Animism and Yogic

Animism comes from the Latin word anima which means

Soul or life

Cambridge dictionary defines animism as a _ that all natural things such as plants, animals, rocks and thunder, have _ and can influence human events

belief

spirits

Animism can be further defined as the belief that personal spiritual beings and impersonal Spirit forces have power over human affairs and that humans consequently must discover what beings and forces are impacting them in order to determine future action and frequently to manipulate their power

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Animalism can be referred to as a tribal religion or it can be considered primitive

False, It cannot

Animism is used to describe a belief system that attributes spiritual significance to natural objects, phenomenon, and even incestral spirits

It is often rooted in the conviction that the physical world is imbued with spirits or forces that interact with humans

These systems are deeply entrenched in cultures worldwide and often include the worship of physical objects like trees, mountains, rivers or man-made idols

Animistic practices frequently involve rituals to a appease these spirits, ensuring protection provision or favor

Misbelief teaches that the soul or Spirit or sentience exist not only in humans but also in other entities of nature

In this belief, there exists no distinction between the spiritual and physical ( material )world

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Despite its ancient Roots, animism remains relevant today

Various forms of animism are still practiced all over the world

About 40% of the population of the Earth have some sort of animalistic belief

Even in developed countries like Japan, animism exists in the form of ancestor worship

This is the belief that deceased relatives can actually exercise influence on those who are living

It is assume that these debt ancestors are interested in affairs of the living

Consequently, there is the attempt of the living to placate those who have died

And is most prevalent however on the continent of Africa

Practically all indigenous cultures found, then the 54 countries on the continent of Africa are based on animism or animistic belief of some kind

This animistic viewpoint has an effect on the animist's view of monotheism, sin, scripture, and Grace

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In most parts of the world animism blends in with formal religions

Among followers of the major religions lie many animistic beliefs and practices

Animistic beliefs to actually dominate the world

Most Taiwanese Believe in the Chinese folk religions

Most Hindus and Muslims in Central and Southeast Asia and most Buddhist in China and Japan combine their religion with various animistic beliefs and practices

In many parts of the world, Christianity has not displaced the local folk religion but coexist besides it in an uneasy tension

Many people still hold animistic beliefs and incorporate them into their daily lives

However, animism differs from other belief systems in several key ways, including its emphasis on spirits rather than God's or deities, and it focuses on interconnectedness between all things in nature

In most cases, animism is not considered to be a religion in its own right but rather a feature of various practices and beliefs

Because the followers of this Faith believe such anima Is a powerful spirit that can help her hurt. They practice spiritism, witchcraft, divination and astrology to protect themselves from these spirits

This belief system is typical of many indigenous tribal people around the world

Animism is also found in hinduisal (may you believe that spirits can inhabit inanimate idols hence they clothe them and offer sacrificees of food and money) Mormonism, the new age, (May believe in the presence of a spirit in all things) and Disney (and one of the songs in Pocahontas the lead character sings about Ivory Rock tree creature has life and spirit)

Even Western societies like the US have elements of animistic thinking in our modern vocabulary: I'm sending you positive energy, just think good thoughts.

The sense that you can control your environment by what you think

Sometimes we talk about having bad luck

Animus believe all things, whether animate or inanimate contain a spirit or soul

Animism believes in the existence of good and bad souls and often uses spells an incantations to ward off evil spirits and invite the company of good ones

Do I see the good favor of the vanilla villain spirits into escape the grass of harmful ones? Humans must according to animism worship such beings and offer sacrifice and rituals to appease such spirits

Like the ancient Greek religion. It was a piece or face the consequences

No love, Grace or forgiveness existed and such things

Animism is linked with the existence of idolatry

The idea that a spirit can evade an image of gold stone or wood is woven in the fabric of just about every agent civilization

We see this is the case of many of Israel's enemies

The Canaanites worshiped bail

The Assyrians praised dagon

And the list of enemies and their practices of animism goes on throughout all 66 books

Animistic practices included child sacrifice, animal sacrifice, charms, enchantments, and other rituals which also. The Old and New testament narrative

The origins of animism can be traced to humanity's universal awareness of the Divine as expressed in Romans 1:19 and 20

Because that they which be known of God is manifest in them for God has showed it unto them for the invisible. Things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even as eternal power and godhead so that they are without excuse

Despite this inherent knowledge of God, many turned away from worshiping. Him substituting the true God with idols and spirits

This departure can be understood through the historical account of the Tower of Babel or humanities pride led to rebellion against God's in the scattering of Nation

With the dispersion of people came the development of varied religious practices including animism. These practices reflects humanity's attempt to fill the spiritual void left by rejecting Jehovah

Main component of animism- spirit

Spirits are an essential component of animistic beliefs. They can be found in all things from animals and humans to inanimate objects

This object can be something in nature like a tree, mountain or river, or can be something made from human hands like a vessel or an idol and are often associated with specific natural forces or phenomenon

For example, a spirit may be associated with the wind, water, fire or Earth

The spirit world operates in conjunction with the physical world

These spirits, our ancestors, spirits, inhabiting, inanimate objects, and other spirits including evil or wicked spirits

In the mind of the animist these spirits are absolutely affecting and influencing what is taking place in his life, specifically and in the world in general

I such the spirit world is the major concern in the mind of the animist

In many animistic traditions, spirits are beliefs to have their own personalities and desires

They may be benevolent or malevolent helpful or harmful

Spirits are also thought to be capable of influencing events in the world around us. Making offerings and rituals designed to appease. Them are an important part of many animistic practices

Ancestors

Animus and teaches that people possess immortal souls

At death, the soulless free to wander near the grave, travel the Earth, or enter the world of the spirits

At death, one of the ancestors who maintain a relationship with the family

Ancestors remain deeply interested in the family they began

They care for a protect and punish those who seek to do harm

They are believed to have special connections with the living and can act as intermediaries between the spirit, world and our own

Ancestors may be honored through offerings, prayers, and rituals designed to show respect for their wisdom and guidance

Ancestors are revered for several reasons

First, as the founders of the family, they remain interested in the care of the family

Second, they have answered the question of what follows death so they can help the living through dreams necromancers And visions

Third somehow accomplished great achievements which must be celebrated

4th Animus believe they protect The family

Fifth they function as mediators between God and the family

Once happiness in the afterlife depends on the caregiving by one's descendants

Anyone banished from a family or tribe in essence, become extinct with no one to remember or care for them

Ask Christians we agree with the Animus that there is an immaterial soul that exists beyond the grave

We also place a family as a high priority

One of the ten commandments is for children to honor their father and mother

However, no departed souls remain on Earth

According to Hebrews 9:27 upon death, one is immediately in heaven or hell

Secondly, the dead do not have contact with the living

In Luke 16, the rich man who is suffering and House sought a way to communicate with his living family to warn them of their fate. However, he was not able to communicate in any way nor could the living communicate with him

Christian celebrate and honor the memory of our loved ones, but we do not worship them nor seek to appease their spirits

We wait with joy and anticipation and knowing we will be United again in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ

So ancestral reverence occupies a central place in many animistic traditions reflecting the belief and the continued presence and influence of deceased ancestors

Rituals offerings and ceremonies are conducted to honor and appease ancestral spirits seeking their protection, guidance and blessing

However, the Bible cautions against however, the Bible cautions against necromancy And communicating with the dead, affirming the exclusive mediation of God through Christ

Natural forces

Animus believe that natural forces such as wind, water, fire and Earth have spiritual power within them. Therefore, they should not be taken for granted

These forces must be respected because they hold great power over life on Earth

Many animus view nature as a sacred entity that deserves reverence and protection rather than exploitation

This respective is reflected in various culture traditions around the world where nature is celebrated through festivals and ceremonies honoring spirits of nature

Fetishes

This theology of the animism leads itself to what is technically referred to as fetishism

If an idol (fetish) is animated by a powerful spirit that perhaps that Spirit can be motivated to do something beneficial for the worshiper (fetisher)

Various incantations sacrifices or other practices may be Incorporated in an effort to convince the fetish or Spirit to act on behalf of the fetisher

This particular helps stop by the fetisher could be in the areas of seeking a marriage partner influencing a particular individual for marriage, having children succeeding at business, obtaining a possession of influence or power, or being healed of an illness or wound

Fetishes continued

Evident in the practice of fetism is that anything beneficial received by one person has to absolutely come at the catastrophic expense of someone else

This is inherently understood in the practice

Any improvement for one person comes to the Dev

From a general world viewpoint, that is why the practice is evaluated negatively

The English colloquial term for fetishism is voodoo

And it's important for the believer to recognize to it as sorcery

Fetishism continued to

It is for this reason that many animistic carry or where things were protection

Rings, bracelets, necklaces, or items carried in pockets are considered as protection against what the spirits or a spirit might do to them

And animistic thinking difference. Spirits have different levels of power

One hopes of the spirits of his protective devices are stronger than any Spirit one might encourage against him

As well, the lack of a supreme power or authority in the life of the Animus tends to leave him with a sense of relativism

Things that are wrong in contacts may not be wrong in another context, rather than being evaluated on their own. Specific acts are considered positive or negative based on the scenario in which they appear

There are no absolutes

Rituals

Rituals plan important role in many animistic practices as they follow individuals to connect with spirits or ancestors through symbolic actions such as offerings or prayers

