The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Christian Yoga: Spirit of the Serpent

Caryl Matrisciana


Watch
MP3 PDF

What does the coiled serpent mean in Yoga?

Dr. Reagan and I on our ministry’s television show Christ in Prophecy had the pleasure of asking this question of our special guest Caryl Matrisciana. Caryl is a best selling author and filmmaker and is a recognized expert on Eastern religions, contemporary cults, paganism and the occult. She has been involved in the production of more than 60 documentaries over the past 30 years. Her biographical testimony Out of India explains how she grew up under Hinduism in India and lived it in England and the U.S. as a New Ager before accepted Christ as Savior. She joined us warn us of the dangers of equating Yoga with Christianity.

The God Within

Nathan Jones: Caryl, can you tell us why you are an expert on Yoga?

Caryl Matrisciana: Well, I was actually born and raised in India for the first 20 years of my life, so I saw the practice of Yoga. I wasn’t involved in it during my early years because I equated it was Hinduism.

In fact, in Hindu teaching it is known that there is no Yoga without Hinduism and there is no Hinduism without Yoga. The two cannot be separated. They cannot be separated into physical and spiritual exercises, because the very point of Yoga which was designed in the Bhagavad Gita which is the Hindu holy scriptures by the actual god or deity from there, it designed Yoga for the individual to connect to his god consciousness.

In Hinduism, they don’t believe that you are a sinner. They believe that you are ignorant of your divinity, so the spark within you has to be ignited through Yoga discipline.

Another interesting fact about Yoga is that it is believed that there is a lying, coiled serpent asleep in each person waiting to be awakened through Yoga disciplines. The serpent is known as wisdom, power, and knowledge. It is brought up through the chakras which are psychic energy centers. This is metaphysics and it’s not true. Metaphysics is not scientific and certainly not biblical. So, the snake is brought up through self-hypnosis and through going within oneself through breathing and waking it up through other disciplines such as repetitive chanting. In Yoga you say the names of the deities again and again through repetitive chantings called Mantras which are repetitive prayers. Through breathing the serpent is pushed up until eventually it comes to the third eye which is the sixth chakra and then comes into the mind and consciousness. That’s when you realize that you are divinity and you can connect to all divinity.

Divinity within Hinduism is understood that divinity is in everything. God is in everything and everything is divine, whether it is the rat on the street, the cow in the street, the monkeys in the trees, even you. In fact, before every Yoga class you say, “Namaste,” that means in Hindi, “the god within me bows to the god within you.” That is an integral part to the spiritual discipline of Yoga.

Brahman is understood to be a god consciousness, and not a person like Jehovah God. So, when you say that you become god in the Western world, well we think of the God of the Bible. The Creator God to us is a person and Jesus Christ is His Son and there is the Holy Spirit. God to us is three persons in one — the triune God. That is not the case in Hinduism. In Hinduism God is a consciousness. It’s a force. It’s a thinking that you need to connect into. So, to understand the god of Yoga you’re required to alter your worldview.

Dr. Reagan: Did you ever become a practitioner of Yoga?

Caryl Matrisciana: Yes, I did.

Dr. Reagan: So, you have experienced it first hand and not just by observing it?

Caryl Matrisciana: As I grew up in India I observed it being practiced, but when I was about 19 or 20 my parents returned to England. I got involved in the New Age which I didn’t realize at the time was a religious mechanism to change our worldview into an Eastern mystical worldview. The New Age that I saw in the West was a completely polished, cleaned up, appealing, manipulative enticement into a different worldview.

Altered State of Consciousness

Dr. Reagan: Did the Yoga work for you in the sense that it really can bring you into an altered state of consciousness?

Caryl Matrisciana: Oh, absolutely, it is a powerful spiritualism!

Dr. Reagan: What’s wrong with going into an altered state of consciousness?

