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Dan and Melissa discuss some concerns and questions that were raised after last weeks episode where we discussed several approaches and beliefs about Yoga along with recommended resources.
Topics/Questions Covered in the Show:
- Several people had negative responses to last weeks show, some informed others not-so-informed, so some clarification is offered.
- Is Yoga a "gateway spirituality"? What is a "gateway spirituality"?
- Are there are good, healthy Catholic alternatives to yoga.
Some comments on the last show are addressed:
- Is there a "good peace" and a "bad peace"? Isn't all peace good?
- Response to the accusation of "yogaphobia".
Resources:
- Pietra Fitness - http://pietrafitness.com
- Soul Core - http://www.soulcoreproject.com/
A caller asked about the practice of yoga and it's link to potential demonic activity. Dan and Melissa discuss a Catholic perspective on yoga, including the opinions of an exorcist and theologians. They also provide suggestions on alternatives to yoga for faithful Catholics.
Show notes:
- Fr. Fortea, an exorcist and expert on possession, says that if you do not have the intent for a malevolent force engage with you it is unlikely to happen.
- Many say yoga is just stretching and for them there is no spiritual element - is this ok?
- Can you practice yoga if you are strong in your faith? Should you?
- Many of us need to stretch - it's good for our health. Also, people who practice yoga extoll its calming benefits. What can we, as Catholics, do that won't endanger souls? Are there alternatives to yoga which are solidly Catholic?
- Cardinal Ratzinger wrote "Letter to Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Chrisitian Meditation" in 1989. In it he warned against practices which bring about a false peace, and psychic state damaging to the soul.
Resources:
- Peitra Fitness - http://pietrafitness.com
- Soul Core - http://soulcoreproject.com
- Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea - http://spiritualdirection.com/author/fr-fortea
- Cardinal Ratzinger - Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation
Easter is upon us!. Rejoice in the triumph of Christ! On this edition of Divine Intimacy Radio, Dan and Melissa discuss the Glory of the Resurrection and the dramatic changes that it brought about in the lives of His disciples.
Show Notes:
- Rejoice! It's holy to be joyous. There is no spiritual depth without joy. When the Apostles were be persecuted for the sake of Christ they rejoiced.
- Easter is a foreshadowing of heaven. Life is one long purgation. The greater the suffering here on earth, the more glorious heaven will be. Lent is a season of purgation. The harder we dig in and work at lent, the more meaningful Easter will be.
- In times of suffering where do we find joy? The only true joy we'll ever find in this life is through Christ. Redemption has been accomplished - all we need to do is cling to Him.
- The world says happiness is in the pursuit of the desires of the flesh. The opposite is true. Christ teaches that true joy comes when we give ourselves up for others and for God.
- There are two things we need to access God. One is humility, which comes either by choice or external circumstances. Humility is required, but not sufficient. We also need the grace of God to roll back the stone to help us see that he is risen. He is risen for our salvation and risen within us that we may have a relationship with Him.
- Simon Greenleaf, a well know lawyer and expert on testimony and evidence, wrote a book The Testimony of the Four Witnesses. In it he used the standards of legal evidence to show the Gospels were true beyond a reasonable doubt.
- The reality of the Resurrection is that lives were changed. The New Testament reveals the weaknesses of the Apostles. Pre-Resurrection there were many instances of cowardice, denial, and desertion - Peter was even called Satan. Post-Resurrection Peter becomes a hero, asking to be crucified upside-down because he was not worthy.
- The Apostles, after the Resurrection and the Pentecost, had a chance to run and escape death. Instead they subjected themselves to prison, beatings, and stonings. In the face of death they fearlessly proclaimed Christ. They gave everything, including their lives, in affirmation of their faith. Would anybody die for a lie?
- Imagine we all have a spiritual dashboard, similar to a car, with gages - joy, evangelism, holiness, etc. If the gages are not registering high numbers, something is wrong. Barring spiritual issues, like purgation or dark night, you should have joy, peace, a sense that God is with you. Work on it!
- Celebrate Easter. Have a feast. Partake in the sacraments. Indulge in the good things you gave up for lent, and leave the bad ones behind. Above all, Rejoice!
Resources:
- The Testimony of the Evangelists - Simon Greenleaf
http://amzn.to/1IZWElQ - Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen - Published by Baronius Press http://spiritualdirection.com/DivineIntimacy
- For Call in questions for future shows 818-646-7729 — please leave your name, location and question.
- Don’t forget to tell your friends about the show and help us get the word out. If the show is inspiring to you and you would like to help us make it a daily show, please click here to donate. All donors will receive a signed copy of your choice of Dan’s new books, Finding God through Meditation, 30 Days with Teresa of Avila, or Navigating the Interior Life.
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This new series is focused on traditional themes of lent with respect to how we orient our
hearts and minds to God through mortification, mitigation of appetites and all other manner of cleaning out our spiritual gardens to prepare for God's indwelling work in, on, and through our souls.
Show Notes:
Guest, Dr. Anthony Lilles, academic dean of the Avila Institute and St. John’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Los Angels and specializes the spiritual doctrine of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity as well as the Carmelite doctors of the Church.
Dr. Lilles takes us through an overview of appetites as described by St. John of the Cross in his work, The Ascent of Mount Carmel.
- St. John refers chiefly to appetites that interfere with our relationship with God (not every appetite or simply our human nature).
- Specific examples of common problems with appetites.
- Steps that St. John of the Cross recommends to overcome the appetites as referenced in his work, The Ascent of Mount Carmel.
- In order to overcome the appetites, St. John recommends in his first council, to foster in our hearts the habitual desire to imitate Christ in everything that we do by bringing our lives in complete conformity with His by studying the life of Christ.
- Study prayerfully on your knees, not purely academically.
- If we feed our affection, the stronger the desire and movement of the heart becomes. Similarly, if we feed our appetites, those things that are not for the glory of God, we will be more inclined to do those things.
- Renunciation of the appetites brings you the freedom to imitate Christ.
- How do we increase our love of God during Lent? Fasting from food, entertainment, more time spent in prayer, more charitable good works. There is a painfulness in it at first, but then it becomes sweet.
- Act against the impulses that otherwise drive our behavior so that we are free to serve the Lord.
- Our love for Jesus should drive everything we do.
Resources:
- Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen – Published by Baronius Press
- Navigating the Interior Life – Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God
- Guide for Examination of Conscience Download
- For Call in questions for future shows 818-646-7729 – please leave your name, location and question.
Don’t forget to tell your friends about the show and help us get the word out. If the show is inspiring to you and you would like to help us make it a daily show, please click here to donate. All donors will receive a signed copy of your choice of Dan’s new books, Finding God through Meditation, 30 Days with Teresa of Avila, or Navigating the Interior Life.