August Newsletter - Exploring Spiritual Discernment
Published 7 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader!
Have you read any good books lately? As a former public school teacher, you can bet that I love a good book - fiction stories and nonfiction. I’ve learned a lot from both!
Since becoming a Christ-centered yoga teacher, I’ve read quite a bit about yoga, but maybe even more about Christian spirituality. Two good ones I’ve read this summer are Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton and The Familiar Stranger: (Re)Introducing the Holy Spirit to Those in Search of an Experiential Spirituality by Tyler Staton.
Books like these two provide great insights into how to live a deeper Christian life, a life that is more grounded in spirituality, and I love to share tidbits from them with my students.
Both of the books devoted a chapter to discernment. Both referenced 1 John 4:1:
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
There is too much wisdom in these books for me to summarize here, but both emphasize the importance of discerning the true voice of God from the many competing voices around us. They also say discernment is a life-long process that we are called to do as Christ-followers, both individually and within our communities.
As you know, some well-meaning Christians preach against practicing yoga, saying it is a Hindu practice, or even that it is “demonic.” I humbly believe this is misguided and untrue, although I recognize yoga’s non-Christian roots. However, I do use discernment when practicing and teaching, and I urge you to use discernment too! If a yoga teaching conflicts with God’s word, I do not teach it, but I believe these conflicts are few.
If you are interested in strengthening your spiritual gift of discernment (or your spiritual life in general), I highly recommend both of these books! What books have you enjoyed lately (on any topic, or just a good story)? I’d love to hear!
Christ-centered Yoga for Beginners Course:
I just completed Module Three of my online course, "Christ-Centered Yoga for Beginners: A Framework for Freedom, Flexibility, and Faith after Fifty." Only one more module to go! If I'm able to continue working at this pace in August, it should be ready, as promised, this fall. 🥰😁❤️🥳
As always, thanks for being part of the Christ-Centered Yoga Reflections LLC email community, and don't be afraid to reach out anytime.
Yours,
Susan
Yoga Teacher, Owner of Christ-Centered Yoga Reflections LLC
P.S. Leave a comment on your favorite video on my YouTube Channel here:
