THE CORE ESSAY (Click here to begin)

Introduction

I’m writing this because I’m excited about Yoga.  It’s not the type of Yoga most people think of as Yoga–the exercise program and pretzel poses, although that’s part of it.  Rather it’s about Yoga philosophy. 

Yoga has filled my life with wonder and joy.  Not by itself, of course.  The sum total of all my other experiences has prepared me to be receptive to Yoga’s power.  It has become a life philosophy that both complements and builds off all my other accumulated life philosophies and spiritualities.

Yoga is a 5,000 year old tradition of trying to achieve ultimate inner peace and happiness.  What I like most about it is that, even though it has a rich and complex history, with hundreds of variations, branches and sects, its basic tenets are elegantly simple and livable.

Let me be quick to say that I am not an expert on Yoga.  But I have read widely and learned about Yoga from many knowledgable people.  My insights come from my personal encounter with Yoga at a conceptual and daily practice level, particularly inspired by the writings of Stephen Cope of the Kripalu Center and Rod Stryker of ParaYoga.  (See “Recommended Yoga Resources”.)

Initially I took up Hatha Yoga to enhance my tennis training.  I felt I could use some greater flexibility.  Like most Americans’ first encounter with Yoga, it was mostly a stretching and workout routine.  My wife and I would go to class two or three times a week.   

But then I found that Yoga meditation and philosophy started to interest me as well.  I read Stephen Cope’s wonderful book, Yoga and the Quest for the True Self, and I was on my way.

 

What Yoga means to me

 Here is what Yoga has come to mean to me, sublimely simple, yet utterly profound and transforming:

 1) Each of us is already infinitely wondrous–miraculous, awe-inspiring, unfathomable.  (This is well hidden beneath the distractions and emotions of everyday life.)

 2) Our wondrous nature is the same as the infinite wonder of the universe.

 3) The way to experience our wondrous self is to fully experience the present moment, since each moment of consciousness is infinitely wondrous in itself.

 4) The mind, body, and spirit are inseparable.

 5) Experiencing our wondrous self leads to an abundance of joy and goodness.

 6) The techniques of Yoga, leading to “pure awareness”, are one method for discovering our true wondrous nature.

It took me a while to fully appreciate the truth and depth of these six simple gems, but now I’ve pretty much internalized them and they have made my life immeasurably richer.

Let’s look at my six key points one at a time:

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