Caryl Matrisciana: First of all, you give up your mind, but you don’t realize you are giving up your mind. Remember that the First Commandment says that we need to love the Lord our God with all our heart and our mind. We are not allowed to put our mind into neutral within the biblical mandate. In fact, David talks about how we need to meditate on God’s law day and night. The Lord tells us to bind His law on our heads. So, biblical meditation is a mental rumination on the Word. This is quite different in the practice of Yoga, for in Yoga you meditate on an experience so that you go into yourself and you imagine and you have subjective emotions about what you feel. It’s very, very powerful.

Dr. Reagan: Wouldn’t this open you up to demon possession, or at least demonic attack?

Caryl Matrisciana: I didn’t know that at the time because I wasn’t a Bible believing Christian. What I was really getting involved in was opening doorways into the occult which opens doorways to demons.

Unmasking the Serpent

Nathan Jones: Is that what that snake is? Is it a demonic spirit?

Caryl Matrisciana: The snake is the master of all demonic spirits. It was the snake in Ezekiel and Isaiah and other Bible stories where we are told Satan says, “I will be like the most high.” The Serpent acknowledges that there is a Most High. Satan’s described as a serpent. Lucifer the snake knows there is a monotheistic God, and he claims he will be like the Most High. To accomplish this he introduces polytheism which is many gods, and the idea that we can all be gods ourselves. And, why not? In the Bible we’re told that we are children of God and that we are created in His image. But, we are not children of God until we come through Jesus Christ through repentance.

So, Yoga is a counterfeit way through experiencing creative manipulation of falling for Satan’s lie when he claimed he would be like the Most High and so could we. Satan created in his imagination a reality that doesn’t exist. He could never be the Most High, and neither can we.

In the next part of this series “Christian Yoga” with guest Caryl Matrisciana, she’ll explain the varieties of Yoga and how they’re all intricately tied to the Hindu god Brahman.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
         

RELATED ARTICLES

ABOUT AUTHOR View all posts Author Website

Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

30 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • Hello Billy

    The persecution Jesus warned us about seems to be growing in leaps and bounds one way or another.:(

    It has recently been reported on Russian TV that FRANCE has threatened to do a Pre-empt strike against Iran because of their nuclear prog. No doubt Ahmamadhatter is playing with this mans life as a ploy to keep the world off his back a bit longer while things 'develop'.

    Maranatha Lord!
    God bless
    Sue
    x

  • Hello Nathan

    Having now seen all of Caryls DVD; I can say it is excellent. There is an advert to say she has another DVD in the pipeline about Emergent/Purpose Driven/Seeker Sensitive/Church growth etc; etc.

    This Apostate movement has so many names, it’s like a many headed snake couched at the door of the church. It takes its time to mesmerize before striking. At Robinswood One church, Gloucester, UK it began some years ago with 'Alpha' as the thin edge of the wedge; then progressed to false Scripture put to 'music'. That's when I left the scene with warnings which were unheeded! I left all my Cult video’s with the then pastor to help the church to be aware, they included Caryl’s original ‘God’s of the New Age’. Sadly, few seem to have taken any notice of the encroaching deceptions.
    That combined with all things Postmill; Word of Faith, Kingdom Now…the New Age is well and truly ensconced and growing like an amoeba consuming all before it. By God’s Grace, it will implode sooner rather than later and set people free from its libel of God’s inerrant Word.

    Maranatha!
    Sue

  • When the Middle East conflict of Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17 and Damascus is destroyed, what affect will it have on the Post-millennium based Emerging church theory?

    Will it shake up the scam that teaches they are making the world more christian (building the kingdom) This rubbish was shown the door when the World wars erupted as it only seems to deceive during relative peace and affluence (usually in the west); so will it have the same effect then?

    Any thoughts please?

    Sue

  • Psalm 83…still aan enigma for me.

    Prior to "Israelistine" I never heard of Psalm 83 during any discussion of end times prophecy. Including this ministry.

    It's like I put a puzzle together over the years via lots of sources (mainly the Bible, Lamb & Lion, Hal Lindsey, a few others) and now all of the sudden some people are saying "wait…here's another piece". But I already finished the puzzle! It doesn't fit!

    And so far no one has explained to me how all of the sudden this missing piece shows up and now it has to go into the puzzle…after they themselves previously solved the puzzle without it!

    ????????

