Thoughts on Yoga
How to Have More Inner Peace
2006-09-22
In the last issue I wrote about the "myth of efficiency." That is, the belief that getting more things done faster will make our lives more rewarding.
In fact, yogis ancient and modern have specifically identified busy-ness as an obstacle to peace and well being.
Modern yoga masters are fully aware of the complexity of contemporary life. This is not a new problem. Ancient texts and teachings address the challenges of being a contributing memeber of society while attempting to retain a spiritual sense of life.
The Bhagavad Gita, India's most beloved sacred text, lays out a detailed plan for balancing personal spiritual needs with the pull of the temporal world.
The teachings of the Gita are too rich and subtle to praphrase here. But throughout the teachings the devotee is instructed to fulfill the obligations that life demands. However, one should at the same time keep spiritual focus.
The way this is expressed is thus: "Be in the world, but not of it."
In order to avoid being swallowed up in the world and its endless demands, one absolutely must set aside time for inner reflection.
Even a few minutes a day is enough to start. In those few minutes, sit or walk quietly by yourself. Clear your mind. You can pray if you want.
You can also experience peace and quiet by a simple technique: While sitting upright, breathe slowly through your nostrils, 4 counts in and 4 counts out. Try to keep your body still and your breath silent. Do this for at least 5 minutes. If you have been to a yoga class with us, you have probably done this technique.
Don't be discouraged if you don't feel anything at first. Keep an open mind. Give your body and mind time to adjust to this new routine. Pick a time to do this every day and decide to stick to it for at least a month.
By taking just a few minutes each day to connect with your spiritual nature, you can create more clarity, happiness and inner peace.