About sophrology ????

[Spear]

Hi !

Some time ago, i was very stressed and anxious by some things in my life (a bunch of young guys were playing football against my wall, and the noise drove me crazy, we told them, but they kept coming back, and the police doesn't intervene).

I decided to do something about relaxing myself more, because time after time, my mind was focused on that. I decided to do breath exercices and to pray about that. The guys left, each time in the 10 minutes after i prayed (Thank you Lord !).

While i was reasearching things about relaxation, i found out articles about sophrology. It seems to be an interested technical method to relax, but i found manu pros and cons on the web, about the fact it was, or not, dangerous for christian people.

Does anyone here have an opinion about that ?

Is it something we could practice ? Is it dangerous ?

 

[Revmitchell]

Professor Caycedo was born in Columbia in 1932 and practiced medicine at the University of Madrid, before working under the phenomenologist Herr Binswanger in Switzerland.

Caycedo originally set out to find a way of healing depressed and traumatised clients by leading them to health and happiness with the least possible use of drugs and psychiatric treatments. He journeyed extensively to study the Eastern philosophies of Yoga, Zen and Buddhism, each time viewing them within a western scientific framework. Each discipline, theory and philosophy was approached with the intention of discovering what, exactly, improved people's health, both physically and mentally, in the fastest possible time and with lasting results.



On his return Professor Caycedo designed a method of healing, creating a 12 level training programme from both eastern and western philosophies that took into account our modern way of life - with its speed, stress and problems. The training is divided into 3 cycles – the reduction cycle, the radical cycle and the existential cycle. Professor Alfonso Caycedo named his method 'Sophrology' in 1960 and called it ‘a training of the consciousness and the values of existence,’ or ‘Health & Happiness Training’. Now, after 45 years of research, fine tuning and experimentation, he has extensive evidence of the effectiveness of the Sophrology method.

http://www.sophrologycentre.com/page/page/4073642.htm

Very problematic.

I prefer the Philippians 4:5-8 method

 

[Crabtownboy]

Do the exercises and relaxation techniques and ignore the Eastern philosophy.

 

[DrRandyGrace]

I think that could be bad advice, Crabby.

 

[Johnv]

Sounds like an issue of chewing on the meat and spitting out the bones.

I suggest treating it the same as you would yoga. Many Christians do yoga at their local fitness center, and aren't compromising their faith at all. Same with feng shui. Lots of Christians decorate their homes with feng shui principles, and aren't compromising their faith.

While the verse wasn't necessarily intended for this purpose, a little bit of "let each be convinced in his own mind" is prudent here.

 

[Marcia]

I would definitely not do this. Christians can sometimes tend to have a pragmatic approach -- if it works, it's okay. But many occult methods and methods from non-Christian religions seem to work; however, there is always a hidden cost.

Having been involved in Eastern meditation for many years (about 15 yrs) prior to becoming a Christian, I know the effects of certain techniques done over a period of time.

No matter how innocuous this sounds, I advise against it.

The Sophrology taught at Energy Centre is now called Sophro-ki to reflect its integration of NLP work, Coaching, Tao energy work, shamanic intution work and other energy medicine techniques, thus enriching and broadening the scope of applications of the orginal Sophrology.

Just as I suspected -- it's totally New Age. Stay away.

Besides, are we not to turn to the Lord when worried or anxious? I turn to prayer and the Psalms - the Lord has not let me down yet.

 

[Marcia]

Sounds like an issue of chewing on the meat and spitting out the bones.

I suggest treating it the same as you would yoga. Many Christians do yoga at their local fitness center, and aren't compromising their faith at all. Same with feng shui. Lots of Christians decorate their homes with feng shui principles, and aren't compromising their faith.

While the verse wasn't necessarily intended for this purpose, a little bit of "let each be convinced in his own mind" is prudent here.

I have a lot to say on the yoga, but let me address the Feng Shui. Feng Shui is not a decorating technique! It is a total system of occult divination; it cannot be done without belief in chi and using divinatory methods. In fact, the goal of Feng Shui is to attract "good chi" and deflect "bad chil."

I researched this and have written a published article on it, as well as having lectured on it, and been interviewed on the radio about it. Christians should avoid Feng Shui due to God's prohibition on occult divination.

Two articles of mine on Feng Shui:
On my website
http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_FengShui1.html

A slightly different article that was published:
http://www.equip.org/articles/feng-shui-decorating

 

[Jim1999]

What puzzles me is how quickly and easily people turn to pagan ideas, and yet complicate Christianity beyond comprehension.

What is that song, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.......................In the light of His glory and grace."


Cheers,

Jim

 

[JMSR]

of time? I thought it was of earth. I can't remember now.

 

[Johnv]

I have a lot to say on the yoga

I'm sure you do. Your past writings indicate you're rather preoccupied with all things new age.
My wife does yoga twice a week. It's quite good for muscle tone.

Feng Shui is not a decorating technique! ... Christians should avoid Feng Shui due to God's prohibition on occult divination.