These rituals often involve music, dance, or other forms of expression aimed at evoking emotions that can create a sense of connection between humans and spirits

Offerings such as food items like fruit, flowers, etc. Represent gratitude toward the spirits who provide us with sustenance every day

Rituals continued

Animistic rituals encompass a diverse array of practices including seasonal festivals, harvest celebrations, rite of passage and healing ceremonies

These rituals aim to maintain Harmony with the natural world, a peace, spiritual entities and ensure the well-being of individuals and communities

Yet the Bible warns against pagan rituals and practices affirming the sanctity of true worship

Within many animistic communities, there exists a strong totemist tradition

The totem, usually a plant or an animal, possesses supernatural powers and is held in reverence as an emblem or symbol of the tribal community

Often they are taboos regarding touching, eating, or harming the totem the source of the spirit of the totem is the living entity, the plant or the animal, rather than an inanimate object

Totemism

This is viewed as a subcategory of animism

Similarly, fetishism is the ascribing of power to an object for instance in voodoo

Voodoo practitioners serve the spirits and deal with the hidden world of mysteries, spirits, invisibles, and angels

Shamanism

This is viewed as a subcategory of animism

Shamans or spiritual intermediaries play a crucial role in animistic societies serving as mediators between the human and Spirit realms

Through trance divination and ritual practices, shaman facilitate communication with spirits, healing of spiritual maladies and meditation of conflicts within the community

Yet the Bible condemns, sorcery divination and spiritism as abominations affirming reliance on God's revelation and providence

Animism fosters a deep reverence for the natural world viewing landscapes, mountains, rivers, and other geographical features as imbued with divine presence and significance

Sacred sites such as groves caves and megolithic structures service focal points for rituals, pilgrimage and communal gatherings

However, the Bible prohibits idolatry and worship of created things affirming the exclusive worship of God

Presuppositions of an animistic worldview

1. There is a relationship between the scene and unseen World. The influences of God, gods, spirits, and ancestors affect the living and humans are thought to be controlled by these unseen beings.

2. Animus believe that all of life is interconnected. This is most clearly seen through their ritualistic practices

3. Animus seeks power to control the everyday life. This power can be used in a benevolent way to harm someone or a benevolent way to help another. It can also be considered ambivalent either to harm or to help depending upon the motive of the one who possesses such power

4. Animus seek to determine what powers or forces are influencing their lives. This determination fleshed out through omens astrology seeking counsel from which doctors etc

5. Animus are very concerned about what powers will cause future evil to befall them. Therefore, they will try to ward off this evil by appeasing certain Spirit/ God before this evil comes upon them

The appeals to animism

• It is a means to cope with existential needs

• It holds a promise of power

• It offers healing and time of sickness

• It provides protection from malevolent beings

• It enables a discharge of obligations to supernatural beings with whom one interacts in this world

• It gives meaning to life and in particular meaning to pain and suffering

• It explains the source or origin of evil

Basic practices in animism

1. In animism there are numerous to booze or prohibitions

Prohibitions are made to preserve the harmony between the spiritual world and the physical world

Places are people where the life force is concentrated or protected

Myrons of taboos exist in violation of them can result in cursing of a community and must be atoned for by sacrifices

2. There are sacred places

Sacred places of worship exist to commune with a spiritual world

These are places where sacred power is concentrated

3. There are sacred things

• A whole host of objects possess power in our potentially dangerous

• Stones are often power

• This is one reason you can easily find crystal jewelry and other semi-precious stones for sale in catalogs and stores

• Certain plants and insects are believed to be sacred and taboo

• Carved images are believed to possess the spirit of divinities

4. There are sacred actions

• Worship includes sacrifice of animals or plans to the deities

• The presore shamans perform the sacred rights

• Omen's plan essential role. This is the origin of saying God bless you after someone sneezes to protect the spirits from jumping into the suddenly vulnerable person

• Signs in the heavens and certain reptiles or animals encountered in a day such as a black cat crossing one's path. Pretending bad luck May predict one's future

5. There are sacred words

• There are many OS curses and blessings

• The spells of both white and black witchcraft are sacred words

• Words are changed with sacred power if uttered by a priest, such words possess the sacred power, mana

6. There are sacred persons

• Which is user powers for good and evil

• They can use their powers to protect communities from enemies

• They can use their power to communicate with the god's

• In most societies, witchcraft and sorcery are most feared

• Which is our belief to travel great

• On others

• They can cast spells on others

• They can inject foreign bodies into a victim causing illness

• Which is have the ability to communicate with dead spirits

• Many societies believe they can transform themselves into animals

There is a shaman or the medicine man

He can carry sicknesses

He directs sacrificial rights and escorts souls to the other world

At times he can leave his body and observe events from a distance

He is born into the family or earns the job by passing tests and rituals

There's also the sacred King

Then they are subhumans such as trolls and water spirits

Finally, there are little people such as leprechauns

7. There are sacred rituals

• These must be performed regularly

• The head of the family performs some others require the expertise of the priests

