite beautiful. I also respect the path to heaven with Jesus, it is also quite beautiful. Personally I have no path, beautiful as well. I don't believe anyone holds any more truth than anyone else. Whether an enlightened being, Pat Robertson or the guy who made my latte this morning.

These are just my observations from my perspective.

derek

Aloha Millika

Prejudice is a disease. We are all evolving if we like it or not. Pray for him to be conscious of that part that is us. Love patty knowing Love is inclusive!

Unfortunately, I still have not remembered to bring my headsets in, so I cannot listen to the video. But I think I get the idea and I also really liked Derek's post as I think his view was open and seems to represent what I perceive as well.

Now, since I am a Christian, I will comment. Personally, I believe that many of those of my faith, especially in the Bible Belt area, are afraid of yoga and meditation, as we all know it will bring one to knowledge of oneself. Therefore, one will know good and evil as the WE said in the Bible that 'man [male & female) will know good and evil as WE (God).'

I do believe, however, that we are truly creations of LOVE, as one will find out when they enter the desert and come out like Jesus did. If there is any evil in the children, it's their ignorance of who they are ... beautiful and pure.

Now, according to what I understand Jesus did face the darkness and overcame it. So in the Christian faith, Jesus promises deliverance from evil as He overcame it for those who accept Him as their savior.

We all know the Jews did not have Jesus to save them, as God saved them, before Jesus was born. So it brings me to the thought that if one knows God (whatever faith and religion), then they don't need Jesus Christ. Jesus clearly states in the Bible that He came for the lost, so if your not lost, you don't need Him.

Everyone has to remember that many Christians are still babies and what Parent does not protect the little ones? And those babies can throw a screaming fit from time-to-time. But once they grow up some, they will be just fine brothers and sisters. However, growing can be extremely painful, so many babies choose to sleep while the Parent rocks and feds them. When they are ready, they will wake up. So please be nice to the little babies and help them.

That's my 2 cents.

Love, Char

BTW: I believe that anyone can know God and surely all will one day ... eventually. One will know when they have come closer to Spirit as they will discover peace, love, compassion, kindness, gentleness, meekness, temperance, goodness, patience, etc. within and without.

Love, Char

PS: I also believe that in accepting Jesus Christ, one accepts God and therefore, Spirit works within that person and assist them in their growth. Same as the Higher Self helping someone who meditates. I think Jesus came for those who had no God or did not have away or any idea on how to know God.

For example, because I had faith and believed, I accepted the work of Spirit within me as It teaches me. This is what Christians mean when they say, Jesus Christ is a "personal" savior, as Spirit is allowed by the creature to work in the it. I also believe that Jesus Christ and God are the WE, as well as the Holy Spirit.

Now, I cannot speak of other faiths because I do not fully understand other beliefs, but I am trying to learn how we all connect and to know exactly where do we all meet as one. I see so many similarities. The Bible saids that 'God is within, or the Kingdom is within,' as well as God put His laws in all hearts, which I think means those good things found within such as love, etc.

Well .... I can see that some (or one :-) will say I am spamming, but I am passionate about God, so I cannot keep my mouth shut .... unfortunately.

Love, Char

Isn't the acceptance of God a means of releasing ones soul from its tether to the body. A realization that the Spirit is within us. This spirit is our soul, and we long to unite our being with that of God in heaven.

I recently sent a note to a friend who I was hoping to help relieve anger they were feeling. I genuinely care for this person and wanted to share the path I had taken to get a hold of my own anger. This is what I said:

"Nothing is ever lost, no effort is ever wasted. Even the smallest amount of efforts will gather together within you. For example, anytime you find a free moment... stop, look at the sky and take three slow deep breaths as deep as your lungs are comfortable doing . At the end of the third breath notice what it is like to be in your body when it is calm and not concerned with anything other than the last breath you just took. Take note of that moment and make it as important an event in your day as any appointment on your calendar. Mentally thank yourself for the moment. That moment is now a memory. Each time you do that the memories will call up one another. After a while you will find that you associate that calmness with compassion for yourself, and you become grateful, and that gives you strength. Be a friend to the "chatter" inside that pulls at you. It is just you trying to get your attention. Give it the time it needs, if only for three breaths a day."

There are many paths to God – looking deep within your being and finding that there is a universal ground of compassion is one. Have compassion for yourself. Allow God to light up truth within your being. There is knowledge there, there is the real you there and it is wonderful to experience. When you really see that and experience it, you want only to help others find it as well. You don't want to impose external theocracy on to them.

To Pat Robinson's statement, I can only think that he has buried truth so deep beneath layers of judgement and ignorance, that when he has moments alone to search within himself, he can only see the "spooky" existence he has manifest for himself.

Virginia Beach Virginia
The home of not only Pat Robertson but Todd.
Even Edgar Cayce years ago.
I wonder if Pat is picking up some (spooky) vibe.
Todd

Mallika,
Did you pick up a vibe.
(laughs)
Todd

That was pretty funny..Can't wait to go to yoga class this week and hear comments!

Joanie

Look at the bright side: He's old and will die off

Better late than never for a comment from a yogi. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Yoga has so many facets, but the core of yoga is about the calming of the mind, so we can connect our spirit to the universal spirit and the asanas are an important aspect of developing the strength to do that. I wonder if Pat Robertson himself is practicing yoga!!