Lotus

The lotus position is a crossed-legged “yoga” or Zen meditation position called padmasana. In this position, which is considered an advanced position, the soles of the feet face upward as the legs are crossed with the foot of either lag resting upon the thigh. It is named after a water lily called a lotus, which has the botanical name Nelumbo Nucifera. Hindu deities, as well as yogis are often pictured sitting in this yoga position or sitting inside a lotus blossom.

Unfortunately, people make the mistake of thinking that yoga, is nothing more than a form of physical stretching and fitness, or that the ability to so such maneuvers of the body merely indicate a flexibility. In truth, yoga is religious, and such poses are worship of Hindi gods.

The religious goal of Yoga is for the student to be “yoked with the Divine” which is why he or she postures in submission to a god. The goal is to achieve the ultimate body, mind, and spirit connection of enlightenment, a connection with the divine, which is also an impersonal life force.
It is believed that when mastered, yoga will neutralize the individuals karma, (which is a sort of by product produced by the breaking of universal law) thus ending the otherwise endless cycle of physical reincarnation in an illusion-produced world. Practicing yoga is believed to help a person find ultimate truth as they yoke themselves to the Buddhist perception of ultimate reality or "God."

Yoga, one will learn, is practiced in order to awaken something inside of person called the “serpent force,” or Kundalini, the mystical power that works in you to help you attain enlightenment. The belief also teaches that through disciplined practice of Yoga, your mind will expand in consciousness and you will realize your divinity. Meeting this end is also called “self-actualization” or “self realization.” It is surprising, in light of these well-known facts, that some people suggest that Yoga can be good “healthy” exercise for Christians.

The Christian should consider that the word yoga means to yoke together. They should remember that Jesus said to be yoked with Him, not to other gods and goddesses of eastern religions.