8. There is the practice of magic and divination - the art of casting spells and communicating with the spirit world are reserved for the priests

The Christian must be aware when his practices are influenced by animism

Often many feel that saying amen are wearing a cross-springs protection

Others use sacred stones or believing performing a ritual will bring them fortune

A Christian has direct access to God through Christ and does not need to rely on another person of a sacred office

Also, Christians have all we need in Christ and do not need powers from the spiritual realm

Christ has given us all we need to overcome

Yogic religions start

Intro

• Buddhism Hinduism janism and a variety of related religious traditions can be identified as yogic religions

• Because at their cores of practice of one or another form of yoga that seek some form of escape or liberation from this world

• Although they are major differences between the different yogic religions, they all assume that this world is a veil of sorrow that must be endured until some form of escape becomes possible

Abrahamic religions, which see the patriarch Abraham as the founder of (Faith Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) place primary value on the relationship of humans to a Creator, God, while emphasizing the salvation of the individual

Yogic relations promote a form of salvation that involves an escape from individuality

Karma

Karma is a cosmic law of cause and effect that ensures that whatever a person does good or bad has ultimate consequences

If we do good, we produce good karma

If we do evil we produce bad karma

Good karma frees people from the illusion of the material world and makes the hope of a liberation possible

Bad karma binds people to the world as it creates illusions of happiness

Rebirth

Rebirth is closely related to the idea of karma

Most Hindus believe that when human beings die, their soul enters another body

This is technically called transmigration

Karma and rebirth are brought together through belief in an endless chain of existence known as samsara

Samsara

I'm sorry is also called The wheel of existence is the name given to a vast network of birth and deaths through in this lifetimes involving incarnations in many worlds, heavens and hells

Yogic religions teach that everything and every being are bound together in the infinite repetition of birth and death bound together through karma and rebirth

Dharma

Dharma is a concept of central importance in yogic (Indian) religions with different meanings and Hinduism Buddhism Sikhism And janism

In Hinduism, dharam is both the cosmic law and an individual specific duties in life, which may differ based on the family, social or spiritual rules

In Buddhism, Dharma refers specifically to the teachings of the Buddha which offer the path to enlightenment and liberation from suffering

Dharma and janism pertains to the purification and moral transformation of human beings

For Sikhs Dharma means the path of righteousness and proper religious practice

Mashka and Nirvana

In Hinduism, moshka is the liberation ) freeing of oneself or being freed) from the bonds of karma and experiencing release from samsara

Or Buddhist liberation is called Nirvana- the freedom from The wheel of samsara and the bonds of karma and is the cessation of our present mode of existence

Astrology

Believe in astrology arises naturally from belief in karma and rebirth

In the west, astrology is accepted today largely by people who believe it works rather than because of its relationship to other beliefs

However, astrology reinforces beliefs in such things as karma by linking the time of one's birth, which is understood as a rebirth with why a person did in their past lives and it dramatizes yogic beliefs generally

Yoga

Today yoga is thought of as a way of life, and experience, healthy exercise, and simply a way of meditation

The word yoga serves in general to describe any ascetic

S allow practitioners to gain control of first the body, and then the mind

The religions of the yogic tradition all of you yoga as a step toward release from the bonds of karma, which ultimately will lead to liberation from the endlessness of samsara

The yogic tradition conceives of the human plight as essentially a matter of other fundamental being and are belief and individuality

Humans are delivered from individuality when they lose their identity and consciousness of personhood

Life is wretched because we experience it as separation and we will continue to do so until we understand and experience the oneness of all things, until we merge with the absolute (the ultimate, and personal reality that is the source of all existence)

Guru

A guru is a person who has been initiated into the spiritual world and is able to help the uninitiated

Gurus are not profits who declare the will of God and appeal to propositions found in a sacred book

Rather they are said to be greater than God because they lead to God

Gurus have shared the essence of the absolute and experience the oneness of being which endows them with Divine powers and the ability to master people and things in this world

In the Hindu tradition, the true guru is held to be a God- man was super human powers- and is recognized as a sacred being

What is important for Christians to realize is that the yogic tradition relies more on oral traditions transmitted and created by gurus who are seen as living God's religions that are firmly rooted in unchangeable scriptures

As a result, although there are scriptures like The Vedas upanishadas And numerous lesser texts. The guru can interpret them far more freely. Based on his own spiritual experiences and insights, the members of abrahamic face can interpret their own scriptures