Namaste, all readers
This is an interesting question, and a reliable answer cannot be assumed. But
first, to whom does Shambhu Nath refer when asking ... "what is general consent
on this?" Teachers of yoga, or biblical scholars? There are many scholars who
would refute the premise of the question about biblical sumbols on the basis of
yoga's Eastern origins because they are paranoid that spiritual truth might be
found outside a conservative Christian view of what Matth 6:22 and Luke 11:34
mean.
However, even liberal theologians will ask for hermeneutical discipline in
answering the question. Does 'light' mean the same thing in Yoga as it did to
an ancient Palestinian community recording words of their spiritual leader?
Jesus tended to use parable and metaphor in his teaching rather than symbols
(not the same thing) and had a singular focus on the kingdom of God, with God
being a personal being (Abba, father!) equated with goodness (Only God is good!
- Mark 10:18) and light, who is engaged in everlasting but ultimately truimphant
battle with the kingdom of darkness. It was primarily a moral reference to
light and darkness, which requires awareness of the Judaic concepts of goodness
to understand. This includes attributes such as justice, mercy, selflessness,
purity of motive and conduct, and honour.
Jesus' message in saying "Your eye is the lamp of your whole body. When your
eye is unclouded, your whole body is full of light." is "be careful what you
give your attention to, and enjoy, because if it is evil/darkness, it will
pollute your whole being. Darkness will be where light should be!" In other
words, Jesus was referring to the consequences of behaviour, rather than to
meditation techniques and experiences. A person who has a 'third eye'
experience of light isn't necessarily building the kingdom of God through it. In
Biblical theology, motivations for seeking spiritual experiences and what is
done with them are more important than the experiences themselves.
To be honest though, the Gospels and the Book of Acts record evidence that the
disciples didn't fully understand everything Jesus said, so it is hypothetically
possible that he included meaning from outside the paradigm of Jewish theology
as well as what his audiences were familiar with, but not instead of that. As
Jesus was an interpreter of the true meaning of Judaism rather than the bringer
of a new spirituality, this is unlikely.
It is unreliable to assume that just because the words used in different
contexts are the same, that the meaning is. To say Jesus was referring to
'third eye' experiences in the phrase cited requires supporting evidence, not
mere assertion. The short answer to Shambhu Nath's question is "not excluded,
but not likely".
Paul Williams, B.Th, B.A.
________________________________
From: Shambhu N <nath00017@gmail.com>
To: Kundaliniyoga@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, 4 February, 2011 3:10:55 PM
Subject: [Kundalini Yoga] YOGA AND BIBLE SYMBOLS REIVEW
Is it possible Bible is full of Yoga Symbols? When Jesus said,
"When thy eye be single, your body will be full of light," was he referring to
third eye?
I have read and written both ways but what is general consent on this?
Shambhu Nath
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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