The yogic experience is different for each person considering its many branches and disciplines. Spirituality in general is a vast ocean in which the seeker must navigate through the storm of one’s own thoughts and emotions as well as sift through the various paths in order to find a paradigm that works for you. Depending on your orientation, selfless service, devotion, meditation and more, serve as elements we incorporate into our practice.
As our spiritual training deepens and evolves, it is important that we ask or remind ourselves of the goal. Not from an idealistic but from a practical standpoint. Most of us will not become enlightened in this life nor is it about the cultivation of yogic (spiritual) powers as an end result (they will come naturally as a by-product of our Sadhana). As we interact with people at work, family members, a spouse, society in general, as we gain (and lose) friends and lovers, deal with all manner of triumphs and tribulations, we must remain fixed on the one aspect of our practice that should reside at the forefront of our consciousness. In a word, Transformation.
All of our experiences are meant to enable us to grow and the ability to implement what we learn becomes our practice. Over time, we do indeed change as the work we do on the mat, in meditation, ceremony or in any other facet that makes up our unique spiritual orientation, carries over into our everyday lives and “becomes us”. This is the beauty of the process of transformation. It just “happens”. Ever so subtly, but indeed the change unfolds. What is important is to choose a discipline and stick to it and not to meander from one methodology or modality to another. Consistency will bring results.
In the process of “seeking”, one can often become pulled in many different directions. Any new endeavor should be fully explored until that specific set of teachings becomes a foundation that will enable you (the practitioner) to build on all the work done previously. This is not a matter of months, but often years and/or decades. There is no race to the finish line as the universe has its own time frame for our growth. As much as we would like things to happen according to our time clock, we are on Gods (universal) time and as such, must have an element of trust and surrender as we go through the process (life). There is no fast track to self-realization although a serious pursuit of yoga (or related discipline) can certainly hasten the journey.
It is our responsibility to prepare ourselves each day and be reminded that every moment during the course of our lives lies an opportunity to live the spiritual work we do. As conscious choice makers and co-creators, we radiate the very ideals that embody our beliefs attracting people and situations accordingly along the way. Anyone can be a holy man/woman alone on a mountain top or isolated in a cave, but the real work is the challenge of being a part of a society, one that is helplessly inept at spiritual life and to meet the challenges that each day in our world brings with faith, courage and kindness.
image courtesy of flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tozzer/3703996099/
Great post Fredric,
Ive always wanted to try yoga but never really got into it like i wanted to. It’s never to late and really intend on doing it. There is nothing more important than mind, body, and spirit alignment.
Keep em comin,
Adrain