  • Hello Billy
    I had been taught of Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17/Damascus a very Looong time before Israelestine came onto the scene. It was via Tony Pearce a UK teacher, but not like Bill Salus suggests. But I don't want to argue over it as we cannot be 100% certain.

    My main point is when trouble errupts, and we know its coming, how will it affect the Emergent church who teach they are christianising the world and getting it better for when Jesus returns after the 'kingdom' is finished(man's impossible Utopia)

    Do you have any thoughts on that Billy?

    God bless

  • I didn't want to argue with you either. I just don't get it (Psalm 83).

    I don't know much about the Emergent church but I do know that we mortal beings with a sin nature and all the horrid human desires and wants and emotions have had our chance to shape the world and it is going to hell! Even after Jesus came and taught us how we should live. If people haven't gotten it right by now we never will. And in fact Christians know we can't. There won't be perfection until Jesus begins His Earthly reign.

  • I was honored to be able to hear Dr. Reagan, in person, preach this past Saturday on Revelation. I also got to chat with him briefly afterwards. He was kind enough to autograph one of his books for me, also. What a pleasure!

    His message was very powerful, even though it was time constrained. His ending story of people in a wagon train facing an approaching prairie fire inferno told in relation to the saving grace of Jesus caused some tears to flow as I reflected on how Jesus took the wrath I deserve. If any of you have the opportunity to go to an event with Dr. Reagan I urge you to do so. The message…Jesus…stirs the emotions in me and impacts my life above all. But the person delivering the message (Dr. Reagan) deserves at very least a thank you for all his efforts.

    God bless you, Dr. Reagan and Nathan, and all the people at Lamb & Lion.

  • Hello Billy
    Pardon me if you thought I meant I didn’t want to argue with you. It was dear old Rodders I was thinking of. 😉

    This is very basic, but it may help? Psalm 83 is a prayer for deliverance from specific, named enemies that today are on the borders of Israel (it isn’t a war) and Isaiah 17 is the answer to that prayer. This is still future as Damascus is the longest inhabited city in the world; but it will be annihilated literally overnight; and cease from being a city.

    Isaiah 17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a ROLLING THING before the WHIRLWIND.

    Psalm83:13 “…O my God, make them like a WHEEL; as the stubble before the WIND…

    It seems that Ez38/39 will follow very soon afterward as the nations in Psalm 83 are conspicuous by their absence as they have already been defeated by Israel who will be (I believe) in a seriously weak position from their many dead. It may be that Israel’s defeat of these Islamic countries may be one of the hooks in the jaw of Gog. I think it is Israel who will be responsible for the destruction of Damascus and Russia won’t like that! It will be God, not weakened Israel; that destroys this massive army.

    BIG subject – we shall soon know. We *may* see the Isaiah 17 war, as it is primed even now, but I seriously doubt the Church will be around at the Ezek war. Imo.

    Maranatha!

  • Billy said
    “I don't know much about the Emergent church but I do know that we mortal beings with a sin nature and all the horrid human desires and wants and emotions have had our chance to shape the world and it is going to hell! Even after Jesus came and taught us how we should live. If people haven't gotten it right by now we never will. And in fact Christians know we can't. There won't be perfection until Jesus begins His Earthly reign.”

    Absolutely spot on Billy. However Postmill. (Emergent) Christians do teach the church will get the world saved ready for Jesus to rule. Their doctrine is they are in the kingdom already in spiritual form with Jesus reigning from heaven. This is SO wrong as Jesus is SAT (work done) at the right hand on the Father’s throne, not David’s, until His enemies are made his footstool THEN he returns at the end of the 7 year Tribulation WITH the Church His glorified Bride when David’s throne is given to Him.

    Meanwhile he ever lives to make intercession for each one of His Body down here on planet earth. He is the rightful king, and the Tribulation is when he starts to reclaim what was stolen from Adam and puts an end to all Gentile rule and rescue the remnant of Israel. Eschatology is VERY important, and certainly not a secondary issue as it affects so much of what God has taught us (Doctrine).

