There is more to yoga beyond the pillars of meditation, breathwork, and poses. Behind these essential health and wellness tools is a philosophical framework that some yogis use to guide their understanding of and interaction with the world. Some yoga philosophies align with the Christian worldview, and some do not. Let’s examine the core beliefs of yoga and Christianity to understand their similarities and differences.

Much of yoga philosophy comes from the Yoga Sutras, a collection of statements and observations generally attributed to the ancient sage Patanjali. Like the Bible, these statements were passed on through oral teaching before being compiled into a cohesive text. 

Foundational Beliefs of Yoga and Christianity

This is part 1 of a 3-part comparative study. Read Part 2 here and Part 3 here.

Nature of Man:

The Yoga Sutras teach that man’s true nature is divine (Purusha). However, this divine nature is often obscured by ignorance and attachment (avidya). Realizing one’s true nature beyond the fluctuations of the mind (chitta) achieves liberation (moksha) or freedom from these attachments and thoughts.

This ignorance is not a lack of knowledge but a misunderstanding of reality. Overcoming attachments is a central aim of yoga practice, with the cultivation of self-awareness, wisdom, and discernment as antidotes to ignorance and paving the way for spiritual liberation. Purusha is described in Sutra 1.3, and Avidya (ignorance) is discussed throughout the text.

The Bible teaches that humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), imbued with inherent dignity and value. Although we were created in His image, and God called His creation good, we are not divine by nature. There is a clear delineation between humankind and the Divine in the Bible. We are called to reflect God’s divine attributes, such as love, compassion, and righteousness, in our interactions with others.

We have all sinned against God (Romans 3:23), and sin rather than ignorance or attachment is our greatest battle. Redemption is found through faith in Jesus Christ, restoring humanity’s relationship with God.

Humans are created in God’s image, imbued with inherent dignity and value

Human Will:

The Yoga Sutras emphasize individual will and self-discipline in overcoming obstacles on the path to liberation. They highlight the power of individual agency in shaping your thoughts, actions, and, ultimately, your destiny. The Sutras advocate for the development of focused intention (sankalpa) and unwavering determination (virya) to navigate the challenges of the mind and align oneself with the path of yoga.

The Bible presents a complex understanding of human will. It acknowledges its capacity for moral agency and susceptibility to sin and temptation. Throughout the Bible, individuals are called to align their will with God’s purpose, to seek righteousness, and to obey God’s commandments.

However, it also recognizes humanity’s fallen nature, prone to rebellion and disobedience. Despite human frailty, the Bible offers hope for redemption and transformation through faith, repentance, and belief in Jesus, revealing that true freedom is found in submission to God’s guidance rather than in self-centered desires.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.”

True freedom is found in submission to God’s guidance rather than in self-centered desires

Good vs Evil/Sin:

The Yoga Sutras primarily focus on suffering (dukkha) and the means to transcend it rather than framing the discussion in terms of good and evil. However, the Sutras acknowledge the existence of afflictions (kleshas), which are mental states that contribute to suffering. These kleshas include ignorance (avidya), egoism (asmita), attachment (raga), aversion (dvesha), and fear of death (abhinivesha).

While these kleshas are not explicitly labeled as “evil,” they are seen as obstacles to spiritual growth and self-realization. The Sutras emphasize the importance of overcoming these afflictions through self-discipline, meditation, and ethical living, thereby transcending the duality of good and evil and attaining inner peace.

The nature of good and evil as manifestations of ignorance is discussed in various sutras, including Sutras 2.5-2.11.

The Bible clearly distinguishes between good and evil. God is the ultimate source of goodness, righteousness, and moral order, while evil is rebellion against God’s will and the consequence of sin. Genesis gives us the narrative of the Fall, where humanity’s disobedience to God’s commands led to the introduction of evil and suffering into the world.

We are called to align ourselves with God’s purposes and experience the blessings of a virtuous life.

Scripture provides moral guidance, outlining virtues such as love, compassion, justice, and integrity while condemning actions such as greed, hatred, dishonesty, and violence as manifestations of evil. It emphasizes the importance of free will and personal responsibility, urging us to choose righteousness and resist temptation. We are called to align ourselves with God’s purposes and experience the blessings of a virtuous life.

Ultimately, the Bible offers hope for redemption and restoration, teaching that through faith, repentance, and obedience to God’s commandments, humans can overcome evil and participate in the realization of God’s kingdom on earth.

Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

You might also enjoy reading about how our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Discover the profound implications and how yoga aids in embodying this spiritual truth in this blog.

TL:DR

• The Yoga Sutras teach that man’s true nature is divine. It can be obscured by ignorance and attachment, which can be overcome by self-awareness, wisdom, and discernment.
• Yoga emphasizes individual will and self-discipline in overcoming obstacles.
• The Bible teaches humans are created in the image of God but have sinned against God and need redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
• The Bible acknowledges the human will’s capacity for moral agency and susceptibility to sin and temptation.
• The Bible clearly distinguishes between good and evil, which is rooted in God’s character and law.
• Ultimately, the Bible offers hope for redemption and restoration through faith, repentance, and obedience to God’s commandments.

Delving into the intersection of yoga philosophy and Christian beliefs reveals intriguing parallels and disparities. While both traditions advocate for self-discipline, ethical living, and spiritual growth, they diverge significantly in their foundational understandings of human nature, will, and the nature of good and evil.

The Yoga Sutras present a view of humanity as inherently divine yet obscured by ignorance and attachment, with liberation sought through self-awareness and discernment. In contrast, Christianity teaches that humans are created in the image of God but marred by sin, finding redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.

While yoga emphasizes individual will and self-discipline in overcoming obstacles, Christianity acknowledges human moral agency while stressing the need for reliance on God’s grace for true transformation.

Moreover, the Yoga Sutras navigate suffering and mental afflictions without a clear delineation of good and evil. The Bible provides a moral framework rooted in God’s character and law, offering hope for redemption and restoration through faith, repentance, and obedience to God’s commands.

By engaging in a comparative study, Christian yoga students can discern which aspects of yoga philosophy align with their faith and which should be ignored. Through thoughtful reflection and adherence to biblical principles, students can navigate their yoga practice in a manner that honors their personal convictions.