QUESTION: "WHAT IS A CHAKRA?

"

Answer: A chakra is a spiritual power point used in Yoga and Eastern mysticism. The
word chakra describes one element in a highly complex system of thought about the
energies of the body.

The following terms are associated with the chakra. The definitions reflect beliefs held by
many Hindus, Buddhists and practitioners of Yoga:

Prana life energies found in parts of the body, also called subtle winds.

Subtle body similar to a soul, this is a body of energy containing the chakras.

Nadis energy channels, or meridians, that run like veins through the subtle body and
serve as conduits for the prana. The central Nadi runs alongside or inside the spine and is
associated with the central nervous system.

Chakras the points of energy on the surface of the subtle body. Located along the
Sushumna or the central Nadi. This and two other primary Nadis run through the core of
the body, twining around one another and penetrating the chakras. In some traditions,
each chakra is a central hub for thousands of Nadi. Each chakra is associated with a
mantra seed-syllable (usually a Sanskrit word), and often with a particular color and
deity.

The chakra, or chakras, play a role in certain types of medicine. Acupuncture, for
example, and other types of Chinese medicine claim to use body energies and meridians
to promote healing. Whether or not chakras exist, many people have found acupuncture
to provide relief from pain. So, there may be a physical benefit to acupuncture
independent of the spiritual philosophy behind it.

The real danger of belief in the chakras is in the spiritual overtones connected to it. The
chakras are central to a meditation technique known as Kundalini, which literally means
that which is coiled. Kundalini is also the name of a goddess. The belief is that Kundalini
is a divine force which resides at the base of the spine and, when awakened, travels up
the spine (the central Nadi) and through each chakra until it reaches the crown of the
head. Along the way, this uncoiling goddess brings spiritual awareness to the individual.
When it reaches the uppermost chakra, this force is said to generate an ineffable, highly
mystical experience.

People who have engaged in this type of meditation will testify both to its power and its
danger. One Christian woman describes her pre-Christ experience with mantra
meditation:

Mantra meditation is so very seductive because it generates a very powerful, seemingly

supernatural experience that can make one feel as if they are actually encountering God.
The first meditation I ever did at age 20 left me utterly convinced that I had experienced
the presence of God. In hindsight, I believe that this encounter truly was supernatural.
The Bible tells us that Satan himself can masquerade as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14).
So I ask you: would Satan be so bold as to actually pretend to be God? Of course he
would. He's no gentleman. It's not like he would say to himself, Well, that would be
deceitful, I can't do that! More like this: That's deceitful - awesome!! I wonder how many
times I could trick people into thinking they're encountering God before somebody starts
to catch on? And Satan was more than happy to give me an experience if it would turn
me away from the one true God. http://solasisters.blogspot.com/search?updated-
min=2009-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-
results=5 She goes to describe the frightening after-effects of this experience. (Listen to
her story here: http://solasisters.blogspot.com/2010/01/fighting-for-faith-interview.html)

The spiritual experience achieved through this type of meditation is undeniably real, and it
may feel like a connection to the divine, but it is not of God. The Bible says that we should
reject spiritual messengers who claim to be from God but speak a different gospel
(Galatians 1:8). And the message of Eastern mysticism is contrary to the gospel. The
gospel tells us that God reached down to save humanity, but Eastern mystics assert that
man can, via various techniques involving chakras and Nadi, attain a godlike state or
connect with the divine. Belief in chakras is a deception that Satan uses to lead people
away from the grace of the Lord. Spiritual enlightenment does not come through chakras
but through a relationship with the true God (Psalm 36:9).

QUESTION: "WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF YOGA?"

Answer: For many Christians in the West who don't understand the history behind it,
yoga is simply a means of physical exercise and strengthening and improving flexibility of
the muscles. However, the philosophy behind yoga is much more than physically
improving oneself. It is an ancient practice derived from India, believed to be the path to
spiritual growth and enlightenment.

The word yoga means "union," and the goal is to unite one's transitory (temporary) self
with the infinite Brahman, the Hindu concept of "God." This god is not a literal being, but
is an impersonal spiritual substance that is one with nature and the cosmos. This view is
called "pantheism," the belief that everything is God and that reality consists only of the
universe and nature. Because everything is God, the yoga philosophy makes no
distinction between man and God.

Hatha yoga is the aspect of yoga that focuses on the physical body through special
postures, breathing exercises, and concentration or meditation. It is a means to prepare
the body for the spiritual exercises, with fewer obstacles, in order to achieve
enlightenment. The practice of yoga is based on the belief that man and God are one. It is
little more than self-worship disguised as high-level spirituality.