    It’s so good to hear you have been blessed by Dr. Reagan’s ministry – brilliant! Praise the Lord!

    God bless you more
    Sue
    x

  • So glad the ministry can be a blessing to you all!

    For me, Psalm 83 fits some holes that I was missing in my eschatological framework. For one, Ezekiel 38-39 has a huge hole in that Israel's surrounding nations were missing.

    Secondly, what would get that outer ring of nations and include the mighty Russia to feel they have to all band together to destroy Israel? We're told wealth, something Israel now has with the gas finds. Plus, the nations gang up most likely because the feel there's a force to be reckoned with, something Israel isn't quite yet unless they conquer their bordering neighbors.

    Thirdly, the peace treaty the Antichrist makes with Israel makes much more sense if Israel is in a position of power, likely from a new superpower status and the world knowing God is personally intervening for her. Israel after so many wars would be weary and make a literal deal with the Devil.

    Fourthly, the fulfillment of Psalm 83 has so many likely scenarios today, especially if Assad makes good on his threat and Israel has to nuke Damascus.

    Fifthly, something has to turn the Middle East away from the fear of Islam to the fear of the Antichrist, and Psalm 83/Ezekiel 38-39 would do just that.

    Psalm 83 may be making more sense in a prophetic light today in fulfillment of the prophecy that end time events will become discernable the closer to the Lord's return.

    As for Emergent impact, Sue, Bible prophecy means nothing to them and they'll still believe what they wish and become part of the Harlot system.

  • Sue,

    Thanks for your reply re: Psalm 83. I think that I can see now where it can fit in. The Arabs may attack Israel and be defeated, including the nuclear annihilation of Damascus. Then this could be followed by Gog/Magog.

    What I DO NOT see happening is an all powerful Israel after Psalm 83. They may have delusions of grandeur but when Gog/Magog comes they will realize that their military might is not enough. They will need God to save them.

    I now realize it is not Psalm 83 that had me confused. It was Psalm 83 presented as a Middle East dominated and controlled by an imperialistic Israel.

  • Sue,

    Thanks for your reply re: Psalm 83. I think that I can see now where it can fit in. The Arabs may attack Israel and be defeated, including the nuclear annihilation of Damascus. Then this could be followed by Gog/Magog.

    What I DO NOT see happening is an all powerful Israel after Psalm 83. They may have delusions of grandeur but when Gog/Magog comes they will realize that their military might is not enough. They will need God to save them.

    I now realize it is not Psalm 83 that had me confused. It was Psalm 83 presented as a Middle East dominated and controlled by an imperialistic Israel.

  • Nathan,

    After I posted I read your post. I guess I would see Israel as a superpower not after Psalm 83 but instead after Gog/Magog.

    A superpower Israel after Psalm 83 would be a tribute to the power of the Israeli military. A superpower Israel after Gog/Magog would be a tribute to God.

    I can fit my Psalm 83 piece into my puzzle now. I just hope I'm not trying to force it in the wrong place.

  • Hello Nathan

    You are right, of course! The Ecumenical, Israel disparaging, Emerging church is certainly the ‘harlot’ of Revelation, so it is going nowhere except down. Its no wonder they warn against reading Christ’s Revelation to John – ALL prophecy if it comes to that. They would be snookered if their victims woke up to God’s prophetic Word.

    I suppose I am hoping that at least SOME folk among its ranks will recognise the world is not becoming a better place, realise the Scriptures and ‘come out of her’.

    Is it a coincidence? We have had a great deal of ariel activity today. Now CNN is reporting that the U.S. is accusing Iran of a terrorist plot. Something fishy is stewing!

    :-/

  • Hello Billy

    Although diminished in population, Israel would have tremendous worldwide kudos after God’s very obvious intervention; but I cannot see Israel as a superpower at all unless there was a large gap between Ezek and the Rapture of the Church. Personally I think ownership of Jerusalem itself is the main draw for Islam.

    Rome has always wanted to make Jerusalem its seat of power, so some time after Gog’s defeat, up pops the A/c with E.U. authority to confirm a contract concerning Jerusalem, also called Sodom and Egypt Rev11:8… there is also a link with Zion and Babylon, but I forget now. Jerusalem/Rome/Temple is my guess for the purpose of the 7 year covenant?

