If men were born free, they would, so long as they remained free, form no conception of good and evil. ~ Baruch Spinoza
Image copyright © 2010 by Mark Donoher
I read an article yesterday which took me totally by surprise. An Irish Catholic priest was cautioning his parishioners against yoga because, he said, it endangers their souls. Same goes for tai chi or Reiki, according to the reverend. These activities he deemed “unsavoury.”
I had to read the article a couple times before it sunk in. I’m sure this priest is a good man, and has his parishioners’ best interests at heart. But this kind of totally outdated thinking took me back to the days I grew up in the Catholic Church.
An old family friend also took me by surprise long ago, when I was questioning something she said—I don’t remember what it was now. Though I do remember her response: “But Father Mark (the local Catholic priest) said it was true—so it must be.”
Such luminaries as Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer recommend yoga. As do many others. It’s brought big benefits—physical, mental, and spiritual—into people’s lives. It may not be right for everyone, but it is for many.
So who’s right? The Irish priest or all the people who practice and advocate yoga? Actually, no one is right.
As my spirit guides often say, there is no right, no wrong. There is only what’s right and what’s wrong for you.
I’ve been doing yoga for years, and I’ve never felt my soul was endangered. 🙂
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This short video, Beyond Right and Wrong, is powerful. Though it doesn’t relate directly to today’s post, it clearly shows how rigid “right-and-wrong” attitudes can devastate our humanity. If you’re particularly sensitive, be aware there are some graphic scenes.
Related links:
We’re Right and They’re Wrong
We’re Right and They’re Wrong: Sequel
We’re All God’s Children
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What can you do to ease the global tensions over right and wrong? If you say, “Nothing,” I’d suggest you’re underestimating the vast power you have, as one individual standing alone. Please share your thoughts and comments with us below.
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What other subjects would you like us to talk about in these posts? Please email me.
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About John Cali
John Cali is a writer, blogger, and channel for a group of spirit guides. His next book is Conversations With Spirit: Real Answers to Life’s Pesky Questions, Book 1. John lives in northwestern Wyoming.Sign up for his newsletter here.
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Joanne
I grew up in a close knit Italian American family and remember being told the same thing, that is, if the priest said it was so, then it is the absolute truth. It was only later that I realized that priests are human beings and like all human beings they are not infallible; they make mistakes like everyone else. This is even more so now that certain secrets about certain practices existing in the holy orders for many years are now being exposed to the light. What the Irish priest is doing is simply taking advantage of the ignorant; the less parishioners know the better is is to manipulate their thinking. Yoga and similar practices are activities that originated in philosophies (I prefer this word rather than “religions”) the principles of which the priest may not agree with but that doesn’t make them evil or wrong. What the priest might not like is the fact that these practices opens the inner consciousness in such a way that the mind is liberated, thus allowing it to look around and see other ways of acting, of living, of being. Manipulation is a very old tactic; it is one of the worst things that can happen to human minds that have never been allowed to see beyond its own borders. While I no longer believe in its dogmatic precepts; I still respect the Catholic Church, and hope eventually in certain countries there will be greater open mindedness and acceptance of differences. Humanity can be compared to the myriad shapes and colors of a kaleidoscope; joined all together they unite to make a complete universal picture. The picture changes as the wheel is turned but the united presence of humanity is still there for all to see. It is this unity that is missing today.
John Cali
Thanks very much, Joanne. I too grew up in a close-knit Italian family. So all you said resonates with me. Although I’m no longer Catholic, I also respect the church — and especially Pope Francis. In my opinion, he’s moved the Vatican and the Catholic Church closer to the unity you speak of.