The question becomes, is it possible for a Christian to isolate the physical aspects of yoga
as simply a method of exercise, without incorporating the spirituality or philosophy behind
it? Yoga originated with a blatantly anti-Christian philosophy, and that philosophy has not
changed. It teaches one to focus on oneself instead of on the one true God. It encourages
its participants to seek the answers to life's difficult questions within their own
consciousness instead of in the Word of God. It also leaves one open to deception from
God's enemy, who searches for victims whom he can turn away from God (1 Peter 5:8).

Whatever we do should be done for God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), and we would be
wise to heed the words of the apostle Paul: "Fix your thoughts on what is true and
honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think
about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8, NLT). A Christian
should exercise caution and pray for discernment regarding involvement in yoga.

QUESTION: "WHAT IS TANTRA / TANTRISM / TANTRIC RELIGION?"

Answer: Tantra, also called Tantrism or Tantric religion, is an umbrella concept within
Hinduism. Yoga, mantras, the construction of mandalas, visualization, and many other
Hindu practices are all part of the larger whole, which is Tantra. To a follower of
Hinduism, Tantra is simply an attempt to connect to the divine, to achieve a higher state
of consciousness, and to channel divine energy through the human body. Tanta uses
rituals to integrate the body, soul, spirit, emotions, will, and mind into a perfect union. It
seeks to enlighten both the spiritual and physical aspects of a person.

Hindu scholar David Gordon White defined Tantra this way: Tantra is that Asian body of
beliefs and practices which, working from the principle that the universe we experience is
nothing other than the concrete manifestation of the divine energy of the godhead that
creates and maintains that universe, seeks to ritually appropriate and channel that
energy, within the human microcosm, in creative and emancipatory ways (Tantra in
Practice, Princeton University Press, 2000, p. 9).

There are some key differences between Tantric religion/Tantrism and biblical
Christianity. Tantra teaches the existence of chakras and kundalini energy, which are
unbiblical concepts, and it promotes yoga and occult rituals, which no Christian should be
involved in. Tantra promises to emancipate humanity, but Jesus said only the truth will set
us free (John 8:32). Tantras concept of divine energy is impersonal and can be
manipulated for ones own purposes; the Bible teaches that God is personal and cannot
be manipulated at all (Psalm 59:8).

In Hinduism there is no set of laws or traditions followed by every Hindu, and there is no
religious authority or any authoritative holy books. A Hindu can choose his own path to
the divine, be it pantheistic, monotheistic, atheistic, or humanist. For this reason, any
comprehensive definition of Tantra or Tantric religion is difficult to achieve. Christianity, on
the other hand, is the opposite. There is one holy bookthe Biblethat is the absolute
truth and authority. There is one God, and one way to Godsalvation through Jesus
Christ (John 14:6).

A person who trusts Jesus for eternal salvation is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who teaches,
guides, and sanctifies the believer (John 15:26; Hebrews 10:14). The Holy Spirit is a
Person and abides with men in a personal way (John 14:26). In contrast, Tantras concept
of the divine in men is an impersonal, non-salvific force that can be accessed (or not) by
various rituals, sacrifices, sex rites, and various other methods. The connection to the
impersonal divine, in Tantric religion, is laid on mans shoulders. If he or she wishes to
connect to the divine, he or she must work at it.

Tantra offers no sure, absolute guarantee of success. Tantrists strive to connect to the
divine, but there is no way to know for sure that they are connected or that the connection
will be maintained. Tantras divine power ebbs and flows and is as impersonal and
uncaring as the ocean tide. Jesus Christs power is absolute and unchanging, and He
offers to save all those who call on Him for salvation (Romans 10:13).

QUESTION: "WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT DANCING? SHOULD

CHRISTIANS DANCE?"

Answer: The Bible doesn't give specific instructions on dancing. It may be helpful to point
out some examples of good and bad dancing, and then mention some biblical principles
to build dancing standards on. Exodus 32:6, 19-25This is a disappointing part of Israel's
history. While Moses was up on the mountain talking to God, the Israelites built an idol. In
the process of the idol worship, they began to dance. This ended up in "revelry" (v. 6) and
being "out of control" In this case, dancing led to very sinful activity. In Exodus 15:20
Miriam was dancing to celebrate the victory God's power had brought at the Red Sea.
Second Samuel 6:12-16David "danced before the Lord" to celebrate the Ark of the
Covenant being brought back to Jerusalem.
Every instance of dancing that is not considered sinful was done in worship or praise to
God. Here are some more principles to keep in mind in considering dancing: Ecclesiastes
3:4There is an appropriate time to dance (and, by implication, an inappropriate time to
dance). Psalm 149:3; 150:4Both passages mention that we can praise or worship God
through dance. First Corinthians 6:19-20Our bodies belong to God, and they are the
temple of the Holy Spirit. So everything we do must be honoring to Him.

