Better Christianity Through Yoga ?

The following book review illustrates how mysticism is being touted as "spiritual tofu"... it goes with any belief system, can keep all belief systems together and make those systems better...

Christian Mysticism Through Yoga by Suzette Martinez Standring, GateHouse News Service

Better Christianity through yoga is what former Benedictine monk Russill Paul teaches in his new book, “Jesus in the Lotus: The Mystical Doorway between Christianity and Yogic Spirituality” (New World Library 2008; $14.95). Yoga and prayer can open the door to a feeling of divine connection without compromising one’s Christian faith.

A celibate monk’s life began daily at 5:20 a.m. -- rigorous with prayer, work and study, strictly following Biblical and Catholic principles.

Over time, yoga practice transformed ascetic contemplation to ecstatic communion with the divine, and Paul shares much of the how-to of his experiences. For example, a Hindu “mantra,” was adapted for Christian worship, “Om, Na-Mah Chris-Taaya” (Amen, I bow to Christ”) and used as a potent “centering prayer” for meditation.Over time, Paul had out-of-body experiences, the sensation of energy vibrating from his feet toward the top of his head, and heightened hearing and seeing. His experiences mirror those reported by St. Teresa of Avila, a 16th century Catholic mystic.

From the MSN Shopping page: "Ecumenism Religion - Drawing on a deep knowledge of Christian scripture as well as Hindu philosophy, musician and teacher Russill Paul reveals that the mystical core of religion offers us much ... - Jesus in the Lotus: The Mystical Doorway Between Christianity and Yogic Spirituality".

See John Shelby Spong's ecumenical endorsement of the book here.

Learn more about what really is behind "Interfaith meditation" here.