When I was in middle school, we did a yoga unit in gym, and I HATED it. My legs did not flex, and I wound up red-faced and breathless trying to crank myself into the stretches. Years later, I stumbled upon Yoga with Adrienne. The way she explained the poses, focused on balance, and maintained breath completely changed the way I viewed yoga practice. This month, I’m finally working my way through an entire 30 day challenge in hopes of establishing a habit to balance my mental health. In it, Adrienne brought up an interesting philosophy: everything I need is already inside me. The concept sounds empowering, but does it line up with Scripture?
Christian Faith and Yoga
First and foremost, I know that in some circles, the idea of practicing yoga and being a Christian directly oppose each other. For me, I have found that the meditative moments of yoga facilitate a centering prayer practice. I return to words that remind me of God; often I repeat the word “grace” when choosing a mantra. It becomes both a prayer for forgiveness and a praise for God’s goodness in one single breath. Plus, recognizing the power of the bodies God gave us reminds me of His goodness and care in creating. In sum, I’ve found that practicing yoga actually boosts the other spiritual disciplines in my life.
That said, yoga does have roots in Hindu culture. Therefore, I want to think through ancient yoga principles before blindly subscribing to them (just as with church teachings and other philosophies.) So today, I’d like to foster an open discussion based on Scripture. Acknowledging both God’s transforming work in our lives and His gift of the Holy Spirit, is everything I need already inside of me, or are the qualities I need to heal and change doled out in pieces?
The Passages
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:19-25 NIV
Is Everything I Need Already Inside Me?
Paul certainly acknowledges the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in his letters to the churches in Corinth and Galatia. That said, I think Paul would focus first and foremost on a relationship with Christ. Without being saved from our sins through Jesus’ death and then receiving God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, we cannot change. We are stuck in the “flesh with its passions and desires.” (Of course, that gets into the uncomfortable discussion of what makes a person “good,” which is a bit more than I planned to delve into here. Suffice to say, Paul generally finds the roots of goodness in God.)
Assuming Paul’s premise that true transformation must start with a relationship with Jesus, it seems that the Holy Spirit then brings everything we need to heal and grow. After all, if the Holy Spirit is part of God as the trinity doctrine asserts, then the Spirit lacks nothing when it enters into our beings. Thus, with God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, I do have everything I need already inside of me. The fruits of the Spirit live in my heart; whether I give them voice and let them breathe becomes the challenge.
Conclusion
Based on Paul’s teachings, once someone accepts God’s gift of salvation and receives the Holy Spirit, they do have everything they need inside of them to grow. Perfection is no longer a standard to strive for; it’s a state we choose to walk in. We no longer need to fight to be more peaceful, more grateful, more strong. God already made us those things. The more we walk with God and recognize the qualities He fills us with, the more we will transform into His image.
Do you have another verse or insight to consider? I’d love to hear it in the comments!