Dancing to bring attention to yourself or your body, therefore, would be sinful. In 1

Corinthians 7:1-3, the writer says, "It is good for a man not to touch a woman" (NASB,
KJV). Any dancing that stirs up sinful desires in ourselves or in others is sinful. Matthew
18:6Doing something that might cause someone else to stumble into sin is considered
absolutely inexcusable. Dancing in a way that would cause someone else to lust would
fall under this guideline. First Thessalonians 5:22This is a great rule of thumb if we're
not sure if a dancing situation is acceptable. "Avoid every kind of evil." If it even looks like
it could be sinful, don't do it.

In the end, there is a lot of dancing that is inappropriate for believers, twerking for
example, who should be seeking to glorify God with their lives and especially with their
bodies. Yet the Bible acknowledges that we can dance in a way that does not tempt
others, does not tempt ourselves, and brings glory to God.

QUESTION: "WHAT SORT OF PAGAN REVELRY DID THE ISRAELITES INDULGE IN

(EXODUS 32:6)?"

Answer: In Exodus 32 Moses returns from talking with the Lord on the mountain and
finds that the Israelites have turned to sinful actions. Verse 6 says, The people rose early
and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down
to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. What exactly was this revelry that
followed the Israelites feast?

The context helps identify the main actions that offended the Lord. First, verse 4 notes
that the people gave offerings to a golden calf. They had already broken the first of the
Ten Commandments before Moses had even returned with them! And verse 6 mentions
that feasting and drinking were part of the festivities.

Second, Moses had identified the noise emanating from the camp as the sound of
singing (Exodus 32:18). In their pagan revelries, the people of Israel were singing songs
of adoration to the golden calf. In the not-so-distant past, they had been singing praise to
the Lord after He led them safely through the Red Sea (Exodus 15). Now their tune had
changed.

Third, the people of Israel danced as part of their celebration of the golden calf. Verse 19
says, When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger
burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of
the mountain. Dancing per se is not noted as wrong, but dancing in celebration of an idol
made Moses (and God) angry.

Fourth, there was an unrestrained attitude of partying around the golden calf. Verse 25
presents the shameful truth: The people were running wild . . . Aaron had let them get
out of control and so [they became] a laughingstock to their enemies. Details of their
behavior are not given, but their actions were unruly, uncivilized, and ungodly.

In turning to a graven image, the people had turned away from the Lord (see
Deuteronomy 9:16). Even though the golden calf had been billed as the god they had
been following all along (Exodus 32:4), the True God cannot be reduced to imagery. The
Lord will not share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8). That is why God judged the
people of Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai.

QUESTION: "WHAT SHOULD BE THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF HARRY POTTER?"

Answer: As the popularity of the Harry Potter series continues to grow, Christian parents
are left with some difficult questions. Some believe that the magical world of Harry Potter
is little more than harmless fun and fantasy. Others fear that these books and movies are
an invitation to the occult. Regardless of a parent's viewpoint, Harry Potter has become
unavoidable, as he now boldly lines the shelves of children's bookstores, public libraries,
and schools. Without question, Christians should have some concerns and need to use
careful discernment in deciding whether or not to allow their children to immerse
themselves in the world of Harry Potter.

Harry Potter books and films are full of stereotypical magic. Witchcraft and wizardry are
central themes, and the lead roles are played by wizards, witches, and other magical
creatures. Although the characters practice casting spells, reading crystal balls, etc., they
do not communicate with spiritual (supernatural) forces. While this may be considered a
positive, one definite negative is that there is no higher power to answer to at all.

Unlike other fantasy children's stories that contain witches and the like, such as C. S.
Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, the Harry Potter books do not have a positive biblical
worldview. The distinction between good and bad can become blurred as both the "good"
and "evil" characters participate in different types witchcraft and magic. The Bible clearly
condemns all kinds of witchcraft, sorcery and spiritism (Deuteronomy 18:10-11).
Philippians 4:8 says to "fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve
praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable." So does this mean
that all Christians should avoid Harry Potter altogether?

For some families, the answer to this is yes. The Harry Potter series may not be for young
or spiritually immature children, as they may not have the ability to distinguish between
reality and fantasy, right and wrong, or good and evil. At best, they may be left confused
about God's views about the occult, and at worst, they may become enchanted by the
magical existence of Harry and his friends, becoming desensitized to occult lifestyles. In
addition, there are issues such as violence, lying, and mildly foul language that each
Christian family will be sensitive to at different levels.

To any family that is facing the debate with their children about whether or not they should
be allowed to watch or read Harry Potter, good advice is found in the Scriptures: "Do not
be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). The Bible tells
us that God cares about what happens to us, and so we should give all of our worries to
Him (1 Peter 5:7).

Christian parents have the responsibility to teach their children about virtues that please
God and about the spiritual forces that we are up against (Ephesians 6:12). When a child
gets to a point where he or she has a personal relationship with God and is able to fully
discern between what is good and bad according to Gods standards, a parent-led
discussion of the Harry Potter books and movies might serve as a way to teach godly
discernment and raise up wise Christian thinkers.