    ((Hugs))

  • Though I would like to comment on the above series of comments, I will resist the temptation. It will soon be clear enough what prophetic event is to take place.

  • Rodney me old love
    Of course you must comment if you want to; I just wanted it known that I won't be drawn into the tedium of a circular argument.

    However I certainly agree it will soon be clear enough.
    Any which way – MARANATHA!
    (hug)
    Sue

  • EI, RE: The Ecumenical, Scarlet woman, ‘harlot’ of Revelation 17, I went over here to find John's email address to ask him if he wanted to chime in with his knowledge of the RCC and I found this:

    "…Here's some stats from a must see short video:

    Click Here

    The question is:
    Who is blessing Israel, a nation that is hated of all nations [just like the prophecies said], and being pressured by the nations through the UN to divide the Land [warned against according to Prophecy]??

    Certainly not Satan, who hates them the most, and is rallying the world against "Israel"!

    Certainly not the Illuminati, the UN, or for that matter, not a single nation can claim credit or account for "Israel's" phenomenal stats!

    Who, then, is blessing Israel?…"

    —> It all seemed so very, very familiar…Quoted almost verbatim from here – Saturday, July 23, 2011 5:18:00 PM CDT

    …without link, credit or so much as a how-do-you-do…

    Since I don't believe in the god of "coincidences", and since I haven't touched his site but the once when he 1st 'presented' himself way back when…
    — why, after all this time…
    1. would this topic come up…
    2. would this 'happen' to pique my interest…
    3. would I think I should consult him…

    God has His ways of revealing things.
    Guess you wuz right!
    🙁

  • My wife is a devout Christian but, she does yoga excercises but the ones she does from TV do not mention Religion or ask her to say anything related. She just does the excercises is this alright? Thanks, Earl

  • Earl,

    First, in MY opinion, your wife (or any true believing Christian) is NOT going to go to hell over doing yoga off TV as you describe so don't worry about that. But, if I were you, I would talk to her about it and let her know "the rest of the story". She probably doesn't even know. Then maybe she will choose to watch some other excercise program. Think of all we Christians that aren't watching that yoga show but watch programs with violence and/or other inappropriate material (some would say even a Harry Potter movie or book). We shouldn't but if we do I don't think we'll burn in hell over it.

    We all sin everyday in some way or another in either thought, word or action. The blood of Christ covers us for our sins past, current and future.

    However, if someone were a rapist, decided they were a Christian, then continued to rape, thinking it was okay, well, that's a different story. I do think there are degrees of sin. Getting mad at someone and cussing at them is one thing and a Christian will be forgiven for that. But taking a baseball bat and hitting them over the head and murdering them…don't think so. A TRUE Christian would NOT do such a thing.

    Hope I'm not mudding the waters.

  • Hello Earl

    I agree with Billy!

    These are the Scriptures I apply to my life.

    2Cor6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
    And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
    And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people
    Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you
    And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

    We are not to forget that we are no longer under the law; and God’s Grace is sufficient. Having said that, it should be remembered that what seems to be harmless on the surface can be linked to spiritual forces we know little about other than art of deception.

    My attitude has been to try and obey God’s Word as our heavenly Father knows what is best for me. Our minds need to be renewed and we are to have the mind of Christ. My mind is limited in understanding spiritual things, so I try to keep away from anything I know is linked to the ‘dark’ to avoid my spiritual walk being hindered.

    Have you heard the story about the camel’s nose? First the camel wanted to keep its nose warm in its owner’s tent as the night was cold. The owner agreed to let the camel put its nose into his tent to keep warm … bit by bit, inch by inch, a little more of the camel was allowed into the warm until finally the entire camel was completely inside the tent squashing the life out of its owner.

    I think it wise to be aware of the thin end of the wedge in all we do. Our minds may think it reasonable, but what does God’s Word say about compromise. Understanding will eventually come when we are obedient.