Margaret Unger
There may be no right nor wrong, however that doesn’t mean there are no consequences:learnings. Everyone is an authentic aspect of Source, busy creating; we must respect each of ourselves for that reason. At this point of time, most are creating their realities unconsciously. Source, in order to get full learning must be free to experience full results of what Its/ We’re creating. This arena/ planet, is experiential/ hands on learning. We don’t know what the learning for each aspect of Source is about; so we really can not judge the rightness nor wrongness of what they are creating/ learning for themselves. This is detachment, and Allowance. Source, who is creating Itself as the priest, and as the parishioner are probably at Baby Soul levels and therefore find yoga outside of their safety zones and frightening. The church is good for those who need it. If you no longer need it you’ll move on. Someone’s narrower point of view won’t work on someone who is functioning at higher perspective. What’s good for the goose is not always good for the gander because each may have very different lessons or missions for this lifetime. If you don’t need the lessons of a war zone you won’t be in one. If you want to lessen war, heal all of which you are at war within yourself. We are connected since we are each authentic Source, we are One Being. As we raise our vibration we raise the vibration of the world/ Our Greater Being(s). When other aspects of us get what learning they need from the war classrooms, they’ll no longer put their creative energy into those focuses. “Don’t worry. Be happy!” Every aspect IS where it needs to be. All is in Perfection – not our limited earth personalities’ ideas of perfection, but Source’s ideas of perfection. Stay connected within and follow your heart’s directive for your part of the creation of the planetary tapestry. ~My thoughts
John Cali
I agree, Margaret — there are always consequences for the choices we make. Thanks very much for your wise, perceptive comments. It would well for us all to take your words to heart.
Susan
Hi, again! Just opened an email from “The Summer of Peace” at the Shift Network with this included:
Chief Phil and Indigenous elders around the world are calling for Pope Francis to denounce the Papal Bulls and to apologize to Indigenous peoples for the harm caused to them. To read the press release (PDF file), click here.)
Love and blessings,
Susan
John Cali
Hi Susan,
Thanks very much. I don’t see the link in your message. But if you’ll email it to me at john@greatwesternpublishing.org I’ll be happy to put it into your message.
Blessings,
John
Susan
Okay, John, I’ve forwarded it to you by email. Hopefully you can get it to work! Thanks for all you do…
Susan
Lydia Travers,
When I was teaching Yoga to seniors 10 years ago – I was 70 at the time, one woman was from SriLanka, a Christian, was very upset that the center was allowing this evil to be taught. I felt quite bad about her reaction. We are a long way yet from being able to not make others the enemy in one way or another; however there is a lot of light shining through many people these days.
Blessings of a peaceful mind to you all and thanks for your enlightened messages.
John Cali
Thanks very much, Lydia. I love your statement about light shining through many people today. We truly are in a revolution of consciousness, and many are waking up.
Susan
Guess I’m just a lost cause according to the RC Church (which I walked away from about 50 yars ago!) Started a yoga practice and learned Transcendental Meditation in the early ’70s,, moved into A Course in Miracles in the mid ’90s and learned Reiki in the early 2000’s!!! I do love this quote from the Course…
“Spirit is in a state of grace forever.
Your reality is only spirit.
Therefore you are in a state of grace forever.”
And so it is…
Love and blessings,
Susan
John Cali
Thanks very much, Susan.
I guess we’re both “lost causes” as far as the church is concerned. Some of of my family still worry that I’m destined for hell. I just tell them to pray for me, and that makes them feel better. 🙂
I too love that quote from A Course in Miracles — I love all their quotes.
Blessings,
John
Rafa
i am sorry anyone who says theirs is the only way are ignorant. or who say someone else’s way is wrong are ignorant.
But what Spirit said is open minded. So for me you are right. but the priest is wrong. The priest can do his ways and he is correct in that but to say something else is wrong is narrow minded and ignorance.
Also deepak chopra and Wayne Dyer do not say thats the only way. They are just recommending tools. You can use what works.
Its just my view.
John Cali
Thanks very much, Rafa. I agree — Wayne and Deepak are not saying that’s the only way, it’s only one way.
Blessings,
John
Rafa
I find it quite fascinating that how much of life is a perception. Its astronomically astonishing that someone like a priest who spends every single day of his life trying to touch the Divine and living in a Divine way can be totally wrong in his perception and gets it completely wrong about Yoga. Of course there are varied subjects and one can’t be right in all views. but this is a guy who spends his life to find and be in touch with the Divine.
Rafa
And yoga is a channel to touch the Divine and this Priest fails to recognize that. incredible!
John Cali
I agree, Rafa — yoga certainly is one channel to divine energy.
John Cali
Thank you again, Rafa.
Toni
How ridiculous. And so many Catholics will believe him. I guess it wasn’t “unsavoury” when the priest in my parish wanted me to sign over my income tax refund to enroll my son in first grade. I sound bitter, don’t I, John? Hugs, Toni
John Cali
Well, Toni, those of us who’ve left the Catholic Church probably all have negative memories. But I choose to remember the good stuff (there was a lot of it), and forget the rest.
Hugs to you too, Toni,
John
Toni
Point taken, John. You’re right. Love you.
John Cali
Love you too, Toni.