[Crude remarks edited out]
Poster should know better.

 

[Marcia]

Okay, I'll go home and mess up my house, based on your say so.

:laugh: There you go - see, you think Feng Shui is about clearing clutter. It isn't. That is how it's been marketed.

So don't mess up your house - your wife might not be happy!

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Is focusing one self bad? I mean this in the context of this discussion. I am no longer in Martial Arts however there seems to be practicle consideration in using breathing techniques and clearing ones mind of "cow webs" and focusing. Is this bad? Especially, if you ignore Ying Yang, or In Yo type philosophies? I look at it like music. In the 1960's the big issue was should Christians listen to contemporary music because it resembled (musically not lyricly) "rock"? However, Christians were uplifted by this type of music and now its commonly accepted. Now when God made the world it was good. Sin entered the world but the fundalmental state of the world was that it is good though it is tainted the goodness is still there. Man being creative and intelligent can certainly see contextions. So could the process of focusing oneself be ok but used in a bad way bad? Like water. Water can be nurishing. Misuse can get you killed. So instead of the philosphical bad aspects take the good natural aspects and use it? Must we run from everything that was used badly at one time. Because if we did that there would be nothing we could do.

 

[Johnv]

:laugh: There you go - see, you think Feng Shui is about clearing clutter. It isn't. That is how it's been marketed.

I didn's say it was or wasn't. I said lots of Christians decorate their homes with feng shui principles, and aren't compromising their faith.

One of the issues I have with your criticisms is that you refuse to discern between using principles of a thing, and using the thing itself. You say we can't use principles of feng shui, because feng shui is bad. We can't incorporate yoga techniques into excercise, because yoga is bad. We can't incorporate aspects of emergent worship, because the empergent movement is bad. We can't do karate or kung fu, because it's occultic.

I think you need to work on learning discernment, and let everyone else be be convinced in his own mind, rather than yours.

 

[Marcia]

I didn's say it was or wasn't. I said lots of Christians decorate their homes with feng shui principles, and aren't compromising their faith.

One of the issues I have with your criticisms is that you refuse to discern between using principles of a thing, and using the thing itself. You say we can't use principles of feng shui, because feng shui is bad. We can't incorporate yoga techniques into excercise, because yoga is bad. We can't incorporate aspects of emergent worship, because the empergent movement is bad. We can't do karate or kung fu, because it's occultic.

I think you need to work on learning discernment, and let everyone else be be convinced in his own mind, rather than yours.

JohnV, how much do you know about feng shui? Do you know what the principles are? The principles themselves come from Taoism, and are based on the occult and belief in chi. I am guessing you know little or nothing about what Feng Shui is.

I have been involved with some of these things for over 30 yrs, years that include before being a Christian and after in ministry. I speak publicly on them and have to have reasons to back up what I say. I am challenged all the time and have to be able to defend what I say. I am always re-thinking and exploring if I think I am wrong or being off-balance. I am accountable to my churches, mission board, and many supporters. I do not say any of this lightly.

Please check out my articles before you imply I am being too harsh or rigid. I have good reasons and information to base my comments on.

I am not criticizing - I am giving information.

 

[Marcia]

Is focusing one self bad? I mean this in the context of this discussion. I am no longer in Martial Arts however there seems to be practicle consideration in using breathing techniques and clearing ones mind of "cow webs" and focusing. Is this bad? Especially, if you ignore Ying Yang, or In Yo type philosophies? I look at it like music. In the 1960's the big issue was should Christians listen to contemporary music because it resembled (musically not lyricly) "rock"? However, Christians were uplifted by this type of music and now its commonly accepted. Now when God made the world it was good. Sin entered the world but the fundalmental state of the world was that it is good though it is tainted the goodness is still there. Man being creative and intelligent can certainly see contextions. So could the process of focusing oneself be ok but used in a bad way bad? Like water. Water can be nurishing. Misuse can get you killed. So instead of the philosphical bad aspects take the good natural aspects and use it? Must we run from everything that was used badly at one time. Because if we did that there would be nothing we could do.

We are to look at things through the filter of God's word. Some things are inherently evil and come from false religions. These practices honor other gods and beliefs contrary to the true God. Such is the nature of what I speak of here.

 

[tinytim]

I think I will go walk my labyrinth and meditate on the OP...

 

[Johnv]

JohnV, how much do you know about feng shui?

I'm not going to get into a sparring match to see who knows more about the other. Suffice it to say I know I'm not engaging in the occult when using the principles of feng shui to decorate or design, I know my wife isn't engaging in the occult when she attends yoga, and I know my son isn't engaging in the occult when I drop him off at Karate class.

Please check out my articles before you imply I am being too harsh or rigid. I have good reasons and information to base my comments on.

Your website is suspect. You claim that the "Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners" was setup by the City of Atlanta. You and I both know that's false. The ABAE is a not-for-profit organization, and has nothing to do with the City of Atlanta.