    God bless you both and guide you into His Truth.
    Sue

  • I was raised in the church but strayed from anything Godly when I started college a couple of years ago. I remember a guy I was seeing was lightly educating me about the 7 chakras and awakening the serpent within me…I was staring at him WIDE EYED because this was the same guy that laughed at my father for being a born again christian and believing in Christ after seeing a shirt of his I had. Yet he was supposed to be the intellectual one and my dad was the fool. Anyway, just hearing him explain it freaked me out.

    I could not fathom how people can reject Christ and the gospel of salvation and embrace this…but now I realize that oh wait, the focus is not on us but an Almighty God and people do NOT want to think of themselves as sinners because that would mean accountability. All God wants is a humble and broken heart but people are bubbling over with pride. We were once all filled with pride but under the conviction of the holy spirit we humbled ourselves.

    I pray pray and pray all the time that the same will happen to many others.

    Really, really great post.

  • I think we all need to be careful what we let into our minds through TV, of course yoga, movies, music..etc

    We live in a world that is saturated with sin and complete acceptance of falsehoods regarding man's path and connection to God. We have to be much, much, much more discerning these days in almost every way.

    Romans 12:12 always comes to my mind. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

    I've never really heard about the background about yoga till recently and I thank God He has led people to speak out about it. At this point, all that can be said is who has ears, let him hear! Practicing something that originated and is directly connected to a false religion that stands directly against Almighty God because it's popular (yoga is ALWAYS ALWAYS recommended for stress relief, exercise..etc and for a reason, the devil is sly) and widely accepted without a second thought is straight up conforming to this world. Also, anything to do with eastern religion is no joke in terms of spiritual/demonic connection.

    Anyway, GOD knows ALL and we have to trust His word and reject ANYTHING that stands against it. In our society, that's alot but nothing in this world compares to Christ anyway.

  • "Meanwhile he ever lives to make intercession for each one of His Body down here on planet earth. He is the rightful king"

    Everytime I hear that Jesus is interceding for me and for every member of His body almost brings me to tears. GOD HIMSELF is PRAYING FOR US! Imagine the unfathomable power of these prayers that rock every realm…and there on OUR behalf!!!! I just cannot imagine it…God is so unbelievably loving and gracious. Amazing love, how can it be?!!

    And YES, He is the ONLY rightful, Just and TRUE KING of this Earth (and the universe!). This planet is GROANING for Him, it's groaning for freedom….look at what we have done to this earth, look at what we have done to ourselves and this is with Christ coming to earth and inhabiting His people since he came and returned to Heaven…I cannot wait…I just cannot wait for everything to be just like God created it to be. What a wonderful hope and expectation!!

  • Oops, my mom just let me know that interceding in that passage doesn't mean praying but it means that christ is our advocate and our great defender in heaven! Is this correct?

    If so, it still makes me so gracious and thankful to Christ that even after all that He went through on earth and on the cross that He is still working on our behalf and looking after each and every one of us in Heaven. God Himself is our defender and advocate. It's not a right that we automatically have but it is because of His unfathomable love for us. Thank you Jesus!

  • Hello Anonymous

    There were no seats in the Temple for the priests to sit on as the work was never finished. Jesus is our great High Priest; SEATED at the right hand of the Father on His throne. He is sat because His work is complete – it is finished.

    Satan comes before the throne as accuser of the brethren, and having legally paid the price of sin by His own blood, Jesus is also the Advocate of those who have believed in Him. As such, in heavens court, Jesus speaks up for us, before the court, against the accuser.

    Entygchanō – translated as intercessor

    1) to light upon a person or a thing, fall in with, hit upon, a person or a thing
    2) to go to or meet a person, esp. for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication
    3) to pray, entreat
    4) make intercession for any one

    This is in the present tense, being actively done for ever.

    So yes, your dear Mum is correct; but it doesn’t exclude Jesus praying for us. Praying is conversation. As the Son and The Father are now face to face, Jesus is looking His Father in the eye and making entreaties; that is conversing with Father about each ONE of us, by name, concerning our care and requirements in the trial of our faith.

    God bless
    Sue

LEAVE A REPLY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *