What are Original Christianity and Original Yoga?
Original Christianity is the basic, classical teachings of Sanatana Dharma, the Eternal Dharma, which were taught by Jesus, who was a missionary to the West of the spiritual vision of India, and the empowering and transforming rituals instituted by Jesus and known as Sacraments that were meant to accomplish outside India what the traditional samskaras and spiritual initiations (diksha) accomplished for those living in India. It was the earliest form of Vedanta for the West.
“All the religions of the world have come into existence through the will of God, and all will cease to exist through His will. But the religion of India will never cease to exist, for it alone is the Sanatana [Eternal] Dharma.” Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa
(See The Christ of India, The Apostle of India and The Yoga of the Sacraments posted on this website.)
Original Yoga is the simple spiritual practice of meditation on the sacred monosyllable Om, of which Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi wrote in his very first teaching: “The Ekakshara [Om] shines for ever in the heart as the Self.”
(See Om Yoga at a Glance and Om Yoga: Its Theory and Practice posted on this website.)
Both of these–Original Christianity and Original Yoga–are to be found in the eleven major Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and we believe are the only authentic Christianity.
Original Christianity
Saint Augustine wrote in the fourth century: “The identical thing that we now call the Christian religion existed among the ancients and has not been lacking from the beginnings of the human race until the coming of Christ in the flesh, from which moment on the true religion, which already existed, began to be called ‘Christian.’” Read Articles about Original Christianity
Original Yoga
“This is the bridge to immortality. May you be successful in crossing over to the farther shore beyond darkness” (Mundaka Upanishad). The bridge is Om Yoga Meditation, according to all the major scriptures of India and those Masters that have crossed the bridge and become Immortal and Free by themselves practicing and achieving perfection in Yoga. Read Articles about Original Yoga
Dharma for Awakening
Except for the New Testament, very few early Christian writings have survived. Those that have, such as The Odes of Solomon, The Gospel of Thomas and a handful of fragments, show a very different Christianity from that of today. To supply this defect, we must look to the East–especially India where Jesus spent over half his life. As a Saint Thomas Christian priest once remarked: “You cannot understand the teachings of Jesus unless you know the scriptures of India.” Read Articles about Dharma for Awakening
Light of the Spirit Monastery
Light of the Spirit Monastery is an esoteric Christian monastic community for those men who seek direct experience of the Spirit through meditation, sacramental worship, discipline and dedicated communal life, emphasizing the inner reality of “Christ in you the hope of glory,” as taught by the illumined mystics of East and West. Special attention is also given to the pre-Christian roots of the Gospel of Christ, especially those in India. Read about Light of the Spirit Monastery and monastic life
Visit our Podcast Page to listen to talks by Abbot George Burke (Swami Nirmalananda Giri), head of Light of the Spirit Monastery, about various aspects of practical spiritual life, and remarkable spiritual people he has known. These podcasts will include talks on Original Christianity and Original Yoga, Om Yoga Meditation, the Yoga Life, the connection between Jesus and India, monastic life, and much more. Listen to Podcasts.
Monastery Bookstore
Read books on spiritual life by Abbot George Burke, available in print and ebook format from Amazon.com, Smashwords, and other online outlets.
Satsang with the Abbot: Questions & Answers about Life, Spiritual Liberty, and the Pursuit of Ultimate Happiness
A new collection of over 350 questions and answers which Abbot George has answered over the years.
The questions in this book range from the most sublime to the most practical. “How can I attain samadhi?” “I am married with children. How can I lead a spiritual life?” “What is Self-realization?”
Among these 350+ questions and answers, you will find these topics:
- karma, reincarnation, and spiritual evolution
- avatars, angels, devas, spirits, ghosts and demons
- death and the after-life, astral travel, astrology
- esoteric view of Jesus and Christianity, the “Lost Years,” and modern yogis who saw Jesus
- effective meditation methods, how to deal with the mind, vegetarianism, and practical spirituality
- stories of Babaji, Yogananda and his disciples, Anandamayi Ma, Sri Ramakrishna and his disciples, and modern saints of India
- the spiritual principles (dharma) that unite the inner traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and the world’s religions
In Abbot George’s replies to these questions the reader will discover common sense, helpful information, and a guiding light for their journey through and beyond the forest of cliches, contradictions, and confusion of yoga, Hinduism, Christianity, and metaphysical thought.
★★★★★ “Abbot George speaks as one who knows his subject well, and answers in an manner that conveys an effortlessness and humor that puts one at ease, while, at the same time, a wisdom and sincerity which demands an attentive ear.”
~ Russ Thomas
“Satsang with the Abbot is a must-read for the seeker of truth. Brilliantly presented.” ~ Sandra Carrington-Smith, award-winning author of Housekeeping for the Soul: A Practical Guide to Restoring Your Inner Sanctuary.
This site is inspired by and dedicated to Paramhansa Yogananda, who introduced yoga meditation and the goal of self realization to the American people, and whose writings reveal the underlying unity of original Christianity and original Yoga.