[Personal attack edited out]

 

[Marcia]

I'm not going to get into a sparring match to see who knows more about the other. Suffice it to say I know I'm not engaging in the occult when using the principles of feng shui to decorate or design, I know my wife isn't engaging in the occult when she attends yoga, and I know my son isn't engaging in the occult when I drop him off at Karate class.

If you are truly using the principles of Feng Shui, then you are using occult principles, JohnV. The principles of Feng Shui are to deflect "bad" chi and attract "good" chi as well as to balance yin and yang.

Your website is suspect. You claim that the "Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners" was setup by the City of Atlanta. You and I both know that's false. The ABAE is a not-for-profit organization, and has nothing to do with the City of Atlanta.

What!!! I honestly can't believe you are accusing me of lying. Yes, the Metropolitan Atlant Board of Astrology Examiners was set up by city councilman Wyche Fowler and an astrologer, before I came onto the scene. How can you say that? I don't know what the ABAE is. I am talking about the Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners (which may or may not exist anymore - I don't know). The Metropolitan Astrological Society was not set up by the city.

I took a 7 hour exam in a room at City Hall in Atlanta, Ga, in 1983. When I was chairperson of this Board, the exam was still being given that way.

My record has been checked thoroughly by many people - the producers of "Unshackled," the producers of Dr. D. James Kennedy's TV program, and others. Furthermore, I have a copy of an article in a 1988 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of an interview of myself when I was President of this Board.

Also, John Ankerberg and John Weldon write about the Board of Astrology Examiners in Atlanta in their book on astrology (now out of print). This book came out before I was a Christian but I read it later. They made a mistake saying the testing was for all of Georgia. I wrote them about this and when I met John Weldon, I told him the licensing was only for the city of Atlanta (within city limits).

Again, your lack of discernment is quite apparant, and your truthfulness is clearly in question. Not to mention, your preoccupation with the occult is of concern

The occult is part of what my ministry addresses.

You owe me an apology for accusing me of giving false information.

 

[Revmitchell]

If you are truly using the principles of Feng Shui, then you are using occult principles, JohnV. The principles of Feng Shui are to deflect "bad" chi and attract "good" chi as well as to balance yin and yang.


What!!! I honestly can't believe you are accusing me of lying. Yes, the Metropolitan Atlant Board of Astrology Examiners was set up by city councilman Wyche Fowler and an astrologer, before I came onto the scene. How can you say that? I don't know what the ABAE is. I am talking about the Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners (which may or may not exist anymore - I don't know). The Metropolitan Astrological Society was not set up by the city.

I took a 7 hour exam in a room at City Hall in Atlanta, Ga, in 1983. When I was chairperson of this Board, the exam was still being given that way.

My record has been checked thoroughly by many people - the producers of "Unshackled," the producers of Dr. D. James Kennedy's TV program, and others. Furthermore, I have a copy of an article in a 1988 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of an interview of myself when I was President of this Board.

Also, John Ankerberg and John Weldon write about the Board of Astrology Examiners in Atlanta in their book on astrology (now out of print). This book came out before I was a Christian but I read it later. They made a mistake saying the testing was for all of Georgia. I wrote them about this and when I met John Weldon, I told him the licensing was only for the city of Atlanta (within city limits).


The occult is part of what my ministry addresses.

You owe me an apology for accusing me of giving false information.

Marcia not everyone sees you as a liar. Some resort to these tactics when they do not like the information. This was quite the ad hominem. Sorry you had to endure that.

 

[Marcia]

Soon after its passage, the City of Atlanta Board of Aldermen wrote and voted into law a new City Ordinance requiring those seeking to practice astrology in Atlanta had to meet certain standards, the most important being the requirement to pass a 7 hour supervised exam administered by the Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners. The City of Atlanta thus became the only city in the United States with a mandatory examination for professional astrologers.


This ground breaking ordinance was written and strongly supported by then Alderman (and later Congressman) Wyche Fowler and then Alderman (and later Mayor of Atlanta) Maynard Jackson. They were assisted in writing the ordinance by Atlanta astrologers Maxine Taylor, Louise Bromley and Rosemary Jones. They and other top Atlanta astrologers worked tirelessly to elevate the practice of astrology from "fortune telling" to an officially accredited profession.


Then in 1974/75 the City of Atlanta Ordinance was amended to include The American Federation of Astrologers national examination as an optional test for license applicants. This new move to national prominence for Atlanta astrology was the result of efforts by astrologer Lil Huber, another major activist in Atlanta’s increasingly powerful astrological community.

...Currently, The Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners is "inactive". This is mainly due to the fact that applicants choose to take the American Federation of Astrologers national exam to qualify for a license, thus the local qualifying exam has not been given for many years. But the establishment of this board was critical to setting and upholding professional standards for astrologers in the City of Atlanta and by extension in the State of Georgia. Many Georgia astrologers who did not practice in the City of Atlanta chose to take this exam as proof of their professional creditability.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2766-Atla...-City-of-Atlanta-Board-of-Astrology-Exaniners