Jesus Christ and Yoga

Only through spirituality can man's meanness and smallness be conquered and his divine nature manifested. To transform materialistic influences requires a gigantic spiritual effort and living spiritual inspiration. This can only be achieved by a great spiritual master. Jesus Christ, who, by millions of people is regarded as an incarnation of God, came into our world to teach us spiritual truths by which we can be free from bondage and attain immortality. His teaching does not consist of mere words but is based on his own realization in silent prayer. His spirituality was not like something grafted on his personality; reality and strength were exhibited in his mode of life and his activities. He came to this world as the Divine Light to show the path which leads to God to human beings who forgot about him in their deep immersion in the vast ocean of worldliness. His spiritual life inspires us. This book is an attempt to study the teachings and activities of Jesus Christ for our spiritual development. Interreligious learning is the norm today, and we have much to learn from how people in other faiths see and interpret even our most fundamental and treasured beliefs. But we need to learn well; we need stellar examples of deep learning. Shyam Sundar Goswami's Jesus Christ and Yoga goes deep into the mystery of Jesus in great detail and with great imagination, drawing on every resource available to the Goswami. Jesus is seen differently indeed from this fresh perspective--even as yoga itself is transformed in the light of Christ the great yogi. Goswami's classic study, accessible once more, is now more timely than ever. Francis X. Clooney, SJ, Parkman Professor of Divinity, Harvard University Sri Goswami's remarkable familiarity with the teachings of Jesus, and his citations of corresponding teachings by the seers of ancient India, offer a significant learning experience for both Christians and members of Eastern religions. The notable resonance, albeit not complete, between classical yoga teaching and aspects of Christian theology and spiritual practice takes yoga far beyond being just a physical "feel-good experience" into being a means for acquiring divine knowledge and deepening one's relationship with God. Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP, author of Prayer of Heart and Body, Meditation and Yoga as Christian Spiritual Practice