Tuesday night we will explore the context and gifts of Anglicanism as it emerged from western Christianity. Our study will include the history of British reformation, Anglicanism's contribution of the via media, and the valuable emphasis on a rich devotional life.
Join us tonight at 8:15 pm in the Wesley Student Lounge (located in the room across from Etc. Coffeehouse in the Wesley Foundation).
The Hindu practice of yoga has been in the news recently. Southern Baptist Seminary President Albert Mohler denounced the Hindu practice of yoga as incompatible with a Christian pathway to God. He has received many reactions--for instance, a Huffington Post opinion piece and a post on the EmergingUMC blog). Mohler has continued the dialogue, such as it is, with his response to criticisms.
According to Paul Laughlin's book Getting Oriented: What Every Christian Should Know about Eastern Religions, but Probably Doesn't, yoga--a Sanskrit word literally translated as "to yoke"--is defined as:
"(1) any one of a number (usually three, four, or countless) of spiritual disciplines recognized in Hinduism as effective in making the crucial (and inevitable) connection between one's atman and Brahman--also sometimes called a marga (path); or (2) a specifically physical practice or technique associated with hatha (i.e., bodily exertion) yoga.(290)"
"The purpose of hatha yoga is to release [energies from their concentrated centers throughout the body--centers that affect organs in their immediate vicinity--] and bring them into alignment, thereby facilitating the journey toward realizing true, mystical raja yoga [spiritual discipline aimed at mystical insight], which links atman (one's individual spiritual essence) to Brahman (the Absolute Spirit). Ideally the kundalini [a coiled spring of energy thought by some yogis to be at the base of the spine] would also be uncoiled, thus releasing its power to flow up the spine and connect the chakras [energy centers] from bottom to top. (96)"
You can learn more about yoga from two interviews on The Body's Grace and Meditation in Action from Speaking of Faith.
From what I have read about the controversy, I would characterize Mohler's statements as
What is your response?
John Wesley believed in the power of frequently practiced spiritual disciplines. The Balance Group has recently visited this Wesleyan emphasis. I have appreciated the challenging conversations wherein we struggle with how to practice these disciplines amidst the busi-ness of school, work, and homemaking.
My parents recently asked me what I thought of the fringe "church" in Florida with designs on burning a copy of the Quran, Muslims' primary sacred text. Any assumption about the intent of the group's leader is unfair, but I responded quickly with the speculation that the group's leader got what he wanted--media attention. The conversation moved on to questions about Islam. I shared what I knew about the five pillars of Islam. Impressed by the frequency and regularity of spiritual disciplines at the core of Islam, my mom responded (and I'll paraphrase) "Muslims are very good at faithfulness."
Surely embedded in this statement could be a mix of emotions, including guilt and awe.
The grad study recently discussed the eastern Orthodox appreciation for the "cloud of witnesses" who accompany Christians on their journey. I noted that my great grandmother remains one of those witnesses to me for her radical trust in God and the practice of spiritual disciplines as second-nature, even as she struggled with Alzheimers disease.
As we struggle to improve our practice of spiritual disciplines, I see a vision of practice that focuses on awe rather than guilt. Awe of God. Awe inspired by the faithful cloud of witnesses. Then, also, I am encouraged by a recent blog post on Experimental Theology that relates a personal story of how one person has experienced joy in sharing the Book of Common Prayer (a valuable Anglican resource for anyone interested in spiritual practices) to his children.
Who are the witnesses who inspire you? What are the meaningful, effective ways you practice spiritual disciplines?
The Champaign Taste blog reports that a local foods cookout will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2010 from 5:00-7:00 pm in front of Common Grounds Food Coop in Urbana's Lincoln Square. The cost of the event is $12 with all proceeds going to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank.
Grad Study will commence its study of Adam Hamilton's Christianity's Family Tree. Up first is the Introduction and Chapter One (Orthodoxy). Among the discussion topics will be:
We will follow up the discussion tonight with a Sunday visit to an Orthodox church.
An informational meeting for the Wesley Music Student Alliance will be held on September 1 at 6:00 pm in Watseka Lounge. Students who are interested but cannot attend are invited to email Kay Welch (contact info on the flyer).
See also: WMSA Promotional Flyer (PDF)
As you can see (if you're not viewing this in an RSS reader), we have recently redesigned our blog site and also expanded the ways in which you can connect with friends new and old at Wesley. I invite you to browse to see the many activities being offered this year.
You are invited to the many events at the Wesley Foundation this week, including:
The official kickoff to the semester for grad students is a meet and greet at Crystal Lake Park at 7:00 pm on August 31. You are encouraged to bring a side dish to complement the main dishes we will offer.
The Grad Study will begin its pilgrimage through American Christianity the first full week of September with a visit to First UMC, Champaign, on September 5 and session one of its study on September 7.
Grads in Action is tentatively scheduled to work on the landscaping project at the Center for Women in Transition on Saturday, August 28 at 10 am, a project we will revisit in October.
