Sutra 1.3 of Patanjali’s yoga sutras says that the seer dwells in his own nature when we have achieved yoga. Yoga is the cessation of the modifications of the mind-stuff. (Sutra 1.1)
The mind is like the surface of a lake. Sometimes it is calm, sometimes it is stormy. If we dive deep enough, we will find a calm place, a place where the mind is no longer whipping us around like a cork on a stormy ocean.
It is comforting to be reminded of this. That practicing yoga can bring us peace. Pattabhi Jois, a great yoga teacher frequently said “Practice and all is coming”. It was his answer to most questions.
So I practice this thing called yoga. Today I am sore from an ashtanga yoga class yesterday, but my morning meditation was one of my practices and some karma yoga later in the day cleared and calmed my mind also. Karma yoga is also known as seva. Service with love and devotion. You can dedicate any task to this practice. Today we cleaned the yoga studio – a student & I – we didn’t talk, we practiced surrendering to the present moment with our attention on a loved one. Within about 20 minutes, my mind and head were clear.
Keep practicing yoga, every day. Life within the context of yoga – life as spiritual practice – is a life worth living.